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

MAY 16, 2020

That’s why all those so-called million dollar ideas I hear about as an investor don’t get me excited, and entrepreneurs find that working twenty hours a day often generates nothing more than sweat, instead of the desired sweat equity. This is the confirmation that your product or service fills a real need in the marketplace.

Satisfaction 174

Satisfaction Customer Custom Outsource 174

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 14, 2023

As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cash flow personally every day. Be a miser with contract services and facilities. Martin Zwilling

Search Engine Optimization 103

Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media Equity 103

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 29, 2019

As a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I challenge them to think beyond what I call linear extensions to a current trend, such as another “easier-to-use” app for smartphones, a new dating site for pets, or another niche social network. Why doesn’t this product or service already exist? Great social entrepreneurs are rare.

Entrepreneur 126

Entrepreneur Ideas Resource Examples 126

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 10, 2021

Entrepreneurs often have formidable technical expertise, key to developing a new product or service, but a great naïveté in management skills. It means mentoring less experienced team members, and quickly replacing incompetent staff members. Inspire, Motivate, and Bring Out the Best in Your People.” Staff properly at every level.

Startup 171

Startup Organization Training Entrepreneur 171

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2020

As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cash flow personally every day. Be a miser with contract services and facilities. Martin Zwilling.

Search Engine Optimization 124

Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media Equity 124

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 17, 2017

As a business mentor, I sometimes feel besieged by people begging for my view and support of their latest idea. In reality, I like most ideas, but I have to tell them that the real challenge is taking the inspiration from a dream to a business reality. File at least a provisional patent and one or more trademarks.

Ideas 56

Ideas Mentor Resource Product 56

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2012

Aspiring entrepreneurs ask me why their great idea hasn’t sold; they talk about it endlessly, and they expect others to do the development, finance, and marketing work for them. There is nothing more inspiring than seeing the results of your mentoring and leadership. Success is the right balance of both for fun and profit.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Patents Startup Ideas 102

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2015

Here are some of the key new rules I have learned by starting my own company, investing as an angel in other startups and mentoring many more new entrepreneurs over the last few years: Do incorporate a company, but keep it simple. Trademarks, copyrights and even patents can be completed online by anyone through the U.S.

Startup 108

Startup Search Engine Optimization Social Media Outsource Development 108

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 18, 2013

Aspiring entrepreneurs ask me why their great idea hasn’t sold; they talk about it endlessly, and they expect others to do the development, finance, and marketing work for them. There is nothing more inspiring than seeing the results of your mentoring and leadership. Success is the right balance of both for fun and profit.

Startup 100

Startup Patents Competition Social Network 100

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 29, 2018

As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cash flow personally every day. Be a miser with contract services and facilities. Martin Zwilling.

Startup 89

Startup Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media 89

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2016

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. Other project and research reports in their library are a rich source of new ideas, if you are still looking for a place to start.

Entrepreneur 55

Entrepreneur Capital Class Startup 55

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cash flow personally every day. Be a miser with contract services and facilities. Martin Zwilling.

Startup 108

Startup Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media 108

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 16, 2015

That’s why all those so-called million dollar ideas I hear about as an investor don’t get me excited, and entrepreneurs find that working twenty hours a day often generates nothing more than sweat, instead of the desired sweat equity. This is the confirmation that your product or service fills a real need in the marketplace.

Satisfaction 101

Satisfaction Entrepreneur Customer Custom 101

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 8, 2017

Don’t believe that Silicon Valley myth that all you have to do is sketch your idea on the back of a napkin, and investors will line up to give you money. Based on my experience as an angel investor and a mentor to dozens of entrepreneurs, having no business plan is the quickest way to define yourself as just a dreamer, or at best a hobbyist.

Startup 65

Startup Writing Patents Competition 65

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 12, 2010

Aspiring entrepreneurs ask me why their great idea hasn’t sold; they talk about it endlessly, and they expect others to do the development, finance, and marketing work for them. There is nothing more inspiring than seeing the results of your mentoring and leadership. Success is the right balance of both for fun and profit.

Startup 88

Startup Patents Competition Social Network 88

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 2, 2016

That’s why all those so-called million dollar ideas I hear about as an investor don’t get me excited, and entrepreneurs find that working twenty hours a day often generates nothing more than sweat, instead of the desired sweat equity. This is the confirmation that your product or service fills a real need in the marketplace.

Satisfaction 61

Satisfaction Startup Customer Custom 61

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 5, 2014

As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cashflow personally every day. Be a miser with contract services and facilities. Martin Zwilling First published on Entrepreneur.com on 9/26/2014.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media 105

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Every startup mentor has his favorite list of basic strategies to avoid pitfalls, and I’m no exception. Barter services and use equity to get things done for minimum cash. Make every effort to do things “in house”, rather than rely on outside services, accountants, and law firms. Do not delegate this task! Manage your time.

Entrepreneur 98

Entrepreneur Social Network Startup Patents 98

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 1, 2016

Many entrepreneurs are so focused on finalizing their innovative product or service that they procrastinate on the formalities of forming the requisite new company until later. Patents issued to you before you incorporate the business will not be considered part of the business valuation by investors.

Company 61

Company Companies Startup Equity 61

Jason Nazar

MAY 2, 2016

Ideation & Protecting Ideas. If you are inventing or creating a product, understand patents and register for one at the USPTO. Vet your idea with the idea checklist. Protect your ideas when sharing them with others by using an NDA. For a corporation and LCC, you must register a service agent.

Outsource Development 40

Outsource Development Startup Google Mentor 40

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2013

Every startup mentor has his favorite list of basic strategies to avoid pitfalls, and I’m no exception. Barter services and use equity to get things done for minimum cash. Make every effort to do things “in house”, rather than rely on outside services, accountants, and law firms. Do not delegate this task! Manage your time.

Tips 102

Tips Help Startup Blogging 102

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 29, 2010

Every startup mentor has his favorite list of basic strategies to avoid pitfalls, and I’m no exception. Barter services and use equity to get things done for minimum cash. Make every effort to do things “in house”, rather than rely on outside services, accountants, and law firms. Do not delegate this task! Manage your time.

Guide 92

Guide Startup Social Network Patents 92

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 17, 2013

Entrepreneurs often have formidable technical expertise, key to developing a new product or service, but a great naïveté in management skills. It means mentoring less experienced team members, and quickly replacing incompetent staff members. Inspire, Motivate, and Bring Out the Best in Your People.” Staff properly at every level.

Startup 109

Startup Entrepreneur Organization Training 109

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 17, 2012

Entrepreneurs often have formidable technical expertise, key to developing a new product or service, but a great naïveté in management skills. It means mentoring less experienced team members, and quickly replacing incompetent staff members. Inspire, Motivate, and Bring Out the Best in Your People.” Staff properly at every level.

Entrepreneur 94

Entrepreneur Startup Organization Training 94

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 20, 2012

In college at the California Institute of Technology, he patented a new loudspeaker design and formed GNP Loudspeakers, Inc. Alex previously helped lead the Proto Group at Idealab, working to determine the feasibility of new business ideas. A lifelong entrepreneur, Bill started several companies prior to Idealab.

Idealab 84

Idealab Tech Coast Angels CalTech Startup 84

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 22, 2011

Entrepreneurs often have formidable technical expertise, key to developing a new product or service, but a great naïveté in management skills. It means mentoring less experienced team members, and quickly replacing incompetent staff members. Inspire, Motivate, and Bring Out the Best in Your People.” Staff properly at every level.

Entrepreneur 111

Entrepreneur Startup Organization Training 111