VC Cafe

MARCH 1, 2024

Eliminating middlemen in healthcare – from using AI to automate repetitive human jobs to exploring new and better business models for providing care. Iterating with intelligent editors – products that enable users to take an existing output and refine it (ex.

Artificial Inteligence 177

Artificial Inteligence Technical Review Software Review Generative AI 177

View from Seed

SEPTEMBER 18, 2019

As a seed-stage company, it is understandable to have a nascent (or non-existent) product and a barebone team relative to the great ambition of the company. The “product roadmap”. The other aspect of the people roadmap is org-level team building necessary to unlock or accompany certain stages of the business.

Part-Time VPE 195

Part-Time VPE Seed Stage CTO Hire Forecast 195

Duct Tape Marketing

FEBRUARY 22, 2024

Pricing in the realm of professional services can often feel like a nebulous task, as unlike tangible products, services are intangible and the value they provide can vary greatly from client to client. I think one of the real keys is differentiation. Now, I know many people say, you've got to have a point of differentiation.

Differentiation 67

Differentiation Software Review Colorado Framework 67

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

One of our Bplans writers described going into business in cannabis as a “ once-in-a-generation opportunity ,” with the product rapidly becoming legal for recreational as well as medical use in many states. Write your business plan and develop your business model with this in mind so you can avoid these issues. .

Business Plan 154

Business Plan Technical Review Forecast Software Review 154

Up and Running

MARCH 11, 2020

Every person, company, and product relies on transportation daily—creating a powerful demand. In order to differentiate yourself from the industry giants, start asking yourself how your company could harness trends to alleviate current pain points. . When starting your business—think specialized and targeted. How to Stand Out.

Technical Review 97

Technical Review Green Silicon Valley Non-Compete 97

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 24, 2017

Most of the guidance you see for entrepreneurs is aimed at those who are selling a product (Apple, Tesla, Xiaomi), or selling a service (Uber, Airbnb, Snapchat). The “product” value is difficult to quantify, the costs are nebulous, and entrepreneurs have to clone themselves to scale the business.

Differentiation 141

Differentiation SBA Social Media Dividend 141

View from Seed

DECEMBER 6, 2018

As a seed stage VC, I have a unique privilege of confidentially spending time with a number of entrepreneurs throughout their company formation and initial product development process. independently come to launch very similar products/services. without any knowledge of the other’s activities?—?independently

Seed Stage 120

Seed Stage Startup Cofounder Stealth 120

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 14, 2012

I expect that should seem intuitive to all entrepreneurs, but every investor I know has many stories about startup funding requests with major business model elements missing. The most common failures are solutions looking for a problem, lack of a defined market, and giving away the product. Production. Revenue model.

Business Model 242

Business Model Distribution Viral Green 242

YoungUpstarts

JUNE 27, 2018

But none of this happens by accident — here are lessons prospective digital entrepreneurs can learn from three great business websites. Entering a competitive marketplace makes branding crucial for differentiating yourself from more established rivals.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Curation Differentiation Web Development 100

ReadWriteStart

MARCH 27, 2019

For example: Specific product features. The product itself may not change, but you can certainly add something to it. New product features may be enough to differentiate the product, and enter a world free from competition, even within a competitive industry. Geographic locations. Peripheral services.

Differentiation 78

Differentiation Startup Advertising Channel 78

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 14, 2023

Every existing business, as well as every startup, needs to reassess their product or service in the context of these five forces: Intensity of competitive rivalry. This is where most current business plan analyses focus today. A key is your differential advantage from alternatives. Bargaining power of suppliers.

Differentiation 220

Differentiation Framework Equity Business Plan 220

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 29, 2011

I expect that should seem intuitive to all entrepreneurs, but every investor I know has many stories about startup funding requests with major business model elements missing. The most common failures are solutions looking for a problem, lack of a defined market, and giving away the product. Production. Revenue model.

Business Model 246

Business Model Distribution Viral Green 246

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 21, 2012

One of the toughest decisions for a startup is how to price their product or service. The implications of the decision you make are huge, defining your brand image, your funding requirements, and your long-term business viability. So what are some of the most common revenue models being used by startups today? Cost-based model.

Business Model 282

Business Model Revenue Portfolio Differentiation 282

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 20, 2023

Quantify the results, and avoid any fuzzy words, such as better usability, advanced technology, or more productivity. Client cost differentials of less than twenty percent are usually not enough to incent change. Keep your product focus narrow and messages clear. Use test marketing to identify changes before scale-up.

Marketing 290

Marketing Leadership Differentiation Equity 290

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 23, 2021

The push is always on to grow your market with new geographies, new products, and new market segments. The best approach is to listen and learn from them – and clarify your brand marketing, customer service, business model, or just find the right customers. Differentiate your brand based on a higher cause.

Leadership 426

Leadership Management Brazil Differentiation 426

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 28, 2018

This is still one of the most important competitive differentiators that you can offer. Anyone can have ideas, passion, and faith about an important business opportunity. Great entrepreneurs are proactive, not only in selecting the right idea, but in implementing a product, setting a price, and choosing customers. Applied faith.

Technical Review 134

Technical Review Angel Investor Differentiation Business Model 134

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 24, 2020

Every existing business, as well as every startup, needs to reassess their product or service in the context of these five forces: Intensity of competitive rivalry. This is where most current business plan analyses focus today. A key is your differential advantage from alternatives. Bargaining power of suppliers.

Differentiation 378

Differentiation Framework Equity Business Plan 378

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2023

With pervasive access to social media, customers no longer differentiate poor product repair and replacement from a poor shopping experience or customer usage satisfaction. My recommendations always include adopting a customer mindset, as well as the following steps: Accept today’s definition of relevant customer support.

Differentiation 274

Differentiation Social Media Customer Matching 274

ReadWriteStart

MARCH 8, 2021

And from there, you can achieve a modest rate of growth as long as you keep providing quality products and services. . You may have a great product and a happy customer base, but what does that matter if nobody knows you exist? . You start with a great product or service and make sure your customers are getting what they need.

Startup 127

Startup Retention Acquisition Agile 127

The Startup Magazine

SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

Also, before you invest a dime, the franchisor will give you a Franchise Disclosure Document, laying out in detail, pertinent information about the franchisors history, its business model, any litigation and much more. In our fast paced economy fads come and go, while other products and services become obsolete.

Technical Review 112

Technical Review Differentiation Operations Restful 112

Steve Blank

FEBRUARY 23, 2016

As we prepared for the new Hacking for Defense class at Stanford, we had to stop and ask ourselves: How do we use the Business Model Canvas if the primary goal is not to earn money, but to fulfill a mission? In other words, how can we adapt the Business Model Canvas when the metrics of success for an organization is not revenue?

Business Model 120

Business Model Revenue Channel Community 120

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 25, 2016

So when Sam Rosen came to me with the idea of disrupting storage with a product that is priced cheaper than existing incumbents and he could build a product that is a better service I was intrigued. The metrics were good but we wondered how much better they would be when we expanded our product.

Startup 150

Startup Seed Money DC Software Review 150

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 13, 2019

Being an entrepreneur also allows you to choose the business model that proves most beneficial for you, your clients, and your team. Because you make the decisions, you can build your business around your long-term life and career goals. Operating from a Profit-Oriented Business Model . Legal research tools.

Software Review 75

Software Review Business Model Lead Generation United States 75

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 23, 2013

One of the toughest decisions for a startup is how to price their product or service. The implications of the decision you make are huge, defining your brand image, your funding requirements, and your long-term business viability. So what are some of the most common revenue models being used by startups today? Cost-based model.

Product 290

Product Revenue Business Model Retention 290

Hearpreneur

JANUARY 8, 2023

You'll need to be more creative and productive if you want to succeed in today's global economy. The term sharing economy refers to businesses like AirBnB and Uber. The subscription model is another type of business that is gaining ground. 14- Business model innovations. 11- Cyber breaches will rise.

Artificial Inteligence 124

Artificial Inteligence Technical Review Entrepreneur Forecast 124

YoungUpstarts

MAY 13, 2014

Niche businesses almost always originate from an identifiable need in the marketplace. They recognize an underserved segment of the population — whether that’s expectant mothers, pet owners, or cheese lovers — then develop a product or service to meet the specific needs of that customer base. Poor customer retention.

Pennsylvania 224

Pennsylvania Retention Differentiation Reputation 224

YoungUpstarts

JULY 17, 2013

You want the starting market you have chosen to be narrow enough to allow your product/service to be easily differentiated, but not so narrow that there isn’t enough market for the business to be viable. Can a competitor’s product name be easily substituted for my company’s brand? Build a business model that scales.

Georgia 238

Georgia Sales Cycle Atlanta Business Model 238

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 14, 2021

In their passion and excitement about a new product or service, entrepreneurs tend to continually narrow the scope of potential competitors, and often claim to have no direct competitors. Order-of-magnitude cost reduction or productivity increase. Expert knowledge in the relevant business domain is another plus.

Intellectual Property 417

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Dilution Differentiation 417

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 15, 2022

Every entrepreneur needs this kind of focus to build a minimum viable product, target the right customer segment, differentiate from competitors, and drive business growth. Offense, for entrepreneurs, means leading with a new business model, new marketing, and new technology.

Differentiation 376

Differentiation Startup Global Business Model 376

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 4, 2012

After you have successfully attracted angels or venture capital with your business case, your million dollar product idea, and you have a signed term sheet, there is still one more hurdle to overcome before investors write the check. Product or service readiness. Investors are evaluating your process as well as your product.

Technical Review 237

Technical Review Due Diligence Intellectual Property Private Equity 237

ReadWriteStart

JANUARY 13, 2024

Moreover, they must prioritize innovation and agility to differentiate themselves from many companies offering similar cybersecurity solutions. These startups can demonstrate their expertise and efficacy in addressing unique security concerns by specializing in niche areas , ultimately increasing trust and credibility among potential clients.

Down Round 154

Down Round Marketing Artificial Inteligence Startup 154

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 26, 2013

Of course there a couple of potential down sides to this movement: As more startups are funded, without the big VCs on the other end, more companies will be looking for growth dollars and may languish trying to differentiate themselves in a crowded, but slow spending, consumer marketplace.

Angel Investor 231

Angel Investor Entrepreneur Early Stage Silicon Valley 231

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 20, 2012

Why is it that most of the business plans I see are really product plans? I define a product plan as a detailed description of your product or service, with a bit of business thrown in at the end. A business plan is a detailed description of your business, with a bit of product description thrown in near the front.

Product 230

Product Business Plan Differentiation Business Model 230

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 29, 2011

Why is it that most of the business plans I see are really product plans? I define a product plan as a detailed description of your product or service, with a bit of business thrown in at the end. A business plan is a detailed description of your business, with a bit of product description thrown in near the front.

Business Plan 234

Business Plan Product Entrepreneur Differentiation 234

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 22, 2010

After you have successfully attracted angels or venture capital with your business case, your million dollar product idea, and you have a signed term sheet, there is still one more hurdle to overcome before investors write the check. Product or service readiness. Investors are evaluating your process as well as your product.

Technical Review 225

Technical Review Due Diligence Intellectual Property Private Equity 225

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 27, 2018

As you prioritize your product rollout tasks, a mobile app, whether it is “the” product, or an adjunct marketing tool, is critical to the customer experience. First determine whether there is a need for your product in the market or not. Your business model should be flexible and centred around revenue generation.

Mobile 60

Mobile Social Media Marketing Business Model 60

YoungUpstarts

OCTOBER 20, 2017

by Amanda Setili, author of “ Fearless Growth: The New Rules to Stay Competitive, Foster Innovation, and Dominate Your Markets “ Growth has always been fundamental to business success, but it’s never been more critical than it is now. Problem is, the same forces that make growth imperative also make it incredibly daunting.

Technical Review 147

Technical Review Malaysia Agile Employee 147