Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 19, 2022

Yet as I mentor entrepreneurs around the country, crowdfunding still seems to be one of the least understood approaches to startup funding, with more myths than accredited angels and professional venture capital investors combined. With this model, a startup pre-sells their product early, at a cheaper price, in exchange for a pledge.

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Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 2, 2023

Yet everyone has limits, and every investor implicitly has similar limits on what makes a startup investable, or one to avoid at all costs. Here is my perspective on the highest risk elements, from my years of working with investors and watching startups come and go: All the co-founders are first-time entrepreneurs.

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Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 8, 2009

This is part of my ongoing series called “ Start-up Lessons.&#. I came across this blog post about getting a computer science degree as the best degree for getting into venture capital or working at a VC-backed start up. I paid up for the diploma but can’t say that I saw better results. So back to MBAs.

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Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 21, 2023

One of the most frequent questions I get as a mentor to entrepreneurs is “How do I find the money to start my business?” On the other hand, there are many additional creative options available for starting a business that you might not find for buying a car, home, or other major consumer item. Trade equity or services for startup help.

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TechCrunch LA

AUGUST 19, 2019

The startup has raised $1 million in seed funding from RXBAR founders Peter Rahal and Jared Smith, CXT Investments, and Lean Luxe founder M. ” Razor startup Harry’s will be acquired by Edgewell Personal Care for $1.37B. .” Paul Munford.

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Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 20, 2020

Contrary to popular opinion, viral marketing has not eliminated the need for old-fashioned lead generation to bring customers to a startup. His professional background includes having held marketing-executive roles at big companies as well as startups. One of these experts, David T. Social-media advertising. Cold calling.

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Customer Custom Marketing Startup 146

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 6, 2023

For the elite startups and entrepreneurs who manage to attract the investor they dream of, and survive the term sheet negotiation, there is still one more hurdle before the money is in the bank. Due diligence always involves on-site visits, informal discussions with any or all members of the team, vendors, and good customers as well as bad.

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Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Invest 118

TechCrunch LA

JANUARY 18, 2019

With an inaugural investment into the Los Angeles-based entertainment startup Culture Genesis , Clifford Harris Jr., ”, has launched a new syndicated investment vehicle called Tech Cypha. Indeed, Atlanta-area startups raised roughly $1.15 who’s better known as “T.I.”, Calvin Broadus Jr.

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Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 22, 2020

One of the biggest myths I have found in the entrepreneur community is that every startup needs one or more outside investors for credibility and success, and perhaps is even entitled to at least one. Draw up a list of the best prospects, and put together your best story for follow-up. But don’t wait for them to contact you.

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Funding Tips Startup Statistics 173

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018

Los Angeles-based Upfront Ventures , along with Jeffrey Katzenberg's investment fund, WndrCo and rapper Nas , are the lead investors in a new startup, Rally Rd. which lets individuals invest in fractional shares of blue chip, classic cars. According to Rally Rd. New York-based Rally Co.

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Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 14, 2017

Nearly every successful tech startup I’ve observed over the past 20 years has gone through a similar growth pattern: Innovate, systematize then scale operations. Innovate In the early years of a startup there is a lot of kinetic energy of enthusiastic innovators looking to launch a product that changes how an industry works.

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Startup Technical Review Customer Custom 286

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2020

Every startup and every new business needs a unique selling proposition (USP) to get people’s attention these days, and make it stand out in the information overload we all see. I’m looking for the “hook” right up front, or I lose interest quickly, just like every customer and investor these days. Is the opportunity large and growing?

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Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2020

Yet everyone has limits, and every investor implicitly has similar limits on what makes a startup investable, or one to avoid at all costs. Here is my perspective on the highest risk elements, from my years of working with investors and watching startups come and go: All the co-founders are first-time entrepreneurs.

Startup 126

Startup Sites Technical Review Social Media 126

socalTECH

APRIL 18, 2013

In a turn from the usual formula of Silicon Valley investors backing a Hollywood, celebrity-driven startup, a Silicon Valley startup has scored the backing of a group of Hollywood insiders. The Hunt says it is developing a community-driven, online shopping site, focused on making social media photos "shoppable".

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socalTECH

MARCH 23, 2016

Irvine-based HomeUnion , a crowdfunding site focused on rental real estate investments, has raised $16M in a Series B funding, the company said Tuesday. HomeUnion lets investors invest in pre-vetted rental properties via its website, which it fully manages through its own rental management arm. The startup is led by Don Ganguly.

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socalTECH

FEBRUARY 22, 2018

Los Angeles- and Austin-based Moonshots Capital , the new venture investment fund founded by Kelly Perdew and Craig Cummings, is on an investment roll, and has made another investment from its fund. The venture firm has a unique take on investments, with a focus on startups founded by military veterans, in addition to others.

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socalTECH

MARCH 28, 2019

San Diego-based Dvele , a new, technology startup which is using technology that allows people to order up, custom-febricated homes, and handles everything from design to on-site construction, has raised $14M in a funding round, the company announced on Thursday.

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socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 21, 2010

Los Angeles-based MySpace has been among the most visible of Southern California's Internet era success stories, although the site--now owned by News Corporation--has had its own share of ups-and-downs, as well as questions about its future. Here are four startups of them, and what they're doing: Demand Media. www.cocodot.com).

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Startup Tech Coast Angels Demand News 178

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 25, 2022

Customers skip over your ads, and easily find the real best deals through “best value” sites on the Internet. For example, at every Ritz-Carlton , employees are empowered to spend up to $2,000 per guest to overcome any negatives and make a stay more memorable. If you can do mass-customization through technology, that is a good start.

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Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2021

Today you can start a new web site business for as little as $100, produce cheap smart phone apps, or lead the effort to tap the multitude of opportunities brought by capitalizing on our concern for dwindling natural resources. Consider the startup MarkForged , which takes carbon-fiber to a 3D printer.

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Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2022

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. It always reduces risk to plan your business first. Set expectations accordingly.

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Tips Startup Technical Review Equity 104

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2019

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. It always reduces risk to plan your business first. Set expectations accordingly.

Startup 87

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 87

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2021

For the elite startups and entrepreneurs who manage to attract the investor they dream of, and survive the term sheet negotiation, there is still one more hurdle before the money is in the bank. Due diligence always involves on-site visits, informal discussions with any or all members of the team, vendors, and good customers as well as bad.

Technical Review 151

Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Invest 151

socalTECH

AUGUST 7, 2014

Los Angeles has been in the midst of a technology boom over the last few years, with many of high profile startups growing in the area. We spoke with Bryce Maddock , founder of TaskUs, about the company and how it has been providing the manpower behind a lot of LA''s technology startups. So, what is TaskUs?

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socalTECH

AUGUST 18, 2010

Jason Calacanis , the high profile CEO of Mahalo, and angel investor, has made an investment in Georgia-based StorkBrokers , an online community site focused on new mothers and fathers. The investment was worth $25,000, and Calacanis has joined the firm's board.

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Invest Mahalo Sites Angel 231

socalTECH

JUNE 19, 2013

But, it looks like being a seed investor has paid off for at least one local investor, Baroda Ventures , the venture capital investment fund owned by GeoCities founder David Bohnett. Fab.com is an online fashion and flash sales site, which has a huge following both here in the U.S. and oversease. READ MORE>>.

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Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 21, 2018

If you are one of the thousands of entrepreneurs who need equity funding to get your startup going (no loans to repay), you are probably overwhelmed at the prospect of finding, contacting and pitching to the huge number of qualified angels and investment groups around the country. Register Internet and social media startup names.

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Platform Equity Invest Technical Advisors 94

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 24, 2019

Brand evangelists offline talk up your product lines at cocktail parties or recommend your services to friends while watching their kids' soccer game. It also means making the content appear omnipresent on the Web and in the marketplace, including dedicated video sites and blogs. Develop viral content. Marty Zwilling.

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Marketing Invest SEM Startup 107

socalTECH

JUNE 29, 2011

Los Angeles-based Payoff.com , a new startup led by Scott Saunders, said Tuesday that it has officially launched its free, social finance site. Payoff.com's web site centers around sharing dreams and saving goals with others, and earning special badges for reaching steps along the way to those goals.

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Sites eHarmony Web Los Angeles 184

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 17, 2021

It wasn’t so many years ago that starting a new e-commerce business on the Internet was a complex custom development project, usually costing a million dollars or more. Almost anyone can start a company today on a shoestring budget, following these cost-cutting recommendations: Establish a solid legal structure for your business.

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Entrepreneur Startup Social Media Outsource Development 162

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 29, 2020

One of the most frequent questions I get as a mentor to entrepreneurs is “How do I find the money to start my business?” On the other hand, there are many additional creative options available for starting a business that you might not find for buying a car, home, or other major consumer item. Trade equity or services for startup help.

Funding 174

Funding Startup Equity Examples 174

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 8, 2023

Most entrepreneurs have found by now one or more of the many popular crowdfunding sites , and have the name and contact information for at least one of the big venture capital firms. But many have no insight or connections to the ethereal angel investment community, which In the U.S. Avoid risky or questionable business domains.

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Venture Capital Angel Seed Funding Invest 106

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 17, 2010

Last night, Amazon.com jumped into the movie business, with its own, online film submission site, Amazon Studios , backed by the help of a number of notable USC Film School advisors. million in awards over the next year to the best movies submitted to the site--with an exclusive option for Warner Bros. www.filmaka.com) [ Profile ].

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Sites Hollywood Summary USC 217

socalTECH

JUNE 6, 2012

Crowdfunder , an online site offering up a platform to help startups raise money for their firms via crowd funding, is dangling $25,000 in a contest open to Los Angeles companies. The startup contest--which accepts entries through June 20th--is having a panel of judges--including Peter H. READ MORE>>.

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Competition Startup Sites Platform 200

socalTECH

MARCH 1, 2018

Los Angeles-based Love Goodly , which offers up healthier, nontoxic, and cruelty-free beauty products via a subscription box, says it has started raising funding on equity crowdfunding site Seedinvest. The company has already received backing from Third Wave Digital, the early stage investment fund run by Allen DeBevoise.

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Startup Equity Los Angeles Sites 124

socalTECH

MARCH 15, 2012

Los Angeles-based reality show producer Mark Burnett , and his company One Three Television LLC announced this morning that it has taken an ownership interest in startup Youtoo. Youtoo operates an online site which allows viewers to upload videos of themselves, and then incorporates those videos into live television.

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Invest Los Angeles Sites Startup 157

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 26, 2012

This time I’ll use a hypothetical health-care web site company named NewCo as an example to illustrate the points. Two founders have spent $200K of personal and family funds over a one year period to start the company, get a prototype site up and running, and have already generated some “buzz” in the Internet community.

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