Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 26, 2013

Almost every early-stage startup who has approached investors for funding has heard the innocuous sounding rejection “I love your idea, but come back when you have more traction.” A graph that shows a hockey-stick “up and to the right” curve with at least three data points per key indicator is a great visual assist.

Startup 106

Startup Metrics Customer Custom 106

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 25, 2007

Its interesting to think about how universities might want to have their staff better aligned with moving ideas from the lab to start-ups. He has been the CTO for several start-ups, most notably eHarmony. Technology Advisor Technology Roles in Startups Pricing Customer Acquisition Sunk Costs and More -.

CTO Coach 150

CTO Coach Southern California CTO Hire Startup 150

SoCal CTO

MARCH 20, 2007

He has been the CTO for several start-ups, most notably eHarmony. Technology Advisor Technology Roles in Startups Pricing Customer Acquisition Sunk Costs and More -. ► February (2) CTO Founders / Cofounders Part-Time Startup CTO? . ► February (2) CTO Founders / Cofounders Part-Time Startup CTO?

Venture Capital 150

Venture Capital Guide CTO Coach Southern California 150

SoCal CTO

MARCH 12, 2007

skip to main | skip to sidebar SoCal CTO Monday, March 12, 2007 MyShape Article - Analyst Misses the Point The NY Times did a piece today on MyShape, a start-up in Pasadena - Log in Your Measurements, and the Clothes May Fit. He has been the CTO for several start-ups, most notably eHarmony.

MyShape 150

MyShape CTO Coach Southern California CTO Hire 150

SoCal CTO

MARCH 1, 2007

skip to main | skip to sidebar SoCal CTO Thursday, March 1, 2007 Entreprenuer Network Great post by Ben Kuo - The Importance of the “Network&# to Entrepreneurs - the informal connections between people in the technology industry here who have a vested interest in helping entrepreneurs take their companies to the next level.

Networking 150

Networking CTO Coach Southern California CTO Hire 150

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 9, 2017

The entrepreneurs I see are always talking about “disruptive innovation” ideas, but the plans I read are more often linear extensions of a current hot offering, like one more social network with the best of Facebook and Twitter, one more dating site dimension, or another “must-have” accessory for smartphones.

Ideas 58

Ideas Entrepreneur Netflix IBM 58

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 11, 2014

The entrepreneurs I see are always talking about “disruptive innovation” ideas, but the plans I read are more often linear extensions of a current hot offering, like one more social network with the best of Facebook and Twitter, one more dating site dimension, or another “must-have” accessory for smartphones.

Entrepreneur 94

Entrepreneur Ideas Netflix IBM 94

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 27, 2018

As you can imagine, it is human nature to look for a stable and unchanging business process, after all the pivots and chaos of starting your business. I find that entrepreneurs who change ahead of the times usually start with the “big” vision of making the world a better place. People work on what they get measured on.

Metrics 58

Metrics IBM IBM Competition 58

SoCal CTO

MARCH 9, 2007

He has been the CTO for several start-ups, most notably eHarmony. Technology Advisor Technology Roles in Startups Pricing Customer Acquisition Sunk Costs and More -. ► February (2) CTO Founders / Cofounders Part-Time Startup CTO? . ► February (2) CTO Founders / Cofounders Part-Time Startup CTO?

Venture Capital 150

Venture Capital Invest CTO Coach Southern California 150

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 17, 2007

skip to main | skip to sidebar SoCal CTO Saturday, February 17, 2007 About this Blog Ive been thinking about doing a blog with my thoughts on technology and whats happening in the Los Angeles area technology scene for a while, but it was Ben Kuos recent start of a blog that inspired me to actually go ahead and do it. Thanks Ben.

Blogging 150

Blogging CTO Coach Southern California CTO Hire 150

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 17, 2007

This company was started by Victoria Duff (who many of us know from back in the late 90s), Phillis Lane (who I have known for quite a few years) and Jon Bukosky. Hopefully this is a sign of a new kind of ecosystem where there will be the possiblity of creating good start-ups that are not a classic VC kind of play.

Incubator 150

Incubator CTO Coach Southern California CTO Hire 150

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 17, 2007

skip to main | skip to sidebar SoCal CTO Saturday, February 17, 2007 Where LinkedIn Works for Me Ive been a long time user of LinkedIn , but only recently have started getting the benefits I always expected. He has been the CTO for several start-ups, most notably eHarmony. Karrer taught Computer Science for eleven years.

CTO Coach 150

CTO Coach Southern California CTO Hire Social Media 150

SoCal CTO

MARCH 20, 2007

He has been the CTO for several start-ups, most notably eHarmony. Technology Advisor Technology Roles in Startups Pricing Customer Acquisition Sunk Costs and More -. ► February (2) CTO Founders / Cofounders Part-Time Startup CTO? . ► February (2) CTO Founders / Cofounders Part-Time Startup CTO?

CTO Coach 150

CTO Coach Southern California CTO Hire Social Media 150

SoCal CTO

MARCH 13, 2007

He has been the CTO for several start-ups, most notably eHarmony. Technology Advisor Technology Roles in Startups Pricing Customer Acquisition Sunk Costs and More -. ► February (2) CTO Founders / Cofounders Part-Time Startup CTO? . ► February (2) CTO Founders / Cofounders Part-Time Startup CTO?

CTO Coach 150

CTO Coach Southern California CTO Hire Software 150

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 28, 2007

He has been the CTO for several start-ups, most notably eHarmony. Technology Advisor Technology Roles in Startups Pricing Customer Acquisition Sunk Costs and More -. ► February (2) CTO Founders / Cofounders Part-Time Startup CTO? . ► February (2) CTO Founders / Cofounders Part-Time Startup CTO?

Google 150

Google Mobile CTO Coach Southern California 150

SoCal CTO

MARCH 5, 2007

One of his companies - Gluecode - was sold to IBM for a pretty good price. He has been the CTO for several start-ups, most notably eHarmony. Technology Advisor Technology Roles in Startups Pricing Customer Acquisition Sunk Costs and More -. ► February (2) CTO Founders / Cofounders Part-Time Startup CTO? .

Southern California 150

Southern California CTO Coach CTO Hire Social Media 150

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 25, 2007

As I look at more and more start-ups predicated on viral growth, and at the use of social marketing, its becoming simultaneously easier to understand some aspects of viral growth and still a gap in understanding whats going to be that "hook" that will grab people at the end of the day. Why did MySpace win?

CTO Coach 150

CTO Coach Southern California CTO Hire Social Media 150

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2012

In fact, a business plan is needed more by you than investors, as the blueprint for your company, team communication, and progress metrics. Every plan must start with the problem you are solving, not a description of your company and product. Competing with IBM, Microsoft, and other large companies should never be minimized.

Competition 113

Competition Metrics Startup Invest 113

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 27, 2007

Some items from the pod cast: 100,000 - babies born as a result of relationships started on eHarmony 15M registered 1% of marriages in US this year resulting from eHarmony I dont know if these are true, but still, the impact of the vision of the original founders Neil Clark Warren and Greg Forgatch is amazing.

eHarmony 150

eHarmony CTO Coach CTO Hire Southern California 150

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 20, 2007

Ive personally been involved in the start-up world in Los Angeles for about 15 years, and have had the opportunity to work on many early-stage companies (e.g., He has been the CTO for several start-ups, most notably eHarmony. ► February (2) CTO Founders / Cofounders Part-Time Startup CTO? .

CTO Coach 150

CTO Coach Southern California CTO Hire Social Media 150

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 17, 2007

He has been the CTO for several start-ups, most notably eHarmony. Technology Advisor Technology Roles in Startups Pricing Customer Acquisition Sunk Costs and More -. ► February (2) CTO Founders / Cofounders Part-Time Startup CTO? . ► February (2) CTO Founders / Cofounders Part-Time Startup CTO?

Los Angeles 150

Los Angeles CTO Hire CTO Coach Develop 150

SoCal CTO

MARCH 20, 2007

He tells us: If you’re starting a new internet company, its important to know who your audience is, and to make sure that you don’t let your own experience and that of other Time Poor people guide you wrong. He has been the CTO for several start-ups, most notably eHarmony.

CTO Coach 150

CTO Coach Southern California CTO Hire Social Media 150

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 13, 2011

In fact, a business plan is needed more by you than investors, as the blueprint for your company, team communication, and progress metrics. Every plan must start with the problem you are solving, not a description of your company and product. Competing with IBM, Microsoft, and other large companies should never be minimized.

Competition 116

Competition Metrics Startup Sales 116

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 23, 2007

In fact, after several years of trying, Ive instead started relying on my CTO Forum group and private events (like an upcoming wine tasting). Why does this hurt, well I was just reading a few blog posts yesterday on finding startup co-founders: Where do you Find Cofounders? Karrer taught Computer Science for eleven years.

Los Angeles 150

Los Angeles Networking CTO Coach Angel 150

SoCal CTO

MARCH 22, 2007

Ive not found that much use for LinkedIn to help my blogging, but Im starting to think about this. I am in the middle of writing up some of my thoughts on this and will post about it and let you know. Im very happy with the time Ive spent building up my LinkedIn network. I definitely check people out using LinkedIn.

Blogging 150

Blogging CTO Coach CTO Hire Southern California 150

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2010

In fact, a business plan is needed more by you than investors, as the blueprint for your company, team communication, and progress metrics. Every plan must start with the problem you are solving, not a description of your company and product. Competing with IBM, Microsoft, and other large companies should never be minimized.

Invest 74

Invest Tips Competition Metrics 74

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 5, 2023

In my experience with entrepreneurs, there seems to a wealth of self-proclaimed “idea people” who aspire to start businesses, but only a few who are willing and able to dig in and get the job done. Only rare great entrepreneurs, like Bill Gates and Elon Musk, have proven to be both. Tailor investor proposals and term-sheets.

Startup 155

Startup Ideas IBM IBM 155

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2020

In my experience with entrepreneurs, there seems to a wealth of self-proclaimed “idea people” who aspire to start businesses, but only a few who are willing and able to dig in and get the job done. Only rare great entrepreneurs, like Bill Gates and Elon Musk, have proven to be both. Tailor investor proposals and term-sheets.

Ideas 122

Ideas Entrepreneur Startup IBM 122

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 9, 2015

In my experience with entrepreneurs, there seems to a wealth of self-proclaimed “idea people” who aspire to start businesses, but only a few who are willing and able to dig in and get the job done. Only rare great entrepreneurs, like Bill Gates and Elon Musk, have proven to be both. Tailor investor proposals and term-sheets.

Ideas 115

Ideas Startup IBM IBM 115

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 15, 2016

In my experience with entrepreneurs, there seems to a wealth of self-proclaimed “idea people” who aspire to start businesses, but only a few who are willing and able to dig in and get the job done. Only rare great entrepreneurs, like Bill Gates and Elon Musk, have proven to be both. Tailor investor proposals and term-sheets.

Ideas 53

Ideas Startup IBM IBM 53

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 13, 2021

As a business adviser, I often see entrepreneurs practicing what Tom Peters calls the “ ready-fire-aim ” go-to-market strategy to their detriment. The ready-fire-aim approach makes sense here, but it should be combined with metrics to learn from feedback, and make pivots as required.

Marketing 138

Marketing Demand IBM IBM 138

SoCal CTO

MARCH 16, 2007

I completely agree with her, but Ive found it to be really difficult to: Meet People within a given Geography Online who share passion around Technology, Start-ups, etc. So, what Ive ended up doing is planning our own events (wine tasting) and just inviting people who I know are interesting. Weve done one so far, and its great.

CTO Coach 150

CTO Coach Southern California CTO Hire Social Media 150