Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2017

The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capitalists) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than the more risky research and development efforts. Apply for contests and business grants. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. Use crowd funding.

Product Development 177

Product Development Cost Developer Product 177

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 21, 2018

If you are one of the thousands of entrepreneurs who need equity funding to get your startup going (no loans to repay), you are probably overwhelmed at the prospect of finding, contacting and pitching to the huge number of qualified angels and investment groups around the country. File a provisional patent or other intellectual property.

Equity 236

Equity Intellectual Property Elevator Pitch Social Media 236

Up and Running

MARCH 12, 2019

While this may be an innovative solution to your immediate need for tech talent needs, the question of how to protect your intellectual property when outsourcing software development has probably crossed your mind. The last thing you want is to have simply handed your idea and your intellectual property over to a potential competitor.

IP 80

IP Software Developers Software Development Intellectual Property 80

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 19, 2013

The problem is that professional investors (Angels and Venture Capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than the more risky research and development efforts. Apply for contests and business grants. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. Use crowd funding.

Intellectual Property 309

Intellectual Property Technical Review Venture Capital Startup 309

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 12, 2018

According to a recent Motly Fool report, the challenge is very real, since around half of all businesses fail in the first five years. The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than early projections and product development.

Intellectual Property 134

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 134

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

It doesn’t prove your business model of pricing, distribution, and support. Register some intellectual property. Intellectual property is a large element of most early-stage company valuations, and this value determines what percent of the company an investor will expect to get for his money.

Intellectual Property 281

Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Sweat Equity CTO Hire 281

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 11, 2016

Come with a product built and a proven business model. A business needs technical, marketing, financial and many other skills. If you are an inventor, for example, you need to line up the business side of your team before angels will be interested. Create and highlight your intellectual property portfolio.

Angel Investor 120

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Accredited Investor Angel Groups 120

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 31, 2012

It doesn’t prove your business model of pricing, distribution, and support. Register some intellectual property. Intellectual property is a large element of most early-stage company valuations, and this value determines what percent of the company an investor will expect to get for his money.

Intellectual Property 260

Intellectual Property Sweat Equity CTO Hire Fractional CTO 260

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2023

At this point, most Angel investors and a few early-stage VCs will be happy to talk, assuming you have the business model validated, and a large opportunity. Prior to the growth stage, your company valuation is limited to goodwill based on intellectual property and team experience, since you have no revenue.

Angel Investor 313

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 313

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2015

The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than the more risky research and development efforts. In general, banks won’t give you a loan until the business is cash-flow positive, but there are notable exceptions.

Entrepreneur 120

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 120

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2021

Those at the other extreme don’t look up from the grindstone long enough to notice whether all their work is producing sweat equity or just sweat. Starting a business may be fun, but it’s not easy. Truly satisfied customers are a joy to every business person. A business model that works.

Sweat Equity 400

Sweat Equity Intellectual Property Startup Viral 400

Women Entrepreneurs Can

SEPTEMBER 6, 2020

Obtaining financial, taxation, and legal advice might seem unnecessary, but the additional assistance can guide your business into growing in a way that minimizes surprises, troubles, and unwanted liabilities. Legally Secure Your Intellectual Property Position. Register the trademarks that you will use in your business.

Intellectual Property 59

Intellectual Property Startup Government Technical Review 59

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 21, 2016

They know it’s especially hard to provide a financial return with a free business model. Even non-profits need money to scale, but their pitch should be to philanthropists, not equity investors. Investors fear negative vibes will infect the business. Facebook spent over $100 million to kickstart the process.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Valuation Technical Review Equity 120

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2011

The corporate entity lends itself best to the concept of “sharing” equity required by investors, and unincorporated entities don’t get funding. Define some intellectual property. File a patent and trademarks to show real intellectual property. This is called “validating the business model.”

Intellectual Property 249

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Technical Review Elevator Pitch 249

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 17, 2011

It doesn’t prove your business model of pricing, distribution, and support. Register some intellectual property. Intellectual property is a large element of most early-stage company valuations, and this value determines what percent of the company an investor will expect to get for his money.

Intellectual Property 253

Intellectual Property Sweat Equity CTO Hire Fractional CTO 253

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 30, 2012

Although their book is written for businesses of all sizes, I believe the principles apply especially to startups as follows: Increase return on equity invested. Investors highly prize gifted leaders who are business veterans with experience in similar ventures, who can move quickly and effectively. Great business model.

Intellectual Property 248

Intellectual Property Startup IP Finance 248

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 27, 2016

Investors like to see new intellectual property as a barrier to entry. Plan includes a business model with good margins. Counting on sustaining the business through more free users and growth in eyeballs for advertisers is a naïve and risky approach and it implies investors with very deep pockets.

Technical Review 134

Technical Review Intellectual Property Due Diligence Angel Investor 134

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 4, 2012

For no good reason, this process seems shrouded in mystery, when in fact it is nothing more than a final integrity check on all aspects of your business model, team, product, customers, and plan. Finally, they need to validate intellectual property protections and status. This is the dreaded “due diligence” process.

Technical Review 237

Technical Review Due Diligence Intellectual Property Private Equity 237

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2010

The corporate entity lends itself best to the concept of “sharing” equity required by investors, and unincorporated entities don’t get funding. Define some intellectual property. File a patent and trademarks to show real intellectual property. This is called “validating the business model.”

Angel Investor 224

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Technical Review Elevator Pitch 224

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 22, 2020

At this point, most Angel investors and a few early-stage VCs will be happy to talk, assuming you have the business model validated, and a large opportunity. Prior to the growth stage, your company valuation is limited to goodwill based on intellectual property and team experience, since you have no revenue.

Angel Investor 370

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 370

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 22, 2010

It doesn’t prove your business model of pricing, distribution, and support. Register some intellectual property. Intellectual property is a large element of most early-stage company valuations, and this value determines what percent of the company an investor will expect to get for his money.

Intellectual Property 222

Intellectual Property Sweat Equity CTO Hire Fractional CTO 222

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 9, 2010

Although their book is written for businesses of all sizes, I believe the principles apply especially to startups as follows: To increase return on equity invested. Investors highly prize gifted leaders who are business veterans with experience in similar ventures, who can move quickly and effectively. Great business model.

Intellectual Property 231

Intellectual Property Startup IP Finance 231

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 19, 2015

In fact, an entrepreneur friend of mine, who made millions on her marketing expertise, asserted recently that most inventors fail in business because they refuse to believe that any business expertise or experience is worth more than 5 percent in partner equity. Intellectual property is a business issue, not a technical issue.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Intellectual Property Cofounder Bootstrapping 120

Steve Blank

MARCH 31, 2014

In spite of this, private equity funds have used the rallying cry of efficiency to hijack corporate strategy and loot the profits that historically would have been reinvested into research and development and new products. The first will be commodity businesses that are valued for their ability to execute their current business model.

Private Equity 325

Private Equity Metrics China Intellectual Property 325

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 26, 2015

Patents or other intellectual property are a real competitive advantage for a startup, but first to market and working harder are not sustainable. Clearly define your business model. Include your sustainable competitive advantage. Major milestones along the way should also be outlined.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Elevator Pitch Angel Investor Technical Review 120

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 22, 2010

For no good reason, this process seems shrouded in mystery, when in fact it is nothing more than a final integrity check on all aspects of your business model, team, product, customers, and plan. Finally, they need to validate intellectual property protections and status. This is the dreaded “due diligence” process.

Technical Review 225

Technical Review Due Diligence Intellectual Property Private Equity 225

Feld Thoughts

DECEMBER 28, 2011

If accepted, each company will receive an equity investment of $20,000 in exchange for six percent of the company in common stock, which will be held by TechStars. While Microsoft is putting significant effort into the accelerator program, Microsoft will not retain intellectual property or equity in any of the participating companies.

Intellectual Property 134

Intellectual Property Common Stock Seattle Cofounder 134

Steve Blank

APRIL 14, 2013

business models. Intellectual property protection is great on paper and “limited” in practice. Eventually, China’s innovation-driven economy needs intellectual property rights and anti-trust laws that are enforced. business models. Of course “copy” is too strong a word.

China 323

China Silicon Valley Non-Compete Intellectual Property 323

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 6, 2012

The Sandbox is designed to accelerate the process of business creation through a 12-week experiential-based program, producing either investment-ready firms or ready-to-go, revenue-generating entities. Current participants include Craftistas, CrowdRouser, and Flat Shoes Tattoos.

Incubator 202

Incubator New York City Boston Intellectual Property 202

www.inc.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2011

Intellectual Property. Will Work for Equity. Dave Graham Business Venture Capital Private Equity GlobalLogic Inc. Determined not to miss another opportunity, Graham has begun waiving fees and instead taking equity in clients he thinks have a good shot at success. INNOVATION. Managing Creativity.

Arizona 40

Arizona Equity Iowa Venture Capital 40

Gust

NOVEMBER 14, 2011

For no good reason, this process seems shrouded in mystery, when in fact it is nothing more than a final integrity check on all aspects of your business model, team, product, customers, and plan. Finally, they need to validate intellectual property protections and status. This is the dreaded “due diligence” process.

Technical Review 152

Technical Review Due Diligence Intellectual Property Private Equity 152

Steve Blank

APRIL 14, 2013

business models. Intellectual property protection is great on paper and “limited” in practice. Eventually, China’s innovation-driven economy needs intellectual property rights and anti-trust laws that are enforced. business models. Of course “copy” is too strong a word.

China 215

China Silicon Valley Non-Compete Intellectual Property 215

Gust

NOVEMBER 8, 2012

In April 2012, Congress passed the JOBS Act , which authorizes equity crowdfunding and liberalizes some requirements regarding the issuance of securities by privately held companies. Intellectual Property.

Silicon Valley 187

Silicon Valley San Francisco Intellectual Property Accredited Investor 187

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 10, 2014

Professionals maintain that there is plenty of money and equity for qualified startups, and funding marginal startups via any source will only make more people unhappy. But safely seeking equity investments from the crowd via the Jobs Act of 2012 is problematic and has still not been defined. Intellectual property is jeopardized.

Non-disclosure Agreement 254

Non-disclosure Agreement Intellectual Property Accredited Investor Equity 254

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 17, 2013

Professionals maintain that there is plenty of money for equity in qualified startups, and funding marginal startups via any source will only make more people unhappy. But safely seeking equity investments from the crowd via the Jobs Act of 2012 is problematic and has still not been defined. Intellectual property is jeopardized.

Non-disclosure Agreement 266

Non-disclosure Agreement Intellectual Property Accredited Investor Equity 266

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2018

At this point, most Angel investors and a few early-stage VCs will be happy to talk, assuming you have the business model validated, and a large opportunity. Prior to the growth stage, your company valuation is limited to goodwill based on intellectual property and team experience, since you have no revenue.

Angel Investor 184

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 184

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2018

This implies high odds of a scalable business, simply needing an investment to lead to success. Business model showing costs, pricing, and margins. Intellectual property and sustainable competitive advantage. Specific investment size request, and equity offered.

Product 145

Product Intellectual Property Liquidity Event Exit Strategy 145