Both Sides of the Table

MAY 9, 2018

This is a very common scenario when entrepreneurs pitch VCs and frankly is a very common scenario when VCs try to raise money from LPs. At night I had a group dinner where I met 6 new entrepreneurs and hung out with some old friends from law firms, banks and other VC funds. You had an amazing meeting with an investor. What do I do now?

Software Review 381

Software Review Startup Email Conference 381

Berkonomics

SEPTEMBER 7, 2017

I guarantee that there comes a time when growing businesses outgrow the original span of control of the entrepreneur. It is a critical period, and is a test of the entrepreneur’s desire and ability to delegate. But for now, let me digress to the story of my first hiring decision for my first company, years ago.

.Net 243

.Net Los Angeles Content Email 243

TechCrunch LA

DECEMBER 19, 2018

Gross and Barnehama met through a mutual friend in the robotics industry in Los Angeles, the chief executive of Embodied, Paolo Pirjanian, Barnehama wrote in an email. Gross and Barnehama met through a mutual friend in the robotics industry in Los Angeles, the chief executive of Embodied, Paolo Pirjanian, Barnehama wrote in an email.

Los Angeles 207

Los Angeles Angel Artificial Inteligence CalTech 207

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 31, 2011

One of the most common questions that entrepreneurs who meet me for the first time like to ask is, “Do you miss being an entrepreneur? I thought I’d talk a bit about the differences I’ve experienced between being an entrepreneur & a VC – you know, from “both sides of the table.&#. On Being an Entrepreneur.

Entrepreneur 384

Entrepreneur Startup Venture Capital Ideas 384

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 8, 2020

Savvy entrepreneurs start testing their ideas on potential customers even before the concept is fully cooked. I still hear too many excuses for not working early on the elevator pitch, like wanting to fly under the radar, don’t have the team together yet, or can’t afford an agency. Craft and hone your elevator pitch early.

Ideas 124

Ideas Tips Marketing Social Media 124

InfoChachkie

JUNE 3, 2013

You can watch/listen to how John and Kyle turned their email newsletter into an international bestseller in the following 9-minute excerpt from John''s recent talk at UC Santa Barbara. an email) to about 35 people. If you want to be kept informed just send me an email and let me know that you''re in, and that was it.

Newsletter 233

Newsletter Startup Entrepreneur Writing 233

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 9, 2014

Savvy entrepreneurs start testing their ideas on potential customers even before the concept is fully cooked. There is real value in doing the key things yourself, before your startup is even started: Demonstrate thought leadership before selling a product. In fact, you dont need a third-party public relations agency at this stage.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Social Media Startup Blogging 102

Berkonomics

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018

Almost anyone who has sold a company has a story to tell about their good deal, the problems with the buyer, a last-minute change of terms, or more. The background for my story. The year was 1998. I’ve been offered $15 million for my company and my partner is suing me for all I am worth. What can I do?”.

Sales 120

Sales Web Design Web Design 120

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 14, 2014

If you follow the tech media you would be subject to a lot of narrative biases that are completely off base – and this includes the value of email and phone calls. It’s why the first company I ever invested in as a VC – Invoca – just announced a $20 million funding by Accel Partners. THE FULL STORY.

Email 339

Email SaaS Venture Capital Google 339

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2017

Some aspiring entrepreneurs are so desperate for funding, or naïve, that they ignore the obvious signs of scams and rip-offs on the Internet, praying for a windfall. One would think that with all the sad stories and tools published over the past twenty years, this problem would be behind us. Professional investors don’t work this way.

Technical Review 55

Technical Review Entrepreneur Email Tool 55

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 20, 2019

Image via Flickr by ivanpw Some aspiring entrepreneurs are so desperate for funding, or naïve, that they ignore the obvious signs of scams and rip-offs on the Internet, praying for a windfall. One would think that with all the sad stories and tools published over the past twenty years, this problem would be behind us.

Technical Review 91

Technical Review Funding Email Entrepreneur 91

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 26, 2013

Some aspiring entrepreneurs are so desperate for funding, or naïve, that they ignore the obvious signs of scams and rip-offs on the Internet, praying for a windfall. One would think that with all the sad stories and tools published over the past twenty years, this problem would be behind us. Professional investors don’t work this way.

Entrepreneur 80

Entrepreneur Technical Review Funding Email 80

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 22, 2011

One of the most common questions that entrepreneurs who meet me for the first time like to ask is, “Do you miss being an entrepreneur? I thought I’d talk a bit about the differences I’ve experienced between being an entrepreneur & a VC – you know, from “both sides of the table.&#. On Being an Entrepreneur.

Entrepreneur 176

Entrepreneur Startup Venture Capital Ideas 176

InfoChachkie

MAY 20, 2013

According to Tige Young, Founder and CEO of Tui Tai Expeditions , entrepreneurs should de-emphasize ROI and focus on a more accurate measure of wealth, Return On Life. As I got to know Tige, I became intrigued with his story. I became acquainted with Tige, when I was researching examples of exemplary online customer service.

Entrepreneur 235

Entrepreneur Startup Software Engineering Technical Review 235

InfoChachkie

JUNE 3, 2013

You can watch/listen to how John and Kyle turned their email newsletter into an international bestseller in the following 9-minute excerpt from John''s recent talk at UC Santa Barbara. an email) to about 35 people. If you want to be kept informed just send me an email and let me know that you''re in, and that was it.

Newsletter 133

Newsletter Startup Entrepreneur Writing 133

socalTECH

APRIL 14, 2011

Through Howards investment in betaworks, he also owns early shares in Twitter. What's the whole story behind StockTwits and how it came about? Howard Lindzon: In 2007, Fred Wilson had offered me some share in Twitter, when they were putting together their first round of venture capital investments.

Ideas 248

Ideas Web Startup Content 248

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 8, 2009

Most of them are telling you that they just need to see a bit of traction before they’d be prepared to invest. Investors are giving you a version of the “soft no,&# which basically means that they’re not prepared to invest now. Unfortunately there is no real objective measure.

Venture Capital 309

Venture Capital Guide Startup Technical Review 309

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 7, 2015

” I found myself nodding through all of it with quotes like, “Seed investing is the status symbol of Silicon Valley,” said Sam Altman. Sam is more succinct and well-stated than I and I’m guessing ENIFA wouldn’t make the NYT. I save room in literally every deal to invite angels (or seed funds) to co-invest with me.

Angel 150

Angel Startup Seed Funding Invest 150

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 19, 2011

He tells the story of how he was out of cash, stressed out, nobody in LA or Silicon Valley would give him money, he had finally found an investor in Minneapolis but his venture bank was going to shut him down for breaking a “covenant&# in their agreement by not having enough cash in the bank. The answer? Something so simple.

Acquisition 304

Acquisition Startup Customer Custom 304

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 21, 2019

Conventional business wisdom tells us that entrepreneurs are today’s main source of innovation. We see the stories of young founders leaving college with a big idea, going to work in their garage, and building something that changes the world. These included the PC, mobile phone, the internet, and MRI imaging.

IBM 53

IBM IBM Java Google 53

Berkonomics

SEPTEMBER 17, 2011

I have saved this next story until now because it is one of my favorites, and certainly illustrates the point as well as anything I could devise from fiction. I immediately agreed to come aboard at no cost to clean up the corporation, deferring my investment until that was done. First here is a bit of the background.

Sales 149

Sales Web Design Web Entrepreneur 149

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 1, 2016

Savvy entrepreneurs start testing their ideas on potential customers even before the concept is fully cooked. I still hear too many excuses for not working early on the elevator pitch, like wanting to fly under the radar, don’t have the team together yet, or can’t afford an agency. Craft and hone your elevator pitch early.

Customer 58

Customer Custom Social Media Startup 58

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 22, 2011

To hear about the firm's interest in Los Angeles, and Southern California investments in general, we spoke with Fouad ElNaggar , Principal at the firm, to hear about where the firm is nowadays and what kind of investments it is making locally. Thanks for the time today. We really believe in the market.

Redpoint 154

Redpoint Southern California Cornerstone OnDemand Invest 154

socalTECH

MARCH 29, 2012

He had been at Interscope, working with artists, and saw that people online constantly wanted new content from those artists. What's the best way to get the word out about your brand on social media? We spoke with Matt and Amanda MacNaughton , the brother and sister team behind PromoJam, to hear more about the company's platform.

Social Media 217

Social Media Startup Platform Media 217

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 21, 2010

It was a fun show today, especially Jason’s story at the very end of the episode! It was a fun show today, especially Jason’s story at the very end of the episode! I promise in real life I don’t suck at spelling OR grammar. OK, it’s official! I just cover the companies that were funded that week.

Venture Capital 265

Venture Capital Capital Email Blogging 265

InfoChachkie

SEPTEMBER 22, 2011

Richard White, author of The Entrepreneur’s Manual , surveyed a number of venture capitalists, asking them to identify the characteristics of successful, serial entrepreneurs. In fact, several of the venture capitalists pointed out that successful entrepreneurs often have to be encouraged to spend more aggressively.

Startup 221

Startup Pricing Entrepreneur Email 221

SoCal CTO

DECEMBER 1, 2010

One out of ten of Americans are out of work. Equity-Only CTO and Equity-Only Developers - SoCal CTO , November 1, 2010 I had a recent email dialog with the founder of a company looking for a CTO for their startup. We had several emails back and forth where he provided basic details on the concept. Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Technical Review 175

Technical Review Startup Product Technology 175

socalTECH

MARCH 29, 2010

What's the story behind the funding? What's the story behind the funding? He left to start his own firm, which only invests in data-based companies, who are all focused on accumulation and use of data. We built a hub, where we could conduct auctions, in real time, and allowed people to participate in real time.

Advertising 157

Advertising Startup Media Marketing 157

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 15, 2016

Too many entrepreneurs still believe that “if we build it, they will come.” With today’s overload of information from digital as well as conventional sources, even the best new solutions and services won’t get traction without real marketing. Firing randomly to see what sticks doesn’t work.

Marketing 58

Marketing Startup Social Media Newsletter 58

socalTECH

OCTOBER 28, 2010

Not too many people are aware of the success and story of Lynda.com (www.lynda.com), started by Lynda Weinman and Bruce Heavin , and how the firm's now grown to a double-digit, multimillion dollar business which is known as THE source for online training on such things as web design, graphics software, animation, video editing, and much more.

Startup 242

Startup Web Design Writing Web 242

SoCal CTO

JULY 13, 2010

People tend to overvalue past investments when making forward-looking investment decisions. How-to learn about angel/vc term sheets - Gabriel Weinberg , June 28, 2010 I think every startup entrepreneur (and angel investor) should have a good understanding of financing term sheets. It shows a lack of interest. Now I have.

Startup 175

Startup Venture Capital Slides Blogging 175

Tech Zulu Event

JUNE 16, 2014

We recently sat down with Luc Berlin, co-founder of Miigle, a SoCal startup that has an aggressive global mission to bring entrepreneurs together from around the world. All of this makes such a big difference in terms of reducing the amount of work and time that members need to find meaningful connections.

SoCal 104

SoCal Southern California Startup Platform 104

socalTECH

MAY 11, 2010

Jody--an experienced entrepreneur who was most recently co-founder of a firm he sold to the Virgin Group, and has been involved with such firms as Lycos, Buydirect.com, and Xoom--told us the story of EcoMom, plus how he connected with McClure on the investment. What EcoMom is all about? How long has the site been around?

Software Review 200

Software Review Commerce Startup Sites 200

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 5, 2010

We invest in early stage IT startups and then oversee those portfolio companies through to exit. Marty: What events led you to your commitment to venture capital investing? This work uses everything I’ve learned, both about business and people, so it is a lot of fun. Stephanie: I love building companies.

Venture Capital 65

Venture Capital Capital Entrepreneur Competition 65

Tech Zulu Event

AUGUST 27, 2013

Do you believe in crowdfunding over the traditional ways of investing? Kate Drane: It is not about who prefers crowdfunding over investing and vice versa. I started my company with four of my friends and all of us are first time business owners and entrepreneurs. One of the hardest times we had was getting access to capital.

Startup 74

Startup Funding Capital Help 74

Berkonomics

DECEMBER 17, 2020

We’ve worried together about the moral obligation implicit in taking such investments from people so close, even with their promise never to expect a return. There is an exemption from the requirements that these investors be accredited with net worth or income minimums to qualify legally to invest in your company.

Equity 156

Equity Technical Review Class Organization 156

Tech Zulu Event

OCTOBER 12, 2011

It can’t be the most impressive thing in the world to take a beautiful date out for a night on the town and slap down a crinkled up printout from your email inbox, prominently displaying your thrifty ways. Might work for some, but probably not all. So what’s your story and background? But what about for night life?

Startup 97

Startup Malibu Hollywood Customer 97