Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 1, 2021

Most entrepreneurs I meet are reluctant to disclose anything about their idea to investors before getting a signed confidential disclosure agreement (CDA). Yet I can assure you that people who are paranoid, or want to avoid all risks, won’t be happy as entrepreneurs, so it’s all about balancing the risk-reward scale. Build trust first.

Ideas 159

Ideas Tips Technical Review Patents 159

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 29, 2019

As a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I challenge them to think beyond what I call linear extensions to a current trend, such as another “easier-to-use” app for smartphones, a new dating site for pets, or another niche social network. Great social entrepreneurs are rare. Why doesn’t this product or service already exist?

Entrepreneur 126

Entrepreneur Ideas Resource Examples 126

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 24, 2010

Social networking is indeed the new business networking. For example, my personal interest is entrepreneurs, and MySpace is for tweens. Every social network, including MySpace, claims to be a mecca for business people to network and sell products. Believe it or not, this is my favorite for entrepreneurs.

Social Network 102

Social Network Networking Entrepreneur Statistics 102

socalTECH

DECEMBER 13, 2018

Vyng said it raised $4M in its Series A funding, which was led by Omidyar Network India, and also included March Capital Partners, Alpha Edison, and the Entrepreneur Fund. Vyng said it will use the funding to grow its global team, for partnership, and also for development of patents around its technology.

Venice 133

Venice Screening Patents Software 133

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2021

Aspiring entrepreneurs ask me why their great idea hasn’t sold; they talk about it endlessly, and they expect others to do the development, finance, and marketing work for them. Incorporate, register your domain name, trademarks, and copyrights, then patent if possible. Reserve the same names on the leading social networks and blogs.

Startup 160

Startup Patents Competition Social Network 160

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 15, 2022

As a startup mentor, I’m always amazed that some entrepreneurs seem to be an immediate hit with investors, while others struggle to get any attention at all. Some entrepreneurs love to talk and produce videos, but hate to write anything down. Of course, previous successes provide more direct evidence of a network of the right people.

Entrepreneur 111

Entrepreneur Social Media Patents Mentor 111

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 11, 2021

Disclosing inventions before the patent application is filed. Entrepreneurs often put off the hassle and the cost of filing a patent until first funding. Then they realize that they have talked to many people without signing non-disclosure statements, precluding a patent, or someone else has now beat them to the filing docket.

Patents 145

Patents Legalzoom Invest Startup 145

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 7, 2023

Young entrepreneurs often are so excited by new technology or their latest invention that they forget to translate it into a value proposition that their customers or potential investors can understand and relate to. Entrepreneurs who make this case effectively will get the decision they want, no matter how esoteric their technology.

Social Network 108

Social Network Training Startup Technology 108

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 21, 2023

As a startup advisor in this age of the entrepreneur, I see many more startups, but innovation is still hard to find. The most common proposals I hear are for yet another social networking site ( 200 on Wikipedia ), or another dating site/app ( over 1500 in the USA ). An entrepreneur looking for a sure thing will never innovate.

Coach 137

Coach Metrics Competition Ideas 137

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2014

As a startup mentor, I’m always amazed that some entrepreneurs seem to be an immediate hit with investors, while others struggle to get any attention at all. Some entrepreneurs love to talk and produce videos, but hate to write anything down. Of course, previous successes provide more direct evidence of a network of the right people.

Entrepreneur 107

Entrepreneur Angel Social Media Patents 107

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 8, 2014

” It’s the most common refrain I hear from investors and even entrepreneurs these days. The patents Overture held became known in small circles as Google’s ’361 problem as outlined here. “There’s something going on in LA.” ” Or if you ask the venerable Greg Bettinelli, he’s #LongLA.

Entrepreneur 376

Entrepreneur Snapchat Startup Google 376

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 12, 2015

As a startup investor in this age of the entrepreneur, I see many more startups, but innovation is still hard to find. The most common proposals I hear are for yet another social networking site ( over 200 active ), or another dating site (now over 2500 in the US alone). An entrepreneur looking for a sure thing will never innovate.

Entrepreneur 101

Entrepreneur Startup Coach Metrics 101

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 15, 2020

Young entrepreneurs often are so excited by new technology or their latest invention that they forget to translate it into a value proposition that their customers or potential investors can understand and relate to. Entrepreneurs who make this case effectively will get the decision they want, no matter how esoteric their technology.

Technology 165

Technology Social Network Training Startup 165

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 13, 2020

As a startup mentor, I’m always amazed that some entrepreneurs seem to be an immediate hit with investors, while others struggle to get any attention at all. Some entrepreneurs love to talk and produce videos, but hate to write anything down. Of course, previous successes provide more direct evidence of a network of the right people.

Entrepreneur 126

Entrepreneur Social Media Patents Mentor 126

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 26, 2020

Every entrepreneur has an idea for transforming a market with innovative new technology, or transforming society with a new process. Entrepreneurs who have been really transformative, like Steve Jobs and Walt Disney, seemed to know how to deal with all the right elements. Seek innovation that begets invention. Failure is an option.

Startup 171

Startup Ideas Entrepreneur Competition 171

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 18, 2018

As a startup investor in this age of the entrepreneur, I see many more startups, but innovation is still hard to find. The most common proposals I hear are for yet another social networking site ( over 200 exist ), or another dating site (over 2500 in the US alone). An entrepreneur looking for a sure thing will never innovate.

Entrepreneur 64

Entrepreneur Coach Metrics Competition 64

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 18, 2012

I’ve noticed that some entrepreneurs seem to have no trouble attracting investors, while others with a great business plan struggle with it. On the top line, angel investors look to invest in entrepreneurs that have an almost unwavering passion and sense of urgency. Networked and connected. Listens before answering questions.

Entrepreneur 117

Entrepreneur Technical Review Course Patents 117

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2016

Most aspiring entrepreneurs look to their alma mater, or any university, as a source of classes that can help them, but neglect to think outside the box or take advantage of all the other resources to be found there. Access to entrepreneurs-in-residence, business mentors. Access to intellectual property and current research.

Entrepreneur 55

Entrepreneur Capital Class Startup 55

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2012

Aspiring entrepreneurs ask me why their great idea hasn’t sold; they talk about it endlessly, and they expect others to do the development, finance, and marketing work for them. Incorporate, register your domain name, trademarks, and copyrights, then patent if possible. Reserve the same names on the leading social networks and blogs.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Patents Startup Ideas 102

socalTECH

AUGUST 29, 2013

It''s a place where people can submit their ideas and patents, and we provide a platform for them to try to find entrepreneurs who would like to work on those patents together with us an the crowd. How do entrepreneurs get involved? That gives us access to the patents from those federal labs and universities have.

Ideas 178

Ideas Patents Funding Startup 178

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 25, 2020

As a startup advisor in this age of the entrepreneur, I see many more startups, but innovation is still hard to find. The most common proposals I hear are for yet another social networking site ( 200 on Wikipedia ), or another dating site/app ( over 1500 in the USA ). An entrepreneur looking for a sure thing will never innovate.

Coach 144

Coach Metrics Social Network Competition 144

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 2, 2011

Disclosing inventions before the patent application is filed. Entrepreneurs often put off the hassle and the cost of filing a patent until first funding. Then they realize that they have talked to many people without signing non-disclosure statements, precluding a patent, or someone else has now beat them to the filing docket.

Entrepreneur 98

Entrepreneur Patents Invest Startup 98

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2015

Most entrepreneurs I meet are reluctant to disclose anything about their idea to investors before getting a signed confidential disclosure agreement (CDA). Yet I can assure you that people who are paranoid, or want to avoid all risks, won’t be happy as entrepreneurs, so it’s all about balancing the risk-reward scale. Build trust first.

Ideas 106

Ideas Technical Review Patents Entrepreneur 106

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 30, 2020

Most aspiring entrepreneurs look to their alma mater, or any university, as a source of classes that can help them, but neglect to think outside the box or take advantage of all the other resources to be found there. Access to entrepreneurs-in-residence, business mentors. Access to intellectual property and current research.

Class 124

Class Startup Resource Mentor 124

socalTECH

AUGUST 12, 2019

We've helped entrepreneurs raise over $225M in early stage, venture funding. Their goal is to partner in really unique ways with entrepreneurs, accelerators and investors, to create businesses and brands in new categories for P&G. What's the best way for women to get over that hurdle of building a network?

Entrepreneur 124

Entrepreneur Metrics Los Angeles Help 124

SoCal Tech Calendar

APRIL 5, 2011

Patent protection is one of the least expensive ways for any new venture to block competitors from entering its market.Tech Coast Venture Networks Intellectual Property Workshop will be hosted by Knobbe Martens Olson and Bear LLP. Thursday, April 7, 2011 -- Intellectual Property Protection.

TCVN 100

TCVN Patents Networking Entrepreneur 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 31, 2020

In my work with new startups, I often find people who believe that the terms “ entrepreneur ” and “ inventor ” are interchangeable. In my experience, most successful entrepreneurs have indeed created a new product, but most people who claim to be inventors have a hard time starting a business.

Startup 124

Startup Entrepreneur Customer Custom 124

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2010

I’ve noticed that some entrepreneurs seem to have no trouble attracting investors, while others with a great business plan struggle with it. On the top line, angel investors look to invest in entrepreneurs that have an almost unwavering passion and sense of urgency. Networked and connected. Listens before answering questions.

Entrepreneur 96

Entrepreneur Angel Technical Review Course 96

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 25, 2012

You have probably heard plenty of times that being an entrepreneur is a risky business, and investors talk all the time about reducing the risk. Here is my own priority list of key risk drivers that every entrepreneur and every investor should evaluate and minimize in starting a business: Team experience and depth risk. Financial risk.

Entrepreneur 108

Entrepreneur Examples Social Network Marketing 108

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 29, 2017

As an advisor to entrepreneurs, I often have to deal with people who are convinced that they must get me to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before they begin talks about their new venture. Get an NDA before detailed patent disclosures. It pays to talk to competitors about the business, but not your business.

Technical Review 61

Technical Review Patents Ideas Social Media 61

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

I hear a lot of entrepreneurs contemplating their great “idea” for several years with little discernable progress, and looking for money to start. File a provisional patent, register a trademark, and reserve your company domain names. milestones entrepreneur startup funding business' Traction means forward progress.

Funding 112

Funding Entrepreneur Startup CTO Hire 112

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 15, 2012

It also makes legal sense to never disclose the details of your patent application, before the product is ready to ship. Openness is part of the business culture of entrepreneurs and technology centers around the world. But start networking with advisors, industry pundits, and domain experts early. Prime the investor world.

Entrepreneur 101

Entrepreneur Search Engine Optimization Startup News 101

Tech Zulu Event

AUGUST 28, 2013

Helping solicit new business ideas and patents from individuals, federal research labs, universities and other R&D organizations countrywide. Social network for investors. Members submit ideas and patents, the JumpStartFund community members and the JumpStartFund team vets them. El Segundo, CA based JumpStarter Inc.,

El Segundo 76

El Segundo Social Network Startup Patents 76

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 22, 2010

In reality, he is also a serial entrepreneur, inventor, and international speaker. Lon is the founder of 14 companies, 19 inventions, and he holds three patents. Marty: Tell us a little bit about your entrée into the world of entrepreneurs and some of your companies. Lon: Being an entrepreneur is my real passion.

Entrepreneur 83

Entrepreneur Social Media Startup Patents 83

socalTECH

DECEMBER 31, 2018

Editor's note: As we head into the new year, we've been featuring reflections on 2018 from notable investors, entrepreneurs, and others from Southern California's technology community. You'll be able to browse all of those contributions here.

Capital 113

Capital Venture Capital News Patents 113

socalTECH

OCTOBER 22, 2020

Often, other investors look to us for due diligence, especially technology evaluation, because of our interesting network of advisors, across industries. That's one of our big strengths, both our operating experience and our really deep network. We're able to source very diverse, unique deals, at an earlier stage, and build value.

Southern California 124

Southern California Capital Technical Review Startup 124

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 15, 2011

Establishing the legal structure for your business, registering trademarks, filing copyrights and patents, and drafting partnership agreements used to require extensive attorney fees and ongoing consultation. Use the Internet and social networking instead of public relations companies and advertising agencies. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 94

Entrepreneur Startup Search Engine Optimization SEM 94