Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023

Many first-time entrepreneurs find themselves unable to bootstrap their startups, and also unable to find early funding at the venture capital level or even with angel investors. Every good entrepreneur needs to invest skin in the game, to show credibility and leadership to others.

Startup 109

Startup Funding Equity Invest 109

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 8, 2009

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 just completed an exercise where I went out to hire a new associate for my VC firm, GRP Partners. I had to laugh a bit reading it. What you gain: 1.

Startup 337

Startup Venture Capital Study Course 337

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 22, 2014

Many entrepreneurs are so enamored with their product vision that they believe their own hype, and are convinced that the market for their solution is so huge that no one will ask them for independent market-research data. Successful entrepreneurs get the job done quickly, without breaking the bank.

Marketing 97

Marketing Entrepreneur Statistics Research 97

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 25, 2020

With the advent and growth of crowdfunding over the past few years, many entrepreneurs have predicted the demise of those demanding angel investment groups and venture capital organizations. These groups are now largely run by volunteers at no cost to entrepreneurs. Lack of checks and balances on startup valuations.

Equity 164

Equity Statistics Platform Entrepreneur 164

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Most aspiring entrepreneurs understand that you can’t build a business if you won’t commit to delivering a product or service, but many are hesitant or refuse to commit to any financial forecasts. Check competitor numbers and industry average statistics to get you in the right range. Calculate investment amounts and timing.

Startup 116

Startup Pricing Sales Statistics 116

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 5, 2023

One of the biggest myths I have found in the entrepreneur community is that every startup needs one or more outside investors for credibility and success, and perhaps is even entitled to at least one. Searching LinkedIn, for example, is a must for contemporary entrepreneurs. But don’t wait for them to contact you.

Statistics 98

Statistics Entrepreneur Funding Social Media 98

socalTECH

AUGUST 19, 2011

In our Insights and Opinions section this Friday morning, Frank Peters , angel investor and podcaster at the Frank Peters Show , shares his opinions on startups making Google their exit strategy: It's the exit strategy for too many entrepreneurs: "Google's a target exit partner." Meanwhile entrepreneurs dream. Continued.).

Google 157

Google Statistics Venture Capital Entrepreneur 157

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 1, 2015

Image via Flickr by Jupiter Labs Many first-time entrepreneurs find themselves unable to bootstrap their startups, and also unable to find early funding at the venture capital level or even with angel investors. Every good entrepreneur needs to invest skin in the game, to show credibility and leadership to others.

Entrepreneur 106

Entrepreneur Startup Equity Invest 106

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 11, 2021

Many first-time entrepreneurs find themselves unable to bootstrap their startups, and also unable to find early funding at the venture capital level or even with angel investors. Every good entrepreneur needs to invest skin in the game, to show credibility and leadership to others.

Funding 138

Funding Startup Equity Invest 138

Berkonomics

APRIL 28, 2012

This important variation on “money talks” is an important consideration for entrepreneurs when seeking an investment from professionals such as VC’s. Something like a marriage (and often lasting just as long statistically), your investment partner can be a great cheerleader, coach and resource.

Coach 174

Coach Venture Capital Statistics News 174

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 6, 2023

With the advent and growth of crowdfunding over the past few years, many entrepreneurs have predicted the demise of angel investment groups and venture capital organizations. billion by 2030, exceeding the amounts contributed by either angel groups or VCs alone. billion to USD 3.62

Equity 80

Equity Platform Entrepreneur Statistics 80

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 22, 2020

One of the biggest myths I have found in the entrepreneur community is that every startup needs one or more outside investors for credibility and success, and perhaps is even entitled to at least one. Searching LinkedIn, for example, is a must for contemporary entrepreneurs. But don’t wait for them to contact you.

Funding 173

Funding Tips Startup Statistics 173

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 28, 2021

Entrepreneurs who require funding for their startup have long counted on self-accredited high net worth individuals (“angels”) to fill their needs, after friends and family, and before they qualify for institutional investments (“VCs”). Here again, the entrepreneur will be the one hurt most, by having fewer funding sources to access.

Funding 144

Funding Startup .Net Invest 144

socalTECH

OCTOBER 19, 2017

There's a tightness which is squeezing the lifeblood from the entrepreneurs, even as it remains an amazing place. But, there is broad agreement that it would be a wonderful thing to get more entrepreneurs and venture capital into the region. As you know, Silicon Valley has a locker grip on the venture capital community.

Southern California 170

Southern California Venture Capital Startup Entrepreneur 170

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 5, 2015

Even if you work every day in the world of new-venture funding, as I do, the options are confusing, and their meanings seem to change on a regular basis. I challenge any entrepreneur, for example, to define the difference between "seed-stage" and "early-stage" financing. A micro venture capital firm.

Funding 104

Funding Venture Capital Startup Seed Funding 104

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 4, 2015

Most aspiring entrepreneurs understand that you can’t build a business if you won’t commit to delivering a product or service, but many are hesitant or refuse to commit to any financial forecasts. Check competitor numbers and industry average statistics to get you in the right range. entrepreneur financial forecast investor startup'

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Startup Pricing Sales 102

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 15, 2018

Many entrepreneurs are so enamored with their product vision that they believe their own hype, and are convinced that the market for their solution is so huge that no one will ask them for independent market research data. Successful entrepreneurs get the job done quickly, without breaking the bank.

Research 87

Research Marketing Statistics Report 87

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 5, 2021

Most aspiring entrepreneurs understand that you can’t build a business if you won’t commit to delivering a product or service, but many are hesitant or refuse to commit to any financial forecasts. Check competitor numbers and industry average statistics to get you in the right range. Calculate investment amounts and timing.

Startup 147

Startup Pricing Sales Statistics 147

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 27, 2010

In my bones I’m convinced that entrepreneurs are more nature than nurture although I know both are involved. I have recently written extensively on what I believe the 12 characteristics of an entrepreneur are. Entrepreneurs aren’t born, they’re made.&# The data in this article is at best, a stretch. from a young age.

Startup 289

Startup Statistics Entrepreneur Study 289

InfoChachkie

JUNE 3, 2013

Consistent with the statistics cited in Why Entrepreneurs Hate (Most) MBAs , the large majority of John and Kyle''s classmates accepted positions at investment banks and consulting firms upon graduation. However, a number of them wanted to vicariously experience the startup world through John and Kyle''s venture.

Newsletter 233

Newsletter Startup Entrepreneur Writing 233

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 21, 2017

I was influenced heavily before my career even began because in my undergraduate work I took a ton of statistics classes that showed how easily we human brains fall prey to easy biases and slights of data and try to draw conclusions that don’t exist. I read it just after I entered the Venture Capital industry more than a decade ago.

Venture Capital 182

Venture Capital Statistics Writing Report 182

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 28, 2016

Many entrepreneurs are so enamored with their product vision that they believe their own hype, and are convinced that the market for their solution is so huge that no one will ask them for independent market research data. Successful entrepreneurs get the job done quickly, without breaking the bank.

Marketing 59

Marketing Startup Statistics Research 59

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 2, 2011

By Bob La Loggia, CEO StormSource Software Are startup founders who play poker statistically more likely to succeed in business? Business history has proven time and time again that it’s not necessarily the best product that wins in the marketplace, and having a superstar founding team, VC partner, or advisory board doesn’t guarantee success.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Statistics Venture Capital Software 100

InfoChachkie

JUNE 3, 2013

Consistent with the statistics cited in Why Entrepreneurs Hate (Most) MBAs , the large majority of John and Kyle''s classmates accepted positions at investment banks and consulting firms upon graduation. However, a number of them wanted to vicariously experience the startup world through John and Kyle''s venture.

Newsletter 133

Newsletter Startup Entrepreneur Writing 133

Steve Reich

MARCH 30, 2012

Let me give you a few examples: SwingbySwing Golf created an iPhone/Android app that lets golfers use the GPS in their phone to measure distance to the hole and track statistics. Get Angel capital and build a prototype. Then get VC funding, rent a cool space, hire a big team, rebuild and relaunch. It took month and years.

Incubator 91

Incubator Web Entrepreneur Santa Barbara 91

socalTECH

APRIL 4, 2013

Form there, we got interest from incubators, angel investors, and venture capital. Brenton Sullivan: We really put the customer at the center of our business, something that many entrepreneurs miss out on. That''s the quantitative analysis of statistics to find players. How''d you get over that hurdle? It''s a big topic.

Coach 252

Coach USC Statistics Startup 252

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 16, 2017

Entrepreneurs who require funding for their startup have long counted on self-accredited high net worth individuals (“angels”) to fill their needs, after friends and family, and before they qualify for institutional investments (“VCs”). Of course, both are impressive and both already exceed VC investments annually.

Startup 76

Startup Angel Funding .Net 76

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2015

Entrepreneurs who require funding for their startup have long counted on self-accredited high net worth individuals (“angels”) to fill their needs, after friends and family, and before they qualify for institutional investments (“VCs”). Here again, the entrepreneur will be the one hurt most, by having fewer funding sources to access.

Startup 106

Startup Angel .Net Entrepreneur 106

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 8, 2016

One of the myths I often hear as an advisor to many entrepreneurs is that their lifestyle would somehow be better if they could more easily find other people’s money to build their startup. Most entrepreneurs never forget for a moment that having investors means owing money, even if they can legally argue that equity is not debt.

Funding 57

Funding Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur 57

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 9, 2014

Entrepreneurs who require funding for their startup have long counted on self-accredited high net worth individuals (“angels”) to fill their needs, after friends and family, and before they qualify for institutional investments (“VCs”). Here again, the entrepreneur will be the one hurt most, by having fewer funding sources to access.

Invest 111

Invest Angel Funding Startup 111

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 18, 2013

Even though these last few years have not been great financially for entrepreneurs, it always helps to look at the cup as half full, rather than half empty. Here are a few of the many things that entrepreneurs should be thankful for this holiday season, to keep the challenges in perspective: The economy continues to rebound.

Startup 86

Startup Tips Venture Capital Demand 86

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 3, 2016

According to recent statistics from the International Business Innovation Association ( InBIA ), there are about 7,000 business incubators and accelerators worldwide, with over 90 percent being non-profit and focused on incubator programs for community economic development. Your future as an entrepreneur depends on it.

Incubator 58

Incubator Startup Seed Funding Equity 58

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 13, 2016

One of the biggest myths I have found in the entrepreneur community is that every startup needs one or more outside investors for credibility and success, and perhaps is even entitled to at least one. Searching LinkedIn, for example, is a must for contemporary entrepreneurs. But don’t wait for them to contact you.

Startup 61

Startup Entrepreneur Statistics Funding 61

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 11, 2017

As an angel investor and business advisor on new ventures, I expect to see five-year financial projections from every entrepreneur. Does this entrepreneur understand the basics of business costs in the selected business domain, growth dynamics, and the competitive environment? Set a target growth and market penetration rate.

Pricing 57

Pricing Startup Entrepreneur Invest 57

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 14, 2016

What every entrepreneur is asking me these days, is “How do I get to be a unicorn?” Based on some good estimates of how many new ventures have been started in the last five years, the statistical odds of any individual startup making it to this level are less than one in a million.

Company 100

Company Companies Startup Statistics 100

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

In the old days, every entrepreneur dreamed of someday taking their startup public, and making it a multi-national powerhouse. In developing countries, like China and India, the statistics are reversed. entrepreneur Mark Zuckerberg startup investor IPO exit' Marty Zwilling.

Startup 97

Startup Report Entrepreneur Statistics 97

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 20, 2016

With the advent and growth of crowdfunding over the past few years, many entrepreneurs have predicted the demise of those demanding angel investment groups and venture capital organizations. These groups are now largely run by volunteers at no cost to entrepreneurs. Lack of checks and balances on startup valuations.

Equity 54

Equity Platform Entrepreneur Demand 54