Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 8, 2017

Let me be quick to say that a plan doesn’t have be a book, and probably should start as a “pitch deck” of maybe a dozen slides which cover all the right bases. For example, “I just patented a new cell-phone technology that will double battery life for half the cost. Opportunity segmentation and competitive environment.

Startup 65

Startup Writing Patents Competition 65

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 10, 2011

A perfect round number is ten slides, with the right content, that can be covered in ten minutes. Here are the ten slides you need: Problem and market need. Describe your technology patents and “secret sauce”. Competition and sustainable advantage. Highlight your sustainable competitive advantages, and barriers to entry.

Slides 93

Slides Competition Sample Sales 93

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 13, 2016

As a startup advisor and investor, I recommend a pitch deck with about 10 slides backed up with a written business plan of approximately 20 pages, both containing quantified answers to the following key questions. This is also the place to first mention patents and any other differentiators that put you ahead of competition.

Invest 108

Invest Startup Slides Equity 108

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 31, 2015

For example, “I have patented a new LCD with double the intensity at half the cost, already proven locally, and I just need resources to scale for this market.” Your second sentence should acknowledge competition, but highlight your added value. Your second sentence should acknowledge competition, but highlight your added value.

Startup 104

Startup Summary Patents Examples 104

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

You’ll learn about competitive products that exist or are being built. Someone Stole My Startup Idea – Part 2: They Raised Money With My Slides?! Some resources on this: Intellectual Property is More Than Patents Does My Startup Have Intellectual Property? You’ll get suggestions for improvements. False Confidence.

Startup 211

Startup IP Ideas Patents 211

SoCal CTO

JULY 13, 2010

Just because a product has a patent, deep complexity and an obvious competitive advantage does not mean that it can fly by itself into the market. Personally, I don't like weighty board packs and I do not wish to inflict slide preparation upon anyone. gave him my favorite, "keep it to six slides." Twittering.

Startup 175

Startup Venture Capital Slides Blogging 175

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

You’ll learn about competitive products that exist or are being built. Someone Stole My Startup Idea – Part 2: They Raised Money With My Slides?! Some resources on this: Intellectual Property is More Than Patents Does My Startup Have Intellectual Property? You’ll get suggestions for improvements. False Confidence.

Startup 198

Startup IP Ideas Patents 198

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2018

Certainly a slide or two needs to carry over describing the product and features at a high level. Intellectual property and sustainable competitive advantage. Patents, trade secrets, and trademarks are very attractive to investors, since these are not easily overcome by competitors.

Product 58

Product Slides Entrepreneur Invest 58

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 24, 2012

File a patent and trademarks to show real intellectual property. Having a defensible competitive advantage or “barrier to entry” is another critical step to funding, and another common stumbling block during all phases of the funding process. Reserve the company name on social networks to protect it. Define some intellectual property.

Angel 104

Angel Screening Summary Startup 104

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2011

File a patent and trademarks to show real intellectual property. Having a defensible competitive advantage or “barrier to entry” is another critical step to funding, and another common stumbling block during all phases of the funding process. Reserve the company name on social networks to protect it. Define some intellectual property.

Invest 99

Invest Angel Technical Review Summary 99

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2010

File a patent and trademarks to show real intellectual property. Having a defensible competitive advantage or “barrier to entry” is another critical step to funding, and another common stumbling block during all phases of the funding process. Reserve the company name on social networks to protect it. Define some intellectual property.

Angel 89

Angel Funding Technical Review Startup 89

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 19, 2009

I started by trying to think I could explain my concept without having to patronize everybody with artificial PowerPoint slides. This approach generally works well with customers because I find it much easier to build rapport when we talk like humans than when we all stare at the PowerPoint slides being projected on the wall.

Venture Capital 274

Venture Capital Blogging Startup Slides 274