socalTECH

DECEMBER 30, 2020

Today, we have Brian Mac Mahon of startup accelerator ExpertDojo (www.expertdojo.com). You will be able to get to all of these posts on our 2020 reflections here. I believe that most of our success came from startups resonating with our message to build big, fast. They made 45 more investments in 2020.

Southern California 113

Southern California Technical Review Santa Monica Invest 113

socalTECH

DECEMBER 23, 2020

You will be able to get to all of these posts on our 2020 reflections here. We know that California has seen some criticism for a variety of reasons, but we're believers that SoCal's next decade will be an incredible one for innovation and entrepreneurs. What are you most looking forward to in the technology/startup world in 2021?

Southern California 113

Southern California Technical Review SoCal High Tech 113

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 11, 2020

As a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m always surprised by the fact that some never seem to be able to that first startup going, while many others never seem to stop, starting their second or third initiative before the first one is fully hatched. You can’t win a race that you never start.

Entrepreneur 131

Entrepreneur Startup Ideas Software Review 131

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 2, 2020

One of the characteristics that every good investor looks for in an aspiring entrepreneur is resilience , or the ability to learn from and bounce back after a failure. With startups, almost every entrepreneur I know has failed at least once, often several times, but never gave up, and ultimately achieved their goal.

Startup 173

Startup Mentor Activity Entrepreneur 173

SoCal Tech Calendar

JUNE 22, 2020

Thursday, June 25, 2020 -- Inclusive Startup Pitch Competition by Startup Coil. Entrepreneurs and Seed Stage Startups pitch live to a panel of investor judges. Entrepreneurs can have outsize impact on how societies and economies develop and evolve. We all get the future we build together.

Competition 100

Competition Startup Equity Entrepreneur 100

socalTECH

DECEMBER 23, 2020

You will be able to get to all of these posts on our 2020 reflections here. While the pandemic has destroyed our ability to personally interact, it has opened up a whole new set of possibilities for virtual meetings - which has been of tremendous value to Thin Line. We'll be posting these throughout the next two weeks.

Capital 113

Capital Technical Review Southern California CalTech 113

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

Out of curiosity, I often ask aspiring entrepreneurs like you, who come to me for help, what drives them to take on the workload and risk of a new startup. Many entrepreneurs I know conclude they can never be in control, due to the constant and unpredictable need to satisfy investors, vendors, and customers.

Entrepreneur 124

Entrepreneur Satisfaction Startup Technical Review 124

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2020

In my role as a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I find that most have the technical challenges well understood, but many are a bit short on some basic street smarts , or basic business realities. Thus I often recommend that before you kick off your own business, you join another startup or existing business to see how things really work.

Entrepreneur 173

Entrepreneur Patents Startup Technical Review 173

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

One of the reasons that now is the time to be an entrepreneur is the explosion of startup assistance organizations, usually called incubators or accelerators. Most of these are non-profits, set up by a university to commercialize new technologies, or a municipality to foster business development for the local economy.

Resource 159

Resource Startup Incubator Seed Funding 159

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 31, 2020

As an angel investor in startups, I’m a believer that smart investors invest more in you as the entrepreneur than the next billion dollar solution you are pitching. I’m not looking for words, but examples of how your habits and attributes have produced results, even before your startup.

Entrepreneur 124

Entrepreneur Startup Examples Metrics 124

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020

A continuing question I hear from young entrepreneurs is whether a university degree is important to startup success, or just a distraction in achieving their purpose in the world. Take advantage of free startup programs and mentors. Initiate networking to find peer partners and investors.

Entrepreneur 157

Entrepreneur Mentor Class Resource 157

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2020

Every entrepreneur I know finds it a challenge to balance the joys of entrepreneurship against a set of frustrations they never anticipated. There are just not enough hours in a day, and knowledge available, to keep up with it all. The norm for entrepreneurs is to be optimistic on revenue projections, and miserly on funding needs.

Entrepreneur 122

Entrepreneur Startup Course Examples 122

socalTECH

DECEMBER 27, 2019

Every year, at the end of the year, we share some reflections on the past year from our readers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, sponsors, and others in the local technology community. The continued growth of startup communities in Los Angeles. What are you most looking forward to in the technology/startup world in 2020?

Startup 196

Startup Thousand Oaks Mentor Ventura 196

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 3, 2020

Most of you aspiring entrepreneurs have new ideas on a regular basis, and find it hard deciding which to pursue, or try to tackle several at the same time. Good examples of initial focus by an entrepreneur would include Jeff Bezos when he started Amazon as an online marketplace for books only, and Elon Musk starting PayPal as an online bank.

Entrepreneur 126

Entrepreneur Startup Patents Resource 126

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 20, 2020

As I was watching the investor show, Shark Tank , on TV the other night, I was struck by how quickly and how extensively the sharks focused on the background and character of the entrepreneurs, compared to time spent evaluating their products. Today’s world of business is highly driven by social issues and environmental concerns.

Entrepreneur 168

Entrepreneur Mentor Metrics Customer 168

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2020

As an entrepreneur advisor, I am surprised at how often I hear the same or very similar proposals of an incremental innovation to an existing process, versus a really new or breakthrough solution. If you are seriously looking to start the next billion-dollar startup, you need to get beyond the realm of enhancing a current solution.

Startup 134

Startup Artificial Inteligence Ideas Entrepreneur 134

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 11, 2020

The road to becoming an entrepreneur is a journey , and it’s not a short trip. Every entrepreneur starts by accepting the reality that you have a rare mindset of joy of discovery, with an intense curiosity about how certain things or people work, or why a new technology hasn’t yet been accepted.

Entrepreneur 139

Entrepreneur Help Incubator Startup 139

socalTECH

DECEMBER 30, 2019

Every year, at the end of the year, we share some reflections on the past year from our readers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, sponsors, and others in the local technology community. The Alliance is following the classic start-up trajectory: transition from the big idea to your beachhead product offering.

SoCal 140

SoCal Southern California Startup Venture Capital 140

socalTECH

JUNE 15, 2020

According to the group's Los Angeles chapter, the Tech Coast Angeles-Los Angeles (TCA-LA), it is launching a new annual fund which will provide "new and diverse opportunities for investors and an additional source of startup capital for entrepreneurs."

Tech Coast Angels 113

Tech Coast Angels Technical Review Los Angeles Angel 113

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 5, 2020

As an advisor to entrepreneurs, one of the most common requests I get is for an evaluation of a next startup idea. If your goals in life revolve around social change or the environment, aim in that direction for your startup, rather than maximizing revenue and profit. Consider your access to resources for startup efforts.

Ideas 151

Ideas Entrepreneur Resource Knowledge Base 151

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 27, 2020

If you want to make a great first impression on a startup investor or an advisor like me, don’t try to convince me or show me how busy you are. For some reason, too many aspiring entrepreneurs I know seem to focus on “actions” rather than “results.” As an entrepreneur starting a new business, you have a lot to learn.

Product 123

Product Startup Tips Entrepreneur 123

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 7, 2020

Even though I’m a big proponent of becoming an entrepreneur, it is definitely not for everyone. Here are a few of my favorites sampling techniques that I have seen work out well over the years: Take a job for a while with an early-stage startup. Adopt the Silicon Valley entrepreneur family model.

Sample 126

Sample Entrepreneur Ideas Startup 126

SoCal Tech Calendar

JULY 8, 2020

Monday, July 13, 2020 -- Entrepreneurship and innovation with Prof and Investor Steven Mednick, Join JJ Richa in a fireside chat with Steven Mednick. What is the goal of a start-up vs. an existing business? What is the value of an idea? What is an innovation? What is a business model? See [link] (more)

Startup 100

Startup Ideas Entrepreneur 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 17, 2020

Although most people believe that being a successful entrepreneur is all about having the right idea, I’m convinced from my years of experience as a startup advisor and investor that’s it’s more about you as a person. If you don’t have a successful prior startup to demonstrate your ability, it’s time to be creative.

Entrepreneur 129

Entrepreneur Examples Blogging Customer 129

Tech.Co

OCTOBER 16, 2024

Yet, whether you’re looking to start a business or take an existing venture to the next level, there is actually a wealth of opportunities out there to help you reach your potential. While the prize fund varies per year, this year a cash sum of $2,250 is up for grabs. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Technical Review 163

Technical Review Technical Advisors Design News 163

Tech.Co

SEPTEMBER 6, 2024

Verifying Get the latest tech news, straight to your inbox Don't miss out on the top business tech news with Tech.co's weekly highlights reel Please fill in your name Please fill in your email Subscribe By signing up to receive our newsletter, you agree to our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Design 146

Design Startup News Competition 146

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2020

Many startup founders I know avoid establishing a formal advisory board or board of directors for as long as possible, with the excuse that this is just another burden, or it has more risk than value to the founder. A reasonable place to start is one percent of your company equity, plus actual expenses to cover travel and meeting attendance.

Startup 134

Startup Course Equity Organization 134

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 21, 2020

As a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I often feel the frustration of someone trying to build a startup in the wrong place and time, and wrongly attributing their struggle to personal limitations. I saw these addressed well in a new book, “ The Startup Community Way ,” by Brad Feld and Ian Hathaway.

Resource 131

Resource Startup Capital Mentor 131

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 24, 2020

One of the most stressful and unanticipated challenges that comes with starting a new business is hiring and managing employees. I just finished a new book for entrepreneurs, “ Secrets to a Successful Startup ,” by Trevor Blake, which makes the same points, based on his own real-life experience with three successful startups.

Outsource 123

Outsource Startup Technical Review Training 123

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 29, 2020

As an investor, innovation is a term I certainly like to hear these days, but many of you entrepreneurs try to take it to the next level, by claiming to have a “ disruptive innovation.” Counting on a “big bang” disruptive technology approach up front is a sure way to maximize your risk. Innovation doesn’t even require technology.

Startup 129

Startup Artificial Inteligence Examples Google 129

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 22, 2020

A popular myth that most of you probably believe is that startups are only for the younger generations. In fact, I see more and more evidence that new entrepreneurs are coming from the older age groups (age 45-64), and success rates move up with age. They can more clearly see what is important to them and to others.

Startup 129

Startup Entrepreneur Coach Mentor 129

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 21, 2020

Many of the entrepreneurs I advise or invest with spend considerable time on the Internet, keeping up with technology, customers, and competitors, but very few feel the need for an early personal presence. Every future entrepreneur should start by networking. Marty Zwilling First published on Inc.com on 02/06/2020.

Product 127

Product Entrepreneur Technical Advisors Technical Review 127

socalTECH

JULY 14, 2021

OpenPath Security, led by startup veteran Alex Kazerani, had raised $63M in funding from Greycroft Partners and others. Kazerani and co-founder James Segil are repeat entrepreneurs, having previously founded Edgecast, which they sold to Verizon for approximately $400M.

Los Angeles 113

Los Angeles Entrepreneur Funding Startup 113

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 24, 2020

As a frequent advisor to new entrepreneurs and startups, I often hear your frustration with being treated differently from other startups by investors, on expectations for valuation , traction, and market size. For many years, startups featuring all-electric vehicles fell into this stage of the business lifecycle.

Marketing 174

Marketing Startup Artificial Inteligence Technical Review 174

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 28, 2021

Entrepreneurs who require funding for their startup have long counted on self-accredited high net worth individuals (“angels”) to fill their needs, after friends and family, and before they qualify for institutional investments (“VCs”). Thus investing in startups should always be approached as a low odds game.

Funding 144

Funding Startup .Net Invest 144

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 12, 2020

Most of you will start your business with plenty of passion and purpose, but all too often I see both disappearing after months of facing unanticipated setbacks and challenges. They feel the same passion that you and your team need to be reminded of on a regular basis to keep up the necessary level of energy, positivity, and commitment.

Startup 127

Startup Coach Satisfaction Training 127

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.

Startup 128

Startup Social Media Satisfaction Entrepreneur 128