Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 6, 2023

Many of the business plans I have seen as an investor, like trying to integrate all the social media features of Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn into a new platform, don’t do it. No startup can implement a broad strategy quickly enough to stay ahead. Did you know that both YouTube and Facebook started out to be dating sites?

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Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 17, 2022

As a startup, you need to use your limited resources to excel at a few core things for your best customers, in order to stand out and get the momentum going. He talks in detail about ten of the key challenges that Facebook faced in their growth, to move from a tiny social media upstart to one of the most successful companies in the world.

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Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 1, 2014

Young startups claim they are going to change the world, large companies that dominate that sector scoff at how low quality these new entrants are, until l ike frogs boiling in water they come to the realization that “this s**t is real.” So what could be wrong with price transparency in the auto sector?

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Both Sides of the Table

JULY 26, 2016

Many first-time founders seek advice when thinking about what ideas would be great for a startup company and receive the wrong advice that you need to focus on a billion-dollar idea. There are very few ideas that are obviously a billion-dollar idea from the start. So what should you do? I hope you enjoy it.

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Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 21, 2021

When you see startups like SpaceX and Pinterest grow from a low valuation to a billion dollars in just a few years, it’s easy to assume that if you just keep doing what you are doing, you can get there as well. Of course, that means a mindset willing to give up much more equity, and taking on a whole new level of risk.

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Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 3, 2020

Almost instantly, via the Internet or on their smartphone in the store, they can find the lowest price alternative or their favorite features, without waiting for push marketing or listening to your best sales person. Great startups manage to continually improve the relationship through outstanding follow-on support and service.

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TechCrunch LA

AUGUST 30, 2022

Digital avatar startup Genies , known its for high-profile partnerships with celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Migos and Cardi B, has just released its long-anticipated NFT storefront, “The Warehouse.” An image of the Genies platform showcasing a fashion collection designed by creator Ian Charms. Image Credits: Genies.

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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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Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 10, 2019

Image via Pixabay After a frustrating meeting with a small business client recently who didn’t “have time” for social media, I was surprised to find evidence on the Internet that up to one quarter of small business owners are still hesitant to invest time, money, and effort into a social media strategy.

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Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 11, 2020

Many of the business plans I have seen as an investor, like trying to integrate all the social media features of Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn into a new platform, don’t do it. No startup can implement a broad strategy quickly enough to stay ahead. Did you know that both YouTube and Facebook started out to be dating sites?

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Startup IBM IBM Social Media 169

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 17, 2022

Every entrepreneur thinks he can relax a bit after his business model is proven, funding is in place, and revenues are scaling as projected up that hockey-stick curve. He has helped many companies with this problem, and as an advisor to startups, I see the same common themes leading to growth slowdowns. Prices begin to decline quickly.

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socalTECH

MARCH 6, 2017

Los Angeles-based Maple Media (maplemedia.io) recently announced a big, $30M funding from Shamrock Capital, to assemble a collection of mobile applications in the utility, productivity, games and entertainment verticals. We caught up with co-founder Clark Landry to chat about his new startup, which he co-founded with Michael Ritter.

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Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 30, 2016

conversation literally every week with startups. The larger the round, the higher the price, the harder the next hurdle is to hit But the bigger point I want to make is what happens when the coffers are depleted and you need more money? These types of firms may see your follow-on financing as a chance to “buy up ownership.”

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Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 30, 2022

Almost instantly, via the Internet or on their smartphone in the store, they can find the lowest price alternative or their favorite features, without waiting for push marketing or listening to your best sales person. Great startups manage to continually improve the relationship through outstanding follow-on support and service.

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Customer Custom Startup Course 146

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

Then every startup has to learn to pivot, because their first understanding of the real problem is usually not quite right. Your price and their value are not the same thing. Entrepreneurs set the price of their solution based on their costs, and their perception of value. No pain usually means no sales. Telling isn’t selling.

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Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 25, 2019

This is part of a series on a Board of Directors at a Startup. High Functioning Startup Boards High-functioning boards have a tight-knit relationship between all members based on mutual trust and admiration. They are able to divide responsibilities and work to gain consensus on tough decisions that every startup inevitably faces.

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Tech Zulu Event

DECEMBER 13, 2012

We’re excited to announce TechZulu is officially partnering with New Media Expo (formerly BlogWorld) to create a Startup Launchpad at their next event taking place January 6-8, 2013 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Conference Center in Las Vegas. What does this mean for you ? See you in Vegas!

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socalTECH

JANUARY 25, 2010

Santa Monica-based TrueCar , the new car pricing data startup headed by Scott Painter, said Monday that it has inked a deal with automotive publisher High Gear Media , where High Gear will include TrueCar's data on its network of web sites. Tags: truecar publishing auto automotive pricing. READ MORE>>.

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TechCrunch LA

FEBRUARY 6, 2022

The Facebook parent-company saw its stock price get bludgeoned after a bad earnings report showcased that Apple’s ad-blocking changes are shaving billions off its books and the company’s crown jewel — the Facebook platform — has stopped growing and actually shrank this quarter. Image Credits: Facebook. the big thing.

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Marketing Newsletter Technical Review News 246

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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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. That might start with the CEO giving the investor pitch to the whole organization, and distributing the current business plan document to everyone.

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Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Invest 118

Tech.Co

FEBRUARY 8, 2019

It reportedly paid a hefty $230 million to acquire the podcast publisher and network startup Gimlet Media, and has also acquired the podcast monetization platform Anchor for an undisclosed price. Spotify Acquires Gimlet Media and Anchor. Today, blogging has been subsumed by the closed systems of social media.

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Acquisition Media News Platform 124

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 21, 2010

If you’re a startup and you don’t have a close relationship with a few law firms you’re really missing one of the most important relationships that any entrepreneur can have. Many people start companies arse backwards. I write about some of the lessons in my post on Startup Mistakes.

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Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 12, 2019

Image via Flickr by Phil Gyford Starting a new venture still costs real money, even though the entry price has come down dramatically in last few decades. Ramp-up facilities and utilities required. It’s amazing how fast your startup will outgrow your garage or home office.

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Startup Software Review Technical Review Social Media 105

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 20, 2014

How much will social media fame cost you in 2014? This reality encourages some high-profile individuals to manipulate their social media standing by acquiring fake followers. If you buy in bulk, the price of 1,000 Twitter followers is about $1.75. So, I manage my social media presences and audience. The Cost Of Fake Fame.

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Social Media Media Technical Review Software Review 274

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2022

Stepping into unknown territories takes real customer acquisition marketing and new costs through social media, public relations, and advertising campaigns. Start today with new customer acquisition efforts. Customers suddenly become very price sensitive. Operational costs escalate as your business scales up.

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Marketing Pricing Startup Customer 110

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 20, 2019

With the current strong economy I’m seeing a continued resurgence of entrepreneurial spirit, and more startup activity than ever before. There is additional encouraging news for aspiring entrepreneurs on many fronts, just in case you are thinking about joining the existing ranks: Valuations of successful startups have hit an all-time high.

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Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

At our mid-year offsite our partnership at Upfront Ventures was discussing what the future of venture capital and the startup ecosystem looked like. This happens slowly because while public markets trade daily and prices then adjust instantly, private markets don’t get reset until follow-on financing rounds happen which can take 6–24 months.

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Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 25, 2016

Many startup businesses – tech or otherwise – fail. Trying outrageous new things or even trying mundane things but in new ways but with extreme quality & innovation is what fuels the tech startup industry. But today I want to give you advice on how to decrease your odds of failure in a startup.

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Startup Marketing Study SEO 150

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 19, 2011

I recently sat down with Matt Coffin , the founder of LowerMyBills, which sold for $400 million but was very nearly a bankruptcy only a few years early, and talked “startups.&#. Matt is one of the most transparent, focused & honest startup guys you’ll meet. Or read the quick, informative summary below the image!

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Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Recently I wrote a post arguing to make the definition of a Startup more inclusive than that to which Silicon Valley, fueled by Venture Capital return profiles, would sometimes like to attach to the word. Most of what I think about startup communities came from mentorship by Brad Feld through hours of private discussion and debate.

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Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 29, 2021

New generations of customers respond better to the “ participative ” approach, where they get to provide input via social media and the Internet. You should be constantly trying new approaches via social media and online, and asking for feedback and input from influencers and customers. Market solutions as an experience or an event.

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Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2023

The critical success factors for a product business are well known, starting with selling every unit with a gross margin of 50 percent or more, building a patent and other intellectual property, and continuous product improvement. Start with a service you know and love. Capture your “secret sauce.”

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Both Sides of the Table

MAY 4, 2013

What price? The sheer number of relationships I’ve built through being public, transparent and being willing to engage in comments and through social media has enabled me to get to know entrepreneurs even before they launch their next company. start-ups are overvalued. What kind of deals should I be doing?

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Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 7, 2021

At the highest level, startups must remember what Jim Barksdale of Netscape and FedEx famously said, “The main thing is to keep the Main Thing the main thing.” Then it’s time to speed up with a set of ambitious initiatives, and finally going all out to engage all the constituents in enduring change. Realign all elements of the plan.

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Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2023

With the advent of social media, and instant communication via the Internet, that definition has been expanded to include all aspects of the customer experience , from finding you and what they need, to the ease of completing the transaction, as well as all follow-on support. Make sure non-contact experiences match face-to-face.

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Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2021

In startup business plans, a bubble is too many entrepreneurs and too many investors chasing the latest “next big thing,” like Google search engine, Facebook social network, or Amazon e-commerce site. We all believe that supply and demand meet to create stable prices (reflexive). Busts result when lower prices stimulate more supply.

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