Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 3, 2009

Yesterday I had lunch with a really interesting and capable serial entrepreneur who is raising his A round. When people refer to a strategic investor they are usually talking about an investor that comes from the industry you serve as opposed to an independent venture capital investor. The topic of &# strategic&# investors came up.

Venture Capital 279

Venture Capital Startup Entrepreneur Framework 279

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 16, 2011

The popular view of a real entrepreneur is someone with a big vision, and a stubborn determination to charge straight ahead through any obstacle and make it happen. His new book on this subject, “ The Lean Startup ,” lays out how today's entrepreneurs use continuous innovation to create radically successful businesses. Platform pivot.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Startup Platform Customer 102

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 9, 2012

These engagements went well and he came highly referred by my friend Gary Swart who runs oDesk. Many through history became entrepreneurs precisely because they were unemployable. He had a philosophy that the future competition for startups would be design led and based on data analysis. I think my pal Dave is unemployable.

Startup 309

Startup Venture Capital Email Writing 309

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 22, 2014

It’s insanely competitive to get into our industry so most have degrees from institutions like Stanford, Harvard, Wharton and University of Chicago (blatant plug ;-). If I were looking at which VCs to choose I would reference strongly for which ones are supportive in good times and bad. VCs, how to select a VC, etc.)

Venture Capital 364

Venture Capital Coach Writing SaaS 364

socalTECH

JUNE 20, 2012

We caught up with Sam Teller , who is directing efforts at the accelerator, to help fill entrepreneurs in on where the program fits in the world of technology and startup acceleration. It was really just something built for the community to help support entrepreneurs. For readers, LaunchpadLA is all about?

Class 261

Class Mentor Startup Santa Monica 261

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 14, 2023

As the business economy is rebounding from the pandemic, many entrepreneurs are thinking that life will soon get easier, and their opportunity can only grow. Porter proposed his Five Forces framework for analyzing the competitive environment which I think makes even more sense today. These elements are referred to as “barriers to exit.”

Competition 88

Competition Startup Framework Pricing 88

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 27, 2010

These days that’s not the case and it’s a great outcome for entrepreneurs and for innovation. A: Only because it’s a nicer branding for entrepreneurs. I totally agree and have been arguing this to entrepreneurs for years. I always counsel young entrepreneurs to start on the local train.

Venture Capital 308

Venture Capital Training Startup Entrepreneur 308

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2021

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. Make sure everyone accurately posts their role with your startup on social media profiles, resumes, and references.

Technical Review 151

Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Invest 151

Berkonomics

DECEMBER 7, 2017

Entrepreneurs will have a relative willing to devote time, a school friend with business experience, professionals who charge for the service, investors with a reason to promote your success and more. Business coaches come in all sizes and shapes. Photo courtesy IBM Business Coaching.

Coach 243

Coach Organization Resource IBM 243

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2013

So what’s an entrepreneur to do to get his new business noticed these days? Most entrepreneurs I know are too busy creating a compelling product to give proper focus to the four phases of building a people and media platform that Hyatt says are equally critical for long-term success: Platform creation prior to launch. How about yours?

Platform 105

Platform Entrepreneur Startup Social Media 105

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 3, 2020

With services, scaling the business often implies cloning yourself, since you are the intellectual property and the competitive advantage. For example, both need to provide exemplary customer service, build customer loyalty, and provide real value for a competitive price. You have no shelf life, so you can’t make money while you sleep.

Startup 174

Startup Training Services Writing 174

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2012

Many entrepreneurs work hard on the proof of concept (technical), but skip any proof of the business model (revenue flow). Get a reference customer. All this assumes you have done the right job first in assessing competition, establishing the sales and marketing channels, and optimizing costs. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 99

Entrepreneur Pricing Customer Custom 99

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2014

Most entrepreneurs work long hours and weekends to get the job done. The passion has to be in the business context – meaning results oriented, customer oriented, and sensitive to competition. Thus you should do the same or more due diligence on educational background, previous work, and references. Compatible work styles.

Software Review 107

Software Review Entrepreneur CTO Hire Outsource Development 107

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 23, 2010

So by offering convertible debt you can avoid a price discussion in the same way that angel investors sometimes do in order to win competitive early-stage deals. But I used to jokingly refer to bridge loans as “pier&# loans. So my view is that VCs and entrepreneurs need to make tougher choices. And it adds up.

Startup 290

Startup Funding Venture Capital Pricing 290

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 14, 2020

Creating the right company culture must be a top priority of every entrepreneur and business leader. Most entrepreneurs start from a base of one or two co-founders, and their vision and focus is on developing an innovative solution, rather than developing people. Unfortunately, it’s easier said than done. Marty Zwilling.

Organization 160

Organization Startup Entrepreneur Satisfaction 160

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 3, 2012

The popular view of a real entrepreneur is someone with a big vision, and a stubborn determination to charge straight ahead through any obstacle and make it happen. His popular book on this subject, “ The Lean Startup ,” lays out how today's entrepreneurs use continuous innovation to create radically successful businesses.

Course 109

Course Startup Platform Entrepreneur 109

InfoChachkie

JUNE 9, 2011

Do you see crowd-ranked lists as ultimately competitive or complimentary to traditional and curated search? How would you describe your relationship with your investors and what can young entrepreneurs learn from your philosophy? “I We get referring site traffic. FTB is taking a somewhat different approach to curated search.

Google 264

Google Organic Search Sites Startup 264

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 10, 2023

Struggling entrepreneurs are often so happy to get a funding offer that they neglect the recommended reverse due diligence on the investors. Reverse due diligence on the investor is a comparable process whereby the entrepreneur seeks to validate the track record, operating style, and motivation of every potential partner.

Technical Review 138

Technical Review Startup Innocal Offshore 138

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 5, 2011

These are investor slang terms referring to how fast money is being spent, with an implicit question of how long the startup can survive before breakeven or another cash infusion is required. Provisional patents, or lawsuits pending, don’t add up to a strong sustainable competitive advantage. What traction can be measured today?

Entrepreneur 95

Entrepreneur Startup Invest Patents 95

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. Make sure everyone accurately posts their role with your startup on social media profiles, resumes, and references.

Technical Review 118

Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Invest 118

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 25, 2010

I believe that it is part of the DNA of an entrepreneur – being so competitive that you’re practically sick when you lose. Entrepreneurs are neurotic about it. They’re competitive. They decided to re-open the competition for 3-4 more weeks. I don’t want to lose next time.

Outsource Development 333

Outsource Development Software Review Technical Review News 333

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 17, 2015

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. Make sure everyone accurately posts their role with your startup on social media profiles, resumes, and references.

Technical Review 108

Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur 108

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. Thus crowdfunding is clearly not the panacea for funding and success that many entrepreneurs envision.

Startup 151

Startup Equity Funding Demand 151

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 25, 2010

I believe that it is part of the DNA of an entrepreneur – being so competitive that you’re practically sick when you lose. Entrepreneurs are neurotic about it. They’re competitive. They decided to re-open the competition for 3-4 more weeks. I don’t want to lose next time.

Outsource Development 328

Outsource Development Software Review Technical Review News 328

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

You’ll learn about competitive products that exist or are being built. I also will point out that in the The 15 Mistakes of First Time Entrepreneurs : 9. Entrepreneur: Following is an email describing my idea. You’ll get suggestions for improvements. You’ll discover flaws and hopefully correct them.

Startup 211

Startup IP Ideas Patents 211

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 8, 2021

It takes much the same preparation to make you the best entrepreneur, or the best job candidate. Here are some tips from both his perspective and mine to stave off the coming summer “brain drain” and focus on the next step of employment, or starting a whole new career as an entrepreneur: Create and control your Internet image.

Tips 168

Tips Startup Coach Networking 168

InfoChachkie

OCTOBER 20, 2010

He was also often referred to as a “hotdog” for his self-promotional antics and lackadaisical on-field play. As such, you are likely better off allowing your competition to hire the Reggie Jacksons of the startup world and focus your efforts on recruiting high performing, low maintenance teammates, like Cal Ripkin. _.

Statistics 212

Statistics Press Product Startup 212

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 1, 2020

Entrepreneurs seem to have blinders on when looking at competitors. Where your competitor isn't really competing with your direct market, you can refer business to each other without anyone losing customers. No entrepreneur has all the insights they need, and none should be so arrogant as to assume they hold all the cards.

Startup 126

Startup Outsource Competition Acquisition 126

InfoChachkie

JUNE 20, 2011

Thus, entrepreneurs must consistently balance expanding their bandwidth via delegation with the more efficient, but non-scalable tendency to complete tasks themselves. Competition – Make it clear that only the best Interns will be granted offers for full-time positions. Rookie Draft.

Startup 244

Startup Software Review Technical Review Class 244

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 4, 2020

Business success is all about having the best team, yet the average entrepreneur has little prior experience with hiring people and building top-notch teams. Most new entrepreneurs assume their passion will attract and motivate the right team members. Candidates with few credentials on paper may be your best growth candidates.

Organization 135

Organization Satisfaction Entrepreneur Screening 135

InfoChachkie

APRIL 3, 2012

They profess to be entrepreneurs, but are they actually Wantrepreneurs? A Wantrepreneur is a well-intentioned person who wants to be an entrepreneur, but does not have the skills, personality and or risk profile to be successful. Did you play any team or individual sports competitively? free weekly Infochachkie articles!

Entrepreneur 219

Entrepreneur Startup Equity Journal 219

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 26, 2020

As an advisor to new hardware entrepreneurs, I often hear the myth that a business plan is no longer required to find an investor, if your idea is good enough. What you don’t realize is these famous investors only deal with entrepreneurs who sold their last company for a $100M dollars or more. and trademarks.

Product 169

Product Summary Startup Examples 169

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 30, 2021

Most technical entrepreneurs focus hard on building an innovative product, but forget that an elegant solution doesn’t automatically translate into a successful business. Focus on collecting customer references. Save your viral campaign and major inventory buildup for later.

Product 159

Product Technical Review Pricing Software Review 159

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 27, 2011

I was meeting regularly with entrepreneurs and offering (for better or for worse) advice on how to run a startup and how to raise venture capital from my experience in doing so at two companies. Or “I’m a new entrepreneur, why would I offer advice on how to run a startup?&#. People often ask me why I started blogging.

Blogging 373

Blogging Startup Writing Venture Capital 373

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

You’ll learn about competitive products that exist or are being built. I also will point out that in the The 15 Mistakes of First Time Entrepreneurs : 9. Entrepreneur: Following is an email describing my idea. You’ll get suggestions for improvements. You’ll discover flaws and hopefully correct them.

Startup 198

Startup IP Ideas Patents 198

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 11, 2020

Struggling entrepreneurs are often so happy to get a funding offer that they neglect the recommended reverse due diligence on the investors. Reverse due diligence on the investor is a comparable process whereby the entrepreneur seeks to validate the track record, operating style, and motivation of every potential partner.

Technical Review 124

Technical Review Funding Innocal Offshore 124

InfoChachkie

MAY 23, 2011

As noted in Contract Traps Entrepreneurs Should Avoid , exclusivity can kill a small company. Once you establish a non-exclusive partnership, you can reference it when other BDCs ask for excludesivity. Students expend small fortunes of their parents’ money to attend exclusive , private colleges.

Technical Review 183

Technical Review Marketing Sales Competition 183