Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 23, 2021

You have done everything to register your brand legally , including domains, copyrights, patents, and trademarks. For example, a few years ago Wells Fargo seriously damaged its brand trying to grow the business by creating accounts without proper customer consent. There are many comparable examples of big hits.

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Examples Custom Customer Social Media 170

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 29, 2010

I always advise software startups to file patents to protect their “secret sauce” from competitors, and to increase their valuation. Yet the software patent process is a mess. I say this with conviction even after I survived the process, and have a software patent pending. Patents granted that don’t meet the criteria.

Patents 50

Patents Software Technical Advisors IBM 50

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 15, 2020

For example, I usually hear about an aggressive marketing budget, with a plan to penetrate a few big retail chains, and some videos to catch your attention on YouTube. Examples include the Nike Run Club app where people participate in challenges and win trophies. Offer an alliance with competitors to expand the market.

Marketing 170

Marketing Examples Startup Custom 170

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

For example, no one predicted that Howard Schultz could take the simple idea of a better coffee experience called Starbucks, and innovate it into a successful chain of almost 34,000 shops in 80 countries. Everyone has ideas, but only a few can make them happen. Look for technologies to adapt from other domains.

Artificial Inteligence 114

Artificial Inteligence Ideas Satisfaction Customer 114

InfoChachkie

AUGUST 10, 2010

Patents held by startups generally have a limited ability to reduce competition. The average time required to obtain a patent is 36-to-40 months, during which there is no guarantee your adVenture will ultimately receive patent protection. Even if you are granted a patent, the scope of your claims may be significantly denuded.

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IP Patents Company Companies 256

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 2, 2022

There are no “overrides” – for example, businesses don’t thrive just because they offer the latest technology, or because everyone wants to be “green,” or because their goal is to reduce world hunger. Investors look for a sustainable competitive advantage, like a patent. Customers always have alternatives. Unique selling proposition.

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Sales Customer Custom Outsource 102

SoCal Tech Calendar

NOVEMBER 25, 2011

Google bought Motorola Mobility for $12B to get access to their 17,000 patents. Nortel sold its 6000 patents for $4.5B Even IBM (the #1 in US Patents) sold over 1000 of its patents recently. How 'IP Capitalists' are beating Venture Capitalists in Innovative Companies? to Apple, Sony, Microsoft, EMC consortium.

Technology Council 100

Technology Council IP TCOSC Patents 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2022

For example, BlackBerry was really the first in the smart mobile phone market, but they never thought beyond their tiny physical keyboard as they added new features. I call this linear thinking , and it’s a sure way to be ultimately overrun by your competition. Always practice thinking outside the box.

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Competition Examples Custom Customer 139

socalTECH

MARCH 2, 2015

NextVR said it will use its own patented light field technology in its 3D virtual reality capture, saying its use of the technology will allow viewers to "peer around" objects within a live VR scene. NextVR said the technology might allow, for example, looking behind a referee in a sports game to see the players behind that referee.

Technology 100

Technology Patents Examples Platform 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 8, 2023

Despite some recent advances, there are still some cultures which have less regard for patents and other intellectual property. For example, it is no secret that software pirating is still very common in China, Vietnam, and other cultures. Keep intellectual property keys in-house.

Software Review 114

Software Review Technical Review Outsource Development Outsource 114

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 14, 2020

An excellent example is the initiative by Elon Musk and Tesla Motors a few years ago to give away their battery patents, to infrastructure and competitive car providers, without transactional agreements. FabLab s is an example of a new class of facilities for entrepreneurs to start experimenting early.

Startup 124

Startup IBM IBM Examples 124

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 9, 2009

Emulex said it is looking for damages, attorneys' fees and costs, and injunctive relief--plus punitive damages--"to punish and make an example of" Broadcom. The lawsuit follows an earlier, patent lawsuit filed against Broadcom in September, plus an often contentious, failed takeover of Emulex by Broadcom.

Patents 145

Patents Competition Examples Networking 145

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 14, 2019

A strong answer should be something like “Our product introduces a new lower-cost technology, which we have patented and trademarked, that makes us very attractive today, and will provide a wealth of additional products as we move forward.” Facebook spent over $150 million before revenue. Intellectual property as barrier to entry.

Competition 120

Competition Patents Resource Invest 120

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 13, 2021

For example, I’m not sure the world needs one more social media niche site, or another dating site, or yet another flavored drink alternative. For example, smart entrepreneurs look for recognizable patterns in disconnected domains. Successful people look for complementary co-founders, and hire a multi-faceted team.

Startup 162

Startup Metrics Ideas Entrepreneur 162

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 7, 2023

Senior business leaders, for example, are unlikely to relate when you pitch your latest web app, highlighting the mashup technology, which you derived from early online social networking applications. They become frustrated with investors, senior executives, and even customers who don’t seem to “get it,” with the result that everyone loses.

Social Network 108

Social Network Training Startup Technology 108

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 19, 2023

Harris, in his classic book “ Transformative Entrepreneurs ,” provides examples of key elements of transformative ideas and leadership abilities that separate the winners from the losers. Entrepreneurs who have been really transformative, like Steve Jobs and Walt Disney, seemed to know how to deal with all the right elements.

Entrepreneur 101

Entrepreneur Startup Ideas Competition 101

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 17, 2023

For example, “While Product X has worked well in the server market, my product also provides Cloud support, to drastically reduce IT costs and maintenance.” Patents and trade secrets are more powerful advantages than missing competitive features, which might be quickly filled in as you gain traction.

Competition 111

Competition Entrepreneur Patents Custom 111

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 27, 2023

Most universities have a file of patents from project work that they are willing to license to any entrepreneur for business commercialization, with little or no cost up front. For example, I live in Arizona, home of Arizona State University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Access to intellectual property and current research.

Entrepreneur 110

Entrepreneur Class Startup Resource 110

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 2, 2020

For example, I have a friend with a Ph.D. Then, he'll need to patent it and create a plan to show opportunity, competition, and financial projections. For example, I often cite the case of Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer , who grew Microsoft together. I have tried to convince him the general idea alone does not make a business.

Ideas 126

Ideas Writing Examples Outsource 126

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2023

The critical success factors for a product business are well known, starting with selling every unit with a gross margin of 50 percent or more, building a patent and other intellectual property, and continuous product improvement. You have no shelf life, so you can’t make money while you sleep.

Startup 111

Startup Training Services Writing 111

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 24, 2018

These days, you can find existing patents and trademarks through Google and the US Patent Office online site without spending thousands of dollars with your favorite patent attorney. Of course, existing patents don’t stop you from innovating, but charging ahead into a wall is no fun. Minimize infrastructure dependencies.

Ideas 83

Ideas Technical Review Patents Startup 83

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 24, 2021

Evaluate who might use an invention, patent, or new law to create a bend in the road. They learn to be agile, or steerable, by linking the external realities in real time to assignments, priorities, decision-making power, funding, and key performance indicators. Regularly dissect the past, to look for change signals you and others missed.

Entrepreneur 173

Entrepreneur Summary Patents Examples 173

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 26, 2020

Harris, in his classic book “ Transformative Entrepreneurs ,” provides examples of key elements of transformative ideas and leadership abilities that separate the winners from the losers. Entrepreneurs who have been really transformative, like Steve Jobs and Walt Disney, seemed to know how to deal with all the right elements.

Startup 171

Startup Ideas Entrepreneur Competition 171

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 15, 2020

Senior business leaders, for example, are unlikely to relate when you pitch your latest web app, highlighting the mashup technology, which you derived from early online social networking applications. They become frustrated with investors, senior executives, and even customers who don’t seem to “get it,” with the result that everyone loses.

Technology 165

Technology Social Network Training Startup 165

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 6, 2016

In my experience, there is no magic gene involved, just simple good habits executed consistently and convincingly until everyone around you wants to follow your example. This leading by example is easy to say, but not so easy to put into action. Learn to anticipate change, bounce back stronger, and teach others to do the same.

Examples 76

Examples Startup Coach Patents 76

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 17, 2021

The same is true for filing patents, registering trademarks, and filing copyrights. For example, if you have no technical background, you probably can’t create or sell an enterprise software product for a low price, even today. Required legal fees now average $5K or less, compared with $20K or more as a minimum.

Entrepreneur 162

Entrepreneur Startup Social Media Outsource Development 162

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 14, 2023

For example, a software development startup raising $250,000 from angel investors better be able to operate on $25,000 per month. Match your office, facilities and computer equipment to the size of the staff you have today, and intend to have in the next six months.

Search Engine Optimization 103

Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media Equity 103

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 12, 2022

Facebook , for example, used this strategy and is making big money today, but only after a $150 million from investors, mostly goodwill. As a potential investor, I always look for startups that have filed at least a provisional patent, or can make the case that their solution cannot be easily duplicated. Brand recognition was the key.

Technical Review 147

Technical Review Social Media Entrepreneur Startup 147

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 3, 2020

The critical success factors for a product business are well known, starting with selling every unit with a gross margin of 50 percent or more, building a patent and other intellectual property, and continuous product improvement. You have no shelf life, so you can’t make money while you sleep.

Startup 174

Startup Training Services Writing 174

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 22, 2020

Before you invest your life savings, or bet your career on this startup, you need to know how much of a barrier to entry the brand and patents are projected to be. Look for examples of similar companies and revenue multiples achieved from acquirers. How much and when can I reasonably expect a payback?

Technical Review 174

Technical Review Startup Invest Patents 174

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 29, 2019

Examples I have seen include atomic battery technology, or how marine algae could help feed the world. The right answer to this question is that you bring some new intellectual property to the table – like a patent or other secret sauce. Why doesn’t this product or service already exist? Keep alternative business models on the table.

Entrepreneur 126

Entrepreneur Ideas Resource Examples 126

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 10, 2020

Every investor can recite examples of passionate entrepreneurs who seek funding for a worthy cause, like feeding the hungry, without a real business case for who will pay. This almost always starts at the top, based on a founder’s dream and passion, without the proper homework on sizing the market, or assessing product realities.

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Startup Examples Organization Coach 113

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020

For example, I do business mentoring at nearby Arizona State University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Universities have the links you need to patent attorneys, prototyping companies, investment groups, as well as a wealth of peer talent to round out your team and share the work.

Entrepreneur 157

Entrepreneur Mentor Class Resource 157

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 7, 2021

For example, after Yvon Chouinard founded Patagonia , he wisely recognized a growing interest in helping the environment, and capitalized on it by dedicating a percent of sales to environmental needs. Elon Musk offered his battery patents free to all takers in order to expand the electric car market, and provide a common infrastructure.

Patents 138

Patents Mentor Customer Custom 138

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 23, 2023

Examples include Domino’s “We’ll deliver in 30 minutes or less, or it’s free!” Don’t try to explain your technical implementation, your patent algorithm, or your unfair competitive advantage here. Here are some specific guidance points for a great USP: Start with a “hook” to get customer and investor attention.

Startup 96

Startup Education Ideas Custom 96

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 18, 2023

Before you invest your life savings, or bet your career on this startup, you need to know how much of a barrier to entry the brand and patents are projected to be. Look for examples of similar companies and revenue multiples achieved from acquirers. How much and when can I reasonably expect a payback?

Startup 83

Startup Technical Review Invest Patents 83

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 31, 2015

For example, “I have patented a new LCD with double the intensity at half the cost, already proven locally, and I just need resources to scale for this market.” For example, “Unlike all the other LCD providers, our patented high intensity light has no blue tint or glare that looks unnatural.”

Startup 104

Startup Summary Patents Examples 104