SoCal CTO

MARCH 3, 2011

Many of the founders of these companies are surprised to learn that I'm willing to review what they are doing (maybe an hour) and get on the phone for an hour with them and provide free advice. This overview (executive summary) needs to include: Product and Business What is the product? What Is This? Who's the customer?

CTO Hire 259

CTO Hire Startup Technical Review Development Team Review 259

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 13, 2011

Or, as always, summary notes available below. My initial desire to blog came from something that’s always been my approach to investing – I’m a nerd and I love to play with the technology and part of my approach has really been to understand things both at a user level and at a reasonably deep tentacle level. Brad on blogging.

Venture Capital 288

Venture Capital Startup Technical Review Software Review 288

Tech Zulu Event

FEBRUARY 13, 2014

The app, dubbed HomeHero Connect, supports phone timesheet tracking, daily activity summaries, emergency alerts and automated payments between a user and an independent home caregiver. Careseekers can view caregivers by location on an inbuilt map, HD videos, social references and reviews. LinkedIn for Caregivers.

Software Review 77

Software Review Technical Review Southern California Summary 77

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Silicon Valley, in a proverbial hornet’s nest of legal intrigue has been buzzing with one of the biggest (and possibly unsettling) displays of indian giving that the tech world has seen this year. Check out a sample demo of their Google Glass product, due to arrive in 2014 (well, it was due to arrive then).

Technical Review 74

Technical Review Startup Software Review Google 74

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. Sam began drawing out plans for a new way to provide storage after he had horrific experiences with traditional storage after the storm. Seriously, this happens.

Startup 286

Startup Technical Review Customer Custom 286

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 23, 2012

For example, if your startup is building a high-tech software product, a dream team of advisors would be a former CEO or high-level exec in another software company, a former software marketing executive, and a former financial executive.

Startup 95

Startup Technical Review Software Review High Tech 95

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 6, 2014

Reviewing financial & operational performance. By now you have many smart people around your board but probably people who don’t totally understand the nuances of your employees, customers, sales reps, marketing messages, technology challenges, competitors and strategic choices. Mentorship. As You Start to Mature.

Startup 325

Startup Sales Technical Review Software Review 325

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 5, 2011

For example, if your startup is building a high-tech software product, a dream team of advisors would be a former CEO or high-level exec in another software company, a former software marketing executive, and a former financial executive.

Startup 95

Startup Technical Review Software Review High Tech 95

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 16, 2013

I was with IBM in the early PC days when Bill worked with us to provide PC DOS and other software. Serious investors expect founders to have their homework done before the first interaction – documented executive summary, business plan, and financial model. Great entrepreneurs, like Bill Gates, are great at both. Product development.

Ideas 110

Ideas Entrepreneur Startup Technical Review 110

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 27, 2011

Exec Summary: Most companies (98+%) in the world (even tech startups) should be very profit focused. If you spent the 3 years perfecting some hugely differentiated technology IP that may also be different. Fast early growth in a market is often eroded when competition gets fierce and prices are forced down due to competition.

Startup 418

Startup Venture Capital Sales Technical Review 418

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 15, 2013

I worked in both before leaving to work in a software company at 17. I had a business class seat due to status of flying a lot and my family was in economy. Hold interviews with tech people, marking people, ops people, finance people – whatever. ” In summary, I recommend some honesty with yourself.

Sales 416

Sales Class Training Technical Review 416

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 15, 2010

I was with IBM in the early PC days when Bill worked with us to provide PC DOS and other software. Serious investors expect founders to have their homework done before the first interaction – documented executive summary, business plan, and financial model. Great entrepreneurs, like Bill Gates, are great at both. Product development.

Ideas 95

Ideas Entrepreneur Startup Technical Review 95

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 28, 2010

For example, if your startup is building a high-tech software product, a dream team of advisors would be a former CEO or high-level exec in another software company, a former software marketing executive, and a former financial executive.

Invest 50

Invest Technical Review Software Review High Tech 50

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 14, 2009

I’m a software guy so I’m sure there are cases where building isn’t feasible. I know you’re not a tech guy and haven’t done anything other than an HTML course you once took, but if you’re inspirational and a leader you’ll find somebody to moonlight for free to get your prototype built.

Angel 291

Angel Funding Venture Capital Startup 291

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. People buy companies for 3 primary reasons: 1) they want the management team / talent 2) they want the technology or 3) they want the market traction (revenue, customer base, profits, etc).

Venture Capital 282

Venture Capital Capital Startup Pricing 282

socalTECH

DECEMBER 1, 2008

What kinds of companies are you looking to invest in, when you say digital media--content, technology, or both? But we're also technology focused, looking primarily at consumer facing software and services firms in digital media. We're looking to build out our investment portfolio. READ MORE>>

Southern California 100

Southern California Media Venture Capital Invest 100

socalTECH

DECEMBER 1, 2008

What kinds of companies are you looking to invest in, when you say digital media--content, technology, or both? But we're also technology focused, looking primarily at consumer facing software and services firms in digital media. We're looking to build out our investment portfolio. READ MORE>>

Capital 100

Capital Southern California Media Venture Capital 100

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 30, 2010

It broke the hegemony that the carriers had over software on mobile phones and the industry will forever be changed (for the better) for this. But I believe it’s a very comprehensive solution and our due diligence with large app developers confirmed as much. Optimization technology is not new. What does it do?

Mobile 282

Mobile Invest Company Companies 282

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 22, 2010

But more broadly it got me thinking to one of the biggest mistakes tech executives get into in the first place. But you’d be surprised how much tech folks either hold journalists too much on a pedestal or disdain them. Do not equate that with them giving you glowing reviews – you have to earn that. Total waste.

Tips 307

Tips Startup Press Blogging 307

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 17, 2014

I was with IBM in the early PC days when Bill worked with us to provide PC DOS and other software. Serious investors expect founders to have their homework done before the first interaction – documented executive summary, business plan, and financial model. Great entrepreneurs, like Bill Gates, are great at both. Product development.

Ideas 108

Ideas Startup Technical Review Entrepreneur 108