Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 22, 2010

It doesn’t prove your business model of pricing, distribution, and support. Funding for pre-revenue startups used to be the domain of angel investors, but they have moved up-stage. Get a real customer and real revenue. Real customers give you real feedback, rather than just tell you what you want to hear.

Intellectual Property 222

Intellectual Property Sweat Equity CTO Hire Fractional CTO 222

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 6, 2019

Others believe that new business models are emerging that could replace venture capital all together. And finally the best of the best are able to raise “growth funds” to complement their early-stage funds. I’ve heard a lot of people question whether there is too much money in venture capital chasing too few great deals.

Venture Capital 292

Venture Capital IPO Mezzanine Early Stage 292

Mucker Lab

OCTOBER 12, 2016

Out of hundreds of daily-deal companies funded, one or two became long-term businesses. Out of hundreds of social networks launched, only one changed the world. Financially, they have to reserve capital to support large portfolio companies that account for big portions of the portfolio and thus make less early stage investment.

Harvest 60

Harvest Vertical IPO Early Stage 60

SoCal CTO

MARCH 22, 2007

Its also been interesting to see the interaction of tools involved - Social Networking, Blogging and a Discussion Group. It seems that four different models of "discussion creation" have occurred: Organice Discussion - someone posts something interesting, lots of bloggers post on the topic, distributed discussion ensues.

Technical Cofounder 150

Technical Cofounder Southern California Los Angeles CTO Hire 150

Growthink Blog

FEBRUARY 28, 2011

technologies like social networking, mobile gaming, and interactive advertising, in 2011 new fortunes and legends are being made. social networking hype of 2006-2007. As importantly, because of the rise of global social networking - Facebook now has 300 million non-U.S. Here’s why: 1. The result?

Social Network 63

Social Network Technical Review Stock Early Stage 63

Kodorra

NOVEMBER 25, 2018

Visit online forums, social networks, and blogs and check customer star rating and comments. 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.

Software Review 45

Software Review Hosting Intellectual Property Naming 45

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

Professor VC

SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

How would Billy Beane have done as an early stage investor? Im still not convinced that "gut feel" isnt a good way to invest at the early stage, but this can certainly get rid of over-thinking and provides diversification and investments in entrepreneurial teams that would be otherwise overlooked. ProfessorVC. at 2:32 PM.

Technical Review 38

Technical Review Early Stage San Jose Angel Investor 38

www.forentrepreneurs.com

FEBRUARY 2, 2010

Business Model I would like to propose that in addition to team, product, and market, there is actually a fourth, equally important, core element of startups, which is the need for a viable business model. These new business models focused heavily on how buying behavior has changed because of the power of the web.

Acquisition 103

Acquisition Cost Customer Entrepreneur 103

Professor VC

JANUARY 27, 2011

I strongly believe (at least for very early stage technology ventures) that you will get diminishing returns and arguably negative returns once you get past an initial threshold of team, product, market and financial diligence. Don't Stop Believin' Is There Any Truth in "The Social Network"?

Technical Review 31

Technical Review Due Diligence Silicon Valley San Jose 31

BeyondVC

APRIL 11, 2007

As a VC that invests in early stage companies, part of my job is to discover new opportunities and business models. Luckily most of my children’s time is spent doing their own things and less on the social networking aspect of the community. Webkinz is another virtual world for kids but with a twist.

Software Review 60

Software Review Technical Review Social Network Vesting 60

SoCal CTO

JANUARY 31, 2011

In this case, the system will be made up of a classic two-sided market: Job Seekers Jobs / Employers And like most two-sided markets, the value to either side is most often proportional to the number of users on the network’s other side. Or for each job that you get from an employer, you comb through social networks, LinkedIn, etc.

Marketing 204

Marketing Matching Algorithm Bootstrapping 204

SoCal CTO

JANUARY 31, 2011

In this case, the system will be made up of a classic two-sided market: Job Seekers Jobs / Employers And like most two-sided markets, the value to either side is most often proportional to the number of users on the network’s other side. Or for each job that you get from an employer, you comb through social networks, LinkedIn, etc.

Marketing 196

Marketing Matching Algorithm Bootstrapping 196

Growthink Blog

JANUARY 24, 2011

So we are left with that sinking feeling that this whole social networking advertising space may be just one giant bubble waiting to burst…. So, are we just in the early stages of a new paradigm that will continue to transform how we all shop, connect, and live?

Investment Bankers 102

Investment Bankers United States Early Stage Advertising 102

Hippoland

AUGUST 16, 2018

1) Your idea is undifferentiated Investors see thousands of businesses a year. And, your idea is 50th social networking site of the week. Especially at the early stages. There were/are so many freakin’ ad networks / ad exchanges / ad platforms out there that LaunchBit was just undifferentiated.

Sales Cycle 54

Sales Cycle Differentiation Early Stage Bootstrapping 54

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 28, 2010

Since then Mike his built his career by investing in early-stage companies (seed or series A), which is remarkable given that Polaris Ventures is a $1 billion fund. I’ve already started the business modeling. I spent a couple of days hanging out in DogPatch San Francisco and I was both impressed and envious.

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San Francisco Los Angeles Cofounder SMS 230

Professor VC

SEPTEMBER 16, 2010

Bump.com is a social network based on license plate numbers as the identifier. Don't Stop Believin' Is There Any Truth in "The Social Network"? I take CFO roles in early stage companies and participate on the management team during the early financings and business model development phases.

Technical Review 38

Technical Review San Jose Angel Investor Silicon Valley 38

Hippoland

AUGUST 16, 2018

1) Your idea is undifferentiated Investors see thousands of businesses a year. And, your idea is 50th social networking site of the week. Especially at the early stages. There were/are so many freakin’ ad networks / ad exchanges / ad platforms out there that LaunchBit was just undifferentiated.

Sales Cycle 48

Sales Cycle Differentiation Early Stage Bootstrapping 48

Professor VC

MARCH 10, 2009

Kennet has a white paper on that summarizes why bootstrapped businesses are the best. Don't Stop Believin' Is There Any Truth in "The Social Network"? I take CFO roles in early stage companies and participate on the management team during the early financings and business model development phases.

Bootstrapping 28

Bootstrapping San Jose Silicon Valley Software Review 28

Professor VC

APRIL 1, 2010

It had a good mix of viewpoints with east ( James Geshwiler, Common Angels ) and west coast (yours truly) angels, early stage venture capitalist ( Jason Mendelson, Foundry Group ), and a couple of attorneys ( Dan Hansen and Mario Rosati ). Don't Stop Believin' Is There Any Truth in "The Social Network"?

Term Sheet 32

Term Sheet Angel Investor San Jose Venture Capital 32

Professor VC

MAY 29, 2008

To the SEC, it means that you are an accredited investor and To the man (or woman) on the street, a minimum qualification would seem to be an interest and ability to invest in early stage ventures. Don't Stop Believin' Is There Any Truth in "The Social Network"? ► January. (1). ► 2010. (7).

Angel Investor 28

Angel Investor Angel Groups Accredited Investor San Jose 28

Professor VC

NOVEMBER 13, 2008

This got me thinking about the business model that Mike Keiser has built at the resort and a lecture began to form in my head. cant wait to go back, which is clearly goal #1 in the list of critical success factors if anyone is still following the business model tangent. Labels: Bandon Dunes , business models , golf.

Oregon 28

Oregon San Jose Angel Investor Silicon Valley 28

Genuine VC

APRIL 30, 2008

After the crash at the end of the last decade, web startups clamped down to focus on their core value proposition and were forced out of necessity for survival to hone their revenue models. But it goes beyond just widgets and social networks.

Distribution 103

Distribution Widget Viral Social Media 103

Professor VC

JUNE 6, 2008

Some conclusions were that the founders role is more important in the very early stage in the creation of the horse and as the visionary and as the company moves beyond this stage, becomes replaceable. Don't Stop Believin' Is There Any Truth in "The Social Network"? ► January. (1).

San Jose 28

San Jose Technical Review Norway Angel Investor 28

Genuine VC

APRIL 30, 2008

After the crash at the end of the last decade, web startups clamped down to focus on their core value proposition and were forced out of necessity for survival to hone their revenue models. But it goes beyond just widgets and social networks.

Distribution 100

Distribution Widget Viral Social Media 100

Professor VC

DECEMBER 18, 2008

Many entrepreneurial programs feature a business plan competition, which is a great exercise. At SJSU, we also have a business plan competition in the spring, which ideally allows the students to build a viable business model around their NIF projects. A Lot of Horn Tooting over a Kazoo sized deal. ► January. (1).

San Jose 28

San Jose Silicon Valley Technical Review Angel Investor 28

Professor VC

APRIL 7, 2011

Don't Stop Believin' Is There Any Truth in "The Social Network"? I take CFO roles in early stage companies and participate on the management team during the early financings and business model development phases. A Lot of Horn Tooting over a Kazoo sized deal. ► January. (1).

San Jose 36

San Jose Technical Review Angel Investor Valuation 36

Reid Hoffman

AUGUST 13, 2021

In the early stages of Google, search was seen as a terrible way of making money in advertising. That didn’t strike anyone as a good business model. My friend Mark Pincus tells a good “honest no” story around a previous venture, the social network called Tribe. We see this all the time with truly big ideas.

Networking 28

Networking Early Stage Cofounder Advertising 28

Professor VC

JANUARY 27, 2008

In addition to the case study analysis, the students also have the opportunity to develop a business model and financial model for a new concept, which always proves a lot more challenging. Don't Stop Believin' Is There Any Truth in "The Social Network"? ► January. (1). ► 2010. (7).

San Jose 28

San Jose Technical Review Angel Investor Venture Capital 28

Professor VC

JULY 31, 2008

This whole process got me thinking about the textbook business model. Labels: business models , Grateful Dead , textbook. Don't Stop Believin' Is There Any Truth in "The Social Network"? Steve Bennet. at 7:05 PM. Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook. ► January. (1).

San Jose 28

San Jose Software Review Angel Investor Silicon Valley 28

David Teten

DECEMBER 3, 2019

This is a great example of why data businesses have substantial moats. Boardex and Relationship Science make it easier to understand and map social networks into potential limited partners. Data companies focused on early-stage startups include Aingel , fundsUP , Preseries , PredictLeads , and Sploda.

Technical Review 78

Technical Review Software Review Analytics Private Equity 78

Professor VC

APRIL 11, 2008

Don't Stop Believin' Is There Any Truth in "The Social Network"? I take CFO roles in early stage companies and participate on the management team during the early financings and business model development phases. A Lot of Horn Tooting over a Kazoo sized deal. ► January. (1).

San Jose 28

San Jose Angel Investor Venture Capital Balance Sheet 28

Professor VC

FEBRUARY 12, 2008

As early stage investors, our goal is to eliminate as much risk as possible with the least amount of cash spent. Don't Stop Believin' Is There Any Truth in "The Social Network"? However, once the deal is completed and the wire hits the start-ups bank account, all the warts seem to jump out.

San Jose 31

San Jose Technical Review Venture Capital Angel Investor 31

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 23, 2012

The movie, “The Social Network” might have had more of an impact on creating future entrepreneurs than any other event of the past 5 years. The mobile world brings enormous business opportunities and changes to business models that were unthinkable when VCs made investments ten years ago that produced the last decade of results.

Venture Capital 347

Venture Capital Technical Review LP Mobile 347

BeyondVC

JULY 20, 2006

It is always helpful to get benchmark data on your competitors and on other companies that have a similar business model. In other words, I like to know what company out there today has a business model that you would like to emulate.

Software 60

Software SEC Affiliate Early Stage 60

Occam's Razor

APRIL 8, 2013

It means you're relevant to the business, and if your trip around the cycle is successful, you'll have helped the organization get closer to its goals. Another way to find the metric you want to change is to look at your business model. The business model also tells you what the metric should be.

Metrics 156

Metrics Analytics Lean Churn Rate 156

Reid Hoffman

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

Needless to say, this isn’t a business model that works in the pandemic world. Frequently, however, you need to pivot your business model and find new ways to make money. Business model evolution is the rule, not the exception. The only problem was, we didn’t have a working business model.

Startup 36

Startup Silicon Valley Business Model Mobile 36