Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 6, 2010

Angel investors and venture capitalists don’t invest in non-profits. The simple reason is that it’s impossible to make money for investors when the goal of the company is to not make money. Government grants. You still start the process with a business plan, but then you look for a philanthropist rather than an investor.

Angel Investor 143

Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy Equity 143

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 8, 2019

Angel investors and venture capitalists don’t make equity investments in nonprofit good causes. The simple reason is that it’s impossible to make money for investors when the goal of the company is to not make money. Government grants. As in any company, they can lead to employee problems, or messy legal issues.

Equity 235

Equity Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy 235

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2019

According to a well-researched Motly Fool report, the challenge is very real, since around half of all businesses fail in the first five years. The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than early projections and product development.

Finance 320

Finance Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 320

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2018

This process costs money, which professional investors are not willing to contribute, since their interest is in scaling a proven product and business model into a growth business. Investors want potential for a large and timely return, with reduced risk. The approval process is long and bureaucratic.

Early Stage 225

Early Stage SBIR Technical Review Seed Stage 225

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2019

According to my experience and a this Motley Fool article, the challenge is very real, with around half of all new businesses no longer existing after five years. Apply for contests and business grants. In reality, the financing valley of death tests the commitment, determination, and problem solving ability of every entrepreneur.

Intellectual Property 219

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 219

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 2, 2023

Angel investors and venture capitalists are looking for startups with real products and a proven business model, ready to scale. Yet I still get too many business plans that clearly are looking for money to do research and development (R&D) on a new and unproven technology. They believe in you above all else.

Angel Investor 256

Angel Investor Early Stage Incubator Government 256

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2023

Different types of investors tend to specialize in capitalizing on businesses at different stages. Venture capital firms look for the most mature companies they can find, Angel investors typically deal a tier lower, while friends and family are most likely to help you get started. Congratulations!

Angel Investor 313

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 313

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

Angel investors and venture capitalists don’t make equity investments in nonprofit good causes. The simple reason is that it’s impossible to make money for investors when the goal of the company is to not make money. Government grants. As in any company, they can lead to employee problems, or messy legal issues.

Angel Investor 132

Angel Investor Equity Technical Review Exit Strategy 132

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2021

Angel investors and venture capitalists are looking for startups with real products and a proven business model, ready to scale. Yet I still get too many business plans that clearly are looking for money to do research and development (R&D) on a new and unproven technology. They believe in you above all else.

Early Stage 412

Early Stage Angel Investor Incubator Government 412

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 4, 2021

I still get inquiries about how to find angel investors and venture capitalist to kick-start a social enterprise. Funding such an enterprise is more likely philanthropists, government grants, or bootstrapping. Business investors are looking for a high financial return, not social capital.

Entrepreneur 345

Entrepreneur Angel Investor Government Bootstrapping 345

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 3, 2011

Angel investors and venture capitalists don’t invest in non-profits. The simple reason is that it’s impossible to make money for investors when the goal of the company is to not make money. Government grants. You still start the process with a business plan, but then you look for a philanthropist rather than an investor.

Angel Investor 238

Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy Equity 238

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 14, 2014

According to a Gompers and Lerner study, the challenge is very real, with a majority of new ventures that don''t attract investors failing within the first three years. Apply for contests and business grants. It’s the time when you create tremendous value out of nothing.

Entrepreneur 283

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 283

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2017

According to my experience and a classic Gompers and Lerner study, the challenge is very real, with a majority of new ventures that don't attract investors failing within the first three years. Apply for contests and business grants. It’s the time when you create tremendous value out of nothing.

Product Development 177

Product Development Cost Developer Product 177

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 13, 2013

Angel investors and venture capitalists don’t invest in non-profits. The simple reason is that it’s impossible to make money for investors when the goal of the company is to not make money. Government grants. You still start the process with a business plan, but then you look for a philanthropist rather than an investor.

Equity 207

Equity Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy 207

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 19, 2013

According to a Gompers and Lerner study, the challenge is very real, with 90% of new ventures that don't attract investors failing within the first three years. Apply for contests and business grants. The positives are that you give up no equity, and these apply to the early startup stages, but they do take time and much effort to win.

Intellectual Property 309

Intellectual Property Technical Review Venture Capital Startup 309

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 22, 2020

Different types of investors tend to specialize in capitalizing on businesses at different stages. Venture capital firms look for the most mature companies they can find, Angel investors typically deal a tier lower, while friends and family are most likely to help you get started. Congratulations!

Angel Investor 370

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 370

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

Angel investors and venture capitalists don’t invest in non-profits. The simple reason is that it’s impossible to make money for investors when the goal of the company is to not make money. Government grants. You still start the process with a business plan, but then you look for a philanthropist rather than an investor.

Angel Investor 218

Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy Equity 218

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 12, 2018

According to a recent Motly Fool report, the challenge is very real, since around half of all businesses fail in the first five years. The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than early projections and product development.

Intellectual Property 134

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 134

Gust

APRIL 27, 2014

Write down the key elements of your business plan very early, and keep it current as things evolve. This will include the first version of many critical processes that can be split out later, including market opportunity, requirements, product definition, business model, sales process, and organization. Funding process.

Startup 187

Startup Institutional Investors Angel Investor Bootstrapping 187

ReadWriteStart

JUNE 1, 2020

In very few specific cases, depending on the nature of the business, the business model might demand a considerable gestation period or extensive research and development. For these businesses, it is imperative to get funding from the start without which the company cannot be set up. Government programs.

Startup 150

Startup Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Seed Stage 150

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 11, 2022

After many years of working with angel investors seriously trying to find new ventures worthy of their hard-earned money, I find their frustration often exceeds that of entrepreneurs sincerely looking for financial help. Investors expect a good value proposition in every pitch. Undefined business model or very low gross margins.

Due Diligence 271

Due Diligence Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Preferred Stock 271

YoungUpstarts

DECEMBER 27, 2011

It’s not surprising then that the region has also been on the lips on venture capitalists and angel investors who are intent on riding the technology innovation boom in this part of the world. You’ll find out, for example, of how to tap on resources from local government.

Asia 167

Asia Technical Review Vietnam Singapore 167

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 21, 2023

These are professional investors, like Accel Partners , who invest institutional money in qualified startups, usually with a proven business model, ready to scale. Apply to local angel investor groups. Request a small business grant. Look for a warm introduction to make this work.

Equity 266

Equity Startup Small Business Administration SBA 266

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2015

According to a classic Gompers and Lerner study, the challenge is very real, with a majority of new ventures that don't attract investors failing within the first three years. Apply for contests and business grants. It’s the time when you create tremendous value out of nothing.

Entrepreneur 120

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 120

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 3, 2016

Every entrepreneur I know has their favorite excuse for a previous failure – an investor backed out, the economy took a downturn, or a supplier delivered bad quality. I certainly agree that starting a business is fraught with risk, and none of us get it all right the first time. Assume passion level defines business opportunity.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Startup Angel Investor Viral 120

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 29, 2020

These are professional investors, like Accel Partners , who invest institutional money in qualified startups, usually with a proven business model, ready to scale. Apply to local angel investor groups. Request a small business grant. Look for a warm introduction to make this work.

Equity 436

Equity Small Business Administration SBA Syndicate 436

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 14, 2010

Bockerstette, Main Street Venture Fund As I outlined last week, trophy angel investors are always looking for trophy entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, we read far more poorly written business plans at Main Street than good ones. By Joseph A. In many areas, not enough entrepreneurs meet the criteria, so it’s still a buyer’s market.

Intellectual Property 265

Intellectual Property Balance Sheet Phoenix Arizona 265

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 1, 2015

Every entrepreneur I know has their favorite excuse for a previous failure – an investor backed out, the economy took a downturn, or a supplier delivered bad quality. I certainly agree that starting a business is fraught with risk, and none of us get it all right the first time. Assume passion level defines business opportunity.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Viral Distribution 120

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 23, 2019

I still get inquiries about how to find angel investors and venture capitalist to kick-start a social enterprise. Funding such an enterprise is more likely philanthropists, government grants, or bootstrapping. Business investors are looking for a high financial return, not social capital.

Angel Investor 214

Angel Investor Government Bootstrapping Business Model 214

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 14, 2020

After many years of working with angel investors seriously trying to find new ventures worthy of their hard-earned money, I find their frustration often exceeds that of entrepreneurs sincerely looking for financial help. Investors expect a good value proposition in every pitch. Undefined business model or very low gross margins.

Due Diligence 308

Due Diligence Intellectual Property Preferred Stock Seed Stage 308

Austin Startup

FEBRUARY 13, 2019

Convertible debt is best when you don’t yet have revenue or a good sense for your valuation, because it allows you to raise money on the basis that the valuation will be set one to three years in the future, based on execution of the early business model. We were able to raise $750k this way.

Strategic Investors 49

Strategic Investors Austin Angel Investor Bootstrapping 49

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2018

Different types of investors tend to specialize in capitalizing on businesses at different stages. Venture capital firms look for the most mature companies they can find, Angel investors typically deal a tier lower, while friends and family are most likely to help you get started. Congratulations!

Angel Investor 184

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 184

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 4, 2014

Different types of investors tend to specialize in capitalizing on businesses at different stages. Venture capital firms look for the most mature companies they can find, Angel investors typically deal a tier lower, while friends and family are most likely to help you get started. Congratulations!

Angel Investor 232

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 232

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 19, 2017

I still get inquiries about how to find angel investors and venture capitalist to kick-start a social enterprise. Funding such an enterprise is more likely philanthropists, government grants, or bootstrapping. Business investors are looking for a high financial return, not social capital.

Entrepreneur 163

Entrepreneur Angel Investor Government Bootstrapping 163

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 30, 2013

They are looking for a business model that makes the world a better place for humanity. One step in that direction is the trend to “conscious capitalism,” as exemplified in the recent book by John Mackey and Raj Sisodia, “ Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business.”

Government 249

Government Non-Compete Angel Investor California 249

YoungUpstarts

JULY 1, 2019

Grants are a big opportunity to get some money to start your dream business. State and national governments offer grants to new establishments. Angel Investors. Getting an angel investor on board is a good way to find the money you need. The only thing you should be wary about is the broker itself.

Finance 127

Finance Angel Investor Offshore Equity 127

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 28, 2013

I still get inquiries about how to find angel investors and venture capitalist to kick-start a social enterprise. Funding such an enterprise is in the realm of philanthropists, government grants, or bootstrapping. Business investors are looking for a financial return, not a social capital return.

Entrepreneur 246

Entrepreneur Angel Investor Government Bootstrapping 246