Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 25, 2021

It seems like everyone wants to be an entrepreneur and get rich these days. Be wary of crafty shysters who will flood your mailbox with official-looking mail offering to help for a fee, or demanding fees you forgot to pay. Attend trade shows and network to find the right players and pitch your product.

Ideas 136

Ideas Entrepreneur Mentor Resource 136

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 19, 2014

in seed funding for its service, from such angels as Aaron Batalion (LivingSocial), Ben Huh (The Cheezburger Network), Naval Ravikant (AngelList), Paige Craig, Jillian Manus, Mike Walsh, and Structure Capital, along with Double M Capital, Venture51, Expansion, and Karlin Ventures. Honk is led by serial entrepreneur Corey Brundage.

Help 190

Help Services Demand Santa Monica 190

TechCrunch LA

OCTOBER 7, 2018

Investors are pouring millions into the creation of a network of shared kitchens, storage facilities, and pickup counters that established chains and new food entrepreneurs can access to cut down on overhead and quickly spin up new concepts in fast food and casual dining. On-demand food startup Sprig is shutting down today.

Startup 279

Startup Los Angeles Demand Pasadena 279

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 16, 2012

I raised money as an entrepreneur, like you, in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2005 for two different companies. I now observes the fund raising process as a profession. This is the fund raising perspective from both sides of the table. Fund raising (as is much of life) is a sale – pure and simple. Executive Summary.

Develop 366

Develop Development Funding Venture Capital 366

socalTECH

APRIL 14, 2010

Our interview this morning is with Lolita Carrico, founder of Gloss Network for Women (www.mygloss.com), an online network of sites focused on women. Lolita was founder of ModernMom.com, which she sold to Richard Rosenblatt's Demand Media last year, and we caught up with Lolita to learn more about her newest venture.

Networking 230

Networking Social Media Startup Search Engine Optimization 230

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 8, 2014

” It’s the most common refrain I hear from investors and even entrepreneurs these days. Over the past 4 years LA’s tech fundings have growing at a 30% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) which is > 4 times the US average VC CAGR (7%). He built & IPOd Demand Media. for $565 million to Excite.

Entrepreneur 376

Entrepreneur Snapchat Startup Google 376

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2021

In my experience as an angel investor for new startups, I’m always surprised by how many entrepreneurs are looking for funding without outside advisors. For example, I once was approached by an entrepreneur, passionate that his new algae strain would cure world hunger and make him rich. Bandwidth is a constraint we all feel.

Startup 142

Startup Technical Review Equity Entrepreneur 142

socalTECH

JANUARY 18, 2011

This morning, Pasadena-based Perfect Market (www.perfectmarket.com) announced a new, $9M round of funding for the firm's technology, which is used to help publishers monetize their content. Congrats on funding. It's some of the kinds of things Demand Media does, except, for the newsroom. We know what people are looking for.

Marketing 232

Marketing Funding Content Writing 232

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2021

In startup business plans, a bubble is too many entrepreneurs and too many investors chasing the latest “next big thing,” like Google search engine, Facebook social network, or Amazon e-commerce site. Supply and demand ignored. We all believe that supply and demand meet to create stable prices (reflexive). Cheap money.

Demand 145

Demand Google Commerce Pricing 145

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 28, 2018

My friend Michael Broukhim, founder & co-CEO of FabFitFun and I recently had a catch-up meeting for 3-miles on the Santa Monica “Bird Trail” No company has ever elicited so many questions by friends, colleagues, entrepreneurs, fellow VCs and journalists as has Bird, the company that pioneered the electronic scooter as a service market.

Santa Monica 256

Santa Monica Funding Startup Course 256

TechCrunch LA

AUGUST 12, 2022

providing freshly packaged salads, heat-and-eat prepared meals and vegan overnight oats, raised $7 million in funding as it goes after the $34 billion fresh prepared foods market. Positive Food’s vertical integration technology is mainly done in-house, including production and a cold-chain logistics network. Positive Food Co.,

Invest 175

Invest Los Angeles Startup Funding 175

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 31, 2022

These are responding to the demands of this new world for collaboration, trust, and transparency. If you are at the funding stage, try the new crowd-funding platforms or micro-capital investments. Shared clients and objectives (networked organization). In the idea stage, get customers involved with an engaging contest.

Organization 126

Organization Social Media Examples Custom 126

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 25, 2018

Now is the time to be an entrepreneur and create a business from your passion. Yet, as an angel investor myself, I can attest that many potential entrepreneurs try to take shortcuts, or ignore the realities of business. Participate in networking platforms and events for support. This is the time for pivots as required.

Funding 73

Funding Social Media Slides Platform 73

socalTECH

JULY 7, 2015

Los Angeles-based WhipClip , the mobile television clip sharing app developer led by serial entrepreneur Richard Rosenblatt, said today that it has raised $40M in a Series C funding round. The funding was led by Eminence Capital, and also included Institutional Venture Partners and Raine Ventures. READ MORE>>.

Demand 100

Demand Mobile Los Angeles Capital 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 2, 2014

Too many entrepreneurs tell me they are looking for an investor, and can’t differentiate between venture capital (VC) investors versus accredited Angel investors. Angels are more likely to fund new entrepreneurs, and early-stage or seed rounds, while VCs tend to focus on entrepreneurs with a successful track record, and later stage rounds.

Venture Capital 106

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Angel Startup 106

SoCal Tech Calendar

JUNE 5, 2019

Due to the overwhelming demand to pitch at our last event in San Diego, we're throwing an exclusive PitchFest speed dating event where you will be pitching to over 20 investors one-on-one! At this San Diego Event, we will be showcasing some of the newest early-stage venture funds and angel groups in the San Diego area!

San Diego 100

San Diego Venture Capital Angel Summary 100

Eric Greenspan

DECEMBER 5, 2009

I’ve been engaged with social networking for some time now, starting with Myspace and Facebook and just recently (within the last 30 days), Twitter. We created Superfriends, a group of local entrepreneurs that will gather to share ideas and help each other grow personally and professionally. I love Namechk.com for this.

Social Network 196

Social Network Networking Social Media Yahoo 196

socalTECH

JANUARY 31, 2013

Although maybe not all of the startups at the event might go on to get funding, an entire group of potential startup founders in the audience realize that they, too, have a shot at starting something and getting a chance to take it to the next level. Standing room only crowd at StartEngine). It's unclear.

Startup 256

Startup Commerce Santa Monica Mentor 256

Berkonomics

MAY 15, 2014

These usually involve a handful of angel investors, and a few entrepreneurs, who all want to build the very best term sheet for their exciting nascent enterprise. During those times, VCs had lots of conferences where thought leaders gathered to discuss term sheets, deal structures and fund strategies. Raising money'

Venture Capital 228

Venture Capital Examples Invest Conference 228

SoCal Tech Calendar

JUNE 7, 2019

Due to the overwhelming demand to pitch at our last event in Orange County, we're throwing an exclusive PitchFest speed dating event where you will be pitching to over 20 investors one-on-one! At this OC Event, we will be showcasing some of the newest early-stage venture funds and angel groups in the San Diego area!

Orange County 100

Orange County Venture Capital Angel Tech Coast Angels 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 22, 2023

From my consulting with entrepreneurs in Europe and other countries, I’m convinced that we all could benefit from adapting to meet their environments. Indeed these principles are good for all startups Connect ideas and networks from around the world. Even consumers here in the US are demanding a more responsible approach.

Capital 138

Capital Marketing Ideas Venture Capital 138

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 1, 2009

It is also a result of pent-up demand. Consumer spending is 70% of the economy and will continue to be stretched – We can look all we want at tech innovation, VC funding cycles and hot M&A deals, but ultimately growth and therefore investment must be underpinned by revenue. then the world will be fine for fund raising.

Venture Capital 269

Venture Capital Startup Funding Technical Review 269

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 29, 2013

Entrepreneurs often get the advice from their lawyers and friends to always get a Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA or CDA) signed before disclosing anything about their new venture. You won’t last long as an entrepreneur in this category, since a startup is all about taking risks. Who is right? Unknown interested party.

Ideas 92

Ideas Demand Patents Entrepreneur 92

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 1, 2013

All schmoozing and networking aside, what are investors, entrepreneurs, and others in the industry thinking about? More than one attendee expressed worries about seed level startups having issues getting more funding; seeing too many "me-too" startups; and the importance of proving out viable business models. READ MORE>>.

Ventura 182

Ventura Santa Monica Idealab High Tech 182

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 11, 2016

I’m a practical guy, so I recognize that expecting the real world to be fair is a dream that every entrepreneur needs to put aside as they reach the age of majority. Demand for safety and usage regulations. It takes more than a single entrepreneur with an innovative idea to build a business. Let’s keep it that way.

Entrepreneur 57

Entrepreneur Technical Review Startup Training 57

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 29, 2016

Most entrepreneurs I know are so passionate about their new idea that they are surprised when family and friends don’t line up to invest in their new venture. The reality is that investors, including myself, believe that the entrepreneur is more key to business success than the idea.

Funding 60

Funding Startup Ideas Slides 60

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 5, 2013

A good many startups I know have been “successful” over a couple of years in overcoming the challenges of starting the business, including incorporation, services development, funding, and setting up operations. Give your business an instant presence through online networks, including Facebook and LinkedIn. Raise the marketing bar.

Entrepreneur 93

Entrepreneur Startup Outsource Development Sales 93

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 11, 2012

Of course, you need to listen for biases, but local angel group leaders can quickly tell you who the bad angels and good angels are, and what kind of terms they typically demand. Network with other entrepreneurs. Contact peers you have met through networking, both ones who have used this investor, and ones who haven’t.

Entrepreneur 96

Entrepreneur Offshore Invest Social Network 96

InfoChachkie

OCTOBER 20, 2014

Want to be an entrepreneur? In addition, Entrepreneur Magazine recently included UCSB in its Top 50 Schools For VC Backed Entrepreneurs at number 37. A decent showing, but well below a number of larger schools, as the ranking is based on the number of graduates who secured VC funding. Don''t go to Wharton or Harvard.

Santa Barbara 258

Santa Barbara Technical Review Startup Venture Capital 258

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 4, 2014

On the other hand, if you are a new entrepreneur, still in the idea stage, professional investors will only tell you to come back later when you have traction (customers and revenue). Thus your startup maturity and growth stage is the primary key to success with potential funding sources. Congratulations!

Startup 93

Startup Funding Venture Capital Ideas 93

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 22, 2020

On the other hand, if you are a new entrepreneur, still in the idea stage, professional investors will only tell you to come back later when you have traction (customers and revenue). Thus your startup maturity and growth stage is the primary key to success with potential funding sources. Congratulations!

Startup 148

Startup Ideas Equity Invest 148

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 14, 2016

I’d like to explain as best I can my opinion on what is going on because most of what I hear from entrepreneurs is not only wrong but is reminiscent of what I heard in 1997-2000. ” “This will be great for VCs and bad for entrepreneurs.” What is the True Sentiment of VCs? ” “Sure, prices are dropping.

Startup 150

Startup Company Companies Venture Capital 150

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

Struggling entrepreneurs are often so happy to get a funding offer that they neglect the recommended reverse due diligence on the investors. Taking on equity investors to fund your company is much like getting married – it is a long-term relationship that has to work at all levels. It’s no fun for either side.

Technical Review 103

Technical Review Innocal Offshore Entrepreneur 103

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 17, 2022

Every entrepreneur thinks he can relax a bit after his business model is proven, funding is in place, and revenues are scaling as projected up that hockey-stick curve. An expanding customer base demands better support. Successful entrepreneurs and successful companies never stop re-inventing themselves.

Startup 106

Startup Pricing Cloud Computing Custom 106

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 11, 2021

Later, when your venture is trying to close on financing, or even going public, that forgotten partner surfaces, demanding their original share. Entrepreneurs often put off the hassle and the cost of filing a patent until first funding. Then you will only have pay tax on the increasing value of your shares when they are sold.

Patents 145

Patents Legalzoom Invest Startup 145

Xconomy

AUGUST 5, 2016

Entrepreneurs and venture capitalists have weighed in from time to time and their answers tend to fall into two camps. The headlines from Silicon Valley have conditioned us to think that you need to raise millions of dollars in venture funding to get a company off the ground. What is the ideal age to start a company?

Entrepreneur 40

Entrepreneur Startup Education Course 40

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 27, 2016

Struggling entrepreneurs are often so happy to get a funding offer that they neglect the recommended reverse due diligence on the investors. Taking on equity investors to fund your company is much like getting married – it is a long-term relationship that has to work at all levels. It’s no fun for either side.

Technical Review 63

Technical Review Innocal Offshore Entrepreneur 63