socalTECH

DECEMBER 27, 2018

Over the last four years, I watched numerous entrepreneurs raise equity. In 2018, many of them sold their companies or raised massive equity rounds. Given SVBs market position, that is great news. Seismic, a sales software company, raised $100M and became a unicorn. What was the biggest news for your company in 2018?

Southern California 133

Southern California SoCal Culver City Venture Capital 133

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2022

Set expectations accordingly. The most effective new way of funding startups is to use online sites, like Kickstarter , to request donations, pre-order, get a reward, or even give equity. The positives are that you give up no equity, and these apply to the early startup stages, but they do take time and much effort to win.

Tips 104

Tips Startup Technical Review Equity 104

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 14, 2022

Bringing money and connections is great, but other less tangible things can rip the business apart. You really need a partner who is complementary, and can tackle the operational roles, like marketing, finance, and sales. Some people are early risers and expect to tackle the tough problems early in the day.

Startup 140

Startup Satisfaction Writing Entrepreneur 140

InfoChachkie

JULY 11, 2011

Startup blogger and venture capitalist extraordinaire Fred Wilson recently published a great article on Venture Debt, which I strongly suggest you review HERE. By combining our equity investment with a tranche of venture debt, the company has avoided a larger equity round, which would have significantly diluted the Founders’ ownership share.

Equity 235

Equity Startup Invest Funding 235

Berkonomics

NOVEMBER 23, 2023

Here is the warning: The execution of equity allocations and of a good incentive program using equity is often mismanaged, damaging the corporate capitalization structure and even affecting the outcome of subsequent investment into the company. … Equity is divided between the founders and the business begun. Here are some rules.

Equity 156

Equity Class Pricing Sales 156

Berkonomics

JUNE 8, 2017

Some businesses require very little capital and the founder can self-finance the enterprise and retain 100% of its ownership and control from ignition through liquidity event (startup through sale). Do not expect grand valuations of your enterprise from these professional angels. For you who fit that description, nice work.

Venture Capital 266

Venture Capital Class Invest Equity 266

SoCal CTO

MAY 13, 2014

For me, if I can help you within a couple hours Free Startup CTO Consulting Sessions , I’m happy to do that and I don’t expect compensation or equity for that. I side more with Mark Suster who says : “advisory boards are an expensive equity proposition for merely introductions.” That’s great advice.

CTO Coach 241

CTO Coach Startup CTO Hire Template 241

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2013

If one of your core values is exceeding your customer expectations for quality and service, and your potential partner ascribes to the low cost, high profit mantra, a successful partnership is highly unlikely over the long-term. Look at the big picture first of development, finance, and marketing/sales. Similar values and goals.

Software Review 103

Software Review Equity CTO Hire Outsource Development 103

socalTECH

DECEMBER 30, 2016

Here, we have the thoughts of Jeb Spencer of TVC Capital (www.tvccapital.com), a software focused growth equity fund, and has had some great success in the market. Jeb Spencer: We closed our nineteenth and twentieth software focused growth equity investments this year, a significant milestone for our firm.

Capital 113

Capital Southern California Equity San Diego 113

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 24, 2011

CEO brought in to replace the founder, 5 - 10% CTO, CFO, VP of Marketing or Sales, 1.5 - 3% Chief Engineer or Architect, 1 - 1.5% CEO brought in to replace the founder, 5 - 10% CTO, CFO, VP of Marketing or Sales, 1.5 - 3% Chief Engineer or Architect, 1 - 1.5% Yet it has been a source of great wealth to a tiny percentage of people.

Equity 93

Equity Startup Pricing Marketing 93

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2019

Set expectations accordingly. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. The hottest new way of funding startups is to use online sites, like Kickstarter , to request donations, pre-order, get a reward, or even give equity. Get a loan or line-of-credit. Solicit funds from friends and family.

Startup 128

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 128

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2018

In reality, there isn’t much overlap between the business pitch I expect, versus a product pitch. Here are the unique business elements that I expect to hear as a potential investor: Target market size and growth projections. Customized marketing strategy and realistic sales plans. “If But it’s critical to have one.

Product 58

Product Slides Entrepreneur Invest 58

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 17, 2011

I expected it to be controversial and it was. But you’re not a great candidate to be funded by VCs then. One great solution I see is to hire an outstanding CFO who runs both. Still, I’ll bet that functionally you divide areas of competence like sales & marketing, product, engineering, biz dev, etc.

Startup 292

Startup CTO Hire Sales Email 292

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2022

Investors expect you to understand their motivation, respect their time, and show your integrity in all actions. They probably won’t respond well to high pressure sales tactics, information overload, or bribes. This is another very popular website for raising equity or debt investments for startups.

Startup 135

Startup Keiretsu Platform Invest 135

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 3, 2021

For example, it’s great to pursue a higher purpose, like feeding the hungry, but don’t forget that running any business is a hungry mouth you have to feed. It still amazes me that some entrepreneurs seem totally at a loss on this question, or customer retention rate, or even margin expectations.

Entrepreneur 162

Entrepreneur Social Media Examples Metrics 162

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 7, 2015

Here are the motivation elements that investors expect to hear: Size and growth potential of the market opportunity. Investors will impatiently expect a winning business model, customer segment definitions and volume projections. Specific elements of your marketing and sales plans.

Product 103

Product Slides Customer Custom 103

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 11, 2013

The link for the video is here and if you want a short firsthand view on our changes it’s a great resource. I often advise startup companies not to try and pin all of your brand equity into an announcement. A brand is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s something you must earn over time by living up to the name you define.

Venture Capital 324

Venture Capital Startup Blogging Platform 324

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 10, 2019

People may jump into the lifestyle to be their own boss, achieve great wealth, start a new trend, or all the above. Your great idea for the next Facebook may make you wealthy, but it probably won’t help the hungry. You have very little money, and you don’t want to give away your equity. The founder’s title and role dilemma.

Startup 97

Startup USC Entrepreneur Statistics 97

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 19, 2018

For starters you have to realize that fund-raising is a sales process. The buyer is shopping for equity in startups and the seller is looking for cash in exchange for equity and shared governing control of his or her company. A brochure is an easy out for you in the sales process without being rude. It felt like heresy.

Funding 336

Funding Venture Capital Startup Email 336

Berkonomics

DECEMBER 17, 2020

Let’s take a few minutes to examine the kind of equity financing available to small or early stage businesses. In most cases, these applicants for equity funding must be rooted in technology to apply to this limited discussion. Your expectations regarding time to funding and more. Friends and family investors. Venture farms.

Equity 156

Equity Technical Review Class Organization 156

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2019

Set expectations accordingly. The hottest new way of funding startups is to use online sites, like Kickstarter , to request donations, pre-order, get a reward, or even give equity. The positives are that you give up no equity, and these apply to the early startup stages, but they do take time and much effort to win.

Startup 87

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 87

InfoChachkie

AUGUST 11, 2014

For instance, a team comprised solely of engineers is greatly handicapped, as is a team exclusively made up of sales and marketing executives. Complimentary Talents - Capabilities which augment and offset one another are vital to establishing a lasting balance among founders. A Dissenting Voice.

Startup 257

Startup Santa Barbara Competition Journal 257

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 17, 2010

And we’re left with a city with idyllic weather, major commerce, the media center of the world, and a great emerging technology scene. ’ &# His message was that in 2010 great business can be built anywhere if there is a great team and the will to make it work. But we do have great technology developers.

Company 290

Company Companies Technology Startup 290

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 4, 2014

Of course it makes no sense to have great people management and a crappy product. But I would posit that in order to sustainably build great products in an intensely competitive industry with skills shortages – people management is one of the most critical soft skills organizations need. .” Equity for the future?

Startup 340

Startup Technical Review Course Press 340

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 2, 2013

I like the work just published by Bob Rice in “ The Alternative Answer ,” which does a great job of summarizing the investment universe, starting with the “conventional” stocks, bonds, and real estate, but moving on through more esoteric alternatives, including hedge funds, private equity, real assets, managed futures, and finally venture funding.

Invest 107

Invest Startup Venture Capital Ideas 107

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. Founders point to the great number of financial unknowns in any new business, and are reluctant to “commit” to any numbers which may come back to haunt them later. Project unit-volume and price levels.

Pricing 57

Pricing Startup Entrepreneur Invest 57

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 29, 2015

So people ask me “How many shares should I ask for or expect when I join a startup today?” CEO brought in to replace the founder, 5 - 10% CTO, CFO, VP of Marketing or Sales, 1.5 - 3% Chief Engineer or Architect, 1 - 1.5% Yet it has been a source of great wealth to a tiny percentage of people. 7% Product Manager,2 -.3%

Startup 102

Startup Equity Pricing Marketing 102

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 14, 2014

People may jump into the lifestyle to be their own boss, achieve great wealth, start a new trend, or all the above. Your great idea for the next Facebook may make you wealthy, but it probably won’t help the hungry. You have very little money, and you don’t want to give away your equity. The Founder’s title and role dilemma.

Entrepreneur 107

Entrepreneur Statistics Equity Satisfaction 107

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 6, 2014

You should expect to get glowing references unless the candidate has told you in advance something like, “Look, I’m listing Susan as a reference. We had some great moments working together and some tough ones. You expected no less. CFOs often know the other CFOs and same for heads of sales, marketing, tech, etc.

Startup 302

Startup Technical Review Entrepreneur Report 302

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2015

Set expectations accordingly. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. The hottest new way of funding startups is to use online sites, like Kickstarter , to request donations, pre-order, get a reward, or even give equity. Get a loan or line-of-credit. Solicit funds from friends and family.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Startup Technical Review Equity 105

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 21, 2010

I’ve heard the following so many times that it still makes me scratch my head, “if those guys are going to get rich off of our backs then we’re going to look like fools if we don’t have equity.&#. I’ve already made clear that I think raising equity from “strategic money&# is an oxymoron.

Startup 298

Startup Sales Slides Metrics 298

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 10, 2019

Bringing money and connections is great, but other less tangible things can rip the business apart. You really need a partner who is complementary, and can tackle the operational roles, like marketing, finance, and sales. Some people are early risers and expect to tackle the tough problems early in the day.

Startup 70

Startup Satisfaction Writing Entrepreneur 70

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 14, 2014

Set expectations accordingly. The hottest new way of funding startups is to use online sites, like Kickstarter , to request donations, pre-order, get a reward, or even give equity (coming soon). The positives are that you give up no equity, and these apply to the early startup stages, but they do take time and much effort to win.

Entrepreneur 113

Entrepreneur Funding Startup Technical Review 113

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2017

Set expectations accordingly. The hottest new way of funding startups is to use online sites, like Kickstarter , to request donations, pre-order, get a reward, or even give equity. The positives are that you give up no equity, and these apply to the early startup stages, but they do take time and much effort to win.

Develop 70

Develop Development Product Startup 70

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 25, 2011

A great recent example of this was a successful group of entrepreneurs who had created a company that will do $10-12 million in revenue at their system integration business (read: services business) in 2011 after having done $5 million or so in 2010 and $2-3 million in 2009. This team is talented. They wanted advice. And probably some money.

Services 332

Services Venture Capital IP Startup 332

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 21, 2016

They expect to hear about founders and team member’s prior experience in building a startup, and knowledge in the relevant solution domain. Even non-profits need money to scale, but their pitch should be to philanthropists, not equity investors. Sales projections are less than one percent market penetration.

Funding 98

Funding Startup Innocal Entrepreneur 98

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 21, 2017

So people ask me “How many shares should I ask for or expect when I join a startup today?” CEO brought in to replace the founder, 5 - 10% CTO, CFO, VP of Marketing or Sales, 1.5 - 3% Chief Engineer or Architect, 1 - 1.5% Yet it has been a source of great wealth to a tiny percentage of people. 7% Product Manager,2 -.3%

Startup 56

Startup Equity Pricing Marketing 56