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The Changing Structure of the VC Industry

Both Sides of the Table

Limited Partners or LPs (the people who invest into VC funds) have taken notice as 2014 is by all accounts the busiest year for LPs since the Great Recession began. ” The pioneering fund of funds realize that their source of differentiation is much more about the latter than the former.

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Did Your Credibility Crumble In 2013? Top 10 Credibility Repair Tips For 2014.

YoungUpstarts

Chances are you haven’t hit the credibility point of no return just yet — but salvaging your image requires making a herculean effort to be more accountable in 2014. Let them know that you’ve seen the error of your ways and that you will be changing your behavior in 2014. Probably not. It won’t be easy — fessing up never is.

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How Boards Need to Evolve Over Time

Both Sides of the Table

I think that mindset is useful to remind entrepreneurs that it is a shared journey and capital (whether active or passive) is a part of your success and your ability to access it when you need to and for the amounts you need is a very critical differentiator between successful companies and unsuccessful one.

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How to Run a Business in Prison (Orange is the New Black, Season 2)—Minor Spoilers

Up and Running

The show premiered in 2013 to critical acclaim, and in June 2014 Netflix released all 13 episodes of its second season. As you consider your new business idea and the market that it can reach, you will need to figure out how to differentiate yourself from the competition. This is especially important in highly competitive industries.

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Some Reflections on VC Investment Decisions

Both Sides of the Table

I guess if you’re in high-volume, low-differentiation mode perhaps this is efficient for you. I told my friend that I felt that in 2014 too many new VCs feel the pressure to chase deals, to be a part of syndicates with other brand names and to pounce on top of every startup whose numbers are trending up quickly. Pay attention.

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Bad Boys and the Fab Five: Business Lessons from Basketball History

Up and Running

The series was so popular that ESPN decided to release a second volume of 30 more documentaries, produce 30 new digital shorts, and even released a “30 for 30″ selection of soccer-related features in time for the 2014 World Cup. It also presents an opportunity to differentiate your product or service in a competitive market.

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How to Start a Cleaning Business

Up and Running

As of May 2014, there were 2,137,730 janitors and cleaners in the U.S.; Because you’ll be entering an already-saturated market, you will need to figure out a way to differentiate your service offerings. To do really well, you need business smarts and you need to stand out from the crowd. This is where market research comes in.

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