Berkonomics

MAY 8, 2014

I am chairman of a company that, as I write this, is twelve years old and has not yet taken a dollar of outside investment. Grant writing takes skill and immense amounts of time. The company has been funded entirely by grants from the National Institute of Health, amounting to millions of non-dilutive dollars in all.

Company 166

Company Companies Writing Education 166

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 10, 2022

Some people love to deliver services, where personal acumen is tested every day. That’s why I believe the process of writing down your plan is more valuable than the result. There are always non-cash alternatives, such as recruiting partners with equity and bartering services. Have you mapped out a realistic plan?

Entrepreneur 124

Entrepreneur Mentor Ideas Writing 124

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 12, 2020

The first step toward a business with any idea is to write it down, and build a business plan around it. Usually these will not give you money, but will provide inexpensive expert mentoring and office services. Sometimes these will ask for 5%-15% of your equity for their support services.

Resource 171

Resource Startup Organization Incubator 171

TechCrunch LA

FEBRUARY 6, 2022

Apple’s pivot to services has been a mixed bag, and the company is looking to expand the appeal of its Apple News service to a wider swath of free and paid subscribers. I’ve been writing quite a bit about crypto lately, and this week I dug into a particularly interesting facet of the industry called DAOs.

Marketing 246

Marketing Newsletter Technical Review News 246

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 2, 2019

Some people love to deliver services, where personal acumen is tested every day. That’s why I believe the process of writing down your plan is more valuable than the result. There are always non-cash alternatives, such as recruiting partners with equity and bartering services. Have you mapped out a realistic plan?

Entrepreneur 135

Entrepreneur Mentor Ideas Writing 135

SoCal CTO

MARCH 3, 2011

Of course, I provide part-time CTO services. If we were to engage in paid services with you, then issues about disclosure, confidentiality, work product, etc. I'm looking for free (equity only) development, should I contact you? See Equity-Only CTO and Equity-Only Developers for more on this.

CTO Hire 264

CTO Hire Startup Technical Review Development Team Review 264

SoCal CTO

MARCH 3, 2011

Of course, I provide part-time CTO services. If we were to engage in paid services with you, then issues about disclosure, confidentiality, work product, etc. I'm looking for free (equity only) development, should I contact you? See Equity-Only CTO and Equity-Only Developers for more on this.

CTO Hire 259

CTO Hire Startup Technical Review Development Team Review 259

TechCrunch LA

NOVEMBER 4, 2019

The startup has already secured a seed investment from Maveron and CRV, TechCrunch has learned, and will receive another $150,000 in exchange for 7% equity upon entering YC next year. And just like any other business, you need capital to grow faster, services to make you more money, tools to manage it all.”. focused fund.

Platform 170

Platform Marketing Tool Venture Capital 170

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 3, 2016

Calabasas-based software developer Final Draft , which develops screenwriting software, has been acquired by Burbank-based Cast & Crew Entertainment Services. The acquisition was supported by private equity investor Silver Lake Partners, which is the majority owner of Cast & Crew.

Silver Lake 100

Silver Lake Entertainment Burbank Calabasas 100

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 2, 2011

I’m sitting at my computer now at 9.00pm writing this – which is an hour earlier than I normally write (there are about 8 women at my kitchen table having a book club (aka excuse to drink wine & gossip so I’m locked in another room writing. Should entrepreneurs have convertible debt or priced equity?

Email 287

Email Blogging Venture Capital Writing 287

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 22, 2018

I fought with landlords (when the real estate market crashed), venture debt providers (who wouldn’t take a hair cut when everybody else had to), the board (over compensation), our competitors (over everything) and any service provider who didn’t live up to our perceived contract (recruiters, accountants, sales lead companies, web hosting companies).

Startup 199

Startup Writing Demand Equity 199

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 17, 2019

We not only have our Series A funds that can write $500k?—?$15 If you invest early and then pull back in the next 3 rounds your multiples on cash invested are much higher than if you keep writing checks. As I tell our LPs, “if I’m not making you slightly uncomfortable when I’m writing my first check I’m not doing my job.

Venture Capital 223

Venture Capital IP Startup Google 223

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 11, 2015

That means writing down and signing the terms of the agreement, after making sure everyone understands them. Tie payments to your product or service revenue. Loans are a safer option than equity. Treat the transaction as you would expect to be treated by an Angel investor or VC.

Startup 97

Startup Equity Entrepreneur Venture Capital 97

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 1, 2018

That’s why angel and equity investors are so sought after by entrepreneurs. Here are some tips and rules of thumb to improve your odds and help you understand when a bank loan or line of credit is possible, and how to get it: Write a good business plan first. Pick a business domain that is squeaky clean. Marty Zwilling.

Funding 84

Funding Startup Equity Sites 84

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 9, 2018

That means writing down and signing the terms of the agreement, after making sure everyone understands them. Tie payments to your product or service revenue. Loans are a safer option than equity. Treat the transaction as you would expect to be treated by an angel investor or VC.

Funding 59

Funding Startup Equity Entrepreneur 59

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 10, 2014

That means writing down and signing the terms of the agreement, after making sure everyone understands them. Tie payments to your product or service revenue. Loans are a safer option than equity. Treat the transaction as you would expect to be treated by an Angel investor or VC.

Funding 101

Funding Startup Equity Entrepreneur 101

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 28, 2018

The first step toward a business with any idea is to write it down, and build a business plan around it. Usually these will not give you money, but will provide inexpensive expert mentoring and office services. Sometimes these will ask for 5%-15% of your equity for their support services.

Funding 94

Funding Startup Organization Incubator 94

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 8, 2017

Providing your product or service free to customers may sound attractive in marketing materials, but you need revenue sources to survive. When sizing your funding request, be aware of the value of your startup today, since most investors expect an equity share for their contributions. Major milestones along the way should be outlined.

Startup 65

Startup Writing Patents Competition 65

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 27, 2016

The first step toward a business with any idea is to write it down, and build a business plan around it. Usually these will not give you money, but will provide inexpensive expert mentoring and office services. Sometimes these will ask for 5%-15% of your equity for their support services.

Organization 93

Organization Startup Incubator Ideas 93

Tech Coast Venture Network

MAY 24, 2010

Swap services of equal value with colleagues to save money and to be able to provide each other with testimonials (and beta tests). Offer services to another business in exchange for future benefits like (Warning: make sure you get it in writing first!) Equity Position. Barter or Negotiate. Guaranteed Future Contract.

Startup 124

Startup Incubator Writing Equity 124

socalTECH

MARCH 12, 2013

The company--which is in the business of operating a content delivery network (CDN) to accelerate the delivery of web graphics, multimedia, applications, and more to end users-- recently disclosed it more than doubled its revenues in 2012, and has grown to over 230 employees--all due to a huge amount of demand for CDN services by its customers.

CTO Hire 248

CTO Hire Content Networking Web 248

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2015

Some people love to deliver services, where personal acumen is tested every day. That’s why I believe the process of writing down your plan is more valuable than the result. There are always non-cash alternatives, such as recruiting partners with equity and bartering services. Have you mapped out a complete plan?

Entrepreneur 104

Entrepreneur Mentor Ideas Startup 104

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 31, 2016

Here are some tips and rules of thumb to improve your odds and help you understand when a bank loan or line of credit is possible, and how to get it: Write a good business plan first. These include food service, retail, consulting, work at home, and telemarketing. Pick a business domain that is squeaky clean. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 92

Startup Funding Sites Tips 92

InfoChachkie

MAY 16, 2011

5) Allow Partners To Write Your Agreements. 5) Allow Partners To Write Your Agreements. Thus, I will let my Big Dumb Company (BDC) partner write our agreement. Ask them to accept equity in exchange for all or a portion of their overall compensation. Rationale: My company is small, I am super busy and I am not a lawyer.

Startup 242

Startup Outsource Development Outsource Sales 242

TechCrunch LA

MARCH 8, 2019

Warren also wanted regulation in place that would block companies making over $25 billion that operate as social media or search platforms or marketplaces from owning companies that also sell services on those marketplaces. As a whole, venture capitalists viewing the policy were underwhelmed. — Balaji S.

Technical Review 144

Technical Review Startup Chief Technology Officer Social Media 144

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 15, 2016

Defy teaches them personal finance like how to keep a checking account, the difference between debt and equity, what cashflow is and so forth. She was smart (she started her career in private equity!) He has a business that will provide sanitation services to clean your public garbage & recycling bins. Sure, I’ll meet her.

Writing 150

Writing Startup Design Training 150

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2013

Consider the non-cash alternatives, like offering team members equity instead of cash and bartering for services. I believe the process of writing the plan is more valuable than the result, because it forces you to think through all the elements, and make sure they fit together and fit you. Do you have a viable plan?

Entrepreneur 101

Entrepreneur Funding Training Startup 101

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 4, 2012

After you have successfully attracted angels or venture capital with your business case, your million dollar product idea, and you have a signed term sheet, there is still one more hurdle to overcome before investors write the check. Product or service readiness. This is the dreaded “due diligence” process.

Technical Review 94

Technical Review Startup Writing Competition 94

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 15, 2013

The first step toward a business with any idea is to write it down, and build a business plan around it. Usually these will not give you money, but will provide very inexpensive space to work and office services. Sometimes these will ask for 5%-15% of your equity for their support services.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Funding Incubator Startup 102

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 27, 2013

In this period (less than 2 years) he has brought on incredibly talented senior execs is sales, marketing, product management, client services, finance, vp engineering and more. He did it yesterday, “Mark, I’m going to write a blog post following on from your VC’s aren’t dumb. ” I know it sounds obvious.

Tips 365

Tips Email Venture Capital CTO Coach 365

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2017

Rose, who literally wrote the book on Angel Investing, and is the long-time CEO of the Gust platform for bringing together investors and startups, just announced Gust Launch as a “Company as a Service” solution. And then on an ongoing basis, our partners provide basic bookkeeping, legal, accounting and equity management services.

Startup 63

Startup Entrepreneur Platform Activity 63

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 6, 2010

I was always in a “service&# industry. You call in from your vacation because you’ve had a service outage. The upside for entrepreneurs is the equity in their business. I’ll write about that in a couple of weeks. Writing this bl0g – This blog is a huge creative outlet for me.

Venture Capital 312

Venture Capital Technical Review Startup Entrepreneur 312

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 12, 2011

Chris Dixon is one of my favorite people in tech and writes one of the few blogs I read religiously. Lastly, he touched on the distrust of equity following the bubble in 2000, and that, particularly on the East Coast, people need to see good exits and good exits that reward employees.

Technical Review 281

Technical Review Venture Capital Startup Artificial Inteligence 281

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 11, 2012

agreeing whether or not to top up a founder’s equity. As a result I’ve really resisted writing about negotiations. If I forget to write, “Don’t Negotiation Piecemeal” after that then remind me. For starters, you should respect the people who are going to provide you with products and services.

Pricing 305

Pricing Startup Examples Writing 305

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 23, 2015

” It was meant both as a call to those writing angel checks into other people’s companies that they ought to think about putting that capital toward themselves either by becoming a startup founder or (and this was my real point) by taking an under-market salary in a company where they can learn the right skills to do it in the future.

Technical Review 150

Technical Review Startup Venture Capital IP 150

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 16, 2012

Some people relate to service businesses, while others are more comfortable with manufacturing or construction. Beyond the traditional new product or service model, you can always buy an existing business, purchase a franchise, join a multi-level marketing (MLM) company, or simply go out on your own as a consultant.

Training 96

Training Ideas Entrepreneur Commerce 96

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 11, 2013

Here are some tips and rules of thumb to improve your odds and help you understand when a bank loan or line of credit is possible, and how to get it: Write a good business plan first. These include food service, retail, consulting, work at home, and telemarketing. Pick a business domain that is squeaky clean. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Funding Startup Sites 100