Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

Most of us have blind spots in our ability to build a business, due to lack of experience, too much ego, over-confidence, or unjustified faith in a subordinate. To confirm understanding, and push people to provide more information, it pays to paraphrase back from a different perspective their conclusions and recommendations.

Technical Review 127

Technical Review Activity Mentor Entrepreneur 127

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 30, 2022

Based on my own mentoring and investing experience, the best entrepreneurs are pragmatic problem solvers. After some review of available resources, I’m convinced that problem solving is a learnable trait, rather than just a birthright. Good problem solving requires making informed decisions, relying on logic.

Startup 135

Startup Mentor Entrepreneur Technical Review 135

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2017

Most business mentors tell me that the single biggest problem they have to deal with in small companies is the lack of open, honest, and effective communication, both from the top down and from the bottom up. Technical semantics and jargon. Information withheld. Some entrepreneurs forget that talking is not communicating.

Mentor 61

Mentor Technical Review Entrepreneur Guide 61

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 29, 2022

One of the things I’ve learned over my years as a business mentor and investor is that life isn’t fair when it comes to succeeding in business. These authors speak from their own wealth of experience in creating and growing technology startups, marketing, and fundraising. Use friends and mentors with extensive experience to gauge both.

Help 130

Help Mentor Paramount Technical Review 130

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2020

In my role as a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I find that most have the technical challenges well understood, but many are a bit short on some basic street smarts , or basic business realities. With information overload due to the Internet, you need to find your customers, rather than assume they will find you.

Entrepreneur 173

Entrepreneur Patents Startup Technical Review 173

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 4, 2022

Most business mentors tell me that the single biggest problem they have to deal with in small companies is the lack of open, honest, and effective communication, both from the top down and from the bottom up. Technical semantics and jargon. Information withheld. Some entrepreneurs forget that talking is not communicating.

Technical Review 137

Technical Review Entrepreneur Guide Mentor 137

SoCal CTO

JULY 23, 2012

What are the biggest areas of technical risk? What technology research is required? What technologies will we use? What do we need to do to make sure we can survive technical due diligence by investors and partners? What specific technical innovations might make sense? How can we address this risk?

CTO Coach 231

CTO Coach CTO Hire Outsource Development Develop 231

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021

As a startup mentor and investor, I am approached regularly by aspiring entrepreneurs who assert that business plans take too much time, are inaccurate, and rarely add value. Most professional investors, even if they like your story, and were properly introduced by a friend, will ask for a business plan at the due diligence stage.

Technical Review 126

Technical Review Writing Entrepreneur Slides 126

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 18, 2010

Applications are due April 6th, 2010, the form is on the website and the Twitter address is @launchpadlad. Encourage the most successful LA tech entrepreneurs who had previously started companies to get involved as mentors, instructors or just informal advisors. We will be selecting 10 startup companies to participate.

Technical Review 259

Technical Review Venture Capital Southern California Tech Coast Angels 259

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 24, 2015

Unfortunately many founders I work with as a mentor are experts on the technical side, but have no insight into leading a team. Being visible and engaged on a random part-time basis, due to other jobs, won’t do it. Have monthly reviews with each team member. Ask what you can do for them in every review.

Technical Review 99

Technical Review Tips Development Team Review Startup 99

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 13, 2018

I recently was an advisor to a very strong technical executive who insisted on “being involved” in literally every decision in his startup. He ignored my advice and ultimately lost several key executives, and then his own health, due to stress and workload. Relay regular informal observations on progress and results.

Technical Review 51

Technical Review Startup Training Netflix 51

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2019

Based on my own mentoring and investing experience, the best entrepreneurs are pragmatic problem solvers. After some review of available resources, I’m convinced that problem solving is a learnable trait, rather than just a birthright. Good problem solving requires making informed decisions, relying on logic.

Mentor 85

Mentor Entrepreneur Technical Review Summary 85

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 26, 2015

Great technology leads to innovative solutions that are possible, but not necessarily great businesses. Yet, due largely to non-technology business considerations, including pricing, safety concerns and support infrastructure, there are none that most people can name. Develop written business plans as detailed as product plans.

Technical Review 54

Technical Review Product Activity Technology 54

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 15, 2017

The board’s job is to review the company’s financial performance and strategy and help provide counsel to the executive team. But I find that the more informed your board is and the more you’re staying on their radar screen the more effective they’ll be for you. Some boards are highly functional, many are not.

Tips 212

Tips Slides Startup Technical Review 212

Tech Zulu Event

JULY 8, 2011

For those who still might be wondering what Spotlight: LA Tech is all about, It’s a screening room for new technology homegrown in our region. It’s a gathering of friends and tech enthusiasts of all stripes. This Spotlight takes place Thursday, July 14, at The California Institute of Technology (CalTech).

CalTech 100

CalTech Technical Review Company Companies 100

Tech Zulu Event

APRIL 1, 2016

While the epicenter of tech innovation is undeniably Silicon Valley, a tide of new hubs emerging across the globe are gaining recognition. The “ real gold ” of Silicon Valley reportedly lies in its mentors. If law enforcement officials require it, they would be forced to share this information. PanTrek connects U.S.

Technical Review 40

Technical Review Startup Incubator Media 40

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 25, 2016

Unfortunately many founders I work with as a mentor are experts on the technical side, but have no insight into leading a team. Being visible and engaged on a random part-time basis, due to other jobs, won’t do it. Have monthly reviews with each team member. Ask what you can do for them in every review.

Technical Review 54

Technical Review Development Team Review Startup Activity 54

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 6, 2013

They can read reviews, see pictures and even talk to the family before confirming. I then clicked on reviews, looked at pictures and read the owners descriptions of what they were looking for. I told her the story of Aaron, the company, the reviews, etc. Tech Market Analysis' and upload that. She told me. “Mark.

Venture Capital 344

Venture Capital Technical Review Software Review San Diego 344

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 5, 2019

Most business mentors tell me that the single biggest problem they have to deal with in small companies is the lack of open, honest, and effective communication, both from the top down and from the bottom up. Technical semantics and jargon. Information withheld. Some entrepreneurs forget that talking is not communicating.

Technical Review 94

Technical Review Entrepreneur Guide Mentor 94

socalTECH

JANUARY 7, 2016

The idea is to have a partnership between Cedars-Sinai and Techstars, where we select ten healthcare startup companies focused on innovative technology and care delivery in healthcare. Both sets of mentors re really united to help drive the pace of growth of these startups, must faster than they might have grown traditionally.

Mentor 100

Mentor Startup Coach Ideas 100

socalTECH

JANUARY 7, 2016

The idea is to have a partnership between Cedars Sinai and Techstars, where we select ten healthcare startup companies focused on innovative technology and care delivery in healthcare. Both sets of mentors re really united to help drive the pace of growth of these startups, must faster than they might have grown traditionally.

Mentor 100

Mentor Startup Coach Ideas 100

SoCal Tech Calendar

SEPTEMBER 20, 2009

MCC Principal Consultant with Career Management Strategies will discuss development tools for employees, review resources to support management coaching, and provide an overview of strategic mentor programs that can be catalysts for retooling initiatives, while Judy Issokson, Ed.D,

Coach 100

Coach Mentor Resource Tool 100

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 6, 2015

Based on my own mentoring and investing experience, the best entrepreneurs are pragmatic problem solvers. After some review of available resources, I’m convinced that problem solving is a learnable trait, rather than just a birthright. Good problem solving requires making informed decisions, relying on logic.

Mentor 105

Mentor Entrepreneur Technical Review Satisfaction 105

Tech.Co

JANUARY 10, 2018

In the Harvard Business Review Female Economy 2009 report, women purchasing power was predicted to control about $28 trillion in annual global consumer spending, if not more. If they know a product is good enough for their family and children, they will share that information with friends. Final Thoughts.

Tips 71

Tips Customer Custom Dollar Shave Club 71

InfoChachkie

AUGUST 29, 2011

Naval Ravikant, Co-Founder of AngelList and Venture Hacks, details a variety of factors that influence your chances of raising venture funding in this informative interview. This concentration is partly due to natural causes – successful startups spawn other successful startups. The Three Enthralling Factors Of Venture Funding.

Venture Capital 233

Venture Capital Capital Funding Technical Review 233

socalTECH

APRIL 13, 2021

The primary tenant in one of those buildings is the Information Sciences Institute, which is part of the Viterbi School of Engineering, and we have some of their space. We don't have the resources to do typical diligence and assessment, so we just piggyback on other deals. It's the older 11 to12 story, 1960's building.

Marina Del Rey 150

Marina Del Rey Startup USC Incubator 150

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 28, 2014

Based on my own mentoring and investing experience, the best entrepreneurs are pragmatic problem solvers. After some review of available resources, I’m convinced that problem solving is a learnable trait, rather than just a birthright. Good problem solving requires making informed decisions, relying on logic.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Mentor Technical Review Satisfaction 102

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 22, 2017

Based on my own mentoring and investing experience, the best entrepreneurs are pragmatic problem solvers. After some review of available resources, I’m convinced that problem solving is a learnable trait, rather than just a birthright. Good problem solving requires making informed decisions, relying on logic.

Satisfaction 53

Satisfaction Marketing Mentor Entrepreneur 53

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 7, 2014

As a startup mentor and investor, I am approached regularly by aspiring entrepreneurs who assert that business plans are a waste of time. Although the major crowd funding sites today, including Kickstarter and Indiegogo , don’t technically require a business plan, they do demand essentially the same information in a project format.

Technical Review 109

Technical Review Writing Entrepreneur Slides 109

InfoChachkie

APRIL 25, 2011

The short version of my review is: “Enchanting? Ask For Mentoring. My favorite quotes, along with the corresponding headings include: Phrasing – Fluency is the ease by which people comprehend the information communicated to them. Unfortunately, most business books do not offer entrepreneurs an adequate payoff. Form Friendships.

Technical Review 279

Technical Review Blogging Class Entrepreneur 279

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 6, 2014

I admit that I haven’t yet read it but I’ve had numerous discussions with Brad over the years about board structure & conduct and consider him a mentor on the topic. Reviewing financial & operational performance. Defections of large swaths of talented employees due to low morale. In the Early Days.

Startup 325

Startup Sales Technical Review Software Review 325

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 12, 2014

Most business mentors tell me that the single biggest problem they have to deal with in small companies is the lack of open, honest, and effective communication, both from the top down and from the bottom up. Technical semantics and jargon. Information withheld. Some entrepreneurs forget that talking is not communicating.

Technical Review 104

Technical Review Guide Entrepreneur Mentor 104

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 2, 2011

We have an informed point of view. We might differ in opinion but not in information sources and knowledge of the issues. They could chat about it with their peers or mentors. And I’m delighted that this level of information is out there. It’s over done. We know what’s REALLY going on. Examples: Bin38.

Email 287

Email Blogging Venture Capital Writing 287

Tech Zulu Event

MAY 2, 2011

The ambitiously competitive teams were as follows: The Brownies, with Epic Tunes, an app aimed at live concert goers, to provide information, show reviews, and access to ticket purchases. Tech Nerds, with Tab Attack, a game-based learning system to help teenagers play drums & guitar with the use of tablatures.

Technical Review 82

Technical Review Entrepreneur Software Review USC 82

socalTECH

APRIL 10, 2012

One of the most original, subscription startups to come out of Southern California's tech accelerator boom emerged last week, looking to disrupt not just another retail sector or e-commerce category, but something else entirely: the airline industry. We take your application and review it.

Startup 240

Startup Mentor Technical Review Santa Barbara 240

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 23, 2012

For example, if your startup is building a high-tech software product, a dream team of advisors would be a former CEO or high-level exec in another software company, a former software marketing executive, and a former financial executive.

Startup 95

Startup Technical Review Software Review High Tech 95

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 25, 2016

According to many observers , we can thank or blame technology for these higher expectations, providing information at the speed of light, leading everyone to expect more. Some entrepreneurs are so focused on their technology, they assume their customers think the same way. Provide coaching and mentoring as well as training.

Customer 55

Customer Custom Startup Coach 55