Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 14, 2014

and I thought if we brought the community together for common purpose we could create more of a sense of community to help new entrepreneurs get funded, assemble teams, raise profiles and help with biz dev, product, etc. By 2011 the market had started to change dramatically. We announced Fund I in 2011. So we went for it.

Venture Capital 290

Venture Capital Startup Idealab Funding 290

socalTECH

JANUARY 2, 2019

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. The public markets affect private valuations though the impact on private companies is usually delayed. More in-person contact is one of my 2019 goals. What was the biggest news for your company in 2018?

Capital 113

Capital Southern California Technical Review SaaS 113

socalTECH

JUNE 1, 2012

We had gone our ways, and after we left UpSellit and were golfing, we decided that instead of being part of a lifestyle business we wanted to start our own, and help local businesses market themselves. Can you talk about how your company is funded? We're also funding it out of pocket. Why would someone want to use your site?

CTO Coach 223

CTO Coach Startup Mobile Artificial Inteligence 223

socalTECH

OCTOBER 24, 2011

Accelerator programs--like YCombinator in Silicon Valley, and TechStars in Colorado--have come to the forefront of the minds of entrepreneurs as a way to boost their ideas quickly into the market, find funding, and into existence. We're providing seed funding, office space, and put them through a three month, structured program.

Technical Advisors 176

Technical Advisors Startup Southern California Los Angeles 176

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 3, 2016

On the other hand, if you can qualify for membership in a top-ranked accelerator , such as 500 Startups , AngelPad or TechStars , you will get a rigorous development program, top-quality professional guidance, and some seed funding to move you ahead of the crowd. Direction, mentoring and resources required.

Incubator 58

Incubator Startup Seed Funding Equity 58

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 8, 2012

Now they are coming back, and the best even provide networking, technical leadership, and seed funding, as well as investors waving money at graduates. TechStars has several excellent mentors on staff, led by founder and CEO David Cohen. Look for the best mentors, and the toughest regimen for program survival.

Entrepreneur 86

Entrepreneur Incubator Startup Seed Funding 86

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2018

Mentoring and technical assistance from volunteer or paid experts. Direct seed funding, for a share of the equity, and introductions to investors. As well, these companies usually bring real new venture funding opportunities to the startups they sponsor.

Incubator 87

Incubator Startup Resource Seed Funding 87

socalTECH

OCTOBER 11, 2010

Fariborz Masseh: The idea of funding a business plan competition is not a new idea. In 2003 or 2004, I moved to California, and decided to change from running an engineering company into running a hedge fund. Now, I run a hedge fund and finance firm in Southern California. It has been done before, at a number of schools.

Competition 154

Competition Southern California Mentor USC 154

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 24, 2011

Now they are coming back, and the best even provide networking, technical leadership, and seed funding, as well as investors waving money at graduates. TechStars has several excellent mentors on staff, led by founder and CEO David Cohen. Look for the best mentors, and the toughest regimen for program survival.

Incubator 93

Incubator Startup Seed Funding Mentor 93

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 17, 2016

Mentoring and technical assistance from volunteer or paid experts. Direct seed funding, for a share of the equity, and introductions to investors. As well, these companies usually bring real new venture funding opportunities to the startups they sponsor.

Incubator 106

Incubator Startup Help Resource 106

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 2, 2010

Now they are coming back, and the best even provide networking, technical leadership, and seed funding, as well as shared facilities and space. Look first for people there who can help you, by their introductions, mentoring, and experience. About that time the bubble burst, causing more than 80% of them to disappear.

Incubator 93

Incubator Startup Seed Funding Mentor 93

From the Venture Trenches

APRIL 30, 2013

Amplify Mentor Panel in full swing. Amplify’s close mentoring is by design. Like good mentors Paul, Jeff, Richard, Oded and David as well as Chris and Kris create an atmosphere in which the motivated founders can take advantage of the knowledge base to which they are exposed. Setting up for Eric Garcetti.

Web Design 40

Web Design Social Media Seed Funding Design 40

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 18, 2015

There are too many deals to look at, too many seed funds or angels asking you to look at deals and weekly “demo days” with manicured and monocultural presentations crafted by experienced story tellers to help even the mundane idea sound like it will. One needs to be in during bull markets and bear markets.

Software Review 150

Software Review Startup Venture Capital Invest 150

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

Mentoring and technical assistance from volunteer or paid experts. Direct seed funding, for a share of the equity, and introductions to investors. As well, these companies usually bring real new venture funding opportunities to the startups they sponsor. billion, with the total amount raised topping $2 billion.

Incubator 98

Incubator Startup Help Resource 98

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

As a mentor to young aspiring entrepreneurs , I often get asked for tips on a strategy to get started. Don’t be shy about networking for advisors with business experience for coaching and mentoring. Assess potential for funding or bootstrapping. Remember that investors tend to fund entrepreneurs, not ideas.

Startup 114

Startup Tips Coach Satisfaction 114

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 27, 2021

Initial funding. Many incubators do provide seed funding for entrepreneurs selected, usually in small amounts like $10,000 to $20,000, and usually taking 5% to 15% of your equity in return. Expert mentoring and training. Follow-on funding and connections. Peer support.

Incubator 146

Incubator Technical Review Entrepreneur Mentor 146

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 8, 2022

Some entrepreneurs, like Paul Graham , co-founder of Y-Combinator, and Dave McClure , founder of 500 Startups, mask their focus on multiple startups by running an incubator or accelerator, and providing seed funding for a number of individual efforts. Advisors and mentors are busy people. Optimize your advisers and investors.

Entrepreneur 145

Entrepreneur Startup Resource Course 145

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 30, 2014

Initial funding. Many incubators do provide seed funding for entrepreneurs selected, usually in small amounts like $10,000 to $20,000, and usually taking 5% to 15% of your equity in return. Expert mentoring and training. Follow-on funding and connections. Peer support.

Incubator 103

Incubator Entrepreneur Technical Review Mentor 103

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 27, 2013

I see this a lot in funding where an entrepreneur has struggled to raise money and spends all their time lamenting how lame investors are. “If my objective is raising capital and I’m struggling, what can I learn about those who do get funded and how can I improve my odds by changing?” You raised your seed funds.

Startup 371

Startup Press Blogging Entrepreneur 371

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 2, 2013

Initial funding. Many incubators do provide seed funding for entrepreneurs selected, usually in small amounts like $10,000 to $20,000, and usually taking 5% to 15% of your equity in return. Expert mentoring and training. Follow-on funding and connections. Peer support.

Incubator 115

Incubator Help Startup Technical Review 115

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 6, 2019

Some entrepreneurs, like Paul Graham , co-founder of Y-Combinator, and Dave McClure , founder of 500 Startups, mask their focus on multiple startups by running an incubator or accelerator, and providing seed funding for a number of individual efforts. Advisors and mentors are busy people. Optimize your advisers and investors.

Startup 99

Startup Entrepreneur Resource Course 99

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 8, 2010

While I agree that many VCs are crummy seed investors, I think there are some that are excellent seed investors. They are: Fred Wilson: Lead Investors, Dipshit Companies, and Funding Every Entrepreneur. Often board members give entrepreneurs two bits of advice regarding scale: Get a mentor. I've funded some myself.

Startup 191

Startup Venture Capital Blogging CTO Hire 191

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 2, 2017

Some entrepreneurs, like Paul Graham of Y Combinator, and Dave McClure of 500 Startups, mask their focus on multiple startups by running an incubator or accelerator, and providing seed funding for a number of individual efforts. Advisors and mentors are busy people. Cross-fertilization from current market feedback.

Startup 60

Startup Entrepreneur Resource Course 60

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 1, 2013

Some entrepreneurs, like Paul Graham of Y Combinator, and Dave McClure of 500 Startups, mask their focus on multiple startups by running an incubator or accelerator, and providing seed funding for a number of individual efforts. Advisors and mentors are busy people. Cross-fertilization from current market feedback.

Entrepreneur 92

Entrepreneur Startup Resource Course 92

SoCal CTO

AUGUST 3, 2010

5 Lessons from 150 startup pitches - A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks , July 11, 2010 I just reviewed several hundred startup pitches for Capital Factory. The collapse of the IPO market and dysfunctional math in the venture capital community has stacked the odds against you. Here’s why. Take a look at the chart below.

Startup 217

Startup Venture Capital Blogging Software Review 217