Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 12, 2021

Getting customer attention often takes more innovation today than solving the tough technical problems. If marketing is not your thing, then you need to find a partner or outside expert to help you. As a business adviser, I still see too many new venture founders who skimp on their marketing focus, or start too late.

Technical Advisors 154

Technical Advisors Tips Marketing Case Study 154

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2020

The short answer is that some banks will help, if you do your homework. Include any empirical evidence--including market research or technical analysis, if that's appropriate--in order to bolster your case about why you believe you will succeed. Here, too, focus on outside advisers as well as on key executives.

Technical Advisors 162

Technical Advisors Tips Startup Equity 162

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 8, 2020

As an advisor to entrepreneurs, I often hear the desire to run their own company, to avoid having someone else telling them how to run the business. They then ask me to help them find investors who can provide the funding they need. For directors, your credibility and their ability to help is at stake.

Technical Advisors 125

Technical Advisors Startup News Resource 125

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

In my years of advising startups and occasional investing, I’ve seen many great ideas start and fail, but the right team always seems to make good things happen, even without the ultimate idea. You need to have a technical genius on the team to get your startup product off the ground. Outsourcing your core competency does not work.

Technical Advisors 105

Technical Advisors Outsource Development Startup High Tech 105

SoCal CTO

DECEMBER 1, 2007

Roger Smith ) This helps explain where I normally play. My role is to work as part of the team to (1) understand related technologies and technical opportunities, (2) understand and help drive alignment around a vision of where the business should go, and (3) mesh those together to help make disciplined, proactive technical decisions.

Startup 231

Startup CTO Hire Technical Advisors Technical Review 231

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 18, 2018

In my years of advising startups and occasional investing, I’ve seen many great ideas start and fail, but the right team always seems to make good things happen, even without the ultimate idea. You need to have a technical genius on the team to get your startup product off the ground. Outsourcing your core competency does not work.

Technical Advisors 57

Technical Advisors Startup Outsource Development High Tech 57

SoCal CTO

JANUARY 2, 2013

I've had several Startup CTO Consulting sessions recently where it became apparent that the Founder needed help with the business and product as much or more than the technology. Then we discussed how they could go about finding this startup business advisor. These are not mutually exclusive and good mentors and advisors get into both.

CTO Coach 259

CTO Coach Mentor Startup Technical Advisors 259

socalTECH

OCTOBER 24, 2011

If you're familiar with YCombinator or TechStars, you know that companies also get access to a deep network of top tier mentors and advisors, who help them with a variety of things, such as product marketing, go-to-market, and funding. I think the tighter knit the ecosystem is, between investors and entrepreneurs, it really helps.

Technical Advisors 176

Technical Advisors Startup Southern California Los Angeles 176

Tech.Co

MAY 22, 2018

To help you crush your next investor meeting, we asked top VCs and tech leaders to share their best pitch advice. Try to compile all the different types of questions you could be asked about your business, like technical details, financial assumptions and projections, marketing, IP, etc., Take a look at what they had to say!

Tips 70

Tips Help Slides Technical Review 70

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 21, 2020

Many of the entrepreneurs I advise or invest with spend considerable time on the Internet, keeping up with technology, customers, and competitors, but very few feel the need for an early personal presence. There are dozens of tools available to help you monitor relevant activity, including Social Mention and Google Alerts.

Product 127

Product Entrepreneur Technical Advisors Technical Review 127

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 19, 2020

In my business of mentoring new entrepreneurs and advising small company owners, I recognize that most don’t start as experienced leaders, and most don’t realize that people leadership is a primary key to their future success. Building a business is not a one-person job, and leading by edict rarely works today.

Develop 124

Develop Development Technical Advisors Satisfaction 124

socalTECH

AUGUST 28, 2017

We're focused on larger scale events, not do-it-yourself type events, and we're really for people planning large scale events, looking for ideas, and who are looking for a professional to help them. I feel strongly, that if you're going to do this, you need to be technical, or have a technical co-founder. He's based in LA.

Technical Advisors 100

Technical Advisors Technical Review Metrics Startup 100

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 5, 2014

But as I rose in my career (and post MBA) I moved into a role in which I was to advise board-level executives on topics where I was expected to rapidly become an expert. Some areas were easy because they were technical and the answer was knowable or estimate-able. And I encourage entrepreneurs to triangulate as well.

Entrepreneur 337

Entrepreneur Technical Advisors Startup Venture Capital 337

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 1, 2019

Steve Jobs started his technical career creating circuit boards at Atari, before joining Steve Wozniak to build personal computers in his garage. I advise owners that they have to know when to give up a business, as well as when to buy one. Help your owner get beyond the misleading metrics of employee overtime and salary increases.

Technical Advisors 75

Technical Advisors Startup Satisfaction Customer 75

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 21, 2018

In my years of advising startups, and also as an occasional angel investor, I still recommend this set of best practices to prepare you for platform applications: Formalize a business entity immediately. It’s easy and inexpensive to create an LLC, S-Corp, or even a C-Corp online these days, with or without the help of an attorney.

Platform 94

Platform Equity Invest Technical Advisors 94

Tech.Co

NOVEMBER 28, 2017

Composed of a three-month boot camp , the program aims to help startups build their brand while figuring out the nitty gritty of finance, manufacture, distribution and sales. Minnesota food and agriculture brand Land O’Lakes — yes, the one you know from butter packages — launched an accelerator in July 2017. The goal: Dairy innovation.

Incubator 70

Incubator Santa Clarita Technical Advisors FAQ 70

Eric Greenspan

FEBRUARY 2, 2010

Your BBB has formed a strategic alliance to help save you money in your everyday costs starting immediately. I have been asked by your Better Business Bureau to help accredited businesses like you keep more of the money you earn. Please advise. Can you please advise how to remedy these issues. First, we remain an A-.

Santa Barbara 265

Santa Barbara Technical Advisors Email Technical Review 265

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 5, 2018

Unfortunately, too many of the technical entrepreneurs I mentor and advise are focused on their technology, and assume that the value will be self-evident to customers. Tech may be the tool, but hospitality – making life a little easier, more comfortable, and more enjoyable for your customer, is the winning focus.

Technical Advisors 82

Technical Advisors Artificial Inteligence Customer Custom 82

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

The short answer is that some banks will help, if you do your homework. Include any empirical evidence--including market research or technical analysis, if that''s appropriate--in order to bolster your case about why you believe you will succeed. Here, too, focus on outside advisers as well as on key executives.

Technical Advisors 75

Technical Advisors Entrepreneur Equity Ideas 75

InfoChachkie

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Despite this technical glitch, I opted to publish our discussion, given the high-quality content of his comments. He was the CMO at Charles Schwab during the emergence of the online brokerage revolution, helping to guide the company’s transition from a high-touch retail broker to a no-touch self-serve trading platform.

Google 220

Google Technical Advisors Technical Review Equity 220

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 7, 2011

I always advise software startups to file patents to protect their “secret sauce” from competitors, and to increase their valuation. Patents only help the big guys who want no change. They don’t insist on something very narrow, with proper technical content. It is in the jargon not “technical.”

Patents 91

Patents Software Technical Advisors Innocal 91

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2014

I always advise software startups to file patents to protect their “secret sauce” from competitors, and to increase their valuation. Patents only help the big guys who want no change. They don’t insist on something very narrow, with proper technical content. Software technology changes rapidly. Different rules around the world.

Patents 100

Patents Software Review Software Technical Advisors 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 1, 2018

I made the jump myself from IBM several years ago, and now have a satisfying startup advising small businesses and mentoring entrepreneurs. It’s not very helpful to just say the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence. I’ve accepted the challenge of being a bit more positive on how you can make the leap and enjoy it.

Startup 52

Startup Technical Advisors Entrepreneur IBM 52

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2010

The short answer is that some banks will help, if you do your homework. Include any empirical evidence--including market research or technical analysis, if that's appropriate--in order to bolster your case about why you believe you will succeed. Here, too, focus on outside advisers as well as on key executives.

Technical Advisors 80

Technical Advisors Startup Equity Ideas 80

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 27, 2011

If I can help you avoid some of my first-time mistakes it would be a victory. Most people totally advise against stealth. They certainly struggle to find mentors as there is nothing more frustrating than trying to help a company who is afraid to tell you anything. Ask if you can help be a source for other stories.

Marketing 380

Marketing Startup Press Technical Advisors 380

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 4, 2009

I only emphasize the question before I find it much more helpful to join a company with realistic expectations of what you want to get out of it. Join because if you do a good job we’ll help you punch above your weighclass and work in a more senior role. Join because you like the mission of what we’re doing.

Startup 418

Startup Technical Advisors Venture Capital Santa Monica 418

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 13, 2012

I always advise software startups to file patents to protect their “secret sauce” from competitors, and to increase their valuation. Patents only help the big guys who want no change. They don’t insist on something very narrow, with proper technical content. Software technology changes rapidly. Different rules around the world.

Patents 93

Patents Software Technical Advisors Startup 93

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 19, 2009

I spent nearly a decade building software for large companies and then advising companies on the same. Maybe it helps that I love controversy and pushing the boundaries so people felt it was OK for them to do it as well. but there are some people you just take an (extra) liking to and want to help. This was such a guy.

Entrepreneur 414

Entrepreneur Technical Review Slides CTO Coach 414

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 10, 2011

Our own subsidiary, of a major technology company, started to repair and service competitive products in order to maintain our own technical staff and service capabilities. We retained legal council in Milan and were advised that we would loose if the case went to trial.

Startup 90

Startup Technical Advisors Sales Examples 90

Jason Nazar

APRIL 7, 2011

Who Are You: You corner us at mixers and tell stories about all the great things you do and how wonderful you are, without having any idea if we need your help. You take no interest nor show any curiosity in how technical systems are built or maintained, and Engineering is the least valued/respected part of your organization.

Technical Advisors 112

Technical Advisors Startup Social Media Ideas 112

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 12, 2010

More importantly, as a parent or mentor, what should you advise young potential entrepreneurs about getting an MBA? But I’ve found so many on the other side, here's my net on when an MBA really helps an entrepreneur: If you are already an entrepreneur, more education, including an MBA, will only slow you down.

Entrepreneur 60

Entrepreneur Technical Advisors Education Social Network 60

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 30, 2023

Know yourself and find help to fill in the gaps. In my own experience with technical startup founders, I still find it hard to name one who was also good, or even interested in financials or business operations. I advise that you block out time at least weekly for nurturing new and existing relationships.

Technical Review 149

Technical Review Startup Entrepreneur Software Review 149

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 13, 2010

Our own subsidiary, of a major technology company, started to repair and service competitive products in order to maintain our own technical staff and service capabilities. We retained legal council in Milan and were advised that we would loose if the case went to trial. Respect local customs and practices.

Technical Advisors 48

Technical Advisors Sales Startup Coach 48

InfoChachkie

JUNE 25, 2009

Working with startup lawyers also minimizes the risk of losing control of your adVenture, as they can help you avoid common fundraising and investor pitfalls. In addition, such an arrangement will further cement your lawyer’s incentive to help you succeed. This will allow you to defer a portion of your of up-front legal costs.

Technical Advisors 124

Technical Advisors Technical Review IP Patents 124

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 13, 2011

I would argue that this mostly consists of consumer Internet companies (although not exclusively) and it is predominantly early-stage people who are product gurus and have a mildly technical bend to them. In VC there are the obvious people including Bijan, Brad Feld, Fred Wilson, Josh Kopelman and Bryce Roberts. Very few people ask.

Venture Capital 299

Venture Capital Slides Technical Advisors Startup 299

Tech Zulu Event

AUGUST 21, 2014

Hackers for Charity is a non-profit organization that leverages the skills of technologists to help provide food, equipment, job training and computer education to the impoverished in Uganda. There are the good guys out there who help you too. Still, this is really more of a mischievous prank than anything truly malevolent.

Technical Advisors 107

Technical Advisors Press Examples Training 107

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 23, 2015

There is a second set of career discussions I have even more frequently than my “angel yourself” advice but this type is almost never discussed publicly in blogs, which tend to emphasize only billion-dollar opportunities, 20-something technical founders and Silicon Valley elitism. the standard 4-6% for a hired-gun CEO).

Technical Review 150

Technical Review Startup Venture Capital IP 150