Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 7, 2020

Even a million users on your social media site won’t pay the bills until you sell some advertising or a premium service. In a larger public company, it’s all about making your quarterly numbers, versus investing in strategic growth alternatives that may not pay off until several quarters later. Don’t make growth a big-bang event.

Technical Review 124

Technical Review Layoffs Social Media Metrics 124

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 15, 2014

This was certainly the case when I invested in a small YouTube video production company called Maker Studios that recently sold to Disney for just shy of $1 billion. But if it’s a very obvious deal to a group of strong-minded & cynical investment professionals you probably need to think a bit harder as to why. 6SensorLabs.

Funding 362

Funding Technical Review Ideas Startup 362

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 27, 2014

Entrepreneurs typically embrace celebrity investments, while most sophisticated investors prefer to avoid famous entertainment or sports personalities on the cap table. A well known (non-celebrity) tech investor who judiciously adds value, provides reputational validation and is relatively effortless to interact with is ideal.

Entrepreneur 193

Entrepreneur Technical Review Hollywood Southern California 193

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 28, 2012

When my friend’s small business was struggling a while back, I suggested he add some social media marketing initiatives, and his answer was that he was “too busy.” According to a recent Harvard Business Review article , only 60% of companies today use social media for marketing, and only 12% of those feel that they are using it effectively.

Social Media 115

Social Media Media Startup Social Network 115

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 17, 2013

In my last post I pointed out that many of the media commentators who have criticized the YouTube video network companies as not having strong businesses were mistaken. The best “MCNs” are in fact building strong technology businesses with rapid growth and strong, defensible assets. Not so fast.

Company 339

Company Companies Technical Review Content 339

Tech Zulu Event

APRIL 1, 2016

While the epicenter of tech innovation is undeniably Silicon Valley, a tide of new hubs emerging across the globe are gaining recognition. We are very close to the University of Waterloo, and many talented undergraduates have taken internships and permanent positions with tech startups like HiMama. PanTrek connects U.S.

Technical Review 40

Technical Review Startup Incubator Media 40

Tech Zulu Event

SEPTEMBER 13, 2010

We give a huge Thank You to the following sponsors: Demand Media is a leading online media company that informs, entertains and connects millions of people every day. Founded in 2006, Demand Media is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA with offices in Bellevue, WA, Austin, TX, New York, NY and London, UK.

Technical Review 58

Technical Review Software Review Santa Monica Tech Coast Angels 58

socalTECH

MAY 14, 2010

Clearly, 2009 was not a good year, from the perspective of the technology innovation ecosystem. That was primarily driven by the economy; when the economy is down, investments are down, and it is increasingly difficult to d a startup. For OCTANe to be successful, we want to see our technology ecosystem grow.

OCTANE 174

OCTANE Orange County Technical Review Southern California 174

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2019

Thus, I’m more impressed with entrepreneurs who ask me to review their implementation plan, rather than listen again to their idea. I suggest you use social media, blogging, crowdfunding, or documented research to quantify a real demand from people who can afford it, and don’t have a better alternative already out there.

Ideas 94

Ideas Slides Technical Review Patents 94

SoCal Delicious

SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Ten Tech Entrepreneurs Who Are Putting LA on the Map. ” Residents of Northern California (everyone north of Bakersfield) don’t understand how we do it, constantly touting Palo Alto’s tech scene. is a good monthly investment? Richard Rosenblatt – Demand Media. Follow PandoDaily: Search.

Technical Review 75

Technical Review Entrepreneur Riot Games Southern California 75

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 28, 2018

Until recently it was headquartered 2 blocks from our offices in Santa Monica so we literally saw it emerge under our feet and we proudly invested in the last 3 rounds of financing. And since the consumer demand has been insatiable it is really only supply that is currently a limiting factor on how fast the company can grow.

Santa Monica 256

Santa Monica Funding Startup Course 256

InfoChachkie

JUNE 4, 2012

Value is created through diligent hard work. Once you prove that a substantial number of people are willing to pay more for your solution than it costs you to provide it, you can then consider licensing your underlying technology. In addition to paying the consultant, you must invest time to educate them.

Entrepreneur 272

Entrepreneur Outsource Ideas Technical Review 272

Southern California Edison Blog

NOVEMBER 14, 2019

Dark fiber allows large enterprises, educational institutions, media companies, and government agencies to leverage the high bandwidth capabilities. Due to the sensitive nature of communications transferred over a government network on a daily basis, security is equally as important as the reliability of a network solution.

Networking 49

Networking Education Technical Review Organization 49

socalTECH

JUNE 25, 2013

We''ve been bootstrapped since we launched, and already got to half a million in revenues on a total initial investment of $13,000. round changes things for us, and will let us invest in infrastructure, build our team, invest in media, and also invest in technology to better leverage our spend on media.

Services 215

Services Technical Review Startup Pricing 215

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 24, 2017

Announcing that you are a consultant, and hoping demand will set your focus, is not a good strategy. Use your knowledge of evolving needs and technology to add more value than competitors, and introduce clients to each other to build partnerships. Use visibility and social media to pull clients in.

Social Media 56

Social Media Pricing Technical Review Demand 56

Tech Zulu Event

SEPTEMBER 20, 2010

This Panel is filled with investing super stars who will be going over must have content for all the startups and entrepreneurs out there. Stewart Roberts , President of Orange County of Tech Coast Angels. Topic discussion: Impact of social media on startups and on funding leads for investors. Be sure to tune in at 5:30pm PT.

Social Media 71

Social Media Technical Review Mixergy Tech Coast Angels 71

Tech Zulu Event

SEPTEMBER 24, 2010

We would like give a huge thank you to Social Media Week and the supportive startup community here in Los Angeles. Stewart Roberts , President of Orange County of Tech Coast Angels. Topic discussion: Impact of social media on startups and on funding leads for investors. Mark Suster , GRP Partners. Moderator: Giang Biscan , PhD.,

Social Media 60

Social Media Technical Review Tech Coast Angels Venture Capital 60

Tech Zulu Event

SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Njoku in April this year closed an $8m funding investment round from Tiger Global and another $2m from a Swedish firm, Kinnevik and still he says more is yet to come. Naturally, there was a stringent due diligence process, and this took a couple of months. There’s a wealth of talent out here, especially in the tech sector.

Netflix 82

Netflix Marketing Technical Review Content 82

InfoChachkie

MAY 9, 2011

BDCs often ask to “private label” or “white label” a smaller company’s technology. This generally involves the BDC selling the startup’s technology under the BDC’s brand. Do not allow your adVenture’s technology to be buried in the bowels of another company’s product, without reasonable attribution. Do Not Give up Branding.

Outsource Development 170

Outsource Development Entrepreneur Press Technical Review 170

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 26, 2016

Top media giants Facebook and Alphabet are determined to grow this number with the introduction of various airborne devices designed to bring internet to the far corners of the globe to boost their revenues. For the VPN industry specifically, we will see a lot of new providers as the barrier to entry is extremely low, and demand is high.

Commerce 40

Commerce Mobile Technical Review Google 40

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 12, 2014

If you’re a technology startup you need to excel at product, of course. While many tech startups do this intuitively (say, SnapChat thinking it would be much better if our photos out partying disappeared) it still happens. It’s worth a quick read. My argument is pretty simple. But it wasn’t to be. What about mobile?

Marketing 379

Marketing Startup SEM SEO 379

InfoChachkie

MAY 9, 2011

BDCs often ask to “private label” or “white label” a smaller company’s technology. This generally involves the BDC selling the startup’s technology under the BDC’s brand. Do not allow your adVenture’s technology to be buried in the bowels of another company’s product, without reasonable attribution. Do Not Give up Branding.

Outsource Development 124

Outsource Development Entrepreneur Press Technical Review 124

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 25, 2016

Many startup businesses – tech or otherwise – fail. Trying outrageous new things or even trying mundane things but in new ways but with extreme quality & innovation is what fuels the tech startup industry. What would it take in investments to acquire and retain traffic to support these businesses? No, thanks.

Startup 150

Startup Marketing Study SEO 150

InfoChachkie

MAY 16, 2011

Fallacy: AdVentures tend to evolve once you begin speaking with pesky customers and demanding partners. Value is created through diligent hard work. Fallacy: The sad reality is that PR Firms value their relationships with media and industry gatekeepers more than the value their relationship with any single client.

Startup 242

Startup Outsource Development Outsource Sales 242

SoCal Delicious

OCTOBER 8, 2012

Loading… Tech. SIGNIFICANCE PASSING-MENTION. --> Tech Titans Hit the Beach As Silicon Valley moguls go on a home-buying spree in Los Angeles, theyre reshaping the real-estate landscape. The tech industry is going south. Prices are soaring in the beachfront communities tech types favor, and rents in these.

Los Angeles 44

Los Angeles Software Review Technical Review Journal 44

Tech Zulu Event

OCTOBER 17, 2012

At the moment, Conolly heads the startups social media team in Egypt while Turdubaev looks after Russian countries and translation of the site. Sponsorship on the website – we have business owners asking to advertise on our site – this was never our intention – but due to demand, looking at building this into the platform.

Advertising 79

Advertising Services Social Network Startup 79

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 5, 2011

Seattle should be the envy of any non Silicon Valley tech community in the country. It really wouldn’t take much to turn a great technology ecosystem into a truly electric one. It’s why my investment philosophy is called, “ the entrepreneur thesis.&#. The ingredients are all here.

Venture Capital 317

Venture Capital Technical Review Startup Press 317

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 12, 2022

Internal corporate processes thwart innovation due to inherent inefficiencies of scale, high overhead, and the risk of impact on the corporate bottom line. Existing technologies have been “commoditized” globally. Customers today demand products and services personalized or tailored to local needs with embedded quality of life services.

Startup 126

Startup Artificial Inteligence Entrepreneur Offshore 126

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 8, 2010

Once this new service became popular then the media companies could control the rules of distribution & advertising. To say that the tech elite were cynical of Hulu’s launch would be an understatement , but by the time it launched just a few months later it was getting great reviews.

Hulu 292

Hulu Technical Review Content Advertising 292

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 17, 2011

I apply visual thinking for nearly everything I do: preparing for important phone calls (I imagine my opening lines, I imagine the responses), writing keynote presentations, deciding whether or not to invest in a company, preparing for board meetings – you name it. These are all creative processes. So I thought I would.

Writing 356

Writing Startup Ideas Summary 356

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 9, 2019

Internal corporate processes thwart innovation due to inherent inefficiencies of scale, high overhead, and the risk of impact on the corporate bottom line. Existing technologies have been “commoditized” globally. Customers today demand products and services personalized or tailored to local needs with embedded quality of life services.

Entrepreneur 87

Entrepreneur Offshore Technical Review Outsource 87

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 16, 2012

Partners make investment decisions. ” In VC terms that means the key questions you need to answer are, is this investor: Geographically focused and have they invested in my geography before? I get approached about clean tech or biotech periodically – I don’t focus on these. Do they have money to invest?

Develop 366

Develop Development Funding Venture Capital 366

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 22, 2015

Internal corporate processes thwart innovation due to inherent inefficiencies of scale, high overhead, and the risk of impact on the corporate bottom line. Existing technologies have been “commoditized” globally. Customers today demand products and services personalized or tailored to local needs with embedded quality of life services.

Startup 102

Startup Entrepreneur Offshore Technical Review 102

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 24, 2013

Internal corporate processes thwart innovation due to inherent inefficiencies of scale, high overhead, and the risk of impact on the corporate bottom line. Existing technologies have been “commoditized” globally. Customers today demand products and services personalized or tailored to local needs with embedded quality of life services.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Offshore Startup Technical Review 105

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2017

Internal corporate processes thwart innovation due to inherent inefficiencies of scale, high overhead, and the risk of impact on the corporate bottom line. Existing technologies have been “commoditized” globally. Customers today demand products and services personalized or tailored to local needs with embedded quality of life services.

Offshore 55

Offshore Technical Review Entrepreneur Outsource 55

SoCal CTO

JULY 13, 2010

10 Ways To Be Your Own Boss - A VC : Venture Capital and Technology , June 18, 2010 The folks at Behance and Cool Hunting asked me to talk at their 99% Conference a couple months ago. People tend to overvalue past investments when making forward-looking investment decisions. The sunk costs trap. And then I took a stand.

Startup 175

Startup Venture Capital Slides Blogging 175

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 5, 2010

But Friendster’s computer systems couldn’t keep up with the explosive growth (reportedly due to the complexity of the security model set up to control connections, privacy and authenticity of users) so MySpace was hot on the heels and swept up the market in a very rapid ascent. Is the game over?

Social Network 318

Social Network Networking Web 2.0 Startup 318