Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 10, 2021

Entrepreneurs often have formidable technical expertise, key to developing a new product or service, but a great naïveté in management skills. It means mentoring less experienced team members, and quickly replacing incompetent staff members. Inspire, Motivate, and Bring Out the Best in Your People.” Staff properly at every level.

Startup 171

Startup Organization Training Entrepreneur 171

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2012

There is nothing more inspiring than seeing the results of your mentoring and leadership. Working on that unique design, or completing the breakthrough for an innovative patent, are moments of inspiration that you will never forget, especially if they become your competitive edge. Your solution fills a real market need.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Patents Startup Ideas 102

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 18, 2013

There is nothing more inspiring than seeing the results of your mentoring and leadership. Working on that unique design, or completing the breakthrough for an innovative patent, are moments of inspiration that you will never forget, especially if they become your competitive edge. Your solution fills a real market need.

Startup 100

Startup Patents Competition Social Network 100

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 17, 2021

When I started mentoring entrepreneurs and startups a few years ago, I anticipated that I would get mostly tough technical questions, but instead I more often hear things like “Where do I start?” It doesn’t matter how good your product or service is if most of your potential customers don’t know about it. The marketplace is a war zone.

Entrepreneur 138

Entrepreneur Activity Guide Patents 138

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 16, 2012

When I started mentoring entrepreneurs and startups a few years ago, I anticipated that I would get mostly tough technical questions, but instead I more often hear things like “Where do I start?” It doesn’t matter how good your product or service is if most of your potential customers don’t know about it. The marketplace is a war zone.

Entrepreneur 110

Entrepreneur Mentor Activity Guide 110

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2015

Here are some of the key new rules I have learned by starting my own company, investing as an angel in other startups and mentoring many more new entrepreneurs over the last few years: Do incorporate a company, but keep it simple. Trademarks, copyrights and even patents can be completed online by anyone through the U.S.

Startup 108

Startup Search Engine Optimization Social Media Outsource Development 108

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 11, 2023

This is the confirmation that your product or service fills a real need in the marketplace. Similarly, it will be very satisfying to see the productivity increases from your leadership and mentoring. Watch that patent provide a real barrier to competitive entry. Celebrate the ability to pay yourself a salary.

Startup 118

Startup Satisfaction Customer Custom 118

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 22, 2014

As a business mentor, I sometimes feel besieged by people begging for my view and support of their latest idea. There are lots of resources available for that question, including the Internet and mentors like me. File at least a provisional patent and one or more trademarks. Look hard at the technology for feasibility and risk.

Ideas 107

Ideas Mentor Entrepreneur Resource 107

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 12, 2010

There is nothing more inspiring than seeing the results of your mentoring and leadership. Working on that unique design, or completing the breakthrough for an innovative patent, are moments of inspiration that you will never forget, especially if they become your competitive edge. Your solution fills a real market need.

Startup 88

Startup Patents Competition Social Network 88

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2015

As a business mentor, I sometimes feel besieged by people begging for my view and support of their latest idea. There are lots of resources available for that question, including the Internet and mentors like me. File at least a provisional patent and one or more trademarks. Look hard at the technology for feasibility and risk.

Ideas 104

Ideas Mentor Resource Entrepreneur 104

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Every startup mentor has his favorite list of basic strategies to avoid pitfalls, and I’m no exception. Barter services and use equity to get things done for minimum cash. Make every effort to do things “in house”, rather than rely on outside services, accountants, and law firms. Do not delegate this task! Manage your time.

Entrepreneur 98

Entrepreneur Social Network Startup Patents 98

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 29, 2019

As a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I challenge them to think beyond what I call linear extensions to a current trend, such as another “easier-to-use” app for smartphones, a new dating site for pets, or another niche social network. Why doesn’t this product or service already exist?

Entrepreneur 126

Entrepreneur Ideas Resource Examples 126

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2019

There are lots of resources available for the challenge of that activity, including the Internet and mentors like me. Any startup with no patents, trade secrets, or other secret sauce is very high risk today. Make the product or service come alive. Reach out with creative videos to influencers in your domain.

Ideas 94

Ideas Slides Technical Review Patents 94

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 29, 2010

Every startup mentor has his favorite list of basic strategies to avoid pitfalls, and I’m no exception. Barter services and use equity to get things done for minimum cash. Make every effort to do things “in house”, rather than rely on outside services, accountants, and law firms. Do not delegate this task! Manage your time.

Guide 92

Guide Startup Social Network Patents 92

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2013

Every startup mentor has his favorite list of basic strategies to avoid pitfalls, and I’m no exception. Barter services and use equity to get things done for minimum cash. Make every effort to do things “in house”, rather than rely on outside services, accountants, and law firms. Do not delegate this task! Manage your time.

Tips 102

Tips Help Startup Blogging 102

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 16, 2015

This is the confirmation that your product or service fills a real need in the marketplace. Similarly, it will be very satisfying to see the productivity increases from your leadership and mentoring. Watch that patent provide a real barrier to competitive entry. Celebrate the ability to pay yourself a salary.

Satisfaction 101

Satisfaction Entrepreneur Customer Custom 101

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

Many people believe that new ideas are the critical element of innovation, but in my experience as a mentor and investor, long-term business success is more about implementation than ideas. Obviously, his result goes well beyond the idea of charging a premium for better beans and service.

Artificial Inteligence 114

Artificial Inteligence Ideas Satisfaction Customer 114

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 23, 2013

When I started mentoring entrepreneurs and startups a few years ago, I anticipated that I would get mostly tough technical questions, but instead I more often hear things like “Where do I start?” It doesn’t matter how good your product or service is if most of your potential customers don’t know about it. The marketplace is a war zone.

Startup 106

Startup Entrepreneur Activity Guide 106

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 22, 2011

Entrepreneurs often have formidable technical expertise, key to developing a new product or service, but a great naïveté in management skills. It means mentoring less experienced team members, and quickly replacing incompetent staff members. Inspire, Motivate, and Bring Out the Best in Your People.” Staff properly at every level.

Entrepreneur 111

Entrepreneur Startup Organization Training 111

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 17, 2013

Entrepreneurs often have formidable technical expertise, key to developing a new product or service, but a great naïveté in management skills. It means mentoring less experienced team members, and quickly replacing incompetent staff members. Inspire, Motivate, and Bring Out the Best in Your People.” Staff properly at every level.

Startup 109

Startup Entrepreneur Organization Training 109

socalTECH

DECEMBER 7, 2016

I built my own company around marketing services, and have been around business development, marketing, custom service, and sales, and also on the consumer side of technology, a little bit a mix of the two. Barry was a lead mentor there at Chapman University's Launch Labs, and we paired up. How did you two connect?

Tech Coast Angels 100

Tech Coast Angels CTO Coach Startup Pasadena Angels 100

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 10, 2019

When I started mentoring entrepreneurs and startups a few years ago, I anticipated that I would get mostly tough technical questions, but instead I more often hear things like “Where do I start?” It doesn’t matter how good your product or service is if most of your potential customers don’t know about it. The marketplace is a war zone.

Entrepreneur 92

Entrepreneur Activity Guide Patents 92

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2016

Most universities have a file of patents from project work that they are willing to license to any entrepreneur for business commercialization, with little or no cost up front. Access to entrepreneurs-in-residence, business mentors. Most schools have a rich pipeline of real-world executive volunteers available for mentoring.

Entrepreneur 55

Entrepreneur Capital Class Startup 55

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 17, 2012

Entrepreneurs often have formidable technical expertise, key to developing a new product or service, but a great naïveté in management skills. It means mentoring less experienced team members, and quickly replacing incompetent staff members. Inspire, Motivate, and Bring Out the Best in Your People.” Staff properly at every level.

Entrepreneur 94

Entrepreneur Startup Organization Training 94

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 20, 2012

In college at the California Institute of Technology, he patented a new loudspeaker design and formed GNP Loudspeakers, Inc. Prior to Idealab, Alex led sales and marketing efforts for venture-backed startups focused on enterprise software and services. A lifelong entrepreneur, Bill started several companies prior to Idealab.

Idealab 84

Idealab Tech Coast Angels CalTech Startup 84

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 8, 2017

Based on my experience as an angel investor and a mentor to dozens of entrepreneurs, having no business plan is the quickest way to define yourself as just a dreamer, or at best a hobbyist. For example, “I just patented a new cell-phone technology that will double battery life for half the cost.

Startup 65

Startup Writing Patents Competition 65

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 5, 2018

Unfortunately, too many of the technical entrepreneurs I mentor and advise are focused on their technology, and assume that the value will be self-evident to customers. Tech may be the tool, but hospitality – making life a little easier, more comfortable, and more enjoyable for your customer, is the winning focus.

Technical Advisors 82

Technical Advisors Artificial Inteligence Customer Custom 82

Tech.Co

MARCH 1, 2018

The event is open to tech enthusiasts who want to join an event filled with some of the top leaders, investors and mentors from tech industry to network, find mentors and build their companies. In collaboration with Marshawn Lynch, the cofounders are planning on making cell phone service free. AdWallet (Albuquerque, NM).

Startup 79

Startup Mentor Platform Help 79

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 17, 2017

As a business mentor, I sometimes feel besieged by people begging for my view and support of their latest idea. There are lots of resources available for that question, including the Internet and mentors like me. File at least a provisional patent and one or more trademarks. Look hard at the technology for feasibility and risk.

Ideas 56

Ideas Mentor Resource Product 56

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 2, 2016

This is the confirmation that your product or service fills a real need in the marketplace. Similarly, it will be very satisfying to see the productivity increases from your leadership and mentoring. Watch that patent provide a real barrier to competitive entry. Celebrate the ability to pay yourself a salary.

Satisfaction 61

Satisfaction Startup Customer Custom 61

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 18, 2013

MuckerLab has already secured its reputation as one of the hottest startup accelerators in town with a particular emphasis on product for incubation-stage software, services and media ventures. With over 9 million photo questions posted since October 2012, their users spend 170 minutes a month on the service.

Class 100

Class Startup Tech Coast Angels CTO Coach 100

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 13, 2017

When I started mentoring entrepreneurs and startups a few years ago, I anticipated that I would get mostly tough technical questions, but instead I more often hear things like “Where do I start?” It doesn’t matter how good your product or service is if most of your potential customers don’t know about it. The marketplace is a war zone.

Entrepreneur 64

Entrepreneur Activity Guide Patents 64

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 1, 2016

Many entrepreneurs are so focused on finalizing their innovative product or service that they procrastinate on the formalities of forming the requisite new company until later. Patents issued to you before you incorporate the business will not be considered part of the business valuation by investors.

Company 61

Company Companies Startup Equity 61

Jason Nazar

MAY 2, 2016

If you are inventing or creating a product, understand patents and register for one at the USPTO. For a corporation and LCC, you must register a service agent. Business Mentors. Speak to entrepreneurs and leaders in your industry and consider asking them to be your mentor. Service-Based Businesses. Recommended.

Outsource Development 40

Outsource Development Startup Google Mentor 40

Xconomy

MAY 30, 2016

X: I read an article from 1998 that you were quoted in—it sounded like Stanford’s Niels Reimers helped MIT reorganize its patenting and licensing office in 1986 to make it more like Stanford’s model. It basically helped invent the ultra-filtration field. Then it got acquired by Millipore. LN: Right, he came on a sabbatical year.

Startup 67

Startup Compton Research Technology 67

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2020

As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cash flow personally every day. Be a miser with contract services and facilities.

Search Engine Optimization 124

Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media Equity 124

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cash flow personally every day. Be a miser with contract services and facilities.

Startup 108

Startup Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media 108