Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 22, 2010

Traction means that you have achieved one or more significant milestones, which will give you credibility with investors. Don’t expect them to believe your $100M revenue projection, if you are still waiting for the first revenue dollar. Build qualified advisory board. Get a real customer and real revenue.

Intellectual Property 222

Intellectual Property Sweat Equity CTO Hire Fractional CTO 222

www.instigatorblog.com

MARCH 2, 2010

The Importance of Advisory Boards for Startup CEOs Tweet When a startup receives financing it will need to setup a Board of Directors. The Board probably existed beforehand, but was made up only of the founders. Once funding takes place, the angels or VCs will want a seat at the table. Why wouldn’t you?

Advisory Board 40

Advisory Board Startup Cofounder Equity 40

The Startup Magazine

MAY 28, 2019

Embargo is the brainchild of co-founders; Tsewang Wangkang, Nik von Solodkoff and Frederick Szydlowski which created quite a trio linking their finance, hospitality and IT background to solve a problem all three had experienced themselves – the huge disconnect between customers and venues in the bar, restaurant and coffee shop scene.

Advisory Board 91

Advisory Board Angel Investor Startup Cofounder 91

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 28, 2017

As a new business advisor and angel investor, I have assembled my own favorite list of shortcuts to avoid, in the hope of saving you from learning these lessons the hard way: Be satisfied with verbal or handshake partner agreements. Focus on products and customers, and trust your accountant.

Cost 180

Cost Advisory Board Entrepreneur Angel Investor 180

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 4, 2013

Many entrepreneurs work hard on the proof of concept (technical), but skip any proof of the business model (revenue flow). In other words, once they are convinced that the product works, they assume their price, sales channel, and marketing will bring in the customers. Get a reference customer. Use focus groups.

Business Model 235

Business Model Product Advisory Board Angel Investor 235

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2012

Many entrepreneurs work hard on the proof of concept (technical), but skip any proof of the business model (revenue flow). In other words, once they are convinced that the product works, they assume their price, sales channel, and marketing will bring in the customers. Get a reference customer. Use focus groups.

Business Model 248

Business Model Advisory Board Entrepreneur Angel Investor 248

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2012

Terms like “every customer needs this” and “next generation platform” are far too soft, and should be avoided. Many entrepreneurs scare away potential investors by claiming that their technology represents “truly disruptive technology.” No investor wants to wait that long for his payback, or fund the years of waiting.

Business Plan 283

Business Plan Sweat Equity Exit Strategy Intellectual Property 283

OnlyOnce

JULY 9, 2013

Chapter 2: Defining and Testing the Story…Start Out By Admitting You’re Wrong, A Lean Business Plan Template, Problem, Solution, Key Metrics, Unique Value Proposition and Unfair Advantages, Channels, Customer Segments, Cost Structure and Revenue Streams. Chapter 3: Telling the Story to Your Investors…The Business Plan is Dead.

Startup 95

Startup Advisory Board Elevator Pitch Forecast 95

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 15, 2011

Many entrepreneurs work hard on the proof of concept (technical), but skip any proof of the business model (revenue flow). In other words, once they are convinced that the product works, they assume their price, sales channel, and marketing will bring in the customers. Get a reference customer. Use focus groups.

Business Model 234

Business Model Advisory Board Startup Angel Investor 234

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 13, 2011

Terms like “every customer needs this” and “next generation platform” are far too soft, and should be avoided. Many entrepreneurs scare away potential investors by claiming that their technology represents “truly disruptive technology.” No investor wants to wait that long for his payback, or fund the years of waiting.

Business Plan 290

Business Plan Sweat Equity Exit Strategy Intellectual Property 290

The Startup Magazine

JUNE 19, 2018

Earlier this year at the FUND Conference in Austin, Texas, over 100 startups presented their early-stage companies in front of hundreds of investors and industry leaders. FUND is a national connector of entrepreneurs, VCs, angel investors, and industry experts with a focus on deal flow and making connections. Our people!

Texas 74

Texas Advisory Board Startup Angel Investor 74

Gust

AUGUST 5, 2012

Terms like “every customer needs this” and “next generation platform” are far too soft, and should be avoided. Many entrepreneurs scare away potential investors by claiming that their technology represents “truly disruptive technology.” No investor wants to wait that long for his payback, or fund the years of waiting.

Business Plan 182

Business Plan Sweat Equity Exit Strategy Intellectual Property 182

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2010

Terms like “every customer needs this” and “next generation platform” are far too soft, and should be avoided. Many entrepreneurs scare away potential investors by claiming that their technology represents “truly disruptive technology.” No investor wants to wait that long for his payback, or fund the years of waiting.

Business Plan 186

Business Plan Exit Strategy Sweat Equity Intellectual Property 186

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 5, 2010

Many entrepreneurs work hard on the proof of concept (technical), but skip any proof of the business model (revenue flow). In other words, once they are convinced that the product works, they assume their price, sales channel, and marketing will bring in the customers. Get a reference customer. Use focus groups.

Business Model 120

Business Model Advisory Board Angel Investor Channel 120

David Teten

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

It’s very powerful to have a model that you can email to everyone in the firm, because then everyone sees clearly that you’re communicating the exact same message to the whole team (including outside consultants and the advisory board, if any).

Employee 155

Employee IRR Startup Mexico 155

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 8, 2013

In addition to being startup founders, like Richard Branson , founder of more than 400 companies and still going strong, there are several other key roles that I see Boomers taking more often these days to drive successful startups: Advisory Board. Angel investor. Customer service.

Advisory Board 247

Advisory Board Angel Investor Startup Equity 247

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 20, 2011

In addition to being startup founders, there are several other key roles that I see Boomers taking more often these days to drive successful startups: Advisory Board. Angel Investor. Customer Service. Most actually have the time and inclination to help you, rather than compete with you.

Advisory Board 268

Advisory Board Angel Investor Entrepreneur Equity 268

Austin Startup

FEBRUARY 24, 2019

As I’ve helped entrepreneurs find their own product-market fit and connected them to potential clients, investors, and Advisory Board members, I’ve spent a lot of time telling them about the “cool kids”. Ralph Mack, Julie Allegro, and other prominent angel investors, and I’ve also agreed to be the CEO’s primary mentor.

Software Review 48

Software Review Sales Cofounder Analytics 48

Gust

DECEMBER 31, 2012

In addition to being startup founders, like Richard Branson , founder of more than 400 companies and still going strong, there are several other key roles that I see Boomers taking more often these days to drive successful startups: Advisory Board. Angel investor. Customer service.

Advisory Board 177

Advisory Board Angel Investor Startup Equity 177

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 26, 2010

Advisory Board. Angel Investor. Almost all angel investors are “high net worth” individuals who made their money running a successful business in your domain, and they will mentor your team as well as demand the discipline you need to make your business work. Customer Service.

Advisory Board 189

Advisory Board Angel Investor Equity Salary 189

Hunter Walker

MAY 2, 2016

Advisory Board lunch w our largest investors followed by a State of Homebrew, State of the Market, State of our Portfolio presentation. On paper Homebrew’s first fund is shaping up very nicely, with, to date, significant appreciation in the portfolio and a healthy number of companies growing real revenues.

Advisory Board 48

Advisory Board LP Institutional Investors Portfolio 48

Hunter Walker

MAY 2, 2016

Advisory Board lunch w our largest investors followed by a State of Homebrew, State of the Market, State of our Portfolio presentation. On paper Homebrew’s first fund is shaping up very nicely, with, to date, significant appreciation in the portfolio and a healthy number of companies growing real revenues.

Advisory Board 48

Advisory Board LP Institutional Investors Portfolio 48

Austin Startup

MAY 29, 2019

Brands would get higher margins but lower revenues while retailers would get lower margins but higher revenues (generally speaking, with Apple being a notable exception owning both sides of that for much of their sales). check out The Entrepreneur’s Essentials #1 on that front).

Networking 48

Networking Fractional CTO CTO Hire B2C 48