article thumbnail

5 Risk Reduction Strategies For Your Next New Venture

Startup Professionals Musings

According to a classic Harvard Research study, first inventors spend at least a third more on their initial technology than later innovators. Market research can thus be based on real customers and a previously tested market. Studying and learning from the mistakes of others is the best way to reduce your own risks.

article thumbnail

5 Keys To Reducing Startup Risk By Building On Trends

Startup Professionals Musings

According to a classic Harvard Research study, first inventors spend at least a third more on their initial technology than later innovators. Market research can thus be based on real customers and a previously tested market. Studying and learning from the mistakes of others is the best way to reduce your own risks.

Startup 157
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Reflections on 2018: Jeb Spencer, TVC Capital

socalTECH

2018 was a great year for TVC Capital and we were able to get our fourth growth equity fund closed, taking our assets under management to close to $400 million. Lexus studied customers in the US and predicted that car buyers had just had it with clunky US cars. I'm trying to leave the hammer in the toolbox. I doubt it.

Capital 113
article thumbnail

6 Funding Resources For Ideas Needing More Validation

Startup Professionals Musings

Applied research is still primarily scientific study, seeking to solve practical problems, but doesn’t yet focus on a commercial product. The technology is now embodied in a solution that can be replicated to reliably solve a real customer problem. Technology pilots. This is the transition stage from basic research to applied research.

Resource 102
article thumbnail

10 Steps To Second Stage Success For Your New Venture

Startup Professionals Musings

According to one study a decade ago, only 45% of founders plan to exit after stage one, and my guess is that less than half the remainder survive the next stage in their own company. They need a large infusion from venture capitalists, private equity, bank loans, or mezzanine financing. Optimize the total customer experience.

Sales 147
article thumbnail

Government Grants Cost No Equity, But are Not Free

Startup Professionals Musings

A grant is not an equity investment, so the entrepreneur doesn’t have to give up a stake in the company either. They need you, since grants associated with commercializing products are favored over ones allocated simply for academic study and papers. For university professors, grants are their lifeblood, and they know the process well.

Equity 92
article thumbnail

6 Sources of Help For Early Stage Concept Exploration

Startup Professionals Musings

Applied research is still primarily scientific study, seeking to solve practical problems, but doesn’t yet focus on a commercial product. The technology is now embodied in a solution that can be replicated to reliably solve a real customer problem. Technology pilots. This is the transition stage from basic research to applied research.

Help 165