Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 22, 2020

I saw a good summary of the most effective ways to source prospective investors in a classic book, “ The Art of Startup Fundraising ,” by Alejandro Cremades, who has been there and done that, both as an entrepreneur and an investor. Industry leaders are a prime source of leads to companies and individuals that may invest.

Funding 173

Funding Tips Startup Statistics 173

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 18, 2020

It’s equally easy to go online and incorporate your new entity, register some intellectual property and have some fun with social media for marketing and interacting with customers. Don’t rationalize a big investment in basic equipment with long-term requirements thinking. Barter services for access to required resources.

Social Media 169

Social Media Startup Equity Summary 169

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2021

If there are conflicts within the team, or differing views of the strategy, or evidence of missing processes and tools, the investment process will likely be terminated. Make sure everyone accurately posts their role with your startup on social media profiles, resumes, and references. Status of the solution.

Technical Review 151

Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Invest 151

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 2, 2021

I like the summary of the competitive reality in a new book, “ Rethinking Competitive Advantage: New Rules for the Digital Age ,” by Ram Charan, who relates a wealth of current experience from global clients: Customers expect a personalized experience. Features, availability, and brand are just the price of entry.

Competition 142

Competition Software Review Social Media Custom 142

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 23, 2023

Professional investors normally like to invest only in billion dollar opportunities, with double-digit growth rates. Highly saturated domains (more than 10 existing players), such as niche social media sites, are highly risky. Make it ready to play in all media. Is the opportunity large and growing?

Startup 96

Startup Education Ideas Custom 96

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 17, 2018

Indeed, while the rules and technologies for lead generation have changed, Forrester and other experts still see it as the most effective way for businesses with limited budgets to maximize their return on marketing investment (ROMI). Social-media advertising. One of these experts, David T. Cold calling. Marty Zwilling.

Social Media 55

Social Media SEM Startup Advertising 55

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 18, 2022

The first page of the business plan better be an executive summary which gives the investor a taste of the financials, as well as opportunity, competition, and key executives. “I Investors invest in the jockey, more than the horse. Look how many social media ‘likes’ my site has generated.”

Technical Review 109

Technical Review Startup Statistics Social Media 109

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 17, 2019

Here is a summary of the barriers we both still see all too often in the business world, with some thoughts on how to overcome them: Many fear human limits in number of relationships. Don’t just invest in the passion of the moment. Make the investment today. That’s more than enough to put you ahead of your competition.

Social Media 96

Social Media News Tool Email 96

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2020

Professional investors normally like to invest only in billion dollar opportunities, with double-digit growth rates. Highly saturated domains (more than 10 existing players), such as niche social media sites, are highly risky. Make it ready to play in all media. Is the opportunity large and growing?

Startup 166

Startup Education Ideas Custom 166

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 25, 2014

Indeed, while the rules and technologies for lead generation have changed, Forrester and other experts still see it as the most effective way for businesses with limited budgets to maximize their return on marketing investment (ROMI). Social-media advertising. One of these experts, David T. Cold calling. business David T.

Startup 99

Startup Social Media SEM Advertising 99

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. data to run effective social media campaigns. It’s been nearly a year since I did This Week in VC on a regular basis. But I’m back. But awe.sm is different. was constantly compared to bitly.

Yahoo 268

Yahoo Social Media Startup Media 268

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 22, 2015

I saw him on stage at the event talking about how he used social media to engage audiences. What Cham rarely tells people – he’s both private and humble – is that he started making some small co-investments with me in tech firms starting with Maker Studios where he was one of the earliest investors.

Conference 150

Conference Slides Social Media Summary 150

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 6, 2016

Indeed, while the rules and technologies for lead generation have changed, Forrester and other experts still see it as the most effective way for businesses with limited budgets to maximize their return on marketing investment (ROMI). Social-media advertising. One of these experts, David T. Cold calling. Marty Zwilling.

Custom 60

Custom Customer Marketing Social Media 60

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 11, 2016

According to the Angel Capital Association , at least 300,000 people have made angel investments in the last two years, totaling $24 billion in the U.S. It takes more than one person, no matter how passionate, to grow an investible business. Prepare an executive summary and investor presentation.

Angel 65

Angel Startup Technical Review Social Media 65

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 24, 2015

I see too many investor pitches, and even executive summaries that ramble on for many pages without a clear message. Blogs are a great way for potential business partners to find each other, and build a social media relationship before getting into the hard negotiations of who gets how much. Let that ideal co-founder find you.

Blogging 110

Blogging Startup Search Engine Optimization Social Media 110

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 30, 2011

And as Jon Steinberg of Buzzfeed points out, the CTRs for social media banner ads are just 0.08%. We believe that the structural industry changes will continue to create big opportunities for technology firms that enable the changes in media consumption for television, radio, inbound calls, online & social media.

Advertising 352

Advertising Media Social Media Screening 352

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 21, 2020

The first page of the business plan better be an executive summary which gives the investor a taste of the financials, as well as opportunity, competition, and key executives. “I Investors invest in the jockey, more than the horse. Look how many social media ‘likes’ my site has generated.”

Technical Review 124

Technical Review Statistics Startup Social Media 124

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 15, 2016

The challenge is where to put those limited resources of every startup, to get the biggest return for your investment. It is search engines, web content, blogs, social media, e-mail direct, on one of many mobile-phone approaches? Encourage ongoing social media customer conversations. For good content, less is more.

Marketing 58

Marketing Startup Social Media Newsletter 58

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 3, 2012

In a recent book by business technologies guru Joe Wozny, “ The Digital Dollar: Sustainable Strategies for Online Success ,” I found a good summary of the top strategies, with some practical advice on how to implement them: Understand what’s in a name on the Internet. Engage your audience with social media.

Startup 96

Startup Social Media Content Paid Search 96

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 10, 2014

But safely seeking equity investments from the crowd via the Jobs Act of 2012 is problematic and has still not been defined. In reality, a few thousand dollars to a few winners, is tantalizing but probably not a return on the investment. Multiple micro-investments are not manageable. Intellectual property is jeopardized.

Funding 101

Funding Equity Entrepreneur Invest 101

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 23, 2011

I took the opportunity this past week to publish summary notes of some of the VCs and entrepreneurs I had interviewed on This Week in VC. TWIVC Summary – Richard de Silva. Are you thematic in your investing or entrepreneur focused? (11:40-14:15). In 2003 one of their first investments was Qiigo, Mike Yavondite’s company.

Capital 265

Capital Venture Capital Veoh Startup 265

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 17, 2015

If there are conflicts within the team, or differing views of the strategy, or evidence of missing processes and tools, the investment process will likely be terminated. Make sure everyone accurately posts their role with your startup on social media profiles, resumes, and references. Status of the solution.

Technical Review 108

Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur 108

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

MARCH 17, 2013

But safely seeking equity investments from the crowd via the Jobs Act of 2012 is problematic and has still not been defined. In reality, a few thousand dollars to a few winners, is tantalizing but probably not a return on the investment required. Multiple micro-investments are not manageable.

Funding 106

Funding Equity Entrepreneur Sample 106

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 6, 2016

It’s equally easy to go online and incorporate your new entity, register some intellectual property and have some fun with social media for marketing and interacting with customers. Don’t rationalize a big investment in basic equipment with long-term requirements thinking. Barter services for access to required resources.

Social Media 60

Social Media Startup Equity Entrepreneur 60

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

In the latest book by business guru Joe Wozny, “ The Digital Dollar: Sustainable Strategies for Online Success ,” I found a good summary of some great strategies, with some practical advice on how to implement them: Understand what’s in a name on the Internet. Engage your audience with social media.

Social Media 93

Social Media Content Startup Web 93

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 13, 2016

I saw a good summary of the most effective ways to source prospective investors in a new book, “ The Art of Startup Fundraising ,” by Alejandro Cremades, who has been there and done that, both as an entrepreneur and an investor. Industry leaders are a prime source of leads to companies and individuals that may invest.

Startup 61

Startup Entrepreneur Statistics Funding 61

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 25, 2013

Most top tier VCs return about 3x invested capital and outlier funds (the best of a vintage) might return 6-8x. But the larger funds usually have lower returns because they are often investing bigger dollars at later stages with less risk and therefore lower returns. VCs shouldn’t call their entrepreneurs once they invest.

Venture Capital 374

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Invest Funding 374

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 16, 2011

Below is a nice summary of our interview with some great quotes from Joanne. Invested in “ Catch a Fire ,&# which is a business that helps people (mostly women) connect with pro bono opportunities where they can put their skills to use. In 18 months from $1.5m to $12m in sales. and is worth watching when you have a few moments.

Startup 311

Startup Sales Venture Capital Entrepreneur 311

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 31, 2010

Due to the risk involved with investing in a startup, if you are requesting investment from friends and family, be sure to consider these five steps before you begin the capital raising process: Prepare a pitch. Angel investors and venture capitalists want to know how you intend to grow their investment. Have a game plan.

Funding 90

Funding Startup Blogging Invest 90

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 5, 2018

I just finished a new book, “ Shortcut Your Startup ,” by the entrepreneur brothers Courtney and Carter Reum, and I like their summary of five critical changes in the market that every entrepreneur should capitalize on: Pervasive computer usage is now the great equalizer. Brands are speaking through rather than to consumers.

Marketing 57

Marketing Startup Entrepreneur Social Media 57

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2016

Here is my summary of how business relationships relate to friends. Most psychologists agree that starting from a very young age, friend relationships are critical to building social skills and lead to a balanced view of morality, integrity and right versus wrong. Social networking friends have real business value.

Entrepreneur 66

Entrepreneur Social Network Technical Review Social Media 66

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 8, 2015

The first page of the business plan better be an executive summary which gives the investor a taste of the financials, as well as opportunity, competition, and key executives. “I Investors invest in the jockey, more than the horse. Look how many social media ‘likes’ my site has generated.”

Technical Review 109

Technical Review Entrepreneur Startup Statistics 109

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 4, 2010

Clearstone currently invests out of a $200 million fund based in LA with offices in Menlo Park and in India. Some summary notes are below. Segment One: Jim’s background and Clearstone’s investment strategy. They were started in affiliation with IdeaLab and were the first-round lead in PayPal. Terms not disclosed.

Clearstone 236

Clearstone Venture Capital ReachLocal Google 236

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 24, 2014

The first page of the business plan better be an executive summary which gives the investor a taste of the financials, as well as opportunity, competition, and key executives. “I Investors invest in the jockey, more than the horse. Look how many social media ‘likes’ my site has generated.”

Entrepreneur 119

Entrepreneur Technical Review Statistics Startup 119

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

Social media is a huge resource for entrepreneurs. Sadly, too many entrepreneurs still think social media is only for play, rather than work. The elevator pitch should be the first few paragraphs of your business plan, your executive summary, your investor presentation, and the first page of your web site.

Entrepreneur 96

Entrepreneur Startup Blogging Social Media 96

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 8, 2016

He lays out very plainly his own experiences on both sides of this equation, and I particularly enjoyed his summary startup roadmap of twenty-one steps to success, which add real content to the eight that I recommend to every entrepreneur: Select an idea you can clearly communicate in thirty seconds.

Entrepreneur 58

Entrepreneur Ideas Pricing Custom 58