Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 14, 2010

One of our core tasks was “market analysis,&# which consistent of: market sizing, market forecasts, competitive analysis and then instructing customers on which direction to take. In data analysis you want to look for “primary&# research, which means the person who initially gathered the data. I’m not picking on them.

Statistics 415

Statistics Startup Report Research 415

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 13, 2014

Most entrepreneurs spend far too much time thinking negatively about competitors, and can’t resist making derogatory statements about them to their own team, investors and even to customers. As an investor, I always listen carefully to what an entrepreneur says, and does not say, about competition.

Competition 107

Competition Entrepreneur Patents Customer 107

Berkonomics

MARCH 30, 2012

An entrepreneur utilizes online communities to solicit pledges of small amounts of money from individuals who are typically not professional financiers. Research the Net for guidance in this arena, which is changing as laws enabling this are evolving.

Funding 192

Funding Entrepreneur Startup Invest 192

InfoChachkie

AUGUST 4, 2014

In fact, for the past 27-years, he has specialized in bringing exotic travel destinations to those of us who are healthy and active but whose competitive sporting days are long behind us. My research led me to Wildland Adventures, one of the pioneering companies in the ecotravel space. Ever fantasized about climbing Mt.

Entrepreneur 187

Entrepreneur Startup Social Media Advertising 187

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

Young entrepreneurs and startups, in particular, often remain naively unfocused, despite their passion, of what it takes to provide the high-quality service expected. It’s a tough job, and inexperienced entrepreneurs just don’t know where to start, and how to do it. Yet the average perception of customer experience has not improved.

Competition 99

Competition Services Startup Training 99

Berkonomics

DECEMBER 5, 2013

It is most often missed assumptions about the market, the competition, the speed of adoption, or other critical metrics you’ve researched, or selected, or even just guessed at to create your plan. Where did you get the data to drive your assumptions of market size or market share?

Metrics 239

Metrics Startup Marketing Demand 239

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 5, 2014

Los Angeles-based XPRIZE , which runs a number of prize-based competitions for developing technology, has named eighteen teams for its $2 million, Wendy Schmidt Ocean Health XPRIZE , including two local teams. The groups will go on to submit their technology to affordably and accurately measure ocean acidification.

Thousand Oaks 138

Thousand Oaks Artificial Inteligence San Diego Research 138

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 27, 2023

Most aspiring entrepreneurs look to their alma mater, or any university, as a source of classes that can help them, but neglect to think outside the box or take advantage of all the other resources to be found there. Access to intellectual property and current research. Access to entrepreneurs-in-residence, business mentors.

Entrepreneur 110

Entrepreneur Class Startup Resource 110

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 13, 2021

In my role as mentor to many of you aspiring entrepreneurs, I often find you convinced that all you need to start is a unique innovation or idea , and now you are ready to jump in with both feet and enjoy the ride. Remember that being an entrepreneur is all about starting and running a business, after the initial invention.

Satisfaction 135

Satisfaction Entrepreneur Startup Mentor 135

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 17, 2013

For true entrepreneurs, risk is viewed as a positive, with its implied challenge to overcome the unknown and hitting the big return. One way to learn is to understand better how successful entrepreneurs approach risk, and look at actual strategies they use for success. This is the origin of the “first movers” competitive advantage.

Entrepreneur 117

Entrepreneur Startup Advertising Social Media 117

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 15, 2014

Winning customers as an entrepreneur in a startup has many parallels to a young army trying to penetrate some formidable new and unfamiliar territory. A smart general going into battle always does the research first on the lay of the land, including critical high points that have the most value, before charging into the fray.

Entrepreneur 119

Entrepreneur Resource Training Competition 119

InfoChachkie

AUGUST 11, 2014

Earlier this year, researchers at USC proved the veracity of this old adage. According to lead researcher Professor Sarah Townsend, " When youre putting together an important presentation or working on a high-stakes project. The same foundational elements that lead to a successful marriage are precursors to startup success.

Startup 257

Startup Santa Barbara Competition Journal 257

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 31, 2020

Most technical entrepreneurs I know demand the discipline of a product specification or plan, and then assume that their great product will drive a great business. Is it any wonder why so few entrepreneurs ever find the professional investors they seek? Opportunity segmentation and competitive environment.

Entrepreneur 124

Entrepreneur Startup Summary Product 124

Berkonomics

AUGUST 31, 2023

Know your market and competition, or don’t spend a dime on anything else. Well, here is one of those, and it deals with market research first and foremost. But wait for the mic drop… [Email readers, continue here…] Here’s where some intelligent market research might have saved the company and my investment.

Competition 156

Competition Research Summary Pricing 156

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 9, 2015

Every so often a promising entrepreneur seems to freeze in the oncoming headlights and gets run over by his competition. These points may sound obvious, but the process is certainly contrary to the popular “shoot from the hip” approach that is practiced by some entrepreneurs. The team is the same.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Ideas Research Demand 105

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 8, 2010

First, I would say that most entrepreneurs do almost no reference checks or at least do them very informally. For some reason most entrepreneurs do. I always tell entrepreneurs, “in good times of course everybody loves their VC. Do research and find some CEO’s who were fired by the VC. After Sept 11th?

Venture Capital 288

Venture Capital Startup Entrepreneur Capital 288

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 21, 2013

Many believe that entrepreneurs are born, not made. While I agree that successful company builders usually have a natural inclination to be entrepreneurs, a good education helps polish that apple. We can all point to examples of successful entrepreneurs who dropped out of college, but still went on to make a big impact.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Startup Course Education 105

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 7, 2020

Even though I’m a big proponent of becoming an entrepreneur, it is definitely not for everyone. In my view, entrepreneur roles need to be planned carefully rather than made on the spur of the moment. Adopt the Silicon Valley entrepreneur family model. Test your entrepreneur instincts through crowdfunding.

Sample 126

Sample Entrepreneur Ideas Startup 126

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 26, 2013

A few months ago I wrote about an entrepreneur, Sam Rosen, whom we brought on as an EIR at Upfront Ventures. Now remember that Sam is an entrepreneur. They researched storage solutions and logistics. Of course there is competition! If you Can’t Make Time, MakeSpace. Today we announced our launch. Here’s the deal.

UCSD 340

UCSD Startup Ideas Course 340

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 12, 2019

Most entrepreneurs are quick to assert to potential investors that their product or solution will kill the competition, but unfortunately your opinion alone is not enough to convince most experienced investors. First of all, you need some convincing market research that your solution addresses a real and growing problem.

Competition 86

Competition Patents Startup Customer 86

socalTECH

OCTOBER 14, 2010

We've initially focused on university-based research groups, and as we've gotten up and running, we've found that there's no need to limit it to just universities. If an existing company is not interested in licensing, and a researcher is not an entrepreneurial spirit, those projects go no where. Where is this talent coming from?

Networking 215

Networking Research Startup USC 215

Tech Zulu Event

JULY 14, 2014

Drawing from the UK Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) experience, US Senator Chris Coons will talk about the version of the Research & Development tax credit bill he sponsored on August 8 in New York City. All engaged parties indulge in progressive research and development, which is the pillar of economic prosperity.

Research 88

Research Invest Develop Development 88

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 11, 2019

He is regarded by many as the number-one authority on virtual staffing and personal outsourcing, and is himself a successful entrepreneur based in the Philippines. I was impressed with his summary of the top ten outsourcing mistakes made by entrepreneurs, followed by real guidance on how they can and should be avoided. Be flexible.

Outsource Development 121

Outsource Development Outsource Entrepreneur Summary 121

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 5, 2011

I have conversations with entrepreneurs and other VCs on a daily basis about fund raising, the prices of deals, how much companies should raise, etc. Then you can do a little bit of research and find out that very few companies ever achieve this valuation in a trade sale so you’re clearly gunning for an IPO. That’s fine.

Startup 336

Startup Pricing Technical Review Marketing 336

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 27, 2013

And I am often approached by entrepreneurs in cities which don’t have a vibrant VC community. Thus, a desire to invest more locally where I think I have a competitive advantage. Next I’d research every VC in the country and find people who grew up in or near KC. I travel the country a lot. Local knowledge runs deep.

Venture Capital 365

Venture Capital Marketing Santa Barbara Startup 365

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 27, 2010

In my bones I’m convinced that entrepreneurs are more nature than nurture although I know both are involved. I have recently written extensively on what I believe the 12 characteristics of an entrepreneur are. Entrepreneurs aren’t born, they’re made.&# The data in this article is at best, a stretch. from a young age.

Startup 289

Startup Statistics Entrepreneur Study 289

InfoChachkie

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018

MBA’s are an easy target for entrepreneurs’ scorn. I too have taken shots at MBA’s, describing why they are not typically well suited for startup life in Why Entrepreneurs Hate (Most) MBAs. My contrarian nature sparked, I began researching MBA led startups. Situationally, MBA’s Can Be Effective Entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneur 113

Entrepreneur Allegis Startup Competition 113

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 25, 2015

Why do a few entrepreneurs, like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk, seem to come up with all the real innovations, while the majority of business leaders seem stuck in the rut of linear thinking? He connects breakthrough thinking to four initiatives, which I believe every entrepreneur should practice: Questioning deeply-held beliefs and assumptions.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Startup Tool Ideas 102

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 11, 2022

After many years of working with angel investors seriously trying to find new ventures worthy of their hard-earned money, I find their frustration often exceeds that of entrepreneurs sincerely looking for financial help. They are not interested in research and development, or funding at the idea stage. Lack of intellectual property.

Entrepreneur 108

Entrepreneur Invest Funding Patents 108

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 18, 2014

Most technical entrepreneurs I know demand the discipline of a product specification or plan, and then assume that their great product will drive a great business. Is it any wonder why so few entrepreneurs ever find the professional investors they seek? Opportunity segmentation and competitive environment. Marty Zwilling.

Product 101

Product Entrepreneur Summary Activity 101

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 2, 2019

Every so often a promising entrepreneur seems to freeze in the oncoming headlights and gets run over by his competition. These points may sound obvious, but the process is certainly contrary to the popular “shoot from the hip” approach that is practiced by some entrepreneurs. The team is the same.

Entrepreneur 92

Entrepreneur Ideas Research Demand 92

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 24, 2013

On the other hand, everyone wants to be an entrepreneur. This next frontier lies in building your own enterprises as an entrepreneur, rather than waiting for innovation and opportunity from large corporations. Competitive advantages are rapidly vaporizing on these. Entrepreneurs growing companies create more value and more jobs.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Offshore Startup Technical Review 105

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 4, 2015

In my years of mentoring entrepreneurs, a problem I have seen too often is low self-esteem, and over-compensating through arrogance and ego. These entrepreneurs find it hard to respect customers or team members, and their ventures usually fail. Identify and redirect unhealthy competition and comparisons.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Startup Satisfaction Competition 102

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 1, 2012

Based on my experience as a mentor and an entrepreneur, if you fail on your first startup, you are about average. Every young entrepreneur knows implicitly that startup success is a long hard road. Of course, a real entrepreneur always takes a failure as a milestone on the road to success. How can you improve your odds?

Entrepreneur 109

Entrepreneur Ideas Resource Statistics 109

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 4, 2022

Every so often a promising entrepreneur seems to freeze in the oncoming headlights and gets run over by his competition. These points may sound obvious, but the process is certainly contrary to the popular “shoot from the hip” approach that is practiced by some entrepreneurs. The team is the same.

Ideas 155

Ideas Entrepreneur Research Demand 155

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 14, 2014

Most entrepreneurs struggle with many startup Founders dilemmas in building their business, and these key dilemmas are probably the biggest source of pain and failure for the entrepreneur lifestyle. Not facing these dilemmas squarely and honestly is one of the biggest pitfalls facing every entrepreneur. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 107

Entrepreneur Statistics Equity Satisfaction 107

SoCal Tech Calendar

AUGUST 31, 2012

On September 5th and 6th, PortTech Los Angeles welcomes community and industry leaders, technology entrepreneurs, university researchers, and investors to PortTechEXPO 2012. See [link] (more)

Competition 113

Competition Research Los Angeles Entrepreneur 113