SoCal CTO

OCTOBER 5, 2010

Great content again in September that meets at the intersection of startups, technology, product and being a Startup CTO. Chris Dixon , September 12, 2010 My most useful career experience was about eight years ago when I was trying to break into the world of VC-backed startups. Why You Should Write. Your service: the game.

Startup 191

Startup Product Technology Venture Capital 191

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 3, 2014

I believe you can be much more productive, as well as a more effective leader, if you approach most meetings as mentoring opportunities, and limit them to five minutes. It works, but in all cases, to be a successful mentor, there are some key things you have to do: Be available always. Start by open listening.

Mentor 101

Mentor High Tech Coach Guide 101

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Southern California has had its share of new startup accelerators launch in the last few months, however, few people here have actually experienced an accelerator firsthand. Alex Benzer: I'm actually building two startups. SocialEngine is four years old, and that's the startup we applied to TechStars with.

Startup 242

Startup CTO Coach Blogging Social Media 242

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 10, 2010

I believe you can be much more productive, as well as a more effective leader, if you approach most meetings as mentoring opportunities, and limit them to five minutes. With the mentoring approach, the mentee asks for your support in their decision, or asks for your insight on the considerations for them making a future decision.

Mentor 88

Mentor High Tech Coach Guide 88

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 13, 2012

The dictionary definition of a mentor is “an experienced and trusted advisor,” or “leader, tutor or coach.” The definition of a critic sounds similar, “a person who offers reasoned judgment or analysis.” We can all learn from both of these approaches, but in my view the mentor is far more valuable than a critic.

Mentor 96

Mentor Entrepreneur Tips Coach 96

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 19, 2013

My internal compass has always steered me strongly toward the belief that founders who can scale with their startup companies are better to back that founders who eventually need to hire a CEO. Very few founder CEOs go into the job ever expecting to give up their seat. So give up the CEO role? It’s your baby.

Startup 303

Startup Technical Review Product Blogging 303

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 16, 2012

I believe you can be much more productive, as well as a more effective leader, if you approach most meetings as mentoring opportunities, and limit them to five minutes. It works, but in all cases, to be a successful mentor, there are some key things you have to do: Be available always. Start by open listening.

Mentor 91

Mentor Product High Tech Coach 91

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 27, 2014

I started in 2007 with a thesis that my primary investment decision would be about the team (70%) and only afterward about the market opportunity (30%). I was telling him that it was much easier when I started because there were fewer deals, life was less public and somehow the world seemed to be spinning more slowly. I don’t.

Venture Capital 374

Venture Capital Invest Press Startup 374

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 30, 2020

There has long been a big debate about the best approach to starting a new business. Some argue the only way to start is to drop everything and jump in with both feet, while others recommend an overlapped approach to the lifestyle, including not quitting your day job until you have revenue and a proven business model.

Startup 128

Startup Entrepreneur Satisfaction News 128

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 2, 2010

The dictionary definition of a mentor is “an experienced and trusted advisor,” or “leader, tutor or coach.” The definition of a critic sounds similar, “a person who offers reasoned judgment or analysis.” We can all learn from both of these approaches, but in my view the mentor is far more valuable than a critic.

Mentor 91

Mentor Tips Coach Entrepreneur 91

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 30, 2022

Perhaps sparked by the recent pandemic, I’m seeing a new era of the entrepreneur, with startups springing up all around. Based on my own mentoring and investing experience, the best entrepreneurs are pragmatic problem solvers. Problems will occur in every startup, simply because you are stepping into uncharted territory.

Startup 135

Startup Mentor Entrepreneur Technical Review 135

socalTECH

JANUARY 27, 2010

The incubator so far includes startups Lottay , Geodelic , and a number of other Internet and other technology firms. At this time, we have ten startups, and are starting to click and do some exciting things. We charge by-the-workstation, it's designed to be really flexible and affordable office space for these startups.

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Ventura Incubator Technology Startup 200

socalTECH

JANUARY 22, 2019

Kevin O'Connor: I've been doing venture since my first deal in 1995, and have been investing on and off since I moved to Santa Barbara in 2001, under the name O'Connor Ventures, and did that full time until 2009, when I started Graphiq, and switched back into doing another company. Kevin O'Connor: Definitely. It's that simple.

Venture Capital 145

Venture Capital Startup Invest Capital 145

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 13, 2021

Once you are able to achieve some real “traction” with your business (paying customers, revenue stream), it may seem the time to relax a bit, but in fact this is the point where many founders start to flounder. All the skills and instincts you needed to get to this level can actually start working against you, and you can fail to scale.

Entrepreneur 169

Entrepreneur Startup Coach Mentor 169

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 14, 2011

So do you think the environment still tough for startups? Investors are very focused on diligence, on business models that make sense, and those companies that have a definite competitive advantage and defensibility to what they're doing. Mike Napoli: It's quality versus quantity. Interestnig. Mike Napoli: Obviously, it's still tough.

Tech Coast Angels 231

Tech Coast Angels Technical Review Angel Southern California 231

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 29, 2021

An underutilized, but valuable resource, every startup should investigate is a formal or informal connection to your alma mater, including any local university. Start by contacting the university outreach liaison, or a professor in your area of interest or expertise. Start by contacting the law school organization.

Incubator 172

Incubator Mentor Class Resource 172

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 17, 2016

One of the reasons that now is the time to be an entrepreneur is the explosion of startup assistance organizations, usually called incubators or accelerators. Most of these are non-profits, set up by a university to commercialize new technologies, or a municipality to foster business development for the local economy.

Incubator 106

Incubator Startup Help Resource 106

Tech Zulu Event

JULY 16, 2013

Today’s startup innovators come from about six hours south of Silicon Valley. Fun Fact: One of the most prominent figures from their firm, Mark Suster t, runs a blog startups follow religiously. By bringing startup companies together with modern facilities and tools, Amplify LA is the engine that powers the cutting edge.

Startup 111

Startup Snapchat Venice Social Media 111

InfoChachkie

APRIL 21, 2014

It wasn''t until I turned 50 that I fully adopted basketball legend John Wooden''s definition of victory: "Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.". I travelled up the Killer Curve by incrementally celebrating extremely small successes.

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Activity Santa Barbara Startup Tips 275

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020

In my own business career, many years as a business advisor, and mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I have validated the following strategies to practice and guide you. A better definition of a problem always leads to a better solution. If this doesn’t come naturally for you today, I assure you that it can be learned.

Satisfaction 152

Satisfaction Mentor Study Startup 152

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 2, 2015

By definition, every startup is predictably unpredictable, since new solutions have no proven track record, startups are usually building a new market, and the world around them is changing faster than ever. Bring in expert advisors and mentors to set initial goals, and build recovery plans.

Startup 105

Startup Entrepreneur Marketing Satisfaction 105

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 6, 2012

Fortune 1000 CEOs usually don’t make good startup CEOs, and vice versa. You may have great credentials as a public servant in your home town, but that won’t get you money to build a social network on the Internet, or start a software company. The startup road is guaranteed to be long and hard. Able to communicate a vision.

Startup 94

Startup Resource Social Network Mentor 94

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

One of the reasons that now is the time to be an entrepreneur is the explosion of startup assistance organizations, usually called incubators or accelerators. Most of these are non-profits, set up by a university to commercialize new technologies, or a municipality to foster business development for the local economy.

Incubator 98

Incubator Startup Help Resource 98

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 20, 2010

Fortune 1000 CEOs usually don’t make good startup CEOs, and vice versa. You may have great credentials as a public servant in your home town, but that won’t get you money to build a job board on the Internet, or start a software company. The startup road is guaranteed to be long and hard. The size of the race is also important.

Startup 93

Startup Resource Mentor Writing 93

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 2, 2013

More and more entrepreneurs are hearing about the successful graduates and investors queued behind a few well-known startup incubators, including Y Combinator, TechStars, and the Founder Institute. His tests focus on personality traits alone (ignoring your startup idea), looking for fluid intelligence, openness, and agreeableness.

Incubator 115

Incubator Help Startup Technical Review 115

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 9, 2012

In my experience, there is no magic gene involved, just simple good habits executed consistently and convincingly until everyone around you in a startup wants to follow your example. In a startup, things don’t always work, and it’s easy to blame someone else, the poor economy, or just bad luck. Be accountable for your actions.

Startup 104

Startup Examples Entrepreneur Ideas 104

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 19, 2013

An underutilized, but valuable resource, every startup should investigate is a formal or informal connection to your alma mater, including any local university. Start by contacting the university outreach liaison, or a professor in your area of interest or expertise. Start by contacting the law school organization.

Startup 95

Startup Incubator Resource Mentor 95

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 1, 2013

Investing in entrepreneurs and startups is a fun but different world from investing in conventional stocks, bonds, and commodities. First of all, it’s more of an investment in people than in a business, since the startup is usually an idea barely half-baked when they need your money. Start in a business domain you know well.

Startup 87

Startup Invest Incubator Ideas 87

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 24, 2010

A little known, but valuable resource, every startup should investigate is a formal or informal connection to your local university. These resources are definitely are not limited to students, since every university wants and needs the real world exposure and experience of entrepreneurs who already have credibility in the marketplace.

Help 94

Help Startup Mentor Incubator 94

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 6, 2022

Investing in entrepreneurs and startups is a fun but different world from investing in conventional stocks, bonds, and commodities. First of all, it’s more of an investment in people than in a business, since the startup is usually an idea barely half-baked when they need your money. Start in a business domain you know well.

Startup 120

Startup Invest Equity Incubator 120

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 24, 2012

Reuters TV Interview by Rhonda Schaffler Investing in entrepreneurs and startups is a fun but different world from investing in conventional stocks, bonds, and commodities. First of all, it’s more of an investment in people than in a business, since the startup is usually an idea barely half-baked when they need your money.

Startup 91

Startup Invest Incubator Ideas 91

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 12, 2021

The future of work is definitely changing, accelerated by the current pandemic. Spend more time mentoring and coaching your team. Real mentoring always improves engagement and productivity, because team members know the “why” of their work, and how it benefits them, as well as your customers.

Tips 159

Tips Satisfaction Coach Mentor 159

Berkonomics

JUNE 22, 2012

I have a friend in the music business who worked hard to gain introductions to, and become mentored by, several known names in the business. One well known informal mentor called him the “Stevie Wonder of Hip Hop.” A mantra, tag line, motto, or logo with your unique brand definition is a good start.

Mentor 136

Mentor Statistics Press Entertainment 136

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 24, 2011

TechStars has several excellent mentors on staff, led by founder and CEO David Cohen. By way of a definition, a business or startup incubator is a company, university, or other organization which provides resources to nurture young companies, helping them to survive and grow during the startup period when they are most vulnerable.

Incubator 93

Incubator Startup Seed Funding Mentor 93

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 2, 2010

By way of a definition, a business or startup incubator is a company, university, or other organization which provides resources to nurture young companies, helping them to survive and grow during the startup period when they are most vulnerable. A successful startup is more about the right people than the right amount of money.

Incubator 93

Incubator Startup Seed Funding Mentor 93

socalTECH

AUGUST 25, 2015

As we came in, and started looking at opportunities the Dodgers had in front of them, they saw many great, smart, innovative young companies approaching us. It ended up being a pretty interesting opportunity, where we could create value not just for us, but industry-wide. How did the idea to launch your own accelerator come about?

Startup 100

Startup Invest Resource Entertainment 100

Tech.Co

JANUARY 29, 2018

Whether you’re an athlete or early-stage startup founder, getting your big break is a dream for any rookie. One of the best places for startups to expand their playbook is to participate in CES 2018 Eureka Park. Add Mentors to Your Roster. Regardless of one’s stage, mentors are a must have for any founder.

Startup 87

Startup Mentor Artificial Inteligence Research 87