Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 24, 2021

Many of the startup investors I know are disappointed that so few of the startup ideas they see are really innovative or disruptive. That ability to “ see around the next corner ” seems to be limited to a very few entrepreneurs, such as Steve Jobs and Elon Musk. Don’t give up on your dream after the first setback.

Startup 137

Startup Artificial Inteligence Ideas Entrepreneur 137

socalTECH

DECEMBER 30, 2020

Today, we have Brian Mac Mahon of startup accelerator ExpertDojo (www.expertdojo.com). Are you a founder, CEO, or investor who would like to participate?     We became the largest accelerator in Southern California with 80 investments in over 30 countries globally. We'll be posting these throughout the next two weeks.

Southern California 113

Southern California Technical Review Santa Monica Invest 113

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 17, 2022

Venture capitalists (VCs) have long been seen as the top of the pyramid for startup funding sources, but in fact angel investors now fund over twice as many companies, according to a classic Crunchbase article. Individual angel investors and crowdfunding have been adding to the momentum, some say exceeding VCs in total amount invested.

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Guide Venture Capital Funding Class 136

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

Unfortunately, most of us don’t have enough resources to bootstrap our own startups, so we are completely dependent on investors to help turn great ideas into great businesses. Investors love entrepreneurs who come across as constantly on the lookout for new ideas, and able to grasp the larger implications for market change.

Ideas 140

Ideas Entrepreneur Equity Resource 140

TechCrunch LA

JUNE 10, 2020

In response to VCs’ sudden rush to invest in more Black founders , Black venture capitalists and entrepreneurs have penned a bunch of advice on the best way to tap into talent. Team up with Black firms already doing the work. The program is expanding to Chicago in 2021, the blog post notes. Among the strategies?

Equity 220

Equity Technical Review Venture Capital Blogging 220

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2021

By definition, all of you entrepreneurs are leaders, by taking the initiative to start a new company. Yet I have learned over the years as a startup advisor that all business leaders are not the same. You generally don’t fix things by throwing them away and starting over. The time to get started is now.

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Coach Startup Resource Competition 162

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 2, 2021

In the eyes of investors like me, to be an entrepreneur, it’s not enough to create an innovative solution – you need to convince me that you can build a profitable business. It is no secret that investors invest as much or more in the person, rather than the solution. Marty Zwilling First published on Inc.com on 06/18/2021.

Funding 152

Funding Startup Ideas Resource 152

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 26, 2021

As a long-time advisor to new entrepreneurs here in the USA, I’ve long been impressed with the number that come here from other countries, and the positive traits that most of these seem to bring with them. People starting with nothing in this country expect to have to work harder and longer to get ahead.

Startup 146

Startup Resource Summary Entrepreneur 146

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 25, 2020

With the advent and growth of crowdfunding over the past few years, many entrepreneurs have predicted the demise of those demanding angel investment groups and venture capital organizations. Have you ever wondered what professional startup investors think about all this? Lack of checks and balances on startup valuations.

Equity 164

Equity Statistics Platform Entrepreneur 164

socalTECH

DECEMBER 23, 2020

We made 7 investments in SoCal founders in our first year (out of 8 total), and even the 1 exception has deep SoCal ties and we hope to relocate her here in 2021. We've expanded our network activity outside of SoCal to potentially invest in and recruit founders and talent to the region. Contact our editors for details.

Southern California 113

Southern California Technical Review SoCal High Tech 113

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 9, 2022

Most startups, and many big businesses, still don’t have a clue on how to use social media productively for marketing their business. The next thing that entrepreneurs need to realize is that the process and framework for making social media marketing work are different from traditional marketing, and trial and error certainly doesn’t work.

Social Media 135

Social Media Framework Media Metrics 135

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 3, 2021

Based on my own years of experience in startups and big business, and more recently as an angel investor, I often cringe when I see one of you entrepreneurs missing a cue that I have seen work for many before you. I find that good entrepreneurs always find ways to keep their project moving forward, in good times and in bad.

Entrepreneur 162

Entrepreneur Social Media Examples Metrics 162

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 28, 2021

Almost every entrepreneur and new business owner I mentor is certain that his/her idea has a very high probability of success, and all find it hard to believe that ninety percent of startups ultimately fail. I once met with an entrepreneur who had developed a new algae strain to cure world hunger and make him rich.

Technical Review 131

Technical Review Case Study Mentor Software Review 131

socalTECH

DECEMBER 23, 2020

As a fund manager, showing the credibility of being able to execute on an investment thesis while garnering the support from the larger investment community that that thesis makes sense is a tremendous milestone. Furthermore, while a small fund, we invest across the country, and Thin Line has relationships in every time zone.

Capital 113

Capital Technical Review Southern California CalTech 113

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 15, 2021

As a member of an angel investment group for years, I’m sometimes surprised to see founders with a good technical business case get rejected for funding, while others seem to have a hidden quality that gives them credibility to be fundable despite some missing elements. Marty Zwilling First published on Inc.com on 03/01/2021.

Entrepreneur 174

Entrepreneur Examples Google Funding 174

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 20, 2021

As I “grew up” in business in big companies, including IBM, I always wondered why the real innovations seemed to come from startups, while we had more resources and more experience. Yet we never even dreamed of a new potential for personal use of computers , until startups like Apple and Microsoft stepped into the fray.

Marketing 117

Marketing IBM IBM Resource 117

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 19, 2021

As an angel investor in new startups, I’ve long believed that investors invest in people, not ideas. But the magic that makes one entrepreneur stand out over others is hard to quantify – yet we all recognize it when we see it. In my view, it starts with your communication of real personal values , and ends your focus on results.

Customer 157

Customer Custom Metrics Ideas 157

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 12, 2021

Based on my experience as a business advisor, I recommend that every business owner and entrepreneur focus on the following tips to provide a better work culture: Invest in integrating new technology, not just forcing it. Marty Zwilling First published on Inc.com on 01/29/2021.

Tips 159

Tips Satisfaction Coach Mentor 159

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 21, 2021

In my current role as a consultant to entrepreneurs and small business owners, I’ve accumulated my own list of insights on how some people get more done. Start with your own story, the mission of your business, and how to make everyone in your domain, including customers, into advocates and teachers.

Technical Review 123

Technical Review Coach Satisfaction Mentor 123

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 24, 2021

When someone says Intellectual Property (IP), most entrepreneurs think only of patents. You need all these before you start looking for funding. The company name becomes your intellectual property at the moment you incorporate your startup as an LLC or a Corporation. Here are the key elements: Company name. Trademarks.

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Startup Patents IP Social Media 145

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 20, 2021

Based on my experience as a business advisor, I’m convinced that most startup investors invest in the entrepreneur, as much as a solution or product. The attitude of taking nothing for granted, of disbelieving the conventional wisdom, of challenging the way things are done, is essential for a winning entrepreneur.

Startup 162

Startup Entrepreneur IBM IBM 162

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 26, 2021

As a long-time advisor to entrepreneurs and occasional angel investor, I often see and hear innovative product pitches that sound exciting, but are missing one or more of the key business elements that investors deem critical for funding consideration. Patents are a good place for you to start. Outline your key activities to win.

Funding 132

Funding Template Resource Competition 132

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 26, 2020

As an advisor to many entrepreneurs, I still hear frequently the irrational exuberance that crowdfunding is the quick alternative for startups that are passed over by overly demanding angels or venture capital investors. Startups need to build a large passionate group of fans before the campaign. Startup revenues come later.

Startup 151

Startup Equity Funding Demand 151