Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 12, 2022

Too many entrepreneurs I know charge into battle with only their passion, and hope for the best. Too many entrepreneurs push their product out without the proper scouting on high return or weak points in the existing market. We all start with limited resources, so don’t try to win over everyone with the initial charge.

Marketing 125

Marketing Technical Review Startup Resource 125

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 20, 2014

Technical entrepreneurs love their technology, and often are driven to launch a startup on the assumption that everyone will buy any solution which highlights this technology. These founders all seem to be pushing their technology, rather than highlighting their solution to a painful need.

Technology 114

Technology Startup Social Media Custom 114

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 28, 2019

In reality, it takes a collaboration of many good people to build and run a business, even though the original idea probably did come from that innovative entrepreneur. Solo or autocratic entrepreneurs usually don’t survive, due to required skills and a workload far beyond the capacity of a single human.

Entrepreneur 94

Entrepreneur Technical Review Ideas Tool 94

InfoChachkie

JULY 16, 2012

In addition, a number of advertisers have invested significant resources into creating libraries of video content which effectively communicate brand and product attributes but are incapable of eliciting a particular action, such as: clicking to a landing page, completing a lead form, or initiating a purchase. What’s So Cool About Coull?

Customer 226

Customer Custom Entrepreneur Advertising 226

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

What's the best way to reach out and recruit diverse candidates for your technology company? is an HR tech platform that makes it very easy for companies to source diverse talent. is an HR tech platform that makes it very easy for companies to source diverse talent. It's not easy, which is why Los Angeles-based Divercity.io

Technical Review 140

Technical Review Startup Platform Resource 140

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 7, 2011

Equally, I encouraged entrepreneurs to spend time getting to know their future VCs early because getting a feel for your chemistry is far more important than how the VC is ranked in some survey. Equally, I encouraged entrepreneurs to thoroughly reference check their VCs – you’ll learn much more from this than anything else.

Entrepreneur 330

Entrepreneur Marketing Venture Capital Hulu 330

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 2, 2023

One of the simplest questions I get from aspiring entrepreneurs, and ironically one of the hardest, is “How do I start?” They just aren’t prepared for the life they want, and are really asking me how to learn to be an entrepreneur. Help entrepreneurs with constant learning. Learning doesn’t have to be all work.

Startup 108

Startup Education Tool Entrepreneur 108

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 28, 2020

The rate of new entrepreneurs increased between 2013 and 2019, from 280 out of 100,000 to 310 out of 100,000 of the adult population. Of course, that’s both the good news and the bad news for aspiring entrepreneurs, since it means more competition, and the business landscape is changing faster than ever.

Tips 161

Tips Startup Social Media News 161

socalTECH

AUGUST 12, 2014

has figured out one way -- which is to run a startup accelerator, Warner Media Camp (www.mediacamp.com)--which pulls a class of startups into the company for an intense, twelve week program every year, and helps those companies tap into the resources of the studio. Warner Bros. Are you going to do this again? READ MORE>>.

Startup 159

Startup Technology Hollywood Media 159

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. In my opinion, real pain points for most people do not include a new user interface for Facebook, a new programming platform for app development, or a new size smart phone. Truly “disruptive” technologies.

Customer 167

Customer Custom Startup Outsource Development 167

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2022

Every business owner and entrepreneur I meet in my consulting rounds dreams of finding that “ disruptive ” innovation that will supercharge their business and move it into the ranks of business unicorns (billion-dollar valuations), such as SpaceX and Apple. You can provide the discipline and the resources for results.

Technical Review 101

Technical Review Metrics Resource Software Review 101

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 2, 2013

If you are an entrepreneur today, and not using social media to promote your business, you are missing out on a huge opportunity. Most social media outlets don’t require a subscription charge, but they certainly require an investment – in people, in technology, your reputation, and your time. Pick the right platform for your business.

Social Media 101

Social Media Media Entrepreneur Metrics 101

socalTECH

MAY 2, 2013

Despite a growing technology industry here in Southern California, local investors and entrepreneurs tell us there''s still a shortage of local, venture capital. In particular, funding for companies developing deep technology--software and cloud, as opposed to content and media--seems to be lacking.

Invest 159

Invest Technology Startup Venture Capital 159

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 12, 2015

One of the simplest questions I get from aspiring entrepreneurs, and ironically one of the hardest, is “How do I start?” They just aren’t prepared for the life they want, and are really asking me how to learn to be an entrepreneur. Help entrepreneurs with constant learning. Learning doesn’t have to be all work.

Entrepreneur 112

Entrepreneur Startup Education Tool 112

TechCrunch LA

OCTOBER 11, 2018

The city is one of the most dense conglomerations of Shopify customers with over 10,000 merchants using the company’s technologies in the greater Los Angeles area. Like Apple, Shopify is staffing its store with experts on the platform who can walk new customers or would-be customers through whatever troubleshooting they may need.

Los Angeles 205

Los Angeles Angel Commerce Tips 205

InfoChachkie

JULY 5, 2012

Coull Entrepreneurs Get More Customers. Skimlinks has proven effective for thousands of publishers (including, for a time, Pinterest), because its frictionless, self-serve platform automatically generates revenue from previously existing online content. Coull Offers Advertisers Video Skimlinks. <JG What’s So Cool About Coull?

Customer 133

Customer Custom Entrepreneur Advertising 133

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 10, 2018

One of the most frequent questions I get as a mentor to entrepreneurs is “How do I find the money to start my business?” If you have the urge to be an entrepreneur, I encourage you to think seriously about each of these, before you zero-in on one or two, and get totally discouraged if those don’t work for you.

Entrepreneur 96

Entrepreneur Startup Equity Funding 96

socalTECH

DECEMBER 26, 2019

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. Growing our practice from 3 original partners who would meet at coffee shops into a full institutional investing platform is a constant evolution.

Southern California 100

Southern California News Platform Class 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 5, 2012

According to many technology pundits, including Phil Simon, in his new book “ The Age of the Platform ,” these four exemplify the rise of platforms with applications as a business model, rather than a single product or service. Leverage existing solutions and platforms for extensions, rather than re-invent the wheel.

Platform 97

Platform Tips Startup Tool 97

Tech.Co

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Not only has he become the richest man in the world again, leapfrogging a certain Mr Musk, but it has also been revealed that Amazon has quietly acquired ecommerce platform Selz. In fact, ecommerce website builders and platforms have become seriously big business over the last few years. It's been a big week for Jeff Bezos.

News 137

News Acquisition Platform Sales 137

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 21, 2023

One of the most frequent questions I get as a mentor to entrepreneurs is “How do I find the money to start my business?” If you have the urge to be an entrepreneur, I encourage you to think seriously about each of these, before you zero-in on one or two, and get totally discouraged if those don’t work for you.

Startup 106

Startup Capital Equity Funding 106

socalTECH

APRIL 25, 2013

In the arms race of search technology, only the big guys -- Google, Microsoft -- seem to be able to keep up with all of the innovations in the space. We caught up with CEO Dev Bhatia --a serial entrepreneur who''s been involved with such companies at Hotsocket, Screaming Media (IPO), and Yoyodyne (acquired by Yahoo)--to learn more about.

Technology 216

Technology Google Commerce Southern California 216

Tech.Co

MAY 25, 2018

If you’re an early-stage entrepreneur, technology has served you well. Fortunately, the Startup of the Year program aims to make it easier for founders to connect with resources. Indiegogo is a platform for ground breaking technology and where you can find interesting products that haven’t hit the mainstream market.

Startup 141

Startup Technical Review Competition Software Review 141

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 21, 2015

The cost of entry for an aspiring entrepreneur has never been lower, and the total wealth of opportunities has never been larger. I was inspired by a recent book, “ Resource Revolution: How to Capture the Biggest Business Opportunity in a Century ,” by Stephan Heck and Matt Rogers. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 100

Startup Resource Entrepreneur Social Media 100

Tech.Co

MAY 31, 2023

Launching and growing a startup is one of the biggest missions an entrepreneur can undertake. Business tools — from customer relationship management ( CRM ) platforms to accounting software — help to save startups time and money by automating key processes and maximizing efficiency. Here are a couple of our favorites.

Tool 131

Tool Startup Software Review Technical Review 131

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 12, 2014

One of the most frequent questions I get as a mentor to entrepreneurs is “How do I find the money to start my business?” If you have the urge to be an entrepreneur, I encourage you to think seriously about each of these, before you zero-in on one or two, and get totally discouraged if those don’t work for you.

Startup 113

Startup Entrepreneur Funding Equity 113

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 15, 2016

One of the simplest questions I get from aspiring entrepreneurs, and ironically one of the hardest, is “How do I start?” They just aren’t prepared for the life they want, and are really asking me how to learn to be an entrepreneur. Help entrepreneurs with constant learning. Learning doesn’t have to be all work.

Entrepreneur 58

Entrepreneur Startup Education Tool 58

Xconomy

NOVEMBER 2, 2016

Tech entrepreneurs are likely considering how hospitable the new leadership might be to their specific industry sectors. Educational technology is one field worth examining, even though education hasn’t been a front-burner issue in the final months of the campaign. schools don’t do now.

Education 40

Education Platform Company Companies 40

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2021

As a new business advisor, I am no longer surprised that every new entrepreneur believes the hard part is creating the first product and the business. Then you need to identify the talent, skills, and resources your company will need to succeed, as well as when and where they will be needed. Change should be expected as the norm.

Tips 170

Tips Startup Mentor Press 170

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 18, 2011

If you are an entrepreneur today, and not using social media to promote your business, you are missing out on a huge opportunity. Most social media outlets don’t require a subscription charge, but they certainly require an investment – in people, in technology, your reputation, and your time. Pick the right platform for your business.

Social Media 93

Social Media Media Entrepreneur Platform 93

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 6, 2023

As an advisor to business professionals and entrepreneurs, I often hear about an innovative new solution that could lead to business growth or a new business. Be customer focused, not technology focused. Assemble the resources needed for the business. You are just as important as your innovative idea.

Tips 80

Tips Startup Satisfaction Ideas 80

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 30, 2011

The part of the movement that resonates the most with me (in my words) is that entrepreneurs should keep their capital expenditures really low while they’re experimenting with their product and determining whether there is a large market for what they do. This benefits you, the entrepreneur. It takes options off of the table.

Development Team Review 374

Development Team Review Technical Review Startup Resource 374

Tech.Co

JUNE 17, 2015

There’s a team of Los Angeles entrepreneurs who would agree with me on that, and they launched their platform Kadenze to help people tap their creativity. Specifically, it was built with the express goal of bringing to life an online learning platform purpose-built for the arts and creative technologies.

Education 125

Education Course Platform Design 125

socalTECH

DECEMBER 30, 2019

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. What new technology area, startup, service, or app did you find most interesting or useful this year, and why?

SoCal 140

SoCal Southern California Startup Venture Capital 140

socalTECH

MAY 7, 2018

When we started the business, we really didn't have a lot of funding, but it made a lot of sense, and we got lots of drivers on the platform. We love Omar, our partner at Sequoia, who is an entrepreneur himself, and sold his last company to Google for $700M. He's a very sharp entrepreneur, and shares the same vision.

Startup 173

Startup Pricing Marketing Entrepreneur 173

socalTECH

AUGUST 12, 2019

Vanessa Dawson: The Vinetta Project is an entreneurial ecosystem and deal flow pipeline that works with early stage, female tech founders, and helps them to access both resources and capital for their business. We've helped entrepreneurs raise over $225M in early stage, venture funding. What is The Vinetta Project?

Entrepreneur 124

Entrepreneur Metrics Los Angeles IP 124

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 29, 2020

One of the most frequent questions I get as a mentor to entrepreneurs is “How do I find the money to start my business?” If you have the urge to be an entrepreneur, I encourage you to think seriously about each of these, before you zero-in on one or two, and get totally discouraged if those don’t work for you.

Funding 174

Funding Startup Equity Examples 174