Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 17, 2021

With the appearance of do-it-yourself services on the Internet, entrepreneur curriculums at every university, and a wealth of new books on the subject, the need for expensive consultants and business advisors has also been mitigated. The same is true for filing patents, registering trademarks, and filing copyrights.

Entrepreneur 164

Entrepreneur Startup Outsource Development Social Media 164

SoCal Tech Calendar

JUNE 17, 2019

Saturday, June 22, 2019 -- LAVA First Time Entrepreneur Workshop. LAVA is extremely pleased to announce its next First Time Entrepreneur training program. The program is open to entrepreneurs that are starting companies in areas that are likely to draw venture capital investment. The program is not open to service providers.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur LAVA Venture Capital Patents 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 3, 2020

Most of you aspiring entrepreneurs have new ideas on a regular basis, and find it hard deciding which to pursue, or try to tackle several at the same time. Good examples of initial focus by an entrepreneur would include Jeff Bezos when he started Amazon as an online marketplace for books only, and Elon Musk starting PayPal as an online bank.

Entrepreneur 126

Entrepreneur Startup Patents Mentor 126

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 23, 2021

Anyone who works with entrepreneurs will tell you that all are different. The Opportunist is the speculative part of the entrepreneur in all of us. The Specialist entrepreneur will enter one industry and stick with it for 15 to 30 years. Of course, discovering your entrepreneur type is only the beginning. Specialist.

Entrepreneur 134

Entrepreneur Mentor Incubator Framework 134

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 11, 2020

As a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m always surprised by the fact that some never seem to be able to that first startup going, while many others never seem to stop, starting their second or third initiative before the first one is fully hatched. I’m now convinced that serious entrepreneurs relish the startup process more than success.

Entrepreneur 132

Entrepreneur Startup Software Review Ideas 132

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 25, 2021

It seems like everyone wants to be an entrepreneur and get rich these days. File at least a provisional patent and one or more trademarks. They safely assume that an entrepreneur with the right attributes will start with a great idea, and spend their time honing and presenting a great plan to deliver, leading to a successful business.

Entrepreneur 138

Entrepreneur Ideas Mentor Patents 138

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 31, 2020

Most technical entrepreneurs I know demand the discipline of a product specification or plan, and then assume that their great product will drive a great business. Is it any wonder why so few entrepreneurs ever find the professional investors they seek? Yet I’m still often approached by aspiring entrepreneurs who have neither.

Entrepreneur 124

Entrepreneur Startup Summary Product 124

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 Funding Patents Social Network 126

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 13, 2023

In my experience, consummate entrepreneurs tend come up with more startup ideas than they can ever implement, and some of the ideas may not even make business sense. But how does any entrepreneur know which ideas to implement, and which ones are best left behind? Check for intellectual property barriers in your way. Martin Zwilling

Technical Review 108

Technical Review Ideas Startup Patents 108

socalTECH

JANUARY 28, 2013

Even fewer might not be aware that they might just owe some thanks to the firm, after it scored a patent win against a so-called "patent troll" which was plaguing dozens of online retailers, demanding licensing terms for using shopping card technology it said it owned the rights to. READ MORE>>.

NewEgg 182

NewEgg Patents Southern California City of Industry 182

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 22, 2010

Pasadena-based OnGreen , the online marketplace for green and clean technology businesses, said today that it has launched a new, patent marketplace focused on allowing users to license or sell their intellectual property (IP). According to OnGreen, the new marketplace will provide additional funding avenues for entrepreneurs.

Patents 205

Patents Pasadena IP Entrepreneur 205

Berkonomics

AUGUST 31, 2023

In 1994, (I know a long time ago), I invested over a million dollars (two million six hundred thousand in today’s dollars) into a company whose entrepreneurs had a vision that I bought into for many reasons, not the least of which was that I had industry experience and understood the need. Surprisingly, many entrepreneurs immediately respond.

Entrepreneur 156

Entrepreneur Competition Patents Research 156

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 18, 2011

Dressed in suits with questions and passports in hand, a delegation of over 15 US entrepreneurs and investors--including a number from Southern California--entered the seat of the British government at 10 Downing Street Thursday. 10 Downing Street is the equivalent of the White House here in the United States.

Entrepreneur 170

Entrepreneur Southern California Beverly Hills SoCalTech 170

InfoChachkie

MARCH 4, 2019

In addition to creating a franchise chain which exceeded 500 locations at its peak, Martha Harper was also one of the world’s first social entrepreneurs, helping thousands of middle-class women create their own businesses and control their destinies. Social Entrepreneuring (Before It Was Cool). Martha’s Legacy Lives On.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Class Startup Patents 100

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 7, 2018

In my experience mentoring new entrepreneurs and aspiring business leaders, I see far too many who seem to be driven by all the wrong reasons. He makes a convincing argument that the best leaders and entrepreneurs follow their intrinsic rather than extrinsic motivations. To be a successful entrepreneur, one can never stand still.

Entrepreneur 98

Entrepreneur Satisfaction Patents Mentor 98

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.

Ideas 160

Ideas Startup Technical Review Patents 160

SoCal Tech Calendar

JANUARY 16, 2017

Saturday, January 21, 2017 -- First Time Entrepreneurs Workshop.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur LAVA Patents Startup 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 17, 2020

In my experience, consummate entrepreneurs tend come up with more startup ideas than they can ever implement, and some of the ideas may not even make business sense. But how does any entrepreneur know which ideas to implement, and which ones are best left behind? Check for intellectual property barriers in your way. Martin Zwilling.

Technical Review 173

Technical Review Ideas Startup Patents 173

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 27, 2014

In my experience, consummate entrepreneurs tend come up with more startup ideas than they can ever implement, and some of the ideas may not even make business sense. But how does any entrepreneur know which ideas to implement, and which ones are best left behind? business entrepreneur idea reality check startup'

Entrepreneur 107

Entrepreneur Ideas Technical Review Startup 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. LA in fact has more entrepreneurs as a percentage of its population than anywhere else in the country.

Entrepreneur 376

Entrepreneur Los Angeles Truecar Startup 376

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2014

I always advise software startups to file patents to protect their “secret sauce” from competitors, and to increase their valuation. The good news is that a patent can scare off or at least delay competitors, and as a “rule of thumb” patents can add up to $1M to your startup valuation for investors or M&A exits (merger and acquisition).

Patents 100

Patents Software Review Software Technical Advisors 100

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 18, 2022

How an entrepreneur answers this question speaks volumes about their knowledge of business realities, customers, confidence, and their ability to handle investor funding. I like patents, trademarks, and trade secrets, so this answer is a better sustainable competitive advantage than the other five answers. Don’t bash the competition.

Competition 135

Competition Startup Patents Entrepreneur 135

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. An entrepreneur looking for a sure thing will never innovate. Creating intellectual property, including patents, is the kay to long-term value and a sustainable competitive advantage. No risk, no innovation.

Startup 141

Startup Entrepreneur Coach Metrics 141

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 10, 2021

Most aspiring entrepreneurs believe their initial idea and inspiration requires the most important creative thinking. Experienced entrepreneurs will tell you that the initial idea is the easy part, and it’s the later implementation, and the competitive business marketing that are the real creative challenges.

Entrepreneur 171

Entrepreneur Patents Startup Ideas 171

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 12, 2018

Many experts will tell you that you can’t succeed as a part-time entrepreneur, as any good startup will require a 100 percent commitment of your time and energy. Thus I often recommend that entrepreneurs keep their day job until the startup is producing revenue. But the entrepreneur lifestyle is still more fun, even part-time.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Ideas Startup Tips 102

InfoChachkie

MARCH 21, 2019

Ida wasn’t even the first modern-day entrepreneur to offer women brassieres. In 1917, Mary Phelps Jacobs was granted patent 1,115,674 , which states, “This invention relates to improvements in brassieres.” (sic). She was an entrepreneur at a time when entrepreneurial women were few and far between.”.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Hollywood Design Patents 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 25, 2014

How an entrepreneur answers this question speaks volumes about their knowledge of business realities, customers, confidence, and their ability to handle investor funding. I like patents, trademarks, and trade secrets, so this answer is a better sustainable competitive advantage than the other five answers. Don’t bash the competition.

Entrepreneur 111

Entrepreneur Startup Patents Competition 111

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 28, 2015

In my experience mentoring new entrepreneurs and aspiring business leaders, I see far too many who seem to be driven by all the wrong reasons. He makes a convincing argument that the best leaders and entrepreneurs follow their intrinsic rather than extrinsic motivations. To be a successful entrepreneur, one can never stand still.

Entrepreneur 111

Entrepreneur Satisfaction Patents Mentor 111

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 17, 2023

Most entrepreneurs spend far too much time thinking negatively about competitors, and can’t resist making derogatory statements to their own team, to investors, and even to customers. As an investor, I always listen carefully to what an entrepreneur says, and does not say, about competition. Martin Zwilling

Competition 113

Competition Entrepreneur Patents Marketing 113

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 14, 2010

Back in November I agreed with Nivi over at VentureHacks to do a series on the ten most important attributes of a successful entrepreneur. Unfortunately, I don’t believe it is perfectly correlated with what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. Tags: Entrepreneur Advice Start-up Advice Startup Advice.

Entrepreneur 284

Entrepreneur Technical Review Funding Startup 284

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

Whether you are a business professional in a big company, or an entrepreneur with a startup, innovation is a key strategy. Tesla has found that sharing many of their battery patents has expanded the market for all electric vehicle providers, as well as attracted the very best engineers to join Tesla’s team.

SpaceX 115

SpaceX Satisfaction Entrepreneur Ideas 115

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 12, 2023

Every entrepreneur I know has their favorite excuse for a previous failure – an investor backed out, the economy took a downturn, or a supplier delivered bad quality. In that spirit, I offer my perspective on ten common startup failure sources that rarely get admitted by entrepreneurs: Choose to skip the written business plan.

Startup 129

Startup Entrepreneur Outsource Development Patents 129

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2023

I always tell entrepreneurs that two heads are better than one, so the first task in many startups is finding a cofounder or two. Key to required patents or trade secrets. In many cases, one of the cofounders may bring some work in progress that can be patented, trademarked, or copyrighted.

Equity 102

Equity Startup CTO Hire Patents 102

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 24, 2021

When someone says Intellectual Property (IP), most entrepreneurs think only of patents. In reality, patents are only one of at least eight items that should be in your IP portfolio. Remember that ideas cannot be patented, only novel implementations. You need all these before you start looking for funding. Copyrights.

Startup 146

Startup Patents IP Social Media 146

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. An entrepreneur looking for a sure thing will never innovate. Creating intellectual property, including patents, is the key to long-term value and a sustainable competitive advantage. No risk, no innovation.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Startup Coach Metrics 102

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 5, 2015

Most of the technologists I know inherently believe that the terms inventor and entrepreneur mean the same thing, so they are frustrated and surprised when they build their products and no business evolves. The term entrepreneur has always been defined as a person who builds a new business, which may or may not involve inventing a product.

Entrepreneur 106

Entrepreneur Patents Pricing Technology 106

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 25, 2021

In fact, I often have to tell aspiring entrepreneurs that their inventions have zero value, at least not until they are put in the context of a business plan, with qualified people committed to executing the plan. A long-term advantage usually also requires intellectual property, such as a patent, trade secret, or trademark.

Funding 157

Funding Technical Review Entrepreneur Patents 157