Cracking the Code

OCTOBER 10, 2008

Cracking The Code. Thoughts from a Venture Capitalist on Software, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Cloud Computing, Internet and more. Only after reaching $1M in CMRR should you consider hiring European sales and services execs behind customer demand. Labels: SaaS , sales and marketing , software. at 11:09 AM.

Software Review 48

Software Review North America Europe Metrics 48

Austin Startup

OCTOBER 15, 2017

Will his digital presence measurably affect sales of his newest book What Unites Us ? What seems to be the best way to create customers and revenue may result in a business model that is out of vogue with the investment world and shortchanges you on enterprise valuation. What happens to his digital property when he passes?

Technical Review 48

Technical Review Software Review Nevada Silicon Valley 48

Up and Running

DECEMBER 22, 2015

Combine a wild guess on future growth for several years, add in a wilder guess about future valuation prices and exit opportunities, and then pretend that the combination means something. Please, get a clue: Real businesses usually turn out net profits in single digits, and only rarely up as high as 20%. You’re out of school now.

Angel Investor 60

Angel Investor IRR Software Review Startup 60

Software By Rob

FEBRUARY 28, 2012

Could you talk a bit about the diligence you did during the acquisition? How long into the discussion before you commenced diligence? Due diligence is the most important part of the process because it dictates whether you should move forward with the acquisition, and at what price. Number of new paid accounts per month.

Acquisition 53

Acquisition Software Review Technical Review NDA 53

Up and Running

AUGUST 29, 2014

A study co-sponsored by Crawford International and HR.com in Palo Alto, California in 2006 found that “companies that create adaptive corporate cultures outperform companies with non-adaptive cultures by a factor of 900 to 1 as measured by long term net income and stock price growth.” Are sales growing or shrinking?

Small Business 87

Small Business CPA Government North America 87

ConversionXL

OCTOBER 22, 2018

The traditional marketing/sales funnel (soon to be replaced by Hubspot’s Flywheel Model ) is a fantastic framework to put things into perspective. After she gets a series of lead nurturing emails and sales/marketing communications, she signs up for a demo and converts into a paying customer. The non-linear user journey.

B2B 131

B2B Marketing Analytics Campaign 131

David Teten

AUGUST 6, 2015

My colleague Paul Bianco serves as interim CFO for a number of ff Venture Capital ’s portfolio companies, and has built and reviewed hundreds of financial models. Michael first recommends that anyone serious about financial modeling study the Spreadsheet Standards Review Board’s Best Practice Spreadsheet Modeling Standards.

Balance Sheet 60

Balance Sheet Software Review Forecast Acquisition 60

crowdSPRING Blog

FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Legal Contracts for Software Developers Who Hate Contracts (w/free contract template tco use today) – [link]. An interesting drill-down into Apple’s valuation – [link]. Amazon Misses; Q4 Sales Up 35% To $17.4B; Net Income Down 58% To $177M – [link]. 94 Free Colorful Bokeh Textures – [link].

Social Media 92

Social Media Small Business Design Media 92

www.paulgraham.com

APRIL 28, 2010

I wassurprised recently when I realized that all the worst problems wefaced in our startup were due not to competitors, but investors.Dealing with competitors was easy by comparison. Another concept we need to introduce now is valuation. I say "in theory" because in early stageinvesting, valuations are voodoo. Better how?

Technical Review 76

Technical Review Startup Software Review Angel Investor 76

www.mint.com

MARCH 9, 2010

What is your net outflow per month? If the answer to the question centers around “We will achieve revenue soon so our net will improve and give us more runway,” it means the company is in trouble because no product ever ships on time nor achieves the company’s “conservative forecast.” No customers no sales, no startup.

Software Review 68

Software Review Startup Post-Money Valuation Technical Review 68

Cracking the Code

FEBRUARY 4, 2008

Cracking The Code. Thoughts from a Venture Capitalist on Software, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Cloud Computing, Internet and more. A few times per year, Bessemer organizes a CxO event for our portfolio companies and we decided to focus our first session of 2008 on Software-as-a-service (SaaS). Monday, February 04, 2008.

Software Review 48

Software Review South Korea IPO Portfolio 48

Up and Running

FEBRUARY 17, 2016

You’re looking for a number of 70 precent or more within five miles of the zip code you desire,” says Ben. “I A used system might be through the door quicker and might save you money up front, but make sure you’ve thoroughly reviewed the system and seller—and remember that when you have problems, you’ll likely be on your own to fix them.

Oregon 60

Oregon Jordan SBA Cofounder 60

techcrunch.com

FEBRUARY 19, 2010

According to VCs, there’s been a 65% decrease in up-rounds (where a company gets a bigger valuation) in the last six months and more than 60% of those polled expect a longer wait for an exit. And investors said they intend to invest more in cleantech than software going forward. A lot of the stats weren’t surprising.

Venture Capital 62

Venture Capital Technical Review Sweat Equity Valuation 62

pandodaily.com

NOVEMBER 29, 2012

“Founders don’t think their problems are due to trends. Lastly, seed-stage entrepreneurs who have pushed for the maximum valuation possible haven’t done themselves any favors. Meanwhile, their seed investors aren’t particularly incentivized to get them a Series A that crams the previous valuation down.

Technical Review 93

Technical Review Silicon Valley Incubator Syria 93

Start Up Blog

APRIL 28, 2011

Sure language has iterated, been redefined, shortened, coded… but the conversations are real and the more meaning and ideas are being exchanged. Does the store have an emotional footprint or large ‘sale’ signs? Forget the net – launch with mobile. A nice example is net-a-porter. The art of conversation is not being lost….

Moldova 91

Moldova Internet Australia Libya 91

Up and Running

MAY 15, 2019

Review your business plan regularly. Committing to regularly reviewing your business plan and financials is a good step toward making more informed, smarter spending decisions, that can have a big impact on a new business’s long term viability. This year, Martin Cove Brewing Company will gross $520,000 in sales.

Oregon 24

Oregon Jordan Software Review Distribution 24