Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 3, 2009

If you’re in the market or thinking about VC in the future the following video may be of interest to you – click here to view. The main summary of my interview is that VC may only right for you IF: 1. The expectation is that they need to exit 7-10 years after investing. Best not to approach the larger investments.

Venture Capital 210

Venture Capital Startup Summary Social Network 210

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2010

Things that make it investment-grade for outside investors will also benefit you, since you are the ultimate investor. Industry & market sizing. Start with the evolution of the overall industry, market segmentation, market dynamics, and customer landscape. Marketing, sales, and partners.

Invest 74

Invest Tips Competition Metrics 74

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 19, 2012

I’ve wanted to come back but had a busy year on the road meeting with investors and making a few investments of my own. Is App.net right the rail against ad-supported social networks or ad-supported products more broadly? What was in like launching a venture similar to an uber successful market leader like Bit.ly?

Yahoo 268

Yahoo Social Media Startup Media 268

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 18, 2015

There is a lot of uncertainty about the state of the private, high-growth technology markets and the venture capital markets that underpin them. There is nobody to blame for this abandonment of common sense – it is simply the market being the market and we’re doomed to repeat history. It’s just a market.

Venture Capital 150

Venture Capital Pricing Platform Marketing 150

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 22, 2011

I’m often asked by people what investment areas interest me. It’s true that I have a functional focus on three areas: Performance-based marketing, digital television and mobile computing. I try to invest in things that I know and that I believe I might have better knowledge and relationships than the masses of VCs.

Startup 386

Startup Pricing Marketing Product 386

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 24, 2012

But many entrepreneurs don’t realize that Angels are also extremely discerning in the projects that they will invest in, rejecting approximately 97% of the proposals submitted to them, according to the California Investment Network. Reserve the company name on social networks to protect it. Free trials don’t count.

Angel 104

Angel Screening Summary Startup 104

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Investing in entrepreneurs and startups is a fun but different world from investing in conventional stocks, bonds, and commodities. First of all, it’s more of an investment in people than in a business, since the startup is usually an idea barely half-baked when they need your money. Start in a business domain you know well.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Startup Invest Incubator 102

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 13, 2011

This version has some additional details on a portfolio company I’ve invested in, which are disclosed below. We’re in a market where 800-pound gorillas throw their weight around and the rest of the market races to react and survive. And Facebook stomped out Twitter from building an open social network.

Google 325

Google Press Marketing Content 325

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 7, 2013

Yet 2013 is still projected by The Fiscal Times as a difficult IPO opportunity for startups, due to choppy markets, continuing fiscal uncertainty, and the Facebook fiasco. The market and venture capitalists are looking for business, but with a continuing focus on proven business models. Line up a winning team.

Venture Capital 101

Venture Capital Startup Capital Seed Funding 101

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 16, 2012

I’ve raised in boom markets and when everybody thought the Internet was a fraud. Executive Summary. Partners make investment decisions. If you want to watch the video version summary of my advice on fund raising it’s here. Already invested in one of my key competitors? Do they have money to invest?

Develop 366

Develop Development Funding Venture Capital 366

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 18, 2012

Do basic Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Marketing (SEM) yourself. Sales and marketing costs. Print your own collateral and marketing materials until the business is rolling. Use the Internet and social networking instead of public relations companies and advertising agencies.

Startup 102

Startup Search Engine Optimization SEM Social Network 102

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2016

In fact, the focus on social networking platforms, starting with Facebook, has destroyed the meaning of the word friend and even changed it from a noun to a verb. Here is my summary of how business relationships relate to friends. Social networking friends have real business value.

Entrepreneur 66

Entrepreneur Social Network Technical Review Social Media 66

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 31, 2014

The alternatives range from giving it away for free, to pricing based on costs, to charging what the market will bear (premium pricing). Here is a summary, with some of the pros and cons or special considerations for each: Product or service is free, revenue from ads. Cost-based model. Subscription model. Product line pricing.

Startup 114

Startup Pricing Customer Custom 114

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2012

Things that make it investment-grade for outside investors will also benefit you, since you are the ultimate investor. Industry & market sizing. Start with the evolution of the overall industry, market segmentation, market dynamics, and customer landscape. Marketing, sales, and partners.

Competition 113

Competition Metrics Startup Invest 113

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 14, 2016

I recently survey more than 150 VC friends from all stages and geographies what they thought about the market by asking “Which of the following statements best describes your mood heading into 2016?” We write about $40 million of first-checks into new deals / year and about $40 million of follow-on investments.

Startup 150

Startup Company Companies Venture Capital 150

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 29, 2010

If you want to watch the show click the image above or this link , but if you want a quick read – here’s a summary: 1. tevye2009 , Q: “can you briefly explain why it’s best to get a small valuation when getting investment.&# A: It’s not best. The best thing to get is a “right sized&# valuation.

Venture Capital 282

Venture Capital Capital Startup Pricing 282

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 18, 2013

Summary Version. TV will enter the era of “participation” which is a much more important trend than “social video” even if it seems less sexy or less fundable. I first wanted to invest in this trend by backing a company called Filmaka. I didn’t end up investing but I always loved the concept.

Startup 380

Startup Media Content Platform 380

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 23, 2013

The alternatives range from giving it away for free, to pricing based on costs, to charging what the market will bear (premium pricing). Here is a summary, with some of the pros and cons or special considerations for each: Product or service is free, revenue from ads. Cost-based model. Subscription model. Product line pricing.

Pricing 116

Pricing Product Customer Custom 116

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 15, 2011

Do basic Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Marketing (SEM) yourself. Sales and marketing costs. Print your own collateral and marketing materials until the business is rolling. Use the Internet and social networking instead of public relations companies and advertising agencies.

Entrepreneur 94

Entrepreneur Startup Search Engine Optimization SEM 94

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 25, 2011

These are variations on a “crowd-funding” theme to raise money for a startup through social networks and voting at public events. Crowd-sourcing tools, usually Internet applications, use the social media to poll for interest, feedback, and ultimately some funding for the startup. Multiple micro-investments are not manageable.

Funding 92

Funding Startup Social Media Sample 92

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 13, 2011

Things that make it investment-grade for outside investors will also benefit you, since you are the ultimate investor. Industry & market sizing. Start with the evolution of the overall industry, market segmentation, market dynamics, and customer landscape. Marketing, sales, and partners.

Competition 116

Competition Metrics Startup Sales 116

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 24, 2011

In fact, most of the most active investment firms are located there, although NY now has moved solidly into second place (ahead of Boston). So what can you do to get to the head of the venture capital investment queue? Here are some key action items that will give you some priority: Create an investment-grade business plan.

Venture Capital 93

Venture Capital Startup Capital Seed Funding 93

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2010

Reserve the company name on social networks to protect it. A conundrum for many frustrated entrepreneurs is that they need money from investors to design and build a prototype product, yet most angel investors expect to see at least a prototype before they invest. Build an investor presentation and summary.

Angel 89

Angel Funding Technical Review Startup 89

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 1, 2017

The alternatives range from giving the product away for free (revenue from ads), to pricing based on costs, to charging what the market will bear (premium pricing). As an experienced business advisor, here is my current summary, with some of the pros and cons or special considerations for each: Product is free, revenue is from advertisers.

Pricing 66

Pricing Customer Custom Advertising 66

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 24, 2012

Reuters TV Interview by Rhonda Schaffler Investing in entrepreneurs and startups is a fun but different world from investing in conventional stocks, bonds, and commodities. First of all, it’s more of an investment in people than in a business, since the startup is usually an idea barely half-baked when they need your money.

Startup 91

Startup Invest Incubator Ideas 91

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 21, 2012

The alternatives range from giving it away for free (like Twitter), to pricing based on costs, to charging what the market will bear (premium pricing). Here is a summary, with some of the pros and cons or special considerations for each: Product or service is free, revenue from ads and critical mass. Freemium” model. Portfolio pricing.

Pricing 112

Pricing Competition Customer Custom 112

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 17, 2010

LA generally doesn’t have an appetite for this kind of investment at early stages. But it’s more atypical for investors located in this market. If we extend a bit North up the coast line we have many affiliate marketing innovators including ValueClick, Commission Junction and FastClick.

Company 290

Company Companies Technology Startup 290

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 26, 2010

The alternatives range from giving it away for free (like Twitter), to pricing based on costs, to charging what the market will bear (premium pricing). Here is a summary, with some of the pros and cons or special considerations for each: Product or service is free, revenue from ads and critical mass. Freemium” model. Portfolio pricing.

Pricing 98

Pricing Product Startup Competition 98

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 3, 2009

In SoCal we are also leaders in affiliate marketing (Commission Junction), Internet video (Hulu) and bringing local businesses online (ReachLocal). We had an excellent opening panel on early-stage investing with Dave McClure (Founders Fund – NorCal), Brad Feld (Foundry Group, Boulder) and Andy Sack (Founders Co-Op, Seattle).

Twiistup 228

Twiistup SoCal Southern California Yammer 228

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 21, 2010

These are variations on a “crowd-funding” theme to raise money for a startup through social networks and voting at public events. Crowd-sourcing tools, usually Internet applications, use the social media to poll for interest, feedback, and ultimately some funding for the startup. Multiple micro-investments are not manageable.

Funding 59

Funding Startup Social Media Sample 59

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 14, 2010

But disappointingly, dollars invested in early-stage deals fell nearly 21%. In fact, nine of the ten most active investment firms are located there (with one in Boston). Green investments jumped 55% and 134% on a deals and dollars basis, respectively, vs. So what can you do to get to the head of the venture capital investment queue?

Venture Capital 49

Venture Capital Capital Startup Invest 49

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 13, 2010

Do basic Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Marketing (SEM) yourself. Sales and marketing costs. Print your own collateral and marketing materials until the business is rolling. Use the Internet and social networking instead of public relations companies and advertising agencies. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 50

Startup High Tech Search Engine Optimization SEM 50

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 14, 2009

You cannot be just a biz dev type, salesperson, marketing genius or whatever and divorce yourself from product. Market validation – This one is optional but important. At an angel round you can get away with no market validation. They know that the money they invest may be lost. They exist in every town.

Angel 291

Angel Funding Venture Capital Startup 291