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Corporate Acquisitions of Startups: Why Do They Fail?

Steve Blank

More often than not the results of these acquisitions are disappointing. The goal is to get a corporate investment or an outright acquisition of the startup. VCs like acquisitions as much as IPOs because the acquiring companies often can rationalize paying large multiples over the current valuation of the startup.

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Startup Metrics

TechEmpower

What does the business do? One way to approach that last question is to use this simple model: Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) How will your business reach prospects? Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) How much money will your business generate from each converted customer? How does it meet customers’ needs?

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9 Business Model Components For New Business Funding

Startup Professionals Musings

An effective tool I see used more and more, as a prelude to a more detailed business plan, is the Business Model Canvas , first introduced by Alexander Osterwalder back in 2008. In my experience as a new business advisor, a business is nothing until people are aligned and work in sync. Key activities. Try this one.

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Why Startups are Agile and Opportunistic – Pivoting the Business Model

Steve Blank

The Search for the Business Model. A startup is an organization formed to search for a repeatable and scalable business model. Investors bet on a startup CEO to find the repeatable and scalable business model. They may draw their business model formally or they may keep the pieces in their head.

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5 Key Points Of Focus For Every Scalable New Venture

Startup Professionals Musings

Nail the business model. Leverage your customer conversations to predict and validate your business model. Don’t forget a viable financial model of costs, margins, customer acquisition, and break-even. Don’t forget a viable financial model of costs, margins, customer acquisition, and break-even.

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Master of Customer Acquisition, Matt Coffin, On Startups …

Both Sides of the Table

He is very hands-on and helpful – especially for any company looking into customer acquisition. o CPM model gave him control over the information in the acquisition cycle so he focused on that. - Since selling Matt has gone on to become one of the smartest angels I have seen operate. He told them it was now or never.

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9 Success Principles To Propel Your Next New Venture

Startup Professionals Musings

Minimize one-time sales in your business model. You need a stable customer base with an automatically renewing revenue stream, such as the subscription model. Prioritize mergers and acquisitions early. Strive to make real customers your best advocates for the initial rollout.

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