Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 9, 2021

Once an entrepreneur, always an entrepreneur. Although many won’t admit it, true entrepreneurs can’t wait to exit their current startup, and build a new and better one with their next great idea. For these reasons, I always look for an overt exit strategy in every startup I might consider for an angel investment.

Startup 173

Startup Entrepreneur Metrics Acquisition 173

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 25, 2023

In the aftermath of the recent pandemic, which caused many businesses to close, a new raft of business workers and entrepreneurs are deciding to pursue their own dreams of being a new business owner, and controlling your own destiny. Define key metrics to measure progress and success.

Social Media 98

Social Media Metrics Media Tool 98

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 9, 2022

They randomly churn for hours a day on a couple of their favorite social media platforms, with little thought given to goals, objectives, or metrics; and ultimately give up and fall back to traditional marketing approaches. Create an action plan with metrics. Measuring is all about return-on-investment (ROI).

Social Media 135

Social Media Framework Media Metrics 135

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

Obviously this definition is generic, so my first recommendation is that you take the lead in defining traction metrics for your startup, and then selling your results convincingly to investors. In the consumer world, groups like Consumer Reports , will give you similar credibility, if positive. Start early to work these relationships.

Startup 121

Startup Metrics Customer Custom 121

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 28, 2021

Almost every entrepreneur and new business owner I mentor is certain that his/her idea has a very high probability of success, and all find it hard to believe that ninety percent of startups ultimately fail. I once met with an entrepreneur who had developed a new algae strain to cure world hunger and make him rich.

Technical Review 131

Technical Review Case Study Mentor Software Review 131

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 16, 2018

Greathouse: Your collective experiences have clearly made bootstrapping a viable option for you, more so than might be the case for a typical, younger entrepreneur who needs more direction, doesn’t have cash discipline, etc. We both made personal investments in the company. I’m not claiming that bootstrapping has been easy.

Venture Capital 115

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Santa Barbara SaaS 115

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 9, 2014

I have blogged about some of the downside consequences of the changes and the private information I have says the consequences are much worse than is reported in the press since few people publicly talk about. We led an investment round in a company a while ago in which we wrote a seven-figure check and have taken a board seat.

Venture Capital 352

Venture Capital Seed Funding Email Blogging 352

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 28, 2011

Being that the theme of the night was community, it was perfect that the event was held at CoLoft , a workspace in Santa Monica that focuses on start up entrepreneurs. Noah has what I believe he called “Thank You metrics”. This is why AppSumo heavily invests in copywriting when forming each new deal they present to their audience.

Metrics 87

Metrics Email Startup Technical Review 87

InfoChachkie

DECEMBER 9, 2013

A 2012 Dow Jones'' report entitled Women At The Wheel encompassed 15-years of data on venture-backed startups. At Rincon Venture Partners , we have invested in several female entrepreneurs(so far), including Tracy DiNunzio, Founder and CEO of Tradesy. A version of this article previously appeared on The Wall Street Journal.

Customer 185

Customer Custom Study Metrics 185

socalTECH

JANUARY 2, 2020

Every year, at the end of the year, we share some reflections on the past year from our readers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, sponsors, and others in the local technology community. Peter Cowen is Managing Director of Sutton Capital Partners, a leading technology investment banking firm focused on software and fintech.

Capital 100

Capital SoCal Southern California SaaS 100

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2015

Once an entrepreneur, always an entrepreneur. Although many won’t admit it, true entrepreneurs can’t wait to exit their current startup, and build a new and better one with their next great idea. For these reasons, I always look for an overt exit strategy in every startup I might consider for an angel investment.

Startup 98

Startup Entrepreneur Metrics Acquisition 98

socalTECH

MAY 17, 2019

David Loo: Ultimately, at the C-level, the CIO requires data metrics and intelligence, in order to compete and make decisions and take actions to further a company's agenda. The problem is traditionally, there is a swivel chair problem, where when one customer has an issue they want to report to that service provider.

SaaS 113

SaaS Startup Customer Custom 113

Berkonomics

NOVEMBER 4, 2016

So how do you use financial projections as valuation metrics when you know the odds of those being accurate predictors of the future are so very unreliable? I thought then that the best way to value a start-up is to give value to those elements of progress by the entrepreneur or team that reduce risk of success.

Startup 120

Startup Examples Metrics Marketing 120

Tech Zulu Event

MAY 8, 2014

Back in January, at the annual TechZulu Startup Forecast , our panel of industry leaders and investors spent a healthy dose of time discussing the ongoing JOBS Act (Jumpstart Our Business Startups) and the investing sphere at large. Chance is a local grown entrepreneur with a 15 year track record. Creating Crowdfunder.

Invest 83

Invest Platform Entrepreneur Paramount 83

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 8, 2011

We have significant VC commitments (listed below) – every entering company will get $50,000 in funding, mentorship from top VCs and successful entrepreneurs plus free office space. Report Card. Sometrics – Acquired by American Express for a reported $30m after being funded by Greycroft Ventures & Steamboat.

Venture Capital 287

Venture Capital Funding Startup GRP Partners 287

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 2, 2015

One area I’ve had much discussion with the companies in which I’ve invested in is bringing on board an operationally focused CFO. It’s the nature of most entrepreneurs, honestly. Another thing entrepreneurs f**k up? The full financial details and metrics were in the deck. They can help you with pricing.

Outsource Development 150

Outsource Development Metrics Startup Sales 150

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 15, 2016

This has led VC & entrepreneur bloggers alike to similar conclusions: start raising capital early and be careful about having too high of a burn rate because that lessens the amount of runway you have until you need more cash. I’m surprised how few entrepreneurs have this open conversation with their investors.

Startup 150

Startup Capital Funding Invest 150

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 26, 2013

Obviously this definition is generic, so my first recommendation is that you take the lead in defining traction metrics for your startup, and then selling your results convincingly to investors. In the consumer world, groups like Consumer Reports , will give you similar credibility, if positive. Start early to work these relationships.

Startup 106

Startup Metrics Customer Custom 106

Tech.Co

APRIL 30, 2018

Their financial planning tool helps people track their spending, investments, and credit rating all in one mobile platform. Powered by blockchain technology, this groundbreaking fintech company is one to watch, no matter what you’re invested in. The app can help provide users a snapshot of all financial accounts from one’s phone.

Startup 70

Startup Tool Platform Metrics 70

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 1, 2010

He didn’t tell it in the video but, ever the entrepreneur, Scott started a business to take couples up on a “mile high club&# flight on airplanes as a way of getting all of his miles logged to get his next class of airplane license that required a certain number of hours logged. It’s part of what makes him so likable.

Zag 248

Zag Truecar Venture Capital CarsDirect 248

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 2, 2013

Dell announced years ago that it had earned $3 million in revenue from using Twitter, and other businesses report daily on increases in web traffic up to 800%. Maybe it’s time to sign up for a few free Webinars, or even invest in an expert consultant in this area. Define relevant metrics and measure. Or are you too busy?

Social Media 106

Social Media Media Startup Social Network 106

Tech Zulu Event

MAY 9, 2014

After the event, we caught up, Parker Thompson , Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) charged with leading Batch 8. He gave a glimpse into the 500 Startups program, including, but not limited to: Weekly roundup meetings with all hands to report wins and losses. It sits above curriculum, investor connections, etc. ” Demo Day.

Startup 111

Startup Mobile Commerce Education 111

InfoChachkie

APRIL 7, 2010

Despite the pathetic nature of Barney deals, the big purple dinosaur offered sound business advice to entrepreneurs in a TV episode entitled, “Sharing means caring.” It allows them to avoid the opportunity costs of entering into an agreement that does not yield adequate revenue or cost savings to justify the time and resource investment.

Resource 154

Resource Paramount Press Metrics 154

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 28, 2012

Dell announced years ago that it had earned $3 million in revenue from using Twitter, and other businesses report daily on increases in web traffic up to 800%. Maybe it’s time to sign up for a few free Webinars, or even invest in an expert consultant in this area. Define relevant metrics and measure.

Social Media 115

Social Media Media Startup Social Network 115

Steve Reich

AUGUST 15, 2015

Put yourself in their shoes–they are busy and have multiple investments. Take the time to shoot them a “what’s up” email monthly, and serious financial reports quarterly. They know all the details and all the metrics because they are industry experts. They don’t live in your world. The bad news?

Angel 40

Angel News Pasadena Angels Seed Funding 40

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 9, 2011

Dell announced years ago that it had earned $3 million in revenue from using Twitter, and other businesses report daily on increases in web traffic up to 800%. Maybe it’s time to sign up for a few free Webinars, or even invest in an expert consultant in this area. Define relevant metrics and measure.

Social Media 104

Social Media Media Marketing Social Network 104

SoCal Delicious

SEPTEMBER 22, 2008

Heres 5 steps to start exploring: View the "Best Of" list with 50+ essays on viral marketing, gaming, and ads » Get introduced: About this blog, why entrepreneurs and marketers recommend it » Receive updates by email or RSS feed or Twitter. Step 5: Formal in-house reporting. How many reports should you generate?

Startup 29

Startup IP Email Report 29

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 23, 2012

The most recent report to weigh in on the troubles of the industry was produced by the esteemed Kauffman Foundation. Looking ahead at the next decade I am excited by what I believe will be viewed as one of the best and most rational investment periods for venture capital due to seven discrete factors: 1. Thank you, Aaron Sorkin!

Venture Capital 347

Venture Capital Capital Technical Review Startup 347

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 6, 2011

When I described to people why I initially invested my calls went something like this, “He’s taken kicks to the face for nearly 2 years and is still standing. Still, my wife had seen a report that almost all sun blocks for kids had a chemical known to be dangerous to kids. Through this process he raised $2 million.

Startup 292

Startup Venture Capital Blogging Summary 292