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Some Reflections on VC Investment Decisions

Both Sides of the Table

I started in 2007 with a thesis that my primary investment decision would be about the team (70%) and only afterward about the market opportunity (30%). But they are also a tax on your time with portfolio companies, looking for new investments, running your shop and honestly they are a tax on your family life. I don’t.

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Ask the Career Expert: “Why Do I Need a Mentor?”

InfoChachkie

The following is a guest post from Laurel House, an author, lifestyle mentor, and contributing blogger for Campus Explorer. Question: ”Why do I need a mentor? When should I start looking for a mentor and how do I find a one?”. Finding Your Mentor. I an investor in GraphEffect via Rincon Venture Partners. And it worked.

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How To Mentor Millennials Into Business Leadership

Startup Professionals Musings

Millennials have come a long way in business since I started writing about them almost ten years ago. As a partially-retired baby-boomer in business, I’ve spent much of the last few years mentoring aspiring millennial entrepreneurs, and I’m always looking for more insights into how to help them.

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7 Strategies To Cultivate Next Generation Leadership

Startup Professionals Musings

Millennials have come a long way in business since I started writing about them over ten years ago. As a partially-retired baby-boomer in business, I’ve spent much of the last few years mentoring aspiring millennial entrepreneurs, and I’m always looking for more insights into how to help them. Their success is now vital to our success.

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5 Key Steps For Launching A Successful Startup Today

Startup Professionals Musings

Based on my own mentoring and investing experience, the best entrepreneurs are pragmatic problem solvers. If you can explain the problem to a mentor, or even write it down, you will more likely get to the root cause quickly, and avoid emotional and blame-infused responses. Explore solutions, outcomes, and options calmly.

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6 Drivers For Aspiring Entrepreneurs To Finish School

Startup Professionals Musings

Take advantage of free startup programs and mentors. They provide peer group organizations, usually called incubators, with free resources, practice environments, and outside mentoring that can help you learn and pivot with minimal cost. Write a business plan and pitch deck for learning. Learning by doing is the only way to go.

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Every Startup Goes Through Distinctive Funding Phases

Startup Professionals Musings

Some entrepreneurs start polling venture capitalists for that multi-million-dollar investment before they even have a business plan. The first step toward a business with any idea is to write it down, and build a business plan around it. Support organizations are investment banks, similar to the preceding stage.

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