Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 31, 2020

In my work with new startups, I often find people who believe that the terms “ entrepreneur ” and “ inventor ” are interchangeable. Yet I find a big difference between “starting a new business” and “creating a new product.” A good entrepreneur starts with quantifying the problem, rather than a solution looking for a problem.

Startup 124

Startup Entrepreneur Customer Custom 124

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 11, 2021

Although every startup is unique, there are certain common avoidable mistakes that can lead to legal complications which jeopardize the long-term success of the business. Later, when your venture is trying to close on financing, or even going public, that forgotten partner surfaces, demanding their original share.

Patents 145

Patents Legalzoom Invest Startup 145

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 7, 2011

I always advise software startups to file patents to protect their “secret sauce” from competitors, and to increase their valuation. The bad news is that patent trolls can squeeze the lifeblood out of innocent and unsuspecting entrepreneurs, as exemplified by the current mess around Lodsys patent No.

Patents 91

Patents Software Technical Advisors Innocal 91

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. Most investors and startup advisors I know hate them, and refuse to sign them. Asking for an NDA is an insult and will jeopardize your case before you start.

Ideas 92

Ideas Demand Patents Entrepreneur 92

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 30, 2015

Aspiring entrepreneurs often ask me what to do first when starting a business. Instead, entrepreneurs need to focus first on execution disciplines and timing. The date of incorporation is the official start date for your business, so progress from this point will be scrutinized by investors.

Entrepreneur 59

Entrepreneur Startup Technical Review Ideas 59

Tech.Co

DECEMBER 6, 2017

What’s your role in the Coachella Valley area startup ecosystem? What is most exciting is the number of business opportunities that the cannabis industry creates a demand for like water control, commercial real estate, fertilizer development and distribution, wavelength specific LED lighting, and packaging.

Startup 119

Startup Technical Review Patents Services 119

Tech.Co

DECEMBER 6, 2017

What’s your role in the Coachella Valley area startup ecosystem? What is most exciting is the number of business opportunities that the cannabis industry creates a demand for like water control, commercial real estate, fertilizer development and distribution, wavelength specific LED lighting, and packaging.

Startup 105

Startup Technical Review Patents Services 105

TechCrunch LA

DECEMBER 11, 2018

Based in Los Angeles, AppOnboard sees itself as one of a new breed of LA startup that’s steeping itself in the local ecosystem and trying to be one of the cornerstone’s for a new technology hub in the southern California region. Company co-founder Jonathan Zweig has already had one hit as a Los Angeles-based entrepreneur.

Google 213

Google Los Angeles Southern California Platform 213

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 22, 2011

There is so much written these days about how to attract investors that most entrepreneurs “assume” they need funding, and don’t even consider a plan for “bootstrapping,” or self-financing their startup. In fact, most of the rich entrepreneurs you know actively turned away early equity proposals. Need to spread the risk.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Technical Review Startup Equity 102

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 7, 2013

Although every startup is unique, there are certain common avoidable mistakes that can lead to legal complications which jeopardize the long-term success of the business. Later, when your venture is trying to close on financing, or even going public, that forgotten partner surfaces, demanding their original share. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 94

Startup Patents Legalzoom Invest 94

Berkonomics

MARCH 5, 2020

In the creation of a young company, there are five principal risks to be addressed by the entrepreneur. So, it is important for the entrepreneur to identify, address and mitigate each of these in order to increase valuation and decrease the risk of ultimate loss of the business. And fifth: Competitive risk. .

Outsource Development 156

Outsource Development Ideas Resource Patents 156

InfoChachkie

MARCH 21, 2019

Ida wasn’t even the first modern-day entrepreneur to offer women brassieres. In 1917, Mary Phelps Jacobs was granted patent 1,115,674 , which states, “This invention relates to improvements in brassieres.” (sic). The company’s “I dreamed…” campaign caused demand to outstrip production. Innovate Beyond Product Features.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Design Customer Custom 100

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 2, 2016

Starting a new business is not an informal process, and should never be treated like a hobby between friends. Unfortunately, as a startup advisor and angel investor, I’ve seen too many ventures with great potential get destroyed or set back by legal and other shortcuts that should never have been allowed to happen.

Startup 62

Startup Patents Entrepreneur Writing 62

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 3, 2023

Most technical entrepreneurs I know demand the discipline of a product specification or plan, and then assume that their great product will drive a great business. Is it any wonder why so few entrepreneurs ever find the professional investors they seek? Yet I’m still often approached by aspiring entrepreneurs who have neither.

Product 112

Product Summary Activity Entrepreneur 112

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 18, 2014

Most technical entrepreneurs I know demand the discipline of a product specification or plan, and then assume that their great product will drive a great business. Is it any wonder why so few entrepreneurs ever find the professional investors they seek? Yet I’m still often approached by aspiring entrepreneurs who have neither.

Product 101

Product Entrepreneur Summary Activity 101

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 10, 2020

More importantly, I look for entrepreneurs and owners like you who are not afraid to hold themselves accountable for the success of the business. This almost always starts at the top, based on a founder’s dream and passion, without the proper homework on sizing the market, or assessing product realities.

Startup 113

Startup Examples Coach Metrics 113

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 2, 2011

Although every startup is unique, there are certain common avoidable mistakes that can lead to legal complications which jeopardize the long-term success of the business. Later, when your venture is trying to close on financing, or even going public, that forgotten partner surfaces, demanding their original share.

Entrepreneur 98

Entrepreneur Patents Invest Startup 98

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 8, 2016

As a startup advisor and investor, I find that more and more entrepreneurs avoid using the term “profit” in pitching their new venture. Thus I was pleased and a bit surprised to see a new book, “ The Purpose Is Profit ,” by Ed “Skip” McLaughlin, an entrepreneur who has both succeeded and failed in starting multiple businesses.

Entrepreneur 58

Entrepreneur Ideas Pricing Customer 58

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 10, 2012

Although every startup is unique, there are certain common avoidable mistakes that can lead to legal complications which jeopardize the long-term success of the business. Later, when your venture is trying to close on financing, or even going public, that forgotten partner surfaces, demanding their original share.

Startup 99

Startup Patents Legalzoom Invest 99

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 26, 2018

Steve Jobs proved it with the iPhone, and Elon Musk can’t produce his electric cars fast enough to keep up with demand. Bold entrepreneurs now can credibly talk about entirely new markets, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), genetic modifications, and privatized space travel. Then you really listen to what they have to say.

Marketing 92

Marketing Demand Examples Social Media 92

InfoChachkie

MAY 9, 2011

This series describes how entrepreneurs can craft company-changing agreements with BDCs, while avoiding Kiss of Death contract provisions. Entrepreneurs should never agree to the following provisions when negotiating with a BDC, no matter how lucrative the potential relationship. Give up Branding. Do Not Give up Branding.

Outsource Development 170

Outsource Development Entrepreneur Press Technical Review 170

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2019

Based on my experience and data from the field, over seventy-five percent of new startups fail, even with venture backing. Thus, I’m more impressed with entrepreneurs who ask me to review their implementation plan, rather than listen again to their idea. The number is much higher for those who choose to go it alone, without help.

Ideas 94

Ideas Slides Technical Review Patents 94

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 9, 2010

Helping entrepreneurs succeed. We Create Demand for California's Technology Companies. Startups Made Simple. An on-line community for entrepreneurs. www.pitchtheangels.com) Join Tech Coast Angels members and other start up investors at the 5th Annual Los Angeles Fast Pitch Competition. Think Glendale.

Southern California 113

Southern California Tech Coast Angels IP Orange County 113

socalTECH

AUGUST 18, 2017

Judges, juries, defense, and prosecuters are now expecting and demanding video be produced in the courtroom. Marcus Filipovich: Our other founder, Ron Waldorf, is a serial entrepreneur, primarily in the medical business. They set aside what they were working on, and started working on bringing this technology to law enforcement.

Pasadena Angels 100

Pasadena Angels Pasadena Technical Review Southern California 100

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 13, 2012

There is so much written these days about how to attract investors that most entrepreneurs “assume” they need funding, and don’t even consider a plan for “bootstrapping,” or self-financing their startup. In fact, most of the rich entrepreneurs you know actively turned away early equity proposals. Need to spread the risk.

Technical Review 95

Technical Review Startup Equity Entrepreneur 95

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 22, 2016

Moonshots are simply efforts that demand breakthroughs that are not possible within business-as-usual practices. In reality, that’s the definition of a successful startup these days, so every aspiring entrepreneur should take note, as well as every existing corporate executive. Select the best proposal and announce intent.

Startup 56

Startup Metrics Entrepreneur Resource 56

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 29, 2017

As an advisor to entrepreneurs, I often have to deal with people who are convinced that they must get me to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before they begin talks about their new venture. Get an NDA before detailed patent disclosures. It pays to talk to competitors about the business, but not your business.

Technical Review 61

Technical Review Patents Ideas Social Media 61

Berkonomics

MARCH 15, 2012

In the creation of a new enterprise, there are five principal risks to be addressed by the entrepreneur. So it is important for the entrepreneur to identify, address and mitigate each of these in order to increase valuation and decrease the risk of ultimate loss of the business. And fifth: Competitive risk.

Outsource Development 200

Outsource Development Ideas Resource Patents 200

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 24, 2014

Los Angeles-based Tilofy (www.tilofy.com)--out of USC''s Viterbi Startup Garage--is doing just that, helping to highlight what is going on around you, by absorbing all of that location data out there at any particular time and place. We spoke with Ali Khoshgozaran , founder and CEO of the company, to learn more about the startup.

USC 236

USC Southern California Organization UCLA 236

InfoChachkie

MAY 9, 2011

This series describes how entrepreneurs can craft company-changing agreements with BDCs, while avoiding Kiss of Death contract provisions. Entrepreneurs should never agree to the following provisions when negotiating with a BDC, no matter how lucrative the potential relationship. Give up Branding. Do Not Give up Branding.

Outsource Development 124

Outsource Development Entrepreneur Press Technical Review 124

SoCal Delicious

SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Ten Tech Entrepreneurs Who Are Putting LA on the Map. Tech startup accelerators dot the landscape, feeding investments into the waiting arms of the nation’s most intelligent and driven entrepreneurs. Founder and CEO since starting the company back in 1999, Miller has led Cornerstone through 11 years of consecutive growth.

Technical Review 75

Technical Review Entrepreneur Riot Games Southern California 75

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 8, 2016

Most technical entrepreneurs I know demand the discipline of a product specification or plan, and then assume that their great product will drive a great business. Is it any wonder why so few entrepreneurs ever find the professional investors they seek? Yet I’m still often approached by aspiring entrepreneurs who have neither.

Product 55

Product Startup Summary Entrepreneur 55

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 19, 2010

Although every startup is unique, there are certain common avoidable mistakes that can lead to legal complications which jeopardize the long-term success of the business. Later, when your venture is trying to close on financing, or even going public, that forgotten partner surfaces, demanding equity. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 50

Startup Patents Entrepreneur Invest 50

socalTECH

DECEMBER 11, 2009

Helping entrepreneurs succeed. We Create Demand for California's Technology Companies. Startups Made Simple. An on-line community for entrepreneurs. Redpoint Ventures (www.redpoint.com). Backing Southern California's next great technology companies. Silicon Valley Bank (www.svb.com). Need office or Tech Space?

Southern California 133

Southern California IP Orange County Glendale 133

socalTECH

JUNE 19, 2009

Helping entrepreneurs succeed. We Create Demand for California's Technology Companies. Startups Made Simple. An on-line community for entrepreneurs. An on-line community for entrepreneurs. and international patent and trademark procurement - IP. Silicon Valley Bank (www.svb.com). portfolio management - U.S.

SoCalTech 100

SoCalTech Southern California Rustic Canyon IP 100

socalTECH

JUNE 26, 2009

Helping entrepreneurs succeed. We Create Demand for California's Technology Companies. Startups Made Simple. An on-line community for entrepreneurs. An on-line community for entrepreneurs. and international patent and trademark procurement - IP. Silicon Valley Bank (www.svb.com). portfolio management - U.S.

SoCalTech 100

SoCalTech Southern California Rustic Canyon IP 100

socalTECH

JUNE 5, 2009

Helping entrepreneurs succeed. We Create Demand for California's Technology Companies. Startups Made Simple. An on-line community for entrepreneurs. An on-line community for entrepreneurs. and international patent and trademark procurement - IP. Silicon Valley Bank (www.svb.com). portfolio management - U.S.

SoCalTech 100

SoCalTech Southern California Rustic Canyon IP 100