Gust

APRIL 27, 2014

Unless you are bootstrapping everything, you need to have a clear plan on what networking and documents are required to get to friends and family, Angel investors, and institutional investors. If you are contracting or outsourcing, this is even more important. Funding process.

Startup 187

Startup Institutional Investors Angel Investor Bootstrapping 187

Gust

AUGUST 15, 2017

For many founders of high-growth startups, bootstrapping has limits. Your business is the next unicorn, and all is good in the world. Now only one thing is inhibiting your company’s growth: you have no money. Read more >. The post What Belongs in a Startup’s Pitch Deck? appeared first on The Gust Blog.

Bootstrapping 178

Bootstrapping Founder Developer Startup 178

Gust

JUNE 19, 2012

For example, with any outside investment, you give up some ownership and control, and with bootstrapping your growth curve will likely be longer and more organic. You need to explore more common and more productive approaches for getting your startup moving forward. Of course, every approach has pros and cons. June 17th, 2012. Power Pitches.

Startup 180

Startup Forecast Angel Investor Software 180

Gust

JULY 29, 2012

Starting your business with a very low investment is called “bootstrapping,” and these entrepreneurs usually have the most fun. In reality, most business today can be built and reach breakeven for much less than these amounts, maybe $10K-$50K, with the exception of some medical related ones, and high technology content solutions.

Bandwidth 155

Bandwidth Bootstrapping Equity Startup 155

Gust

JUNE 15, 2014

If you as the entrepreneur are willing to embrace accountability, here is how these same statements should come out: “My idea is so big, I will bootstrap the business myself if I have to.”. “My biggest challenge is make sure everyone is carrying their weight.”. Even in a down economy, there are some things that everyone needs.”. “I

Entrepreneur 174

Entrepreneur Bootstrapping Employee Restful 174

Gust

SEPTEMBER 28, 2014

Try answers like: “My timing was wrong,” “I picked the wrong partner,” or “I’m better at bootstrapping.” We have to assume responsibility for our actions, rather than play the part of a victim. Everyone will respect your integrity, and you will be ready to tackle the world again more quickly.

Startup 165

Startup Bootstrapping Partner Entrepreneur 165

Gust

DECEMBER 9, 2012

Smart entrepreneurs are nimble and flexile, bootstrap to the maximum degree possible, and pivot for emerging opportunities. Neither of these are realistic for an entrepreneur seeking success, but I still see them every day, and I see the pain that results.

Elevator Pitch 163

Elevator Pitch Startup Bootstrapping Entrepreneur 163

Gust

JULY 10, 2012

Bootstrap it. If you don’t have the product to sell yet, cook up a deal for pre-sales. Offer huge discounts. Put it on kickstarter if you can. Find somebody to write you a written promise of sales and contracts as soon as you’re ready. . Re-read my #1 above, on scaling down and focusing. Watch your costs.

Bootstrapping 165

Bootstrapping Valuation Restful Sales 165

Gust

DECEMBER 23, 2011

Or is it still possible to bootstrap and build a company organically? A gigantic percentage of startup literature concerns how to raise capital. But before you start on that PowerPoint, let’s ask this: do you really have to? Strategically, the advantage outside capital provides is obvious: you can go faster.

Intellectual Property 127

Intellectual Property Balance Sheet Dilution Bootstrapping 127

Gust

NOVEMBER 22, 2011

Obviously, if you bootstrap your business, you can avoid all these stages and the investment implications. VC money, for example, usually comes with high expectations of milestones met, board seats, and dominant control. Angels may be less demanding, but typically add less value.

Venture Capital 171

Venture Capital Investment Bankers Angel Investor Initial Public Offering 171

Gust

JUNE 10, 2012

See my interview a couple of years ago with parallel entrepreneur Rich Christiansen , who has started 28 businesses with a target bootstrap investment of $5K each. No need to make the assumption that you will need a rich uncle or an angel investor for every idea you come up with. Of course, a word of caution is also in order here.

Cost 139

Cost Burn Rate SEM Startup 139

Gust

NOVEMBER 28, 2011

The most common solution is that you “bootstrap” your business, or fund it yourself, at least to the point that your “traction” is evident (you have a product, you have customers, you have revenue). The CEO is expected to make the presentations to investors, and answer questions decisively.

Startup 147

Startup Bootstrapping Social Network Internet 147

Gust

DECEMBER 22, 2013

Fundraising is stressful and difficult, which is why 90% of successful entrepreneurs do bootstrapping. Consider the non-cash alternatives, like offering team members equity instead of cash and bartering for services. Do you have a viable plan?

Entrepreneur 184

Entrepreneur Angel Investor Bootstrapping Venture Capital 184

Gust

AUGUST 6, 2014

This means that it is a “buyer’s market”, and it is infinitely more common for an investor to decline to make an investment offer than it is for a company to decline to accept an investment offer.

Term Sheet 170

Term Sheet Lead Investor Preferred Stock Common Stock 170

Gust

JULY 1, 2012

This is definitely the space for bootstrapping and personal networking. Most professional investors value their integrity and image so much that they would never consider investing in a business that might be offensive to many, or raise legality questions in the minds of business associates and future clients. Real estate.

Angel Groups 143

Angel Groups Angel Investor Early Stage Startup 143