Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 8, 2019

Image via Flickr by MDGovpics Many entrepreneurs I know are confused by definition and need for an Advisory Board versus a Board of Directors. By definition, Advisory Boards are voluntary and have no fiduciary responsibility. How much are you willing to spend on your board?

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Advisory Board IPO Angel Investor Startup 247

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2020

Many startup founders I know avoid establishing a formal advisory board or board of directors for as long as possible, with the excuse that this is just another burden, or it has more risk than value to the founder. You need board members who are these influencers, or know them well.

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Advisory Board Startup IPO Government 336

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 7, 2021

Especially for entrepreneurs who have not built and sold companies before, and need this startup to be an attractive acquisition or IPO target in a few years, I can’t think of a better way to enlist outside experts and keep them motivated to help you meet the challenges of a startup. In my view, nothing could be further from the truth.

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Advisory Board IPO Government Acquisition 362

Reid Hoffman

JULY 15, 2021

Similarly, Aurora has made multiple strategic acquisitions over the last several years. TechCrunch called its acquisition of Uber’s ATG unit the biggest AV story of 2020. Other key acquisitions include Blackmore and OURS , which allow Aurora to incorporate best-in-class technology at an accelerated pace.

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Technical Review Advisory Board Cofounder Acquisition 28

Berkonomics

AUGUST 4, 2022

One of my companies where I have an investment and am on the advisory board was in the midst of a sprint to close its acquisition by a larger company before the cash ran out and enterprise value plummeted. I’ve recently experienced an example of this. Our solution.

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Advisory Board Acquisition Employee Email 62

Board Effect

MARCH 4, 2020

Not all boards can handle these issues on their own accord and that’s the right time to considering working with a governance consultant. A governance consultant is different than a mentor or an advisory board.

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Government Merger Advisory Board Acquisition 64

VC Cafe

JULY 5, 2010

Ultimately it is up to the Management Team, Advisory Board and Board of Directors to make the investment decisions, manage the capital investments and oversee portfolio company development. – To read the full interview, click on ‘read more’ – VC Cafe: Do you make any performance guarantees to your LPs?

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Technical Review Software Review Seed Stage 106

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2015

Especially for entrepreneurs who have not built and sold companies before, and need this startup to be an attractive acquisition or IPO target in a few years, I can’t think of a better way to enlist outside experts and keep them motivated to help you meet the challenges of a startup. In my view, nothing could be further from the truth.

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Advisory Board Startup IPO Government 120

David Teten

JANUARY 10, 2012

Mr. Parekh serves on various advisory boards of start-up internet companies. He also worked in mergers and acquisitions at Veronis, Suhler & Company and Cowles Media Company and held various operations positions at The Black Book. He joined Goldman Sachs & Co.

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Technical Review Technology North Carolina Switzerland 128

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 2, 2016

Especially for entrepreneurs who have not built and sold companies before, and need this startup to be an attractive acquisition or IPO target in a few years, I can’t think of a better way to enlist outside experts and keep them motivated to help you meet the challenges of a startup. In my view, nothing could be further from the truth.

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Advisory Board Entrepreneur IPO Government 145

Austin Startup

MARCH 2, 2019

Both Bazaarvoice and Coremetrics started from scratch, and I’ve also angel-backed companies recently that have started from scratch, like Compare Metrics , where I serve as the Chairman of the Board (note that Compare Metrics also recently completed their Series A with Austin Ventures as the lead).

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Advisory Board Cofounder Greece Bootstrapping 51

The Startup Magazine

APRIL 1, 2018

Sitting on a corporate advisory board is one of the best resume-builders an entrepreneur can ask for. Your First Board Position. If you’re not sure you agree with what an otherwise well-run organization believes, think twice about pursuing an advisory board position. So is every board member. That’s okay.

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Advisory Board Early Stage Startup Acquisition 81

OnlyOnce

JULY 9, 2013

Chapter 29: The Role of M&A…Using Acquisitions as a Tool in Your Strategic Arsenal, The Mechanics of Financing and Closing Acquisitions, Stock, Cash, Earn Out, The Flipside of M&A: Divestiture, Odds and Ends, Integration (and Separation).

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Startup Advisory Board Elevator Pitch Forecast 95

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 28, 2017

In every business there are crises every day that can prevent you from seeing the more important issues – including customer acquisition costs, competitive challenges, and new market opportunities. Too many business owners are convinced that listening to an advisory board or Board of Directors is a waste of time and money.

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Cost Advisory Board Entrepreneur Angel Investor 180

Berkonomics

NOVEMBER 23, 2023

We will cover board members and advisory board members at a later time. This provision allows these select individuals to perhaps profit handsomely in an acquisition by being able to exercise their options in full at the time of sale. Director level employees are typically granted ½%.

Equity 62

Equity Stock Options Vesting Early Stage 62

thinkspace.com

SEPTEMBER 7, 2012

Equity for Board of Directors and Advisory Board. Typically for an Advisory Board it ranges from 1/10th of percent to 1/2% and for Board of Directors from 1/2% to 2%. Should your startup be acquired, do you have legal control over what role, title and responsibilities you’ll have post-acquisition?

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Equity Employee Founder CTO Hire 62

Up and Running

JUNE 16, 2014

To demonstrate traction you might recruit a good management team, start making sales, build an advisory board or secure strategic partnerships. This may include planning for an IPO, a strategic acquisition or for management buyout. For investors, traction minimizes risk. Cash Flow and a Financial Plan.

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Exit Strategy Advisory Board Business Plan Portfolio 91

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 22, 2016

Build an inside advisory board of influencers and experts. If Bill Gates has agreed to be on the board of your software startup, that’s major traction, even with no paying customers. It’s never too early to build relationships with industry analysts, influential bloggers and the media, and show how these have grown over time.

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Metrics Advisory Board Startup Lean 143

David Teten

JANUARY 19, 2021

The value ascribed by subsequent investors (in a secondary); buyers (acquisition); or the public markets (IPO). Disclosures: Blue Future Partners is a member of the Advisory Board of ff Venture Capital , where David Teten was formerly a Partner. Yes, typically preferred equity. 15-20% sold per round. Volatile, uncapped.

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Cofounder Technical Review Equity Dividend 78

Steve Blank

JULY 29, 2013

(However, in some industries such as life sciences, founders may be tenured professors who are not going to give up their faculty positions, so they often become the head of a startup’s scientific advisory board, but aren’t part of the founding team.). A couple of caveats about founders with “ideas.”

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Cofounder Advisory Board Customer Development Leadership 335

Berkonomics

JULY 7, 2016

One of my companies where I have an investment and am on the advisory board was in the midst of a sprint to close its acquisition by a larger company before the cash ran out and enterprise value plummeted. I’ve recently experienced an example of this. The effort worked, and all did come together to make it happen.

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Advisory Board Acquisition Employee Email 54

ConversionXL

AUGUST 11, 2021

It contains the story of your property, mission statement, sponsor benefits, demographics, marketing plan, goals, media opportunities, advisory board, and the sponsor fees.”. This is basically a business plan—and snapshot of the benefits of your property [assets]. These should be backed by social proof to show off your credentials.

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Audience Social Media Email Ruby 139

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 13, 2016

Include advisory board member qualifications and key industry connections. Technically, this is your exit strategy, usually a merger and acquisition (M&A) or initial public stock offering (IPO). A highly investable team has prior experience in the same business domain as well as credentials and skills in their roles.

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Sweat Equity Advisory Board Liquidity Event Startup 120

Steve Blank

FEBRUARY 12, 2015

Sales (and/or customer acquisition in a multi-sided market) becomes achievable by a sales force (or network effect or virality) without heroic efforts from the founders. Customer acquisition and activation are understood and Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and Life Time Value (LTV) can be estimated for the next 18 months.

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Startup Lean Venture Capital Advisory Board 120

Berkonomics

SEPTEMBER 28, 2017

We will cover board members and advisory board members at a later time. This provision allows these select individuals to perhaps profit handsomely in an acquisition by being able to exercise their options in full at the time of sale. Director level employees are typically granted ½%.

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Early Stage Equity Stock Options Vesting 102

Steve Blank

NOVEMBER 16, 2009

Dave McClure’s AARRR metrics and Andrew Chen ‘s specifics on freemium models, viral marketing, user acquisition and engagement both offer examples of exit criteria for Customer Discovery and Validation for startups on the web. Eric and I will be working on others. As for #3. I agree completely.

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Customer Development Web Developer Customer 219

Austin Startup

JUNE 27, 2017

He is a Partner and Mentor at Capital Factory, serves on the Engineering Advisory Board of the Cockrell College of Engineering at the University of Texas and is a former member of the Board of Directors of Sustainable Food Center and Austin Film Society.

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Venture Capital Austin Texas Private Equity 54

Austin Startup

JANUARY 14, 2011

a leading provider of online veterinary healthcare content and services, announced today that Raul Calvoz has joined the company as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors. PetsMD Inc.,

Advisory Board 63

Advisory Board Merger LLC Europe 63

Lightspeed Venture Partners

MAY 5, 2016

Over the years we’ve had the privilege of working with amazing founders and helping them grow from infancy to IPO or acquisition in many cases. Meredith is an angel investor in Color Genomics and Munchery and sits on the advisory board for zkipster. We know the scrappiness and the elbow grease required.

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Silicon Valley Advisory Board Flash Pennsylvania 60

steveblank.com

JULY 8, 2011

Research, Web prototyping, Testing and Building Tools Lists of Tools from Others HBS Startup Tribe Tools List – from Tom Eisenmann at HBS PBworks startup tools List Startup Foundry tools list Small Business tools list Groups Lean Startup Circle – Google Group for startup advice Startup Weekend – Launch a Startup in 54 hours The Lean (..)

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Software Review Startup Silicon Valley Analytics 110

The Startup Toolkit

AUGUST 29, 2012

if the company is sold, they get their entire stake immediately, whereas the founders often have to start a new vesting period in the terms of the acquisition). Don’t rush to “fill” your advisory board. Unlike the rest of the team though, advisors get full acceleration on an exit (e.g.

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Equity Vesting Advisory Board Merger 46

ReadWriteStart

JUNE 20, 2012

Moreover, they can be potential advisory board candidates. They place a greater emphasis on customer acquisition, activation and referrals. They can be relied on for feedback and initial sales; they’ll tell others about the product and spread the word that the vision is real. Build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) First.

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Customer Advisory Board Engineer Cofounder 119

www.startupcfo.ca

MARCH 16, 2012

Product definition, development and customer acquisition happen every day. Some other thoughts on this: Active advisors can play a role : Many startups put together “ advisory boards ” filled with people who have a sprinkle of options and provide no value. It can be more challenging for core areas.

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Hiring Advisory Board Stock Options Finance 41

Berkonomics

MAY 12, 2010

All other grants usually are much lower, allowing for the typical 15% pool to last for quite awhile in most companies. We will cover board members and advisory board members at a later time. . Options typically are earned over time, which we call vesting.

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Early Stage Equity Stock Options Vesting 85

betashop.com

OCTOBER 8, 2012

Advisory boards never amount to much. He’s been an essential consigliere who has helped me navigate acquisitions, sales, investors, and all sorts of corporate governance issues. Don’t do this by committee. Find one person, make them your sherpa, and lean on them.

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Technical Review Technology Software Review Valuation 108

www.vccafe.com

MARCH 11, 2013

great web customer acquisition tutorials. Executive / Advisory Board Compensation. VentureHacks on Startup Advisory Boards â?? mixpanel vs kissmetric vs google analytics review. Analytics blog â?? good analytics tutorials. SEO for Startups â?? good tutorial. Andrew Chenâ??s s Essays â?? Analytics Tools.

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Software Review Technical Review Startup 53

Pascal's View

APRIL 5, 2016

I recently joined the Advisory Board to Gerhard Blechinger , the Rector of the FachHochschule Salzburg, (the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences) and became a guest lecturer on Entrepreneurship at the University. This has not occurred without excess and without some years recording staggering losses.

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Austria Global Silicon Valley Advisory Board 28