Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

Unfortunately, most of us don’t have enough resources to bootstrap our own startups, so we are completely dependent on investors to help turn great ideas into great businesses. Investors love entrepreneurs who come across as constantly on the lookout for new ideas, and able to grasp the larger implications for market change.

Ideas 140

Ideas Entrepreneur Equity Resource 140

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 29, 2012

A startup begins with a great idea, but all too often, that’s where it ends. Ideas have to be implemented well to get the desired results. That’s why investors invest in entrepreneurs, rather than ideas. Metrics are required for ensuring the return to a known good baseline. Define response mechanisms.

Ideas 94

Ideas Startup Summary Competition 94

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

Almost every early-stage startup who has approached investors for funding has heard the innocuous sounding rejection “I love your idea, but come back when you have more traction.” But never forget that traction is necessary, but may not be sufficient, to lower the risk perception of investors, and assure an investment.

Startup 121

Startup Metrics Customer Custom 121

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 7, 2016

Every startup begins with an idea, but from that point forward, it’s all about execution. Founders soon learn that customers only spend real money for solutions rather than ideas. Investors have also learned not to invest in ideas but only in entrepreneurs and teams who can deliver solutions. But Google is not unique.

Ideas 59

Ideas Technical Review Google Startup 59

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 10, 2023

I still see entrepreneurs who spend money and time for months on a new business idea without any separation of personal and business funds, and any formal accounting system for their new business. Even if you are not requesting outside funding, I would expect a clear process for sourcing and managing the investment you plan to apply.

Outsource Development 115

Outsource Development Startup Competition Ideas 115

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 18, 2023

All the investment money in the world won’t make your company succeed, if you have the wrong team. investors invest in people, not ideas) Effective and timely go-to-market. Show return on investment, growth rates, and market penetration. You need a good cook, good marketing, and first-class service. Don’t stand still.

Startup 112

Startup Coach Metrics Marketing 112

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 3, 2016

As a small business and startup advisor, I find that entrepreneurs often love to talk about their latest idea, but not their execution. Like most investors, I’m convinced that success in business is more about the plan and the person than the idea. Sets goals and milestones, with metrics to track progress.

Entrepreneur 106

Entrepreneur Satisfaction Metrics Ideas 106

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 28, 2016

I still see entrepreneurs who spend money and time for months on a new business idea without any separation of personal and business funds, and any formal accounting system for their new business. Even if you are not requesting outside funding, I would expect a clear process for sourcing and managing the investment you plan to apply.

Ideas 62

Ideas Outsource Development Startup Competition 62

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 30, 2022

I’m a believer in the old saying that investors look for great people, more than great ideas. During my time in Silicon Valley, I was struck by the fact that most successful entrepreneurs seemed to personally know and regularly hear from all the “movers and shakers” who had the investment capital and leadership they needed.

Startup 113

Startup Customer Custom Technical Review 113

InfoChachkie

AUGUST 24, 2010

Startups consistently identify more ideas and opportunities than they have the time or resources to pursue, such as potential partnerships, new products, entering emerging markets, etc. Idea Cronyism. This is analogous to a startup CEO selecting which ideas will be considered by a larger group for implementation.

Ideas 187

Ideas Resource Technical Review Startup 187

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 9, 2019

But very few are talking about how to measure your results and return on investment (ROI), and the right metrics for optimizing your marketing environment. If you don’t have a clear idea of why you are there, anything you measure will be useless. Social media is the realm of public opinion and customer conversations.

Social Media 98

Social Media Media Metrics Satisfaction 98

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 26, 2023

Most business metrics I see compare current performance to your own previous experience, rather than your performance compared to industry standards and competitors. While your initial idea was new and not envisioned by others, it is now out there for others to attack with copies and enhancements.

Metrics 71

Metrics Training Netflix Resource 71

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2019

As a new business advisor and occasional investor, I get approached regularly by people who have a dream or a new business idea, and are looking for support and money to make it a reality. Thus, I’m more impressed with entrepreneurs who ask me to review their implementation plan, rather than listen again to their idea.

Ideas 94

Ideas Slides Technical Review Patents 94

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 18, 2023

Although many won’t admit it, true entrepreneurs can’t wait to exit their current startup, and build a new and better one with their next great idea. For these reasons, I always look for an overt exit strategy in every startup I might consider for an angel investment. At minimum, you need to get an exit advisor to keep you on course.

Startup 99

Startup Entrepreneur Metrics Acquisition 99

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 21, 2020

All the investment money in the world won’t make your company succeed, if you have the wrong team. investors invest in people, not ideas) Effective and timely go-to-market. Show return on investment, growth rates, and market penetration. You need a good cook, good marketing, and first-class service. Don’t stand still.

Startup 156

Startup Coach Metrics Marketing 156

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 7, 2020

I still see entrepreneurs who spend money and time for months on a new business idea without any separation of personal and business funds, and any formal accounting system for their new business. Even if you are not requesting outside funding, I would expect a clear process for sourcing and managing the investment you plan to apply.

Entrepreneur 131

Entrepreneur Outsource Development Startup Competition 131

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 24, 2023

While innovative practices are still not a central part of the corporate agenda, they are used to go after ideas for growth that are highlighted by competitors and market evolution. Maturing proficiency with innovation metrics. A change of key executives, a setback, or a challenge in the core business, and they disappear.

Organization 111

Organization Activity Resource Examples 111

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. Being a digital person, I kept looking online for new ideas. That's how I came up with the idea. Why did you create PartySlate?

Technical Advisors 100

Technical Advisors Technical Review Metrics Startup 100

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 14, 2023

Cash flow is a basic survival metric for every startup. Overall, managing cash flow and burn rate is more critical to your business success than having the right idea and the right product. It’s why most investors proclaim that they invest in people, more than the idea.

Search Engine Optimization 103

Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media Equity 103

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 19, 2021

As an angel investor in new startups, I’ve long believed that investors invest in people, not ideas. Define and use real metrics to measure progress. But the magic that makes one entrepreneur stand out over others is hard to quantify – yet we all recognize it when we see it. Don’t play the blame game.

Customer 157

Customer Custom Metrics Ideas 157

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 9, 2021

Although many won’t admit it, true entrepreneurs can’t wait to exit their current startup, and build a new and better one with their next great idea. For these reasons, I always look for an overt exit strategy in every startup I might consider for an angel investment. At minimum, you need to get an exit advisor to keep you on course.

Startup 173

Startup Entrepreneur Metrics Acquisition 173

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 28, 2011

He reminded us many times that he is not perfect and 86% of ideas fail. That most of our ideas will not work, but we need to review why each one failed and what we can learn from them in order to progress. Noah has what I believe he called “Thank You metrics”. Spam is when people don’t want to get your emails.

Metrics 87

Metrics Email Startup Technical Review 87

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 29, 2019

On the other end of the spectrum are ideas that truly represent a disruptive technology , or could lead to real social or environmental change. I encourage every entrepreneur or new business owner to ask themselves a set of hard questions to validate their idea and fit, before they put their heart, much hard work, and money on the line.

Entrepreneur 126

Entrepreneur Ideas Resource Examples 126

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 12, 2015

It starts with a vision, but benefits quickly from a structured process of idea generation, evaluation, prototyping, customer feedback, and success metrics. Idea management. Every business needs a continuous improvement process to collect and funnel new ideas for the next cycle. New product process. Ownership.

Entrepreneur 101

Entrepreneur Startup Coach Metrics 101

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 24, 2020

For example, if your idea is so new and different that it implies real social or technological change is necessary before widespread acceptance, investors will define your market as nascent or unproven, and be very reluctant to fund you, no matter how convincing your projections may be.

Marketing 174

Marketing Startup Artificial Inteligence Technical Review 174

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 28, 2021

Almost every entrepreneur and new business owner I mentor is certain that his/her idea has a very high probability of success, and all find it hard to believe that ninety percent of startups ultimately fail. Paul Allen was the technical visionary, Test the viability of your business parameters.

Technical Review 131

Technical Review Case Study Mentor Software Review 131

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

There were no metrics. Him: On metrics. If we priced it based on any metrics your company would likely be worth less than 7 figures at your A round. Me: When an investor signs a note with a cap they must assume they are willing to pay the cap or why would they invest? Me: So, who was willing to invest in that?

Venture Capital 417

Venture Capital Capital Pricing Doc 417

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 12, 2017

But very few are talking about how to measure your results and return on investment (ROI), and the right metrics for optimizing your marketing environment. If you don’t have a clear idea of why you are there, anything you measure will be useless. Social media is the realm of public opinion and customer conversations.

Social Media 69

Social Media Media Metrics Satisfaction 69

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2010

In fact, a business plan is needed more by you than investors, as the blueprint for your company, team communication, and progress metrics. Things that make it investment-grade for outside investors will also benefit you, since you are the ultimate investor. Investors invest in people - not just ideas. Executive team.

Invest 74

Invest Tips Competition Metrics 74

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2020

Cash flow is a basic survival metric for every startup. Overall, managing cash flow and burn rate is more critical to your business success than having the right idea and the right product. It’s why most investors proclaim that they invest in people, more than the idea.

Search Engine Optimization 124

Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media Equity 124

TechCrunch LA

FEBRUARY 20, 2019

When should a VC invest? It’s the only way forward in capitalism, and it’s worth every investment you can make. The late-stage investment firm has been a slow-burning mess for the past several months, angering current and former employees, limited partners, and, crucially, [Peter] Thiel himself, sources say. All appears well.

Venture Capital 202

Venture Capital Startup Technical Review Invest 202

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. This means you set goals, milestones, and metrics, and are able to provide financial projections to support funding requirements. Demonstrate social intelligence and concern.

Entrepreneur 168

Entrepreneur Mentor Metrics Customer 168

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 2, 2015

What I love about my job is getting to see teams of super-early-stage companies develop ideas that while raw have potential to make an impact on the market. One area I’ve had much discussion with the companies in which I’ve invested in is bringing on board an operationally focused CFO. That’s fantasy. HR & Legal.

Outsource Development 150

Outsource Development Metrics Startup Sales 150

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 8, 2018

All the investment money in the world won’t make your company succeed, if you have the wrong team. investors invest in people, not ideas) Effective and timely go-to-market. Show return on investment, growth rates, and market penetration. You need a good cook, good marketing, and first-class service. Don’t stand still.

Startup 81

Startup Coach Metrics Marketing 81

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

The fund--started by Brian Garrett and Rick Smith --has been focused on digital media investments, and so far has made investments in six companies. What do you invest in? We spent six plus years at a local firm, Palomar Ventures, doing Series A and Series B investments. Let's start with an overview of the fund.

Southern California 153

Southern California Startup Palomar Rustic Canyon 153

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 4, 2019

In addition to quantifying the positives of the customer lifetime value metric, they address the mistakes that I see regularly in my business advisory service relative to assessing the value of customers and value, including the following: Failing to account for current customer status and stage.

Customer 85

Customer Custom Product Metrics 85

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 18, 2014

I do think the way we work with companies is a little different from other programs, in that we view it much more like the wasyI personally think about investing and venture capital. That is, once you invest in a company, you''re a shareholder, and you help that company for the course of its life. There''s many forms of data.

Incubator 187

Incubator Southern California Startup Ideas 187