Gust

DECEMBER 21, 2011

Silicon Valley is a very special place – the nucleus of high-growth, high technology entrepreneurship in the US, indeed, in the world. The Valley produces world-class entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists and successful high-tech companies – all growing and creating jobs on one relatively small peninsula.

Silicon Valley 107

Silicon Valley Southern California Tucson Seattle 107

Gust

OCTOBER 17, 2012

I began studying angel investing returns about 10 years ago as a result of a problem I couldn’t resolve: The investing world seemed certain that angel investors were rubes. And whenever they might come close to succeeding, savvy “professional” investors would just swoop in, cram them down, and win the real returns.

Angel Investor 152

Angel Investor Venture Capital Seed Stage Silicon Valley 152

Gust

DECEMBER 13, 2011

I’ve recently taken a look at seed stage funding by venture capitalists (VCs) and angel investors over the past five years. Silicon Valley. Silicon Valley. For VCs, I chose to look at all seed stage VC deals (from MoneyTree©) as well as those in five of the most active regions in the country. All Seed-VC.

Seed Stage 162

Seed Stage Southern California San Diego Silicon Valley 162

Gust

OCTOBER 16, 2012

This summer I conducted our third annual survey of the pre-money valuation of pre-revenue companies recently funded by angel groups in North America. Access to our 2010 and 2011 surveys can be found at 2011 Valuation Survey of North American Angel Investor Groups. New York Angels. Wilmington Investor Network (NC).

Angel Groups 169

Angel Groups Valuation Pre-Money Valuation North Dakota 169

Gust

JULY 8, 2012

A while back I heard a talk by Dave McClure, a long-time angel investor, who also proclaims to be one of the “new breed” of venture capitalists in Silicon Valley, as CEO of 500Startups , which is either a micro-VC seed fund, or a startup incubator, or both. Every startup is early-stage to someone.

Early Stage 177

Early Stage Finance Seed Stage Entrepreneur 177

Gust

DECEMBER 1, 2011

Sources of Capital for Startup Entrepreneurs – The primary sources of cash for new companies are (1) self (the entrepreneurs’ resources), (2) government grants, (3) friends and family, (4) angel investors and Super Angels , (5) venture capitalists and (6) strategic investors.

SBIR 120

SBIR Startup New York City Angel Investor 120

Gust

OCTOBER 5, 2011

At least one well-known Silicon Valley venture accelerator is using a document referred to as a “ convertible security ” rather than “convertible promissory note.” This may seem like a no-brainer now that you understand the basic structure of a convertible debt financing. In fact, there is a recent variation on this theme.

Finance 79

Finance Preferred Stock Term Sheet Early Stage 79