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How to Make Better Reference Calls

Both Sides of the Table

Reference calls. Ask for at least 5 references. As your candidate for at least 5 references. Ask for at least 5 references. As your candidate for at least 5 references. Don’t worry about the fact that these are the references that the candidate has hand-picked – that’s part of the process.

Startup 302
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Why it’s Critical That you Reference Check Your VC

Both Sides of the Table

This experience made me want to dig into my archives, re-write & publish this piece. How do you then reference check your VC to be sure that you’ve chosen a good firm and partner? Get a reference list - Most entrepreneurs do almost no reference checks or at least do them very informally.

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Honesty Is An Entrepreneur’s Secret Weapon

InfoChachkie

Multiple surveys confirm that honesty is one of the most common traits of serial entrepreneurs. In his book, The Entrepreneur’s Manual , Richard White cites a survey of venture capitalists which ranks honesty as the single most important characteristic for serial success. Image : Wikipedia. Share and Enjoy.

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Why you should never have a data room — the most counter-intuitive fund-raising advice you’ll ever…

Both Sides of the Table

Your historical trading information including financials and a “customer file” which shows the history of your transactions so that investors can run “cohort” analyses Customer reference, personal references, key team members, compensation, cap table, stock option plan, etc. Entrepreneur : “Sure. Some people find this elitist?—?I

Funding 336
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Every Entrepreneur Wins With A Goal-Oriented Mindset

Startup Professionals Musings

Successful entrepreneurs are usually hard-driving, and highly focused on some specific goals, like being the dominant player in a given domain, or the low-priced provider of their product. Write it down. On the other hand, most people don’t hesitate to write down excuses. It is vague and insubstantial.

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Every Startup Goes Through Distinctive Funding Phases

Startup Professionals Musings

Some entrepreneurs start polling venture capitalists for that multi-million-dollar investment before they even have a business plan. Every entrepreneur needs help and support along the way, from developing the initial idea, to selling off the successful business (exit strategy).

Startup 122
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7 Keys To Transforming A Dream Into Business Reality

Startup Professionals Musings

Successful entrepreneurs are usually hard-driving, and highly focused on some specific goals, like being the dominant player in a given domain, or the low-priced provider of their product. Write it down. On the other hand, most people don’t hesitate to write down excuses. It is vague and insubstantial.

Writing 121