SoCal CTO

DECEMBER 19, 2012

I was talking with an early-stage founder who has a product vision and wants to get it built. He wanted to get input from me on what he's doing, and he wants to begin to ask developers what it would take to build his product. Me : Product definition, use cases, feature list, wireframes, comps, really whatever you have.

Develop 354

Develop Development Technical Review CTO Coach 354

SoCal CTO

DECEMBER 10, 2012

I did a presentation recently for a graduate class from The Founder Institute around getting online/mobile products out the door. Third party products are used appropriately. Structure development contracts appropriately or directing the in-house team appropriately. Review the code being built.

Technical Advisors 332

Technical Advisors CTO Coach Technical Review CTO Hire 332

socalTECH

JULY 16, 2020

Santa Monica-based MomentFeed , which develops software to help multi-location brands manage their reviews, location listings, and much more, says it has rolled out a new product. Pricing on the new tool was not announced. Pricing on the new tool was not announced. READ MORE>>.

Software Review 154

Software Review Santa Monica Technical Review Pricing 154

SoCal CTO

JANUARY 26, 2010

Most often at the earliest point in the life of a startup, the dominant need is certainly to produce product to get something in the market, get funding, etc. What worries me a bit is how often I read that startups should hire a developer / hands-on lead developer. Gap closed, right? Probably not. What options do we have?

Fractional CTO 225

Fractional CTO CTO CTO Hire CTO Coach 225

TechCrunch LA

MARCH 23, 2021

Indeed, two of the best funded companies in the lab-grown meat market hail from The Netherlands, where Mosa Meat is being challenged by a newer upstart, Meatable , which just announced $47 million in new financing. The company aims to have its first product approved by European regulators by 2023 and notching commercial sales by 2025.

Chief Technology Officer 261

Chief Technology Officer Technical Review Software Review Product 261

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 8, 2016

Online job search site Indeed is taking aim at Southern California's high tech market, with the launch of its Indeed Prime in the market. According to Indeed, the service--specifically targeted at technology talent--will give employers access to a "curated pool" of people, based on coding skills, educaiton, and work experience.

Technical Review 100

Technical Review Los Angeles Software Review Angel 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2017

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. Consider licensing your product or intellectual property, and “white labeling.”

Develop 70

Develop Development Product Startup 70

socalTECH

JANUARY 7, 2019

Are there any technology innovations, gadgets, devices, software, that you found most interesting in 2018? I continue to be intensely interested in the growing integration of AI across multiple products and industries, from simple applications on up to highly sophisticated software and services. READ MORE>>.

Technical Review 157

Technical Review Software Review Startup Coach 157

socalTECH

JULY 21, 2020

Datto , a developer of cloud-based software for the managed service provider (MSP) market--which just opened up a new office in Irvine--said that it has acquired Gluh Pty Ltd , an Australian company which develops software that allows MSPs to simplify procurement of IT products and services. READ MORE>>.

Software Review 113

Software Review Equity Acquisition Software 113

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 21, 2013

help you integrate your product with other systems making it harder for your product to be replaced by competitors. deliver profitable revenue that while on gross margins of 50% vs. software at 85-95% it is still profits to help you cover fixed costs. Only Work on Projects That Support Your Core Product Effort.

Software Review 321

Software Review Software Services Company 321

TechCrunch LA

APRIL 18, 2022

The alternative protein space is hot, hot, hot as evidenced by both the number of companies developing products and the venture capital going into the space. In fact, he notes that consumers see less than 2% of alternative meat products that are currently being developed.

Software Review 187

Software Review Metrics Startup Technical Review 187

TechCrunch LA

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021

Fast forward to almost exactly one year later, and a lot has changed for the payments and software startup. Since its 2017 inception, SpotOn has been focused on providing software and payments technology to SMBs with an emphasis on restaurants and retail businesses.

Technical Review 296

Technical Review Software Review Invest Acquisition 296

socalTECH

MARCH 8, 2018

ShippingEasy , the developer of cloud-based shipping, inventory management, and customer marketing software arm of El Segundo-based Stamps.com is targeting third party Amazon sellers today, with a new product release. READ MORE>>.

El Segundo 100

El Segundo Software Review Software Sales 100

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 26, 2012

At Silicon Beach Fest Hollywood 2012 Kevin Winston organized a panel called “How to Find and Hire a Developer”. Always have a developer do a test project before hiring them to make sure they deliver quality work. One method to negotiate a lower rate or no cost to have a developerwork with you > Pre sell your product.

CTO Hire 81

CTO Hire Outsource Development Develop Development 81

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 20, 2017

I pointed out that the storage market in the US alone is ~$30 billion / year and there is no dominant provider — the largest player has < 10% market share. Amazon took a consumer value proposition (buying books, then all retail products) and made the consumer experience significantly better, faster & cheaper.

Technical Review 268

Technical Review Funding Software Review Artificial Inteligence 268

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 13, 2020

If you have a software development background like mine, I’m sure you often get questions about when to outsource, versus building the solution in-house. Outsourcing is defined as contracting the work to another company, usually located in a developing country, like India, China, or Eastern Europe.

Outsource Development 122

Outsource Development Outsource Software Review Technical Review 122

Tech.Co

DECEMBER 29, 2023

While the market isn't short of spritely, innovative entrepreneurs, harsh economic headwinds combined with a pullback in investor spending have made it harder than ever for budding businesses to break through. Organic milk formula product Bobbie. 2023 hasn't been an easy year to be a startup. million site visits in October alone.

Startup 213

Startup Generative AI Newsletter Tool 213

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 14, 2015

This term refers to the penchant to add just one more feature to the product or service before first delivery, just because you can. The result is a bloated first product which finally collapses under its own weight, or is too late and too expensive for the intended customer. Define milestones for cost review and sign-off.

Technical Review 104

Technical Review Product Software Review High Tech 104

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 2, 2021

As a business advisor, I have to recommend even to established companies that they review and revamp their competitive strategy now, even if it appears to be working today. As a simple example, the Wal-Mart website now shows shoppers more products that they may like, based on previous purchases.

Competition 142

Competition Software Review Social Media Customer 142

TechCrunch LA

APRIL 12, 2018

Located at the southeastern tip of the San Fernando Valley, the Los Angeles suburb counts its biggest employers as the adhesive manufacturer Avery Dennison; the Los Angeles industrial team for the real estate developer CBRE; the International House of Pancakes; Disney Consumer Products; DreamWorks Studios; Walt Disney Animation and Univision.

Glendale 271

Glendale Los Angeles Startup Technical Review 271

socalTECH

DECEMBER 3, 2012

NEOGOV , which has quietly built an enterprise software company supplying human resources software to the government and public sector. How did you come across the market? The government and public sector is a fairly large market. New products we've launched include performance, onboarding, and backend HR functionality.

Software Review 243

Software Review SaaS Startup Technical Review 243

InfoChachkie

MAY 5, 2014

Good thing I was never entrusted with product design. This dynamic duo, who now head up AppFolio , led the design and development of GoToMyPC and GoToMeeting. Their focus on ease-of-use form over function resulted in a series of products that defeated stalwart incumbents, including marketing-leader Symantec.

Symantec 227

Symantec Technical Review Software Review Design 227

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 30, 2012

Jackson , “This financing round, coupled with hiring Adam Sroka as our head of technology, puts CapLinked in a position to further enhance our enterprise product offerings.”. Jackson added, “FinTech has traditionally lagged behind the innovation that’s happening in other areas of enterprise software. 25 Years of Writing Code.

Technical Review 88

Technical Review Software Review Bertelsmann Technology 88

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 4, 2023

Every business, especially startups, needs all guns blazing quickly on every opportunity or insight into the market. Soliciting user-generated online feedback and reviews. New ways are being developed every day to reward and influence people who participate in crowdsourcing, for a very low cost. Marty Zwilling

Social Media 106

Social Media Software Review Course Networking 106

socalTECH

APRIL 1, 2013

Mobile software developer Mobile Roadie looks to be in the midst of an interesting transition, saying late last week that it is increasing its pricing, to "more closely match the value we are able to offer." Mobile Roadie did say it would not be changing pricing for existing customers of the product. READ MORE>>.

Pricing 147

Pricing Mobile Software Review Software Development 147

socalTECH

JUNE 3, 2019

Citron previously founded and sold Mogreet, a developer of mobile marketing software, among other ventures. However, as it happened, we went into due diligence and got a term sheet to sell the company on my month off. What is Pledgeling? I'm thinking I'm going to have this life changing moment.

Technical Review 113

Technical Review Software Review Mogreet Platform 113

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 30, 2020

Don’t forget to market yourself before, during, and after your initial idea, through social media, websites, and events. Products that can be easily produced and sold via multiple channels, including the Internet, are more easily scaled world-wide. Develop a product line and add alternate channels.

Outsource Development 154

Outsource Development Social Media Software Review Customer 154

socalTECH

DECEMBER 12, 2013

Our target market is entrepreneurs, creatives, and developers. Our services range from basically any platform service to enable an entrepreneur or developer or creative, to get online with a website, or do things like set up a blog. That has grown very nicely, even those we''ve not been overly aggressive with marketing.

Software Review 238

Software Review Cloud Computing Technical Review Platform 238

Tech Zulu Event

MAY 22, 2014

Whether it’s a killer software or physical inventory, don’t leave yourself open to a major loss or legal claim with no protection. You will need this granularity not only for successfully managing your business, but also when preparing for funding pitches and during investor due diligence. Legal Expertise.

Startup 97

Startup Outsource Development Software Review Sales 97

TechCrunch LA

NOVEMBER 1, 2018

We have members from all walks of life – from nurses to lawyers, software developers, police officers, makeup artists, fashion designers, dog walkers, interior designers and more.”. “We’re helping their products get discovered. “It’s upside for our brand partners,” said Daniel.

Electronic Arts 232

Electronic Arts Netflix Los Angeles Technical Review 232

socalTECH

JULY 3, 2018

Los Angeles-based Funraise , the Los Angeles startup which develops customer relationship management (CRM) and other technology for nonprofits, says it has created a new, $600,000 fund to provide grants to nonprofits. Application for its first round of grants are due by July 31st. Funraise is led by CEO Justin Wheeler. READ MORE>>.

Funding 113

Funding Southern California Technical Review .Net 113

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2020

Yet many of you are telling me that we are all missing big opportunities by not recognizing the unique challenges faced by startups in developing countries , where infrastructure is lacking, and talent is not so concentrated. Design the full stack, not just a new software element.

Ideas 124

Ideas Venture Capital Software Review Technical Review 124

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 14, 2017

An alternate outcome that I also unfortunately observe in some cases are companies who had extreme early success with an initial product adoption but failed in key areas that limited the growth and therefore the ultimate financial outcomes. How profitable is my product or service? As an early-stage VC I love this phase.

Startup 286

Startup Technical Review Customer Custom 286

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 13, 2022

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. Consider licensing your product or intellectual property, and “white labeling.”

Startup 136

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 136

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 26, 2019

As an advisor to business owners, and an occasional angel investor, my job is to separate the actual challenges from the common misconceptions that distract many promising entrepreneurs while building the leadership team required for your solution, marketing, and finance success. Partner with experts who share the risk.

Software Review 98

Software Review Ideas Outsource Development Entrepreneur 98

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 10, 2017

For today's interview, we sat down and talked with Mike Whitmire , the CEO and Co-founder of Los Angeles-based FloQast (www.floqast.com), a developer of financial close management software for enterprise accounting. Mike tells us about the company, who uses its software, as well as how he was initially turned away from the Amplify.LA

Startup 124

Startup Cornerstone OnDemand Software Review Woodland Hills 124

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 30, 2011

The part of the movement that resonates the most with me (in my words) is that entrepreneurs should keep their capital expenditures really low while they’re experimenting with their product and determining whether there is a large market for what they do. Nascent startup markets are like fine wine, they take time to develop.

Development Team Review 374

Development Team Review Technical Review Startup Resource 374