Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 25, 2023

Based on my own experience as a mentor and angel investor, I find that as many as ninety percent of startups fail in the first five years, despite their best efforts. If an innovative solution is involved, prepare a minimum viable product or a video to demonstrate functionality and usability.

Intellectual Property 245

Intellectual Property Social Media Angel Investor Metrics 245

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 24, 2014

If you are not in that rare category of known and proven entrepreneurs, you should avoid the following list of my top ten turnoffs that I have personally experienced as an Angel investor. Teasing or spamming an investor is not the way to his pocketbook.

Technical Review 299

Technical Review Entrepreneur Business Plan Angel Investor 299

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 15, 2020

As an angel investor, I see plenty of startups focusing on building an innovative product, but I’m looking for the few who are also leading with an exponential growth strategy, to put them in the category of the next Amazon or Google. Produce memorable product demonstrations or videos.

Marketing 425

Marketing Angel Investor China New York 425

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 9, 2021

Here is my outline of key deliverables that could convince me that you are a cut above the “average” entrepreneur that approaches me with nothing but a dream and a prayer: Personal video introduction with elevator pitch. Successful startups are all about the right people with the right stuff.

Elevator Pitch 390

Elevator Pitch Entrepreneur Due Diligence Angel Investor 390

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 5, 2018

If you are not in that rare category of known and proven entrepreneurs, you should avoid the following list of my top ten turnoffs that I have personally experienced as an angel investor. Teasing or spamming an investor is not the way to his pocketbook.

Technical Review 157

Technical Review Angel Investor Business Plan Social Media 157

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 12, 2022

In my role as a mentor to entrepreneurs and an angel investor, I find that too many are stuck in this myth that a good pitch, and good marketing content, should consist of more product features, and more hype on customer benefits. Today is the age of images to make a point, including videos and sound.

Angel Investor 293

Angel Investor Viral Audience Social Media 293

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 8, 2015

If you are not in that rare category of known and proven entrepreneurs, you should avoid the following list of my top ten turnoffs that I have personally experienced as an angel investor. Teasing or spamming an investor is not the way to his pocketbook.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Angel Investor Business Plan Social Media 120

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 27, 2020

< These days, it’s easy to find comprehensive videos and online courses on the Internet to get you up to speed, but I find many entrepreneurs who are too independent and proud to look or ask for help. In my experience as an angel investor, it was an accepted axiom that we invested in people, even more than the product.

Product 308

Product Startup Angel Investor Social Media 308

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 8, 2019

In my role as a mentor to entrepreneurs and an angel investor, I find that too many are stuck in this myth that a good pitch, and good marketing content, should consist of more product features, and more hype on customer benefits. Today is the age of images to make a point, including videos and sound.

Angel Investor 255

Angel Investor Viral Audience Social Media 255

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 23, 2018

For example, Blockbuster was so busy expanding its hugely profitable video rental business, adding stores at a breakneck rate, that it failed to really take notice of new entrants like Netflix with no late fees, Redbox automated kiosks, and video on demand. Then when market demand slows, you are not able to react in time.

Leadership 205

Leadership Angel Investor Demand Video 205

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 21, 2018

Another advantage of online investor and equity crowdfunding platforms is that they will force you to pull together your story and documentation in a more consistent and complete fashion than you might otherwise bother. First impressions are key, so maximize your credibility by providing videos of a prototype or minimum viable product (MVP).

Equity 236

Equity Intellectual Property Elevator Pitch Social Media 236

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 20, 2018

Here is my outline of key deliverables that could convince me that you are a cut above the “average” entrepreneur that approaches me with nothing but a dream and a prayer: Personal video introduction with elevator pitch. Successful startups are all about the right people with the right stuff.

Elevator Pitch 164

Elevator Pitch Due Diligence Angel Investor Business Plan 164

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 18, 2014

Here is my outline of some key activities that could convince me you are a cut above the “average” entrepreneur that approaches me with nothing but a dream and a prayer: Personal video introduction with elevator pitch. Successful startups are all about the right people with the right stuff.

Entrepreneur 270

Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Due Diligence Angel Investor 270

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 26, 2017

In my role as a mentor to entrepreneurs and an angel investor, I find that too many are stuck in this myth that a good pitch, and good marketing content, should consist of more product features, and more hype on customer benefits. Today is the age of images to make a point, including videos and sound.

Marketing 173

Marketing Angel Investor Viral Audience 173

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 15, 2015

Here is my outline of key deliverables that could convince me that you are a cut above the “average” entrepreneur that approaches me with nothing but a dream and a prayer: Personal video introduction with elevator pitch. Successful startups are all about the right people with the right stuff.

Elevator Pitch 120

Elevator Pitch Due Diligence Startup Angel Investor 120

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2019

Whether you are looking for partners, investors, or future customers, you need to show a level of professionalism and leadership very early that will draw people to your idea. Two-minute video highlighting you and your idea. You really need at least a prototype product or customer to make the video come alive.

Dividend 315

Dividend Angel Investor Partner Video 315

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 19, 2017

As an angel investor, I sometimes worry that all the viable unique ideas must already be taken. Somewhere below this list is another tier of questionable potential startups, including more Amazon e-commerce knock-offs, photo sharing sites, music sharing sites, and more ultimate video games.

Social Network 219

Social Network Angel Investor Mobile Internet 219

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 9, 2011

He chairs New York Angels, one of the most active angel investment groups in the country, which has invested over $60 million into nearly 70 companies. It sounds like you could be a full-time Angel investor, but I know you have other activities as well. Marty: Welcome to Startup Professionals interviews.

New York 221

New York Accredited Investor Advisory Board IRR 221