TechCrunch LA

MAY 25, 2019

Hello and welcome back to Startups Weekly, a newsletter published every Saturday that dives into the week’s most noteworthy venture deals, fundraises, M&A transactions and trends. Let’s take a quick moment to catch up. Haus, like any good consumer startup in 2019, is shipped directly to your door. Fundraising.

Startup 223

Startup Venture Capital Newsletter Tips 223

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 21, 2014

Can''t find a good designer? A new, San Diego startup, Launchsite , has a new online marketplace and service which aims to help you find a website designer--by letting you post your website project, and getting three website concepts presented to you to pick from. READ MORE>>.

Design 212

Design Help Sample San Diego 212

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 22, 2010

I’ve had a long-standing rule of thumb in product design, which I call “design for the novice, configure for the pro.&# I started saying this back in 2001/02, long before the era of Web 2.0, lean startups or even the advent of AJAX. We built in too many clicks, too many features, too many distractions.

Design 325

Design Startup Web 2.0 Tips 325

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 5, 2021

The founder explains that the product or service is so “buzz-worthy” that the merits will spread rapidly through word-of-mouth only, meaning people loving it and recommending it to their friends. Viral marketing is a deliberate marketing action, designed to grow attention at a compound rate, without further stimulus, by word-of-mouth.

Marketing 139

Marketing Startup SEM Blogging 139

Tech.Co

JUNE 5, 2024

Starting or growing a small business in 2024 is no easy feat, and one of the biggest obstacles you will face is securing funding. We round up seven grants that you should know about right now – including their eligibility criteria and funding amount. As the old adage goes, money doesn’t grow on trees.

Coach 141

Coach News Funding Design 141

TechCrunch LA

APRIL 24, 2020

Divergent, the Los Angeles-based startup aiming to revolutionize vehicle manufacturing, has cut about one-third of its staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic that has upended startups and major corporations alike. Divergent 3D was born out of that initial exploration.

Startup 251

Startup Technical Review Outsource Development Platform 251

socalTECH

JULY 16, 2020

Los Angeles-based Creator Connect announced this morning that it has launched a brand new service, which allows artists and designers to offer their services up to others. The new service said it lets users hire an artist to create your painting, sculpture, artifact or outfit of your dreams at your own budget.

Design 113

Design Los Angeles Services Angel 113

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 5, 2020

As a mentor to entrepreneurs, I tend to see many of the same obstacles appearing in every new startup, and since I don’t want to appear to be a downer , I’m not sure how to properly warn people ahead of time to be on the alert for these challenges. Each of these can go astray as follows: Your product or service hits unexpected snags.

Startup 131

Startup Entrepreneur Examples Customer 131

Tech.Co

MAY 31, 2023

Launching and growing a startup is one of the biggest missions an entrepreneur can undertake. But while competition remains fierce, the advancement and accessibility of smart solutions are making it easy than ever for startups to find their feet. VPN Startup tool: VPN Price: Free Hide.me While Hide.me

Tool 128

Tool Startup Software Review Technical Review 128

socalTECH

JULY 6, 2016

Los Angeles-based Homee , a startup which helps connects consumers with interior designers, has raised $5M in a Series A funding, the company disclosed on Tuesday. Homee is led by Beatrice Fischel-Bock, and lets you chat with an interior designer about furniture and get other interior design help. READ MORE>>.

Design 100

Design Los Angeles Funding Startup 100

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 16, 2009

This post is part of my series “ Startup Lessons &#. Elephants, Deer and Rabbits – Some thoughts on start-up segmentation. I know that this advice won’t apply to every possible startup – but I think it applies to many. So when I started my first company I naturally went for elephants.

Startup 389

Startup Customer Custom Resource 389

TechCrunch LA

APRIL 4, 2020

Under new guidance issued by the Small Business Administration it seems non-profits and faith-based groups can apply for the Paycheck Protection Program loans designed to keep small business afloat during the COVID-19 epidemic, but most venture-backed companies are still not covered. — Doug Rand (@doug_rand) April 4, 2020.

Startup 322

Startup Organization Los Angeles Demand 322

Tech.Co

MAY 16, 2024

In spite of these roadblocks, there are a growing number of Black-owned business grants available, designed to help close the gap and make the business landscape more diverse. Power Forward Small Business Grant Black Founder Startup Grant Powershift Entrepreneurs Grant NAACP and Lelsie’s Certification Boost Grant U.S.

Design 225

Design Commerce Entrepreneur News 225

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 19, 2020

Investors will tell you that they love to put money into startups that are scalable, and ready to become the next unicorn. Most consulting services, like marketing, are not scalable, since they must be delivered by experts, and cloning experts is slow and expensive. Investors don’t invest in services startups.

Startup 154

Startup Outsource Ideas Research 154

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2023

The critical success factors for a product business are well known, starting with selling every unit with a gross margin of 50 percent or more, building a patent and other intellectual property, and continuous product improvement. Start with a service you know and love. Don’t let your service be viewed as a commodity.

Startup 111

Startup Training Services Writing 111

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2021

I’m fully convinced that both inspiration and perspiration are always required in a startup. Those at the other extreme don’t look up from the grindstone long enough to notice whether all their work is producing sweat equity or just sweat. Starting a business may be fun, but it’s not easy. Start even before the product is ready.

Startup 160

Startup Patents Competition Social Network 160

TechEmpower

DECEMBER 11, 2023

Given this diversity, it's important to be selective in the development services company with whom you choose to partner. Is user interface and graphic design a necessity? You'll discover firms that are prolific in design/interface and light on development, and vice versa. Or is your project a clean slate?

Software Development 295

Software Development Software Review Develop Development 295

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 5, 2022

Yet if you wait for an economy bubble before starting your new business, you will be making a comparable mistake to the people who thought during the dot-com bubble "all I have to do is a startup, and I'll be rich." If your alternative is no job security, and low pay, why not work for yourself and build your startup?

Startup 103

Startup Advertising Social Network Ideas 103

socalTECH

JUNE 7, 2017

Los Angeles-based YP , which offers up online directories and services to help businesses get their companies online, has lauched a new offering, called ypWebsite Pro. The service also includes ability for local businesses to claim, update, and manage their business listings across a wide range of social and directory sites.

SEO 133

SEO Organization Services Organic Search 133

Tech.Co

JUNE 28, 2021

Startup tech businesses used to land on the scene with big ideas about how their tech could change the world. However, in recent years, there have been precious few startups with such grand ambitions from an early stage. But the trend for world-changing mission statements is waning in the startup sphere.

Startup 104

Startup Ideas Venture Capital Course 104

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 17, 2016

The critical success factors for a product business are well known, starting with selling every unit with a gross margin of 50 percent or more, building a patent and other intellectual property, and continuous product improvement. Start with a service you know and love. Don’t let your service be viewed as a commodity.

Services 61

Services Startup Training Writing 61

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 3, 2020

The critical success factors for a product business are well known, starting with selling every unit with a gross margin of 50 percent or more, building a patent and other intellectual property, and continuous product improvement. Start with a service you know and love. Don’t let your service be viewed as a commodity.

Startup 174

Startup Training Services Writing 174

TechCrunch LA

MARCH 2, 2021

Making money on livestreams has never been easier thanks to a suite of tools from the Los Angeles-based startup Maestro , which just nabbed $15 million in financing to grow its business. But what started in the gaming world quickly spun out as the company slashed prices to $500 per month for its services. ”

Tool 315

Tool Commerce .Net Entertainment 315

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 14, 2017

Nearly every successful tech startup I’ve observed over the past 20 years has gone through a similar growth pattern: Innovate, systematize then scale operations. Innovate In the early years of a startup there is a lot of kinetic energy of enthusiastic innovators looking to launch a product that changes how an industry works.

Startup 286

Startup Technical Review Customer Custom 286

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 27, 2021

As an advisor to startups and entrepreneurs, I often hear the myth that all new businesses must start with a great idea. I believe the best entrepreneurs start by finding a large opportunity, and only then use good ideas to capitalize on that opportunity. The Internet is a business for transporting web services.

Startup 112

Startup Ideas Examples Entrepreneur 112

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

The critical success factors for a product business are well known, starting with selling every unit with a gross margin of 50 percent or more, building a patent and other intellectual property, and continuous product improvement. Start with a service you know and love. Don’t let your service be viewed as a commodity.

Services 72

Services Startup Training Writing 72

socalTECH

APRIL 30, 2013

Los Angeles-based Walk In My Closet , the newest entrant into the luxury fashion resale sector, said today that it has launched a public beta of its service. The new startup, founded by Ambre Dahan and Amadine Rohmer, said that it will offer up an online fashion boutique for buying and selling contemporary and pre-owned designer clothing.

Design 185

Design Sites Los Angeles Services 185

socalTECH

JULY 26, 2012

Los Angeles-based Teeology , the latest startup backed by tech entrepreneur Brian Lee (ShoeDazzle, LegalZoom), has started signing up users today, telling people via email and Twitter that they can now sign up for the service. READ MORE>>.

Startup 147

Startup Legalzoom Sites Email 147

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 19, 2022

With the power of the Internet, and the impact of the recent pandemic , the world of business services, such as accounting and marketing, have gone more and more remote. Yet the value of real relationships, as with consumer customers, has become critical to your business services growth and success.

Services 121

Services Technical Review Social Media Case Study 121

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 8, 2021

Most leaders agree that poor customer service is a business killer today, in terms of lost customers, reduced profits, and low morale. Young entrepreneurs and startups, in particular, often remain naively unfocused, despite their passion, of what it takes to provide the high-quality service expected.

Startup 154

Startup Training Customer Custom 154

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 26, 2014

Online job and career sites still seem to be in another decade, when it comes to both design--and user friendliness. Can a startup gain a foothold in the competitive market by designing the right UX and user experience to make a job and career site for everyone? Los Angeles-based Workpop (www.workpop.com) thinks so.

Design 174

Design Sites Cornerstone OnDemand Startup 174

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 12, 2022

As a business advisor, I have too often seen technical entrepreneurs get a product or service off the ground with ease, but then struggle mightily when their business reaches a couple of million in annual sales, or the employee count grows beyond a handful. With a startup, everything is an experiment.

Startup 137

Startup Training Entrepreneur Organization 137

TechCrunch LA

MAY 13, 2020

It’s the origin story for Taika , a new startup that’s aiming to bring natural stimulants to the masses through its juiced up coffee-beverages. I’ve experimented with them myself and experimented with them on my partner and started this larger beta program.” ” Image Credits: Taika (opens in a new window).

Startup 284

Startup Los Angeles Seed Funding Product 284

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 5, 2023

Many entrepreneurs have a passion and an idea, or even invent a new product, but are never able to execute to the point of creating a startup. Even fewer are able to grow the startup into a viable business. Startup and development stage. Market research and a business plan should be the focus at this stage.

Entrepreneur 108

Entrepreneur Startup Ideas Satisfaction 108

TechCrunch LA

APRIL 21, 2020

The automaker Tuesday said its Maven car-sharing service, which launched in 2016, will shut down for good. Maven had paused service due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company sent an email to customers Tuesday that after examining the business, the car-sharing industry and COVID-19, it decided to shutter the service permanently.

Los Angeles 215

Los Angeles Technical Review Email Services 215

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 21, 2013

Most leaders agree that poor customer service is a business killer today, in terms of lost customers, reduced profits, and low morale. Young entrepreneurs and startups, in particular, often remain naively unfocused, despite their passion, of what it takes to provide the high-quality service expected.

Customer 92

Customer Custom Startup Services 92

Berkonomics

AUGUST 18, 2016

As founder and CEO of the then public company, I was expert in several of the “clean” processes such as studio recording, record mastering, cover design and photo– lithography. All because I learned to sit in and understand the position, the workflow, and the challenges at each stage in the process of customer service.

Customer 120

Customer Custom Services Press 120