Steve Blank

MAY 19, 2015

Organizational debt is all the people/culture compromises made to “just get it done” in the early stages of a startup. While he kept bringing the conversation back to their big valuation I tried to steer the conversation back to how they were going to deal with: training the influx of new hires – in both culture and job specific tasks.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Salary Early Stage Software Review 120

The Next Web

AUGUST 26, 2013

To date I have primarily focused on finding your way into an entrepreneurial environment, identifying a good idea, as well as starting your own business with purpose and style. There are two ways to start a tech business. Most first-time entrepreneurs write huge business plans, instead of creating a short pitch-deck.

Management 120

Management Cofounder Startup Bootstrapping 120

Steve Blank

OCTOBER 10, 2011

50% the fault of a Nokia management that didn’t see it coming, while 50% was due to brilliant Apple execution.) They’ve stopped hiring the best talent, and startups are not looking so risky compared to large companies. Startup incubators, business angels and VCs are starting to emerge.

Finland 324

Finland Naming Russia Government 324

Steve Blank

MARCH 31, 2011

Over the last decade we assumed that once we found repeatable methodologies (Agile and Customer Development , Business Model Design) to build early stage ventures, entrepreneurship would become a “science,” and anyone could do it. It is a very different skill than science, engineering, or management.

Agile 332

Agile Customer Development Early Stage Business Model 332

NZ Entrepreneur

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

experiments to build a product, find customers, test business models and hire amazing people. So managing risk in a startup is less about compliance, it’s more about being as brave and ambitious as you can without breaking things. Creating this value is anchored in finding a repeatable, scalable business model.

Technical Review 88

Technical Review Software Review New Zealand Due Diligence 88

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 4, 2022

As an entrepreneur, you need to start early to implement the discipline and business practices that will lead to success. Even though everyone has an opinion on good early stage practices, I was impressed with the actionable blueprint in the classic book by Scott Duffy, “ Launch!

Early Stage 307

Early Stage Bootstrapping Revenue Framework 307

David Teten

APRIL 1, 2021

Once you have assembled the right core team, I recommend prioritizing as follows: First, meet with your portfolio company management. For technology vendors and models, see Venture capitalists eating our own dog food: Using technology and analytics to make better investments. . – What are your fundraising goals? Minimal cost. .

Private Equity 78

Private Equity Venture Capital Portfolio Equity 78

Up and Running

MARCH 12, 2019

For a lot of non-technical founders—that is, entrepreneurs with a business idea but without technical expertise— sourcing software development talent is critical. In many areas, however, the high demand for tech talent appears to be larger than the supply of qualified tech and software developers for hire.

IP 80

IP Software Developers Software Development Intellectual Property 80

Steve Blank

MARCH 2, 2011

The Energy Storage division is acting like a startup, and Prescott Logan its General Manager, has lived up to the charter. Working with him, I’ve been impressed to watch his small team embrace Customer Development (and Business Model Generation ) and search the world for the right product/market fit. So why this post?

Silicon Valley 222

Silicon Valley Agile Customer Development Early Stage 222

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 31, 2022

I will outline here his six required activities of every successful business to get you started down the right path for you: Wonder: identify the value and need for change. If your relish the challenges of creating an innovative solution or business model, then this is the type of work you must seek.

Metrics 272

Metrics Early Stage Finance Programming 272

ReadWriteStart

MARCH 8, 2021

You can hire more salespeople and practice social selling. . You’ll also need to invest in publicity, circulating headlines about your business and getting featured in the news. PR and reputation management can be huge in getting your brand established. . But what if you want to grow more or grow faster? Dead Weight.

Startup 127

Startup Retention Acquisition Agile 127

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 19, 2017

Capital investments are like gasoline on a startup business’s metaphorical fire. They allow you to hire more people, purchase new technology, and establish new business connections, among many other benefits. million early-stage raise that involved pitching to over a dozen PE firms, which took months to negotiate.

Private Equity 94

Private Equity Pre-Money Valuation Equity Startup 94

Steve Blank

MARCH 17, 2020

While the impact on small businesses and workers in the “gig-economy” hasn’t made the news, it will be worse for them. They have fewer cash reserves and less margin of error for managing sudden downturns. But next the question is, ‘What happens to my business?”. What does your new business model look like?

Burn Rate 436

Burn Rate Startup Valuation Sales Cycle 436

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 30, 2019

As an entrepreneur, you need to start early to implement the discipline and business practices that will lead to success. Even though everyone has an opinion on good early stage practices, I was impressed with the actionable blueprint in the classic book by Scott Duffy, “ Launch!

Early Stage 317

Early Stage Bootstrapping Revenue Framework 317

Up and Running

AUGUST 8, 2018

It only takes an hour each month, keeps the management team up to speed on everything that’s going on in the company, and helps us plan and manage in a lean and effective way. We treat planning not as a document, but as a management tool that helps guide decisions and strategy. This meeting is our monthly plan review meeting.

Software Review 65

Software Review Business Plan Product Forecast 65

Transformify

SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

Commenced in July 2017, The Youth Enterprise Development Fund provides start-up loans to help young entrepreneurs fund their businesses at a very early stage. Do they possess the skills, experience, and know – how for their businesses to be successful? Project/ Product Management. Business / Finance.

Africa 75

Africa Benin Seychelles Nigeria 75

ReadWriteStart

NOVEMBER 19, 2010

Well, I have coached early stage entrepreneurs for a couple of years now - diligently, patiently - and have learned a few things. He discussed his business model analysis and it was clear that he needs to move to a subscription-based model where the employers pay and the universities and students can come online for free.

Silicon Valley 114

Silicon Valley Technical Review Startup Early Stage 114

The Startup Magazine

DECEMBER 26, 2021

If this is an issue you’re struggling with, here are a few suggestions that might help you protect your new company from early-stage business risks. Hire the right people. Doing everything on your own might seem doable right now, but as soon as your business takes off, you won’t be able to keep up the tempo.

Early Stage 163

Early Stage Business Model Security Hiring 163

www.drowningamerican.com

JUNE 22, 2012

Next → How we Hire for Sweat Equity (Part 2)… Posted on April 7, 2011 by Travis Biziorek. The first time we hired partners for Kibin was way back in late 2009. I’ve heard people say it’s impossible to hire good developers right now. I want to hire before I have the ability to pay anyone.

Sweat Equity 40

Sweat Equity Equity Hiring Technical Review 40

View from Seed

APRIL 30, 2015

Below, we talk to Glen Mello , Managing Director of Silicon Valley Bank’s accelerator team in Boston. Especially in the early stages, so much about the company may change in how they think about product or go-to-market — and change multiple times — before raising an institutional round. Business model?

Term Sheet 120

Term Sheet Equity Startup Seed Stage 120

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 6, 2010

When I was running startups I felt like a horse with blinders on because I was super focused on the content management market and ignored many other markets. I get to do a deep dive on their business model, product roadmap and competitive positioning. The problems are much more manageable.

Technical Review 312

Technical Review Due Diligence Spain Warrant 312

Up and Running

MARCH 11, 2015

Bill Gurley of Benchmark Capital doesn’t publish frequently, but his essays on market trends and Benchmark portfolio companies are a window into how VCs view the world and the kinds of business models that they find most interesting. Brad Feld is a managing director at Foundry Group in Boulder, Colorado. Feld Thoughts.

Venture Capital 60

Venture Capital Technical Review Silicon Valley Cofounder 60

Women Entrepreneurs Can

SEPTEMBER 6, 2020

With dispute resolution clauses, your business will have the opportunity to resolve disputes at an early stage and help you avoid having to need the involvement of lawyers and the courts. The best way for you to clarify things efficiently is by hiring an expert insurance attorney who will ensure that you have the right policy.

Intellectual Property 59

Intellectual Property Startup Government Technical Review 59

Steve Blank

AUGUST 15, 2016

But to do it, you need to actually have a sustainable business model. Starting a business is too risky. Prior to founding Carely , Michael Eidsaune earned his MBA in finance and spent several years in investment management, eventually earning his level 1 CFA certification. Our revenue model was wrong.

Cofounder 142

Cofounder Entrepreneur Africa Sales Cycle 142

Austin Startup

AUGUST 20, 2017

Early stage startups have to survive one day at a time and are often presented with limited choices of the moment that enable them to continue. Hiring is a chapter unto itself, but it deserves to lead off any discussion of context. Compensation decisions obviously affect hiring and retention. Are the logistics manageable?

Technical Review 48

Technical Review Software Review Cap Table Securities and Exchange Commission 48

Duct Tape Marketing

NOVEMBER 2, 2023

02:06] Can you share your experience starting with an early-stage company (Hubspot) that eventually went public? [07:11] I was the first person to go from individual contributor sales rep to manager, director, and MVP. Questions I ask Peter Caputa: [0:48] What exactly does Databox do? [02:06] And so I grew a big team there.

Metrics 75

Metrics Analytics Forecast Software Review 75

Steve Blank

JUNE 25, 2009

Twenty eight years ago I was the bright, young, eager product marketing manager called out to the field to support sales by explaining the technical details of Convergent Technologies products to potential customers. So their management teams were insisting that they OEM (buy from someone else) these products. Help them?!!

Technology 138

Technology Silicon Valley Fractional VPE Part-Time VPE 138

Steve Blank

AUGUST 15, 2016

But to do it, you need to actually have a sustainable business model. Starting a business is too risky. Prior to founding Carely , Michael Eidsaune earned his MBA in finance and spent several years in investment management, eventually earning his level 1 CFA certification. Our revenue model was wrong.

Cofounder 120

Cofounder Entrepreneur Africa Sales Cycle 120

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 13, 2016

Accounting may seem like the most mundane aspect of running a business, but it’s also the most essential to keep on track —especially during the early stages. With this guide, we’ll walk you through the methods, apps, and services that will help you set up your financials and put your new business on the path to success.

Small Business 60

Small Business CPA Finance Warrant 60

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 7, 2018

As an entrepreneur, you need to start early to implement the discipline and business practices that will lead to success. Even though everyone has an opinion on good early stage practices, I was impressed with the actionable blueprint in the classic book by Scott Duffy, “ Launch!

Early Stage 158

Early Stage Bootstrapping Revenue Framework 158

Kodorra

NOVEMBER 25, 2018

Don’t forget to choose a sound business model. Whether it is advertisement model, B2C (Business to Consumer) ecommerce, affiliate or subscription, picking the right choice could determine the rise or fall of your business. That is a way cheaper to start than hiring a permanent staff.

Software Review 45

Software Review Hosting Intellectual Property Naming 45

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 7, 2014

As an entrepreneur, you need to start early to implement the discipline and business practices that will lead to success. Even though everyone has an opinion on good early stage practices, I was impressed with the actionable blueprint in a new book by Scott Duffy, “ Launch! Never commingle personal and business funds.

Entrepreneur 265

Entrepreneur Early Stage Bootstrapping Revenue 265

OnlyOnce

MARCH 22, 2016

And we decided that with a practical, but social mission, it should be a non-profit, dedicated to creating and managing networks of companies offering opportunities to many more people. and 7 companies in 6 cities around the world, producing an impressive 80% hire rate.

CTO Hire 48

CTO Hire Cofounder Programming Equity 48

Up and Running

APRIL 8, 2015

Do you have an early-stage startup? Your business might need a safe place to come out of its shell. A business in its early stages can often use a leg up, whether in the form of wise words from a mentor or an introduction to a strategic partner. These are very, very, very early-stage companies.

Incubator 60

Incubator Cofounder Founder Early Stage 60

Duct Tape Marketing

APRIL 6, 2022

You know, could you look at my business plan? See if the business model works, all these questions. So if you're running a small business, usually what you're doing, if it's a consulting business or any type of business, you are doing something similar to what other people have done in the past.

San Francisco 97

San Francisco Technical Review Incubator Silicon Valley 97

Steve Blank

JUNE 15, 2010

The role of a founding CEO in a startup searching for a business model is radically different than a CEO building and growing a company. Certain VC’s like the new class of Super-Angels and small VC funds specialize in the early stage of a startup where you are searching for a business model. Lean Startups ?

Founder 231

Founder Vesting Later Stage Early Stage 231

K9 Ventures

JUNE 12, 2012

For VCs working for funds that have a lot of money under management, the incentive is to encourage companies to grow quickly. This is because excessive capital becomes toxic for an early stage company. The rush to hire results in a relaxation of “hire only A players rule.”

Venture Capital 117

Venture Capital Silicon Valley Founder Seed Stage 117