Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2013

The newest equity model was passed into law in early 2012 via the JOBS Act , and still has no scheduled date for availability in the USA, waiting for the rules to be defined by the SEC: Startup equity crowd funding. Example sites include StartSomeGood and the Facebook Cause page. There is no concept of ROI other than product.

Funding 99

Funding Satisfaction Sites Outsource Development 99

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2010

Things that make it investment-grade for outside investors will also benefit you, since you are the ultimate investor. Every plan must start with the problem you are solving, not a description of your company and product. Investors invest in people - not just ideas. Solution and benefits. Skip the technical jargon and hyperbole.

Invest 74

Invest Tips Competition Metrics 74

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 26, 2015

Few investors these days have the time or patience to read a full business plan, so a better way to catch their eye is with a tightly written and well formatted two-page executive summary. Professional investors look for the right people more than the right product. Project revenues, costs and investment expectations.

Summary 101

Summary Patents Technical Review Competition 101

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 25, 2012

The newest model was passed into law recently via the JOBS Act , and won’t even be available until the end of this year or maybe mid-2013 in the USA, while waiting for the rules to be finalized: Startup equity crowd funding. This new model will allow large numbers of “regular” people to invest small amounts each online to fund early startups.

Funding 96

Funding Satisfaction Sites Outsource Development 96

socalTECH

JUNE 27, 2011

Scott Saunders: I spent nearly my entire career on the investment side, and in 2005 switched over to the entrepreneurial side of the world. When I shoed up with a few pages of conceptual, early stage ideas around consumer finance, it was immediately captivating, and it really lined up with what he wanted to do.

Startup 197

Startup Ideas Southern California Social Network 197

SoCal Delicious

SEPTEMBER 13, 2012

The Startup UCLA Accelerator Is About Entrepreneurship Not Investment Returns. Participating companies get between $4,000 and $8,000 in addition to mentorship and office space while participating in the 12 week program, and have to give up zero equity in exchange. Follow PandoDaily: Search. Skip to primary content. Post navigation.

UCLA 47

UCLA Invest Startup Class 47

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 17, 2015

If there are conflicts within the team, or differing views of the strategy, or evidence of missing processes and tools, the investment process will likely be terminated. Make yourself available to answer any questions, show your enthusiasm, and explain both the positives and negatives of the external investment process.

Technical Review 108

Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur 108

Xconomy

SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

And human food production is just one aspect of agricultural technology—a vast field that also includes animal food and more. At Xconomy, we have seen growing investments in the sector—both in a rash of new agtech startups and by bigger players such Monsanto, Bayer Crop Sciences, and Syngenta. and Cybersecurity.

Newsletter 40

Newsletter Research Technology Equity 40

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 20, 2016

Even if your product is a technological marvel, I look for balanced strength on the team in finance, marketing and operations. Investors all know that the startup road is long and hard, so they look for people who have put and will continue to put “skin in the game” -- time, sweat equity, and money. Focus on prior results, not titles.

Startup 60

Startup Entrepreneur Software Review Technical Review 60

Tech Zulu Event

MAY 9, 2013

Speaking of the new investment, CapLinked CEO Eric M. Jackson said, “We’re using the proceeds from our financing round to invest in our technology, build new features, and increase sales and support.”. Jackson added that the firm was proud of its product, and even uses its own software to manage their capital raised from investors.

Draper 68

Draper Google Software Engineering Invest 68

socalTECH

OCTOBER 14, 2011

Well, Los Angeles based Near Networks (www.nearnetworks.com) is looking to both reach customers online, and avoid the tacky, lousy production of typical small business ads, with a new service. Sam Rogoway: Near Networks is a national production studio that creates online videos for local businesses across the country.

Networking 150

Networking Search Engine Optimization Product Startup 150

Xconomy

SEPTEMBER 26, 2016

Georgian Partners and Bain Capital Ventures, the investment firms that anchored Tealium’s $30.7 Georgian Partners and Bain Capital Ventures, the investment firms that anchored Tealium’s $30.7 Tags are a creature of Web analytics, generating data that enable marketing teams to determine if users viewed a Web page or e-mail.

Customer 40

Customer Custom San Diego JavaScript 40

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 24, 2012

But many entrepreneurs don’t realize that Angels are also extremely discerning in the projects that they will invest in, rejecting approximately 97% of the proposals submitted to them, according to the California Investment Network. Build a prototype product. Prepare an investment-grade business plan. Marty Zwilling.

Angel 104

Angel Screening Summary Startup 104

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 27, 2012

As a member of the local Angel group selection committee, I’ve seen a lot of startup presentations to investors, and I’ve never seen one that was too short - maybe short on content, but not short on pages! Solution product & technology. Make sure to communicate the relevance of your product / services to market needs.

Slides 99

Slides Competition Sample Sales 99

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 16, 2018

Jim Semick: I’ve been launching and managing software products for 15 years now, going back to when you and I worked together at Expertcity before it was acquired by Citrix. I have always worked on early stage products. Some of the products I’ve helped validate and launch include GoToMyPC, GoToMeeting and AppFolio.

Venture Capital 115

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Santa Barbara SaaS 115

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 19, 2010

As a member of the local angel group Selection Committee, I’ve seen a lot of startup presentations to investors, and I’ve never seen one that was too short - maybe short on content, but not short on pages! Solution product & technology. Make sure to communicate the relevance of your product / services to market needs.

Slides 94

Slides Competition Sample Sales 94

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2013

They don’t realize that this option would likely be their worst nightmare, since it costs millions for the road show, usually dilutes your equity to a tiny fraction, and takes away all your entrepreneurial control. Expensive new IT systems, consultants, and investment bankers are usually required. Increasing government regulations.

Startup 89

Startup Entrepreneur Report Summary 89

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 28, 2010

Rustic Canyon is an LA-based, but geography-agnostic VC that is currently investing from a $200 million fund. They were originally founded inside of Times Mirror and had a huge string of major investment success before spinning out as a fully independent fund. So my gut says this will be a youth-oriented product. ShoeDazzle.

Venture Capital 270

Venture Capital Capital Rustic Canyon Mobile 270

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2012

Things that make it investment-grade for outside investors will also benefit you, since you are the ultimate investor. Every plan must start with the problem you are solving, not a description of your company and product. Investors invest in people - not just ideas. Solution and benefits. Skip the technical jargon and hyperbole.

Competition 113

Competition Metrics Startup Invest 113

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 10, 2011

As a member of the local Angel group selection committee, I’ve seen a lot of startup presentations to investors, and I’ve never seen one that was too short - maybe short on content, but not short on pages! Solution product & technology. Make sure to communicate the relevance of your product / services to market needs.

Slides 93

Slides Competition Sample Sales 93

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

They don’t realize that this option would likely be their worst nightmare, since it costs millions for the road show, usually dilutes your equity to a tiny fraction, and takes away all your entrepreneurial control. Expensive new IT systems, consultants, and investment bankers are usually required. Increasing government regulations.

Entrepreneur 95

Entrepreneur Startup Report Summary 95

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2011

They don’t realize that this option would likely be their worst nightmare, since it costs millions for the road show, usually dilutes your equity to a tiny fraction, and takes away all your entrepreneurial control. Expensive new IT systems, consultants, and investment bankers are usually required. Increasing government regulations.

Startup 94

Startup Entrepreneur Report Summary 94

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 13, 2011

Things that make it investment-grade for outside investors will also benefit you, since you are the ultimate investor. Every plan must start with the problem you are solving, not a description of your company and product. Investors invest in people - not just ideas. Solution and benefits. Skip the technical jargon and hyperbole.

Competition 116

Competition Metrics Startup Sales 116

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2010

The corporate entity lends itself best to the concept of “sharing” equity required by investors, and unincorporated entities don’t get funding. Build a prototype product. Investors expect a one or two-page executive summary sheet for the initial screening, backed up by a ten-slide Powerpoint investor presentation.

Angel 89

Angel Funding Technical Review Startup 89

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 19, 2010

But truthfully both Dana and I are more aligned with the lean startup principles and believe you only go FAT when you’ve really proved out your product / market fit. Interesting that Booyah is led by a former game producer, Keith Lee, who formerly launched very large products for Blizzard Entertainment. Go Boulder!

Venture Capital 240

Venture Capital Startup Platform Technical Review 240

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 19, 2009

He would have found somebody technical and inspired that individual to work for equity or deferred payment. He went out and found a developer and built a product. I used to sit on the board of a company (for which I DID NOT invest) with a very smart and very likable CEO. I said that was my point. What lovely charts!

Entrepreneur 414

Entrepreneur Technical Review Slides CTO Coach 414

Jason Nazar

MAY 2, 2016

If you are inventing or creating a product, understand patents and register for one at the USPTO. Check Google , Yellow Pages , and local directories to ensure your business name is not taken. Clarify who gets equity , and how much. Determine a pricing system for your product(s). Recommended. Recommended.

Outsource Development 40

Outsource Development Startup Google Mentor 40

SoCal Delicious

NOVEMBER 8, 2012

Seventeen lawyer regional firm Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, LLP has represented digital media, internet, technology, consumer electronics, and entertainment companies and investment funds out of its Sherman Oaks office since its formation in 2002. Follow PandoDaily: Search. Skip to primary content. Skip to secondary content. Get Tickets.

Sherman Oaks 44

Sherman Oaks Riot Games Tips Redpoint 44

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 2, 2011

Fancy websites are expensive, but blogs and Facebook pages are free. Starting small and nimble allows you to adjust and be flexible as you gain experience instead of being tied to a large concept by heavy investment in upfront costs. Businesses can be built on sweat equity. Starting small gives you flexibility.

Startup 92

Startup Capital Blogging Ideas 92

SoCal Delicious

SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Tech startup accelerators dot the landscape, feeding investments into the waiting arms of the nation’s most intelligent and driven entrepreneurs. is a good monthly investment? Most recently, Rosenblatt cofounded Demand Media, launching in 2006 with $120 million in equity and the acquisition of eHow.com. Post navigation.

Technical Review 75

Technical Review Entrepreneur Riot Games Southern California 75

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 29, 2011

Amazon in turn led to the formation of an earlier stage of venture capital now led by what I call “micro VCs&# who typically invest $250-500k in companies rather than the $5-7 million that VCs used to invest. Some have moved into later stage investments in an effort to “put logos on their websites.&#

Venture Capital 296

Venture Capital Capital Software Startup 296

Alon Schwartz

JANUARY 18, 2009

In the Q&A session someone asked about how to split equity between partners. Having the right partner can greatly help at challenging times like equity splits. We spent a few hours brainstorming and mocking up pages while the kids were pocking their heads through the door every five seconds. What is a Partnership?

Startup 58

Startup Equity Tips Commerce 58

Alon Schwartz

JANUARY 18, 2009

In the Q&A session someone asked about how to split equity between partners. Having the right partner can greatly help at challenging times like equity splits. We spent a few hours brainstorming and mocking up pages while the kids were pocking their heads through the door every five seconds. Like marriage. Yeah right.

Startup 56

Startup Equity Tips Commerce 56

Alon Schwartz

JANUARY 18, 2009

In the Q&A session someone asked about how to split equity between partners. Having the right partner can greatly help at challenging times like equity splits. We spent a few hours brainstorming and mocking up pages while the kids were pocking their heads through the door every five seconds. What is a Partnership?

Startup 40

Startup Equity Tips Commerce 40

Tech Zulu Event

AUGUST 13, 2010

Simply click on the title of the panel you like and you will be taken to their SXSWi panel picker page. Bootstrapping process, product development, Prototyping. . Have you ever had an idea for a great product, but thought any of the following: "I don't have en. Bootstrapping development, minimum viable product, startups. .

Guide 69

Guide Startup Venture Capital Entrepreneur 69

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 15, 2010

We spoke about the changes to an “accredited investor&# proposed by Chris Dodd – This would be bad for angel investing. But when the finally convert the debt to equity the round gets filed with the SEC and thus journalists often pick up on it. and who had biz reasons for wanting to remain stealth.”. - Short answer: no.

Venture Capital 285

Venture Capital Startup Advertising Redpoint 285

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 6, 2012

I had been trading emails & Tweets with venture capitalist John Frankel and we were to meet in person in March 2011 at SxSW to talk about Klout and other investments he had made. John laid into a well-honed thesis on why the social web needed a “Page Rank” equivalent for people. 39:15 Why did you invest in Klout?

Cornerstone OnDemand 303

Cornerstone OnDemand Venture Capital GRP Partners Startup 303