Berkonomics

JANUARY 28, 2021

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked away from deals where the entrepreneur insists on a start-up pre-money valuation that is so high, no angel could expect to make a return upon the investment, even with a reasonable sales price for the company down the road. The post Don’t get hung up on early stage valuation.

Outsource Development 156

Outsource Development Startup Outsource Venture Capital 156

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 22, 2018

We are in the age of outsourcing, by any of many popular names, including subcontracting, freelancing, and virtual assistants. These approaches allow your startup to grow more rapidly, save costs, but costly mistakes can lead to business failure. As with real estate, it’s still about location, location, location. Be flexible.

Outsource Development 72

Outsource Development Outsource Summary Training 72

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2022

In my years of advising startups and occasional investing, I’ve seen many great ideas start and fail, but the right team always seems to make good things happen, even without the ultimate idea. Yet every entrepreneur I meet wants to talk about the idea, and rarely mentions the team. The sales professional.

Technical Advisors 123

Technical Advisors Startup Outsource Development High Tech 123

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 8, 2009

This is part of my ongoing series called “ Start-up Lessons.&#. I came across this blog post about getting a computer science degree as the best degree for getting into venture capital or working at a VC-backed start up. I paid up for the diploma but can’t say that I saw better results.

Startup 337

Startup Venture Capital Study Course 337

socalTECH

AUGUST 7, 2014

Los Angeles has been in the midst of a technology boom over the last few years, with many of high profile startups growing in the area. We spoke with Bryce Maddock , founder of TaskUs, about the company and how it has been providing the manpower behind a lot of LA''s technology startups. So, what is TaskUs?

Startup 231

Startup Technology Outsource Santa Monica 231

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 11, 2023

Many experts are certain that successful entrepreneurs are the ones with the most inspiration (passion and dream), while others will assert that it’s about more perspiration (working harder). Overcoming obstacles and learning is one of the biggest inspiration for most entrepreneurs. This is a task that you should never delegate.

Startup 118

Startup Satisfaction Customer Custom 118

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 19, 2020

Investors will tell you that they love to put money into startups that are scalable, and ready to become the next unicorn. Ready to scale is when you have a proven product and a proven business model, about to expand to new geographies and markets. Investors don’t invest in services startups. But what does that really mean?

Startup 154

Startup Outsource Ideas Research 154

InfoChachkie

APRIL 20, 2015

This is the approach many startups take when they communicate their story to the market. Rather than directly explaining their value proposition with all the passion and heartfelt stridency that only an entrepreneur can deliver, they outsource this communication to a Public Relations (PR) firm. The company started ‘getting ink.’

Outsource Development 100

Outsource Development Outsource Allegis Startup 100

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 27, 2020

If you want to make a great first impression on a startup investor or an advisor like me, don’t try to convince me or show me how busy you are. For some reason, too many aspiring entrepreneurs I know seem to focus on “actions” rather than “results.” As an entrepreneur starting a new business, you have a lot to learn.

Product 123

Product Startup Tips Entrepreneur 123

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 14, 2023

Investors will tell you that they love to put money into startups that are scalable, and ready to become the next unicorn. Ready to scale is when you have a proven product and a proven business model, about to expand to new geographies and markets. Investors don’t invest in services startups. But what does that really mean?

Tips 135

Tips Invest Startup Outsource 135

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 9, 2012

Startup Exits: A Primer from msuster. I speak privately a lot about getting an exit at a startup. I haven’t spoken publicly about it much but since Rincon asked – I agreed. We also are going to talk a lot about startups getting exits and ultimately: Companies are bought, not sold. Often it does.

Startup 323

Startup Technology Venture Capital Santa Barbara 323

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 17, 2020

Entrepreneurs who search for real pain points, and build solutions around them, have the best chance of changing the world. As an alternative, if you are an entrepreneur looking for the next big thing, where should you look? That’s the great thing about being an entrepreneur. Some kind of natural or man-made disaster.

Customer 167

Customer Custom Startup Outsource Development 167

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 28, 2023

Entrepreneurs seem to have blinders on when looking at competitors. Strategic partnerships in this context can take the form of joint ventures, intellectual property licensing, outsourcing agreements, or even cooperative research. Every startup has a core competency which should not be shared. Think about the future.

Startup 105

Startup Outsource Competition Entrepreneur 105

Berkonomics

JULY 10, 2014

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked away from deals where the entrepreneur insists on a start-up premoney valuation that is so high, no angel could expect to make a return upon the investment, even with a reasonable sales price for the company down the road. Starting up Raising money'

Startup 179

Startup Outsource Development Outsource Venture Capital 179

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 5, 2016

In my experience as an advisor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I often encounter the myth that an initial startup requires investors. Outside funding is not a startup entitlement. Outside funding is not a startup entitlement. Flaws in a business plan are often masked by money, but ultimately will kill any startup.

Entrepreneur 67

Entrepreneur Startup Equity Outsource Development 67

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 11, 2012

Since my background includes software development, I often get the question about when to build a solution in-house, versus outsourcing it to a local company, near-shore service, or off-shore organization in China, India, or Eastern Europe. Don’t outsource your core competency. It’s like giving up control of your company.

Outsource Development 89

Outsource Development Outsource Software Development Software 89

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2020

Many entrepreneurs are convinced that banks are not worth the effort for startups, especially early-stage ones that still don’t have a revenue stream, or collateral to back up their financing needs. If you don't have a team on staff, then a banker is going to want to hear about outsourcing and advisors.

Technical Advisors 162

Technical Advisors Tips Startup Equity 162

Alon Schwartz

MAY 20, 2009

This month’s “Startups Uncensored” will be on “Navigating the Challenges of Effective Outsourcing”. It will be an open and frank town-hall conversation discussing topics such as: Outsourcing best practices. Do’s and don’ts of outsourcing. Top mistakes people do when outsourcing. What can and should you outsource?

Outsource 75

Outsource Startup Santa Monica Social Media 75

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 1, 2013

The final episode of Bravo’s Start-ups: Silicon Valley aired recently, wrapping up an 8-episode run of what could be considered the most bizarre depiction of entrepreneurs and start-ups to date. They sound serious about start-ups, however actions speak louder than words. What was that ?

Startup 90

Startup Technical Review Software Review Outsource Development 90

InfoChachkie

AUGUST 26, 2013

A startup''s marketing launch strategy should resemble an inverse funnel. It also facilitates determining your proper product and market fit before your startup is under a white-hot media spotlight. An infamous example of a startup that did not follow this strategy is Color. Public relations at a startup is a sales process.

Marketing 247

Marketing Entrepreneur Journal Media 247

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2014

It wasn’t so many years ago that starting a new e-commerce business on the Internet was a complex custom development project, usually costing a million dollars or more. Almost anyone can start a company today on a shoestring budget, following these cost-cutting recommendations: Establish a solid legal structure for your business.

Entrepreneur 104

Entrepreneur Startup Social Media Commerce 104

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 10, 2020

Technology is so key to every business these days that experienced business-smart but non-tech entrepreneurs are feeling deeper and deeper in the hole. Startups succeed most often when the founding partners know how to build and run a business, rather than how to build and run technology.

Competition 174

Competition High Tech Startup Social Media 174

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2011

Since my background includes software development, I often get the question about when to build a solution in-house, versus outsourcing it to a local company, near-shore service, or off-shore organization in China, India, or Eastern Europe. Don’t outsource your core competency. It’s like giving up control of your company.

Outsource Development 90

Outsource Development Outsource Software Development Software 90

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 12, 2010

“Hi [entrepreneur], I hope all is well. No reason not to call him but I wouldn’t get too excited about it. I know the firm well and I know the entrepreneur & his business well. These kind of companies were seldom startups. As a former startup CEO I fraking hated receiving these calls.

Venture Capital 294

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Email Equity 294

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Everyone knows that that startups are risky, but they also expect that the job will be exciting and potentially very lucrative (think early employees at Facebook and Google). Yet we have all heard stories about the high turnover, unstructured work environment, lower base pay, and unpredictable expectations from the top. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 103

Startup Entrepreneur Journal Outsource 103

InfoChachkie

JUNE 4, 2012

As an entrepreneur, I helped create companies which achieved two IPOs and two trade sales totaling $385 million. Fallacy: Startup ventures tend to evolve, especially after you begin speaking with pesky customers and demanding partners. Public relations at a startup is a sales process. “Learn from the mistakes of others.

Entrepreneur 272

Entrepreneur Outsource Ideas Technical Review 272

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 22, 2021

Many aspiring entrepreneurs are looking to the Internet as an opportunity to get rich quick, instead of a place where you can start a business you love, for very little capital and minimal technical expertise. See what other people are offering, and think about a niche where you could be unique, and have some fun at the same time.

Technical Review 124

Technical Review Case Study Software Review Startup 124

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 31, 2011

Almost every startup is a virtual team these days, since most don’t start out with dedicated office space, and some or all members of the team work part-time or out of their own home. Outsourcing is just another extension of the virtual team concept to people you don’t even know.

Outsource Development 99

Outsource Development Outsource Startup Satisfaction 99

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 1, 2020

Entrepreneurs seem to have blinders on when looking at competitors. Strategic partnerships in this context can take the form of joint ventures, intellectual property licensing, outsourcing agreements, or even cooperative research. Every startup has a core competency which should not be shared. Think about the future.

Startup 126

Startup Outsource Competition Acquisition 126

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2023

Entrepreneurs who search for real pain points, and build solutions around them, have the best chance of changing the world. As an alternative, if you are an entrepreneur looking for the next big thing, where should you look? That’s the great thing about being an entrepreneur. Some kind of natural or man-made disaster.

Ideas 118

Ideas Outsource Development Outsource Course 118

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 16, 2014

Technology is so key to every business these days that experienced business-smart but non-tech entrepreneurs are falling deeper and deeper in the hole. Startups succeed most often when the founding partners know how to build and run a business, rather than how to build and run technology.

High Tech 103

High Tech Entrepreneur Startup Social Media 103

Alon Schwartz

MAY 20, 2009

This month’s “Startups Uncensored” will be on “Navigating the Challenges of Effective Outsourcing”. It will be an open and frank town-hall conversation discussing topics such as: Outsourcing best practices. Do’s and don’ts of outsourcing. Top mistakes people do when outsourcing. What can and should you outsource?

Outsource 45

Outsource Startup Santa Monica Social Media 45

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2010

Since my background includes software development, I often get the question about when to build a solution in-house, versus outsourcing it to a local company, near-shore service, or off-shore organization in China, India, or Eastern Europe. Don’t outsource your core competency. It’s like giving up control of your company.

Outsource Development 51

Outsource Development Outsource Software Offshore 51

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 9, 2020

In my years of advising startups and occasional investing, I’ve seen many great ideas start and fail, but the right team always seems to make good things happen, even without the ultimate idea. Yet every entrepreneur I meet wants to talk about the idea, and rarely mentions the team. The sales professional.

Technical Advisors 123

Technical Advisors Outsource Development Startup High Tech 123

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 23, 2014

Everyone seems to like the aspect of being an entrepreneur that goes with “being your own boss” and “able to do things my way.” People with confidence problems and fear problems should avoid the entrepreneur role, since success without accountability is rare. Every time I try outsourcing manufacturing, I get quality problems.” “If

Entrepreneur 99

Entrepreneur Startup Outsource Satisfaction 99

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 11, 2016

Many aspiring entrepreneurs are looking to the Internet as an opportunity to get rich quick, instead of a place where you can start a business you love, for very little capital and minimal technical expertise. See what other people are offering, and think about a niche where you could be unique, and have some fun at the same time.

Startup 107

Startup Technical Review Case Study Software Review 107

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 30, 2020

Every aspiring entrepreneur I know is talking about the fact that there are over 2,000 billionaires in the world today, and how their innovative idea could make them one of the next ones. Most of you prefer to ignore the feedback from analysts that your chances of creating the next unicorn startup may be as low as one in five million.

Outsource Development 154

Outsource Development Social Media Software Review Customer 154