Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 9, 2020

In my years of advising startups and occasional investing, I’ve seen many great ideas start and fail, but the right team always seems to make good things happen, even without the ultimate idea. You need to have a technical genius on the team to get your startup product off the ground. Outsourcing your core competency does not work.

Technical Advisors 123

Technical Advisors Outsource Development Startup High Tech 123

socalTECH

OCTOBER 24, 2011

We caught up with Erik to hear more about MuckerLab, and its efforts to grow the Los Angeles technology ecosystem. The second piece, is we want to, more globally, drive the growth and evolution of the technology and startup ecosystem here in Los Angeles. Erik, thanks for the time. Everything they need to launch and grow their business.

Technical Advisors 176

Technical Advisors Startup Southern California Los Angeles 176

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 5, 2014

But as I rose in my career (and post MBA) I moved into a role in which I was to advise board-level executives on topics where I was expected to rapidly become an expert. Some areas were easy because they were technical and the answer was knowable or estimate-able.

Entrepreneur 337

Entrepreneur Technical Advisors Startup Venture Capital 337

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 19, 2009

I spent nearly a decade building software for large companies and then advising companies on the same. The technology team disagrees on direction and wants resolutions. He would have found somebody technical and inspired that individual to work for equity or deferred payment. obviously don’t read this as zero analysis).

Entrepreneur 414

Entrepreneur Technical Review Slides CTO Coach 414

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

In my years of advising startups and occasional investing, I’ve seen many great ideas start and fail, but the right team always seems to make good things happen, even without the ultimate idea. You need to have a technical genius on the team to get your startup product off the ground. Outsourcing your core competency does not work.

Technical Advisors 105

Technical Advisors Outsource Development Startup High Tech 105

TechEmpower

FEBRUARY 10, 2016

Often this situation is characterized as a “good problem to have” until you’re the technical person who needs to solve the problem—and quickly. Well, there are a number of technical reasons for applications suffering performance issues. Performance in your technology selection process. So, why does this happen? ” Really?

Web 200

Web Technical Advisors Framework Technical Review 200

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 4, 2009

So when the Stanford MBA, the ex senior technology developer or the former Chief Revenue Officer of a company is calling me and asking my advice on their next gig you can see why I start with “are you ready to earn or to learn? He wanted to know what to do. I told him that he needed to decide whether to learn or to earn.

Startup 418

Startup Technical Advisors Venture Capital Santa Monica 418

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 6, 2021

Based on my experience advising new entrepreneurs as well as more mature businesses, I recommend the following strategies for building business momentum, while still optimizing the limited resources of every small business: Find more customers that like what you do best. Focus first on finding more of the right customers.

Technical Review 160

Technical Review Technical Advisors Startup Mentor 160

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 27, 2011

Most people totally advise against stealth. We all know that much of early-stage technology startup success comes from execution and often what you’re working on today will be rolled out more seriously over the next several months. Be careful about this advice. Also be careful about VCs. You don’t.

Marketing 380

Marketing Startup Press Technical Advisors 380

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 7, 2011

I always advise software startups to file patents to protect their “secret sauce” from competitors, and to increase their valuation. Even after your application is accepted, the issuing process takes a lifetime in today’s technology (4-5 years). Software technology changes rapidly. It is in the jargon not “technical.”

Patents 91

Patents Software Technical Advisors Innocal 91

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 18, 2018

In my years of advising startups and occasional investing, I’ve seen many great ideas start and fail, but the right team always seems to make good things happen, even without the ultimate idea. You need to have a technical genius on the team to get your startup product off the ground. Outsourcing your core competency does not work.

Technical Advisors 57

Technical Advisors Startup Outsource Development High Tech 57

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 21, 2020

Many of the entrepreneurs I advise or invest with spend considerable time on the Internet, keeping up with technology, customers, and competitors, but very few feel the need for an early personal presence. In fact, some totally avoid it, assuming their product or solution will speak for itself later.

Product 127

Product Entrepreneur Technical Advisors Technical Review 127

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 19, 2020

In my business of mentoring new entrepreneurs and advising small company owners, I recognize that most don’t start as experienced leaders, and most don’t realize that people leadership is a primary key to their future success. Building a business is not a one-person job, and leading by edict rarely works today.

Develop 124

Develop Development Technical Advisors Satisfaction 124

socalTECH

AUGUST 28, 2017

He and I connected, and walked through PartySlate and what we were doing, and he immediately said he wanted to invest and become an advisor to the company. He introduced me to Wavemaker, also in LA, and also Halogen Ventures, which is led by Jessie Draper, which invests in women-run technology companies.

Technical Advisors 100

Technical Advisors Technical Review Metrics Startup 100

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2014

I always advise software startups to file patents to protect their “secret sauce” from competitors, and to increase their valuation. Even after your application is accepted, the issuing process takes a lifetime in today’s technology (4-5 years). Software technology changes rapidly. Patents have become a tax on innovation.

Patents 100

Patents Software Review Software Technical Advisors 100

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 13, 2012

I always advise software startups to file patents to protect their “secret sauce” from competitors, and to increase their valuation. Even after your application is accepted, the issuing process takes a lifetime in today’s technology (4-5 years). Software technology changes rapidly. Patents have become a tax on innovation.

Patents 93

Patents Software Technical Advisors Startup 93

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 10, 2011

Our own subsidiary, of a major technology company, started to repair and service competitive products in order to maintain our own technical staff and service capabilities. We retained legal council in Milan and were advised that we would loose if the case went to trial.

Startup 90

Startup Technical Advisors Sales Examples 90

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. Voice recognition and artificial intelligence are great technologies, but very few customers today can tell you how these make their life more enjoyable.

Technical Advisors 82

Technical Advisors Artificial Inteligence Customer Custom 82

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 17, 2018

Most of the entrepreneurs I advise today are ready to declare success when they get that first surge of traction with a real customer. The specialists to support these may speak different technical as well as communication languages, and be physically dispersed around the world.

Technical Advisors 83

Technical Advisors Tool Software Product 83

InfoChachkie

JUNE 25, 2009

Your lawyer is a trusted advisor, but in the end, you run your business, your lawyer does not. In other words, find a lawyer who will take the time to understand the issues underlying your business and advise you how to best accomplish your objectives while minimizing your legal exposure. but They Make Great Guard Dogs. Do not do it.

Technical Advisors 124

Technical Advisors Technical Review IP Patents 124

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 29, 2010

I always advise software startups to file patents to protect their “secret sauce” from competitors, and to increase their valuation. Even after your application is accepted, the issuing process takes a lifetime in today’s technology (2-5 years). Software technology changes rapidly. It is in the jargon not “technical.”

Patents 50

Patents Software Technical Advisors IBM 50

Tech.Co

NOVEMBER 28, 2017

The aim, according to the private college’s press release, is to provide “mentoring, advising and access to resources for up to 15 student- and community-run companies with a philanthropic twist.” Outlyer Technologies, and Your Village. The California Spirits Company. The Travel Experience Incubator.

Incubator 70

Incubator Santa Clarita Technical Advisors FAQ 70

Tech Zulu Event

MAY 10, 2012

From the start he saw the power of technology to augment social interaction and began forming an interactive collective which led to it’s spin off and incorporation as Syyn Labs, LLC in 2009, and gained quick notoriety for their RGM music video collaboration with OK Go. He make others see technology as magic. 10:15am: MIND. 12pm: BODY.

Technical Advisors 89

Technical Advisors Design Education Study 89

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 27, 2016

I still generally advise software startups to file a patent as a barrier to entry from competitors and to increase their valuation by investors, but every entrepreneur needs to understand the tradeoffs. That’s more than a lifetime in today’s technology. Patent offices can’t keep up with software technology.

Patents 53

Patents Software Review Software Technical Advisors 53

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 23, 2015

There is a second set of career discussions I have even more frequently than my “angel yourself” advice but this type is almost never discussed publicly in blogs, which tend to emphasize only billion-dollar opportunities, 20-something technical founders and Silicon Valley elitism.

Technical Review 150

Technical Review Startup Venture Capital IP 150

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 13, 2010

Our own subsidiary, of a major technology company, started to repair and service competitive products in order to maintain our own technical staff and service capabilities. We retained legal council in Milan and were advised that we would loose if the case went to trial. Respect local customs and practices.

Technical Advisors 48

Technical Advisors Sales Startup Coach 48

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 1, 2018

I made the jump myself from IBM several years ago, and now have a satisfying startup advising small businesses and mentoring entrepreneurs. Most technical people I know love to discuss and debate technology, but avoid business subjects, including finance and marketing, like the plague. Focus on customer value in every job.

Startup 52

Startup Technical Advisors Entrepreneur IBM 52

Frank Addante

JUNE 4, 2006

the Rubicon Project (Internet Advertising Technology) Status: Pre-Launch Visit the Rubicon Project Website Startup 5.0: Wireless & Voice Application Software) Exit: technology acquired Lesson: Timing is critical. Wireless & Voice Application Software) Exit: technology acquired Lesson: Timing is critical. Zondigo, Inc.

Startup 40

Startup Venture Capital Email CTO Hire 40

Xconomy

SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

With public interest in artificial intelligence technologies on the rise, five of the world’s largest corporations—vying against each other in so many spheres—are banding together to support research on the ethical and societal issues raised by machines with increasingly human-like capabilities.

Artificial Inteligence 40

Artificial Inteligence Technical Review Technical Advisors Research 40

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 5, 2010

There is a core that exists in human connectedness that no amount of technology can replace. I often advise these CEOs to make the tough choices early in the company’s history – either move up North or build your tech team in LA. If they can’t, I doubt it will become a big, important technical company.

Technical Advisors 335

Technical Advisors Outsource Development Offshore Startup 335

Frank Addante

MAY 15, 2006

the Rubicon Project (Internet Advertising Technology) Status: Pre-Launch Visit the Rubicon Project Website Startup 5.0: Wireless & Voice Application Software) Exit: technology acquired Lesson: Timing is critical. Wireless & Voice Application Software) Exit: technology acquired Lesson: Timing is critical. Zondigo, Inc.

Advertising 40

Advertising Startup Chief Technology Officer Technical Review 40