Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 20, 2020

I realized it was consistent with my own view as a former angel investor, that investors invest in you, more than your solution. Other people in business judge your character by how major events and influences have shaped your personal development, and will likely impact your response to new situations. Everyone has a story.

Entrepreneur 168

Entrepreneur Mentor Metrics Customer 168

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 1, 2013

Investing in entrepreneurs and startups is a fun but different world from investing in conventional stocks, bonds, and commodities. First of all, it’s more of an investment in people than in a business, since the startup is usually an idea barely half-baked when they need your money. Start in a business domain you know well.

Startup 87

Startup Invest Incubator Ideas 87

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 22, 2020

Many savvy entrepreneurs are able to convince high-potential customers that investing early in a high-value solution, perhaps through an advance on royalties, is in their best interest. Strong believers in your solution can be your best salesforce to find investors, and some of them may be open to investing as well.

Funding 173

Funding Tips Startup Statistics 173

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 9, 2023

Many business owners and professionals I know claim they are too busy in their jobs and not interested in taking part in any networking events. For example, if you are an entrepreneur seeking investment or a cofounder, there is no substitute for networking at industry and startup conferences in your area.

Networking 104

Networking Mentor Conference Summary 104

Tech.Co

DECEMBER 4, 2020

It’s with profound sadness we mourn the loss of a true visionary, author, mentor, thought-leader, investor, and friend, Tony Hsieh. Tony was also our neighbor for 8 years in downtown Las Vegas, where the company grew its homebase and hosted monthly events for locals and visitors from around the world, with Hsieh’s Downtown Project.

Commerce 206

Commerce Statistics Customer Custom 206

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 10, 2023

Of course you need to discount any investor competitive positioning, but local investment group leaders will quickly tell you the strengths and terms of active investors in your area. Enjoy a sports event together, or find common non-profit causes to participate in. Invite the investor to dinner or fun-related activity.

Technical Review 138

Technical Review Startup Innocal Offshore 138

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2020

In my role as a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I find that most have the technical challenges well understood, but many are a bit short on some basic street smarts , or basic business realities. Strategic planning is a required ongoing investment. Even the best college degree is not a substitute.

Entrepreneur 173

Entrepreneur Patents Startup Technical Review 173

Tech Zulu Event

APRIL 23, 2013

amSTATZ is an online community that brings fitness professionals, athletes and fitness events together into one place. Founded in the summer of 2011 and their first product out a few weeks ago amSTATS wants to help users to follow fitness events and programs near them and find a great fitness trainer to help them stay fit.

Social Network 92

Social Network Networking Training Summary 92

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 18, 2023

In addition, current investors want to see every startup go public or be acquired, as an exit event, so they can get their due return for that investment which has been tied up for the last few years. For these reasons, I always look for an overt exit strategy in every startup I might consider for an angel investment.

Startup 99

Startup Entrepreneur Metrics Acquisition 99

socalTECH

AUGUST 24, 2015

The Dodgers Accelerator is investing $120,000 in funding in each of the startups, which all will be part of a coworking space in LA, and also gain access to the Dodgers organization, mentors, and more. The accelerator begins today, and runs through a Demo Day in November at Dodger Stadium. READ MORE>>.

Class 100

Class Entertainment Mentor Organization 100

socalTECH

AUGUST 10, 2012

Southern California has the one of the largest gathering of organized angel investment groups, and a huge crop of startup accelerators: there's only one problem, which is they don't naturally work together. As a Pasadena Angel, I wanted to be shocked, but I wasnt. The Angel funding process can be arduous.

Angel 174

Angel Southern California Pasadena Angels Coach 174

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 14, 2011

Touted as both the first and largest of its kind in Europe, the more than 300 attendees will go through a weeklong boot camp where they will network with other entrepreneurs and pitch to more than fifty business mentors and investors.

Southern California 180

Southern California Entrepreneur Mentor Mobile 180

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 9, 2021

In addition, current investors want to see every startup go public or be acquired, as an exit event, so they can get their due return for that investment which has been tied up for the last few years. For these reasons, I always look for an overt exit strategy in every startup I might consider for an angel investment.

Startup 173

Startup Entrepreneur Metrics Acquisition 173

socalTECH

JUNE 18, 2010

Watson , who organized San Diego's Tech Coast Angels QuickPitch event, is now being investigated as a possible homicide, according to unconfirmed reports sourced by the Frank Peters Show. The death earlier this month of a San Diego Tech Coast Angel, John G. Watson's body was apparently found in his home June 8th.

San Diego 160

San Diego Tech Coast Angels Angel Southern California 160

socalTECH

AUGUST 28, 2017

Looking for someone who can put together that perfect wedding or corporate event? PartySlate (www.partyslate.com)--which is backed by a slate of LA area investors--offers up a place to browse photos on events, find venues, and most importantly, planners who put those events on, so your next big event can be an unforgettable one.

Technical Advisors 100

Technical Advisors Technical Review Metrics Startup 100

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 7, 2013

Men have dominated the world of investment. There were only 22% women who invested in 2012. Natalia Oberti Noguera is on a mission to help change the demographic of investment with her Pipeline Fellowship. TechZulu speaks with Natalia about Pipeline Foundation and her goals to change the face of business and investment.

Mentor 84

Mentor Invest Entrepreneur Startup 84

socalTECH

JANUARY 2, 2019

As we close out our contributions for the end of 2018, we have a contribution from investor and investment banker Peter Cowen of Sutton Capital Partners. One company that we have mentored, invested in and serve on the board of, is in lending and has hit a very exciting tipping point. We expect some big things in 2019.

Capital 113

Capital Southern California Technical Review SaaS 113

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 24, 2015

In other words, the entrepreneur quality is more important than the idea -- in investor jargon, people invest in the jockey, and not the horse. Find and enjoy the company of one or more mentors. The leadership benefits of mentoring start in childhood, but are just as important at the mature CEO level. Marty Zwilling.

Mentor 104

Mentor Ideas Entrepreneur Study 104

socalTECH

APRIL 12, 2013

To be fair (and as other accelerators in town are eager to point out), Launchpad LA has had a head start, with a number of companies which joined the accelerator before it was an accelerator, and was a mentoring group for a mix of both funded and non-funded companies. which had thirteen funding events in the time period.

Southern California 222

Southern California Incubator Report Startup 222

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Investing in entrepreneurs and startups is a fun but different world from investing in conventional stocks, bonds, and commodities. First of all, it’s more of an investment in people than in a business, since the startup is usually an idea barely half-baked when they need your money. Start in a business domain you know well.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Startup Invest Incubator 102

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 11, 2020

Of course you need to discount any investor competitive positioning, but local investment group leaders will quickly tell you the strengths and terms of active investors in your area. Enjoy a sports event together, or find common non-profit causes to participate in. Invite the investor to dinner or fun-related activity.

Technical Review 124

Technical Review Funding Innocal Offshore 124

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 3, 2019

Image via Pixabay I’ve always been a bit confused about the difference in a business context between a coach and a mentor. According to many pundits , a mentor shows you the right way based on experience, while a coach brings out the best in you, then let’s you find your own way. Invest in creating real, emotional bonds between people.

Coach 87

Coach Mentor Examples Satisfaction 87

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 7, 2020

In a larger public company, it’s all about making your quarterly numbers, versus investing in strategic growth alternatives that may not pay off until several quarters later. Overtly connect every operational problem to your strategy, rather than putting strategy on a different plane and making it only an annual event.

Technical Review 124

Technical Review Layoffs Social Media Metrics 124

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 21, 2018

Whether the business topics are investing or mentoring, networking is personal as well as business. Let the relationship build slowly, rather than immediately launching into a marketing for investment pitch. Chemistry and shared values lead to trust and lasting relationships, rather than shallow friendships.

Networking 86

Networking Startup Mentor .Net 86

Tech.Co

APRIL 30, 2018

Their financial planning tool helps people track their spending, investments, and credit rating all in one mobile platform. Powered by blockchain technology, this groundbreaking fintech company is one to watch, no matter what you’re invested in. Festi is a blend between Eventbrite and Venmo for your private events.

Startup 70

Startup Tool Platform Metrics 70

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 8, 2011

To give visibility to these companies to: Sources of funding (angels / VCs), business development partners, mentors who have themselves built successful companies, the press and potential employees to hire. One senior mentor to Launchpad LA recently said, “I got more out of Launchpad LA than I even put in.

Venture Capital 287

Venture Capital Funding Startup GRP Partners 287

LATechDigest

MAY 13, 2016

SMASHD’s first Cohort brought four early-stage + one mature company into the fold: Sidestep : Mobile platform for live events that allows fans to order merchandise before, during and after an event for VIP pickup and delivery, who has relationships in place with Ticketmaster, and is a merch partner on Beyonce’s latest tour.

Mentor 75

Mentor Venture Capital Draper USC 75

socalTECH

JULY 21, 2010

Watson was also in charge of the San Diego Tech Coast Angels Quick Pitch event, which allows local entrepreneurs to pitch their startups to angel investors and others.

Tech Coast Angels 145

Tech Coast Angels Technical Review Angel San Diego 145

socalTECH

MAY 10, 2018

Behzad Kianmahd: Cross Campus is one of the companies I invested in, as the first, lead investor, about seven years ago. How is it that you're investing in a fund out of Israel connected with Tel Aviv University? That's been our strength at Cross Campus, events, and it ended up being a very helpful introduction. READ MORE>>.

El Segundo 100

El Segundo Southern California Startup Santa Monica 100

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 20, 2016

In other words, the entrepreneur quality is more important than the idea -- in investor jargon, people invest in the jockey, and not the horse. Find and enjoy the company of one or more mentors. The leadership benefits of mentoring start in childhood, but are just as important at the mature CEO level. Marty Zwilling.

Mentor 55

Mentor Ideas Entrepreneur Study 55

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 10, 2016

I laid out the following goals: Hire investment partners with operating experience combined with investment experience and deeply committed to LA Tech, but with strong relationships in SF, NYC and beyond. Build out our junior staff including pulling through some younger professionals into the investment ranks. I sat on panels.

Venture Capital 150

Venture Capital Journal Invest Santa Monica 150

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 31, 2022

As a mentor for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs, I talk to a fair number who may have a great vision and a strong engineering background, but have a negative interest in the role of public speaking in business. Need to represent your company at industry association events.

Marketing 113

Marketing Entrepreneur Customer Custom 113

Tech.Co

APRIL 24, 2018

Not to mention there’s a chance at a possible investment from the Established Investment Community. Since 2006, the Startup of the Year (SOTY) events and programs have uncovered some of the top emerging companies in the world, such as Uber, GrubHub, Groupon, LivingSocial, AddThis, and Desk. Gain Valuable Connections. APPLY HERE.

Startup 70

Startup Competition Google Capital 70

Tech Zulu Event

DECEMBER 30, 2011

A serial Internet entrepreneur, Mike has founded, advised, invested and sold numerous businesses, including application platform Userplane, which he led from startup to its acquisition by AOL, Tsavo Media, Movoxx, PeopleMedia, Brizzly and Myspace. Dan Dato , Mentor at upStart.LA. His passion has always been working with startups.

Tech Coast Angels 105

Tech Coast Angels Startup Angel Southern California 105

socalTECH

JANUARY 27, 2010

The event this week launches some companies, and showcases the talent we have in the space. In 2007, we started to put some policy attached to the money, and created a jobs investment fund. In fact, they just helped us invest in Lottay, where we participated in their Series A round of investment.

Ventura 200

Ventura Incubator Technology Startup 200

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 14, 2011

That has allowed us to be more focused earlier with these companies, and we can come to a decision much sooner to go ahead or not go ahead with an investment. We're always happy to talk to people, and all of our networks have open networking events in a variety of locations. So, we're pretty accessible to talk to.

Tech Coast Angels 231

Tech Coast Angels Technical Review Angel Southern California 231

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 8, 2014

The basic components are obvious: talented founders, great engineers, angel money, venture capital, access to larger corporates (for business, funding & talent), great education / research (for IP breakthroughs) and a sufficient ecosystem of mentors, advisors, executive coaches and mavens. We have invested $17.3

Startup 390

Startup Venture Capital Capital Funding 390