Gust

DECEMBER 24, 2012

Then you can decide on a marketing program, loyalty program, or a level of attention that is appropriate to each group, for acquisition, retention, and profitability. But you do need to segment your customers into homogeneous groups. Remember, this is not a one-time effort.

Customer 166

Customer Startup Retention Differentiation 166

Gust

NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Never missing an opportunity for a good war story, I’d like to revisit one high-profile transaction, the $650 million acquisition of MySpace by Fox Interactive Media in 2005, on which I spent many sleepless nights along with the rest of the deal team. Read on for a fuller explanation. Intermix and its advisors weren’t fools.

Valuation 98

Valuation Pre-Money Valuation Merger Vesting 98

Gust

JULY 26, 2012

Because of this, the new breed of seed and early-stage funds are in many cases completely bypassing the down-swing of the J curve.

IPO 115

IPO Early Stage Acquisition Web 115

Gust

JULY 31, 2012

Typically, angel-funded companies that are going sideways have 1-10 employees and sufficient revenues and earnings to be sustainable, but are not attractive acquisition candidates to larger companies.

Exit Strategy 135

Exit Strategy Angel Investor Capital Gains Startup 135

Gust

SEPTEMBER 27, 2014

This added exposure can result in indications of interest (investment, acquisition, partnership, etc.) information will end up being disseminated broadly into other sites based on geography, industry, etc. from people and organizations that you didn’t even know existed.

Angel Groups 159

Angel Groups Elevator Pitch Software Review Deal Flow 159

Gust

DECEMBER 23, 2011

Similarly, start calling VCs if your customer acquisition costs can only be recaptured over a substantial period of time. Get those pitchbooks ready if your idea is not genuinely defensible except by being the first kid in the pool and creating a network effect, or dominant brand, before others do.

Intellectual Property 127

Intellectual Property Balance Sheet Dilution Bootstrapping 127

Gust

NOVEMBER 22, 2011

At this stage, you need investment bankers to negotiate a merger or acquisition (M&A), go private, or help you go public with an Initial Public Offering (IPO). This is the final stage of investment in venture opportunities, and is the point where investors expect to see the return and gain from the original investment.

Venture Capital 171

Venture Capital Investment Bankers Angel Investor Initial Public Offering 171

Gust

JULY 18, 2012

Ordinary shareholders do little more than monitor their investments, vote in the annual or other election of directors, and on rare occasions, cast special votes on certain decisions such as accepting or rejecting an acquisition offer. Here is where the concept of fiduciary duty looms large.

Stock Options 188

Stock Options SEC Stock Government 188

Gust

OCTOBER 12, 2011

The one exception, which we’ll get to in Part IV, is if the startup is acquired before it closes a priced equity round; the company needs a way to retire the Notes in connection with a merger or acquisition, and investors will expect a decent return in that scenario.

Finance 107

Finance Term Sheet Pre-Money Valuation Early Stage 107

Gust

OCTOBER 5, 2011

Moreover, assuming an eligible equity financing takes place before the maturity date, the interest isn’t paid in cash, but rather is added to the principal amount of the note before converting it to equity.

Finance 79

Finance Preferred Stock Term Sheet Early Stage 79

Gust

OCTOBER 2, 2014

And it’s why you probably will quit on day 366 after the acquisition. Often because you’re unemployable. Your impertinence would get you fired in 2 days for telling your boss he’s a f**k wit. You’re unemployable. You’re an entrepreneur. It’s not for everybody and you shouldn’t feel bad if you aren’t one of those that chooses this life.

Monaco 122

Monaco Cofounder Chicago Mexico 122

Gust

DECEMBER 27, 2012

You should know every metric regarding customer acquisition, conversion and retention. It sounds obvious, but the majority of entrepreneurs who pitch me have obviously never thought through many of the major issues surrounding their companies. You should know EVERYTHING about your business, product, customers and competition.

Software Review 164

Software Review Term Sheet Technical Review Angel Investor 164

Gust

MAY 24, 2012

In the case of an acquisition, the shares are tendered for cash and/or stock in the acquiring company.). Ordinarily, every share of Common Stock in a public company is identical, carrying one vote per share on matters put to any vote of stockholders.

IPO 159

IPO Equity Common Stock Stock 159

Gust

OCTOBER 26, 2011

merger or acquisition). The Majority Holders may amend or waive any provision of the Notes and such amendment or waiver shall be binding on all Note Holders. This is a subject touched upon in earlier discussions of voluntary conversion upon maturity of the Notes or upon a change of control (i.e.,

Finance 79

Finance Term Sheet Covenant Accredited Investor 79