David Teten

APRIL 1, 2021

I propose here a framework for prioritizing your platform buildout. A well-organized library of best practices for founders in your vertical, which you can share as appropriate. First Round Search , Startupschool , and GSV Passport are examples of comprehensive founder resources from investors. AskAnything.VC Advantages.

Private Equity 78

Private Equity Venture Capital Portfolio Equity 78

Steve Blank

MAY 17, 2010

At best I think business plan competitions are a waste of time. But until now I haven’t been able to articulate a framework of why or had a concrete suggestion of what to replace them with. Business Plan Versus Business Models. Where did the idea that startups write business plans come from?

Business Plan 312

Business Plan Business Model Customer Development Deal Flow 312

Steve Blank

MAY 7, 2019

Modern entrepreneurship began at the turn of this century with the observation that startups aren’t smaller versions of large companies – large companies at their core execute known business models, while startups search for scalable business models. This new framework can act as the front-end of Customer Development.

Lean 333

Lean Marketing Agile Customer Development 333

ConversionXL

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

GrowthHackers founder and former Head of Growth at Dropbox, Sean Ellis , coined the term: “A growth hacker is a person whose true north is growth. In his course on Growth Mindset (part of CXL’s Growth Marketing Minidegree ), WeTheFuture.org founder John McBride describes three key components of a successful growth marketer: 1.

Retention 113

Retention Marketing Acquisition Channel 113

Steve Blank

JUNE 8, 2021

The trick is we use the same Lean LaunchPad / I-Corps curriculum — and the same class structure – experiential, hands-on– driven this time by a mission -model not a business model. As we thought about how we could get students engaged, we realized the same Lean LaunchPad/I-Corps class would provide a framework to do so.

Lean 385

Lean Security Asia SBIR 385

Duct Tape Marketing

APRIL 18, 2024

Key Takeaways Mandi Ellefson, founder of Hands-off CEO, shares her journey from overwhelming debt to multimillionaire status by transforming consulting agencies into self-sustaining enterprises. She stresses the importance of building systems that allow businesses to thrive without the constant presence of the CEO.

Framework 62

Framework Sales Cycle Sales Hiring 62

David Teten

JANUARY 19, 2021

From RBI, Flexible VCs borrow the ability to reap meaningful returns without demanding founders build for an exit. Every Flexible VC structure allows founders to access immediate risk capital while preserving exit, growth trajectory, and ownership optionality. . Flexible VC 102: Variations.

Cofounder 78

Cofounder Technical Review Equity Dividend 78

Steve Blank

JUNE 26, 2015

The first, the notion of the “ ambidextrous organization ” from O’Reilly and Tushman , posits that companies that want to do continuous innovation need to execute their core business model while innovating in parallel. Horizon 1 activities support existing business models. Horizon 1 is the company’s core business.

Lean 120

Lean Management Business Model Incubator 120

Steve Blank

JULY 1, 2014

a language corporate innovation groups can use to communicate to business units and finance. Teams can prove their competence and validate their ideas by showing investors evidence that there’s a repeatable and scalable business model. The Investment Readiness Level makes the stages of development for the business very tangible.

Sacramento 306

Sacramento Framework Customer Development Lean 306

View from Seed

JANUARY 5, 2021

In my experience founders usually fall into one of three types: mercenaries, missionaries, and crusaders. In fact we’ve backed founders I’d categorize as all three types here at NextView. But sometimes they’re the founders most motivated to build a successful company.

Detroit 367

Detroit SEC Founder Affiliate 367

Steve Blank

NOVEMBER 16, 2009

Eric Ries in Times Square For any model to be useful it has to predict what happens in the real world – including the web. I realized the Customer Development model needs to be clearer in what exactly a startup is supposed to do, regardless of the business model. “What is the “Business Model” of your startup?&#

Customer Development 219

Customer Development Web Developer Customer 219

JANUARY 9, 2014

No clear vision or purpose This should be the starting point for any startup founder, but it’s often overlooked. Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle framework “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it” Simon Sinek If your customers believe in your mission, then they’ll warm to you and listen to what you offer and how.

Early Stage 102

Early Stage Startup Cofounder Design 102

SoCal CTO

JUNE 9, 2010

But founders need to know how to ask for their advice and when to ignore it. Startup Insights From Paul English, Co-Founder of Kayak - OnStartups , May 10, 2010 I’m just wrapping up several weeks of attending conferences across both coasts. Why Entrepreneurs Hate Lawyers. was having coffee with a friend who teaches at the U.C.

Fractional CTO 248

Fractional CTO Startup Venture Capital Cofounder 248

Steve Blank

JUNE 12, 2020

And the trick is we use the same Lean LaunchPad / I-Corps curriculum — and kept the same class structure – experiential, hands-on, driven this time by a mission -model not a business model. Wondering how we could get students engaged, we realized the same Lean LaunchPad/I-Corps class would provide a framework to do so.

Oakland 301

Oakland Asia Lean Video 301

ReadWriteStart

MAY 19, 2011

During today's roundtable, we opened the session with a discussion of the existential crisis in media and how talented bloggers and journalists are facing a tough time sustaining themselves due to lack of business models. One of them is the 1M/1M Affiliate Program we announced today at the roundtable.

India 115

India Silicon Valley Entrepreneur Affiliate 115

Steve Blank

AUGUST 31, 2009

Startups don’t fail because they lack a product; they fail because they lack customers and a profitable business model. Look at the Product Development model and you might wonder, “Where are the customers?” This means the founders are isolated from directly hearing customer input – good, bad and ugly.

Customer Development 238

Customer Development Developer Customer Silicon Valley 238

Steve Blank

MAY 20, 2020

Business owners large and small are struggling to find their footing, wondering what will be the new normal when the recovery happens. For the majority of companies, the business models of the past will not return. Hit hardest were most small business service providers. Regina says. Create an MVP or MVS to start.

Small Business 434

Small Business Jordan Green Social Media 434

crowdSPRING Blog

NOVEMBER 30, 2012

How Small Businesses Can Compete with Big Business – [link]. crowdSPRING’s Small Business Spotlight of the Week: mor.sl | crowdSPRING Blog – [link]. The Founders Lie About Comfort Zones – [link]. How To Choose A Market For Your Startup Or Small Business – [link]. Just got acquired?

Social Media 100

Social Media Small Business Central African Republic Design 100

Duct Tape Marketing

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Amanda is the Co-founder at Barney an M&A firm that specializes in the digital marketing space. 5:00] How do you put a tangible value on digital assets like a methodology or framework? [6:33] 17:49] Have you ever experienced a transaction where a Founder sold the company to their existing team? [18:35]

Entrepreneur 79

Entrepreneur Technical Review Cofounder Valuation 79

Steve Blank

MARCH 5, 2012

One of the confusing things to entrepreneurs, investors and educators is the relationship between customer development and business model design and business planning and execution. When does a new venture focus on customer development and business models ? Here’s an attempt to put this all in context.

Search 320

Search Business Model Customer Development Agile 320

ReadWriteStart

JUNE 16, 2011

The company already has paying customers and a validated business model. The founders, Sunil Guttula and Abinasha Karana, are experienced IT professional with 15 years of experience between them solving various enterprise IT problems. You can read more about Freshdesk on the 1M/1M Incubation Radar today.

India 123

India Bootstrapping Non-Compete Entrepreneur 123

ConversionXL

MARCH 19, 2020

The best drivers apply the brakes just ahead of the curve (they take out excess costs), turn hard toward the apex of the curve (identify the short list of projects that will form the next business model), and accelerate hard out of the curve (spend and hire before markets have rebounded). Frameworks for businesses during a crisis.

Marketing 121

Marketing Campaign Non-Compete Lean 121

Steve Blank

JUNE 2, 2011

Reinventing the board meeting may allow venture-backed startups a more efficient, productive way to direct and measure their search for a profitable business model. Startups now understand what they should be doing in their early formative days is search for a business model. Founders operate in a chaotic regime.

Silicon Valley 281

Silicon Valley Business Model Early Stage Venture Capital 281

Steve Blank

JUNE 7, 2019

Our keynote speaker was Palmer Luckey , founder of Oculus and the designer of the Oculus Rift. He’s now the CEO/founder of the AI-focussed defense contractor Anduril Industries. Wondering how we could get students engaged, we realized the same Lean LaunchPad/I-Corps class would provide a framework to do so.

Oakland 266

Oakland Lean SBIR Afghanistan 266

VC Cafe

SEPTEMBER 16, 2021

Note that most of the density in these landscapes is around ‘business model’ – ad revenue, marketplaces, memberships, affiliate. This framework offers a proven structured way to finding a niche. Pre-seed founders building interesting tech in the creator economy space?

Startup 207

Startup Social Media Venture Capital Audio 207

Version One Ventures

SEPTEMBER 24, 2014

Below, I’ve drawn how I map a typical checklist into a framework to help you better understand what we are listening for in a pitch. I like knowing why a founder is building his or her business. The core questions to answer are therefore on distribution and scale, and on your business model.

Vertical 167

Vertical Distribution Business Model Framework 167

Startup Lessons Learned

SEPTEMBER 22, 2008

Lessons Learned by Eric Ries Monday, September 22, 2008 The three drivers of growth for your business model. The AARRR model (hence pirates, get it?) He also has a discussion of how your choice of business model determines which of these metric areas you want to focus on. Choose one.

San Francisco 167

San Francisco CPA SEM CTO Hire 167

ReadWriteStart

APRIL 14, 2011

I liked this venture very much and see the basic framework of using the Indian cost structure to provide SaaS products that are competitive in terms of performance and functionality at drastically lower prices as a massive opportunity for Indian entrepreneurs to go after. Recordings of previous online roundtables are all available here.

India 126

India Technical Review Entrepreneur Silicon Valley 126

Austin Startup

MARCH 1, 2018

Intro to the Austin EdTech Startup Scene Come meet Sean Duffy , founder of EdTech Austin and let him tell about everything going on in EdTech in Austin! Salon C Register: SXSW badge required The Texas Startup Manifesto Bankrupt to Billionaire We all know that in business?—?as as in pro wrestling?—?you’re you’re going to take some hits.

Technical Review 89

Technical Review Austin Texas Cofounder 89

Version One Ventures

SEPTEMBER 24, 2014

Below, I’ve drawn how I map a typical checklist into a framework to help you better understand what we are listening for in a pitch. I like knowing why a founder is building his or her business. The core questions to answer are therefore on distribution and scale, and on your business model.

Vertical 153

Vertical Distribution Business Model Framework 153

Hearpreneur

MAY 4, 2019

We work with partners to install the Growth Operating System (it’s a metaphorical OS, not software, by the way) as a permanent way of discovering and building new businesses and igniting growth. Any advice you would give to entrepreneurs and business owners? So I’d suggest you check back in in 2024!

Cofounder 66

Cofounder Founder Entrepreneur Venture Capital 66

Reid Hoffman

JANUARY 12, 2023

Some users proclaimed that, with access to great foundational models, they didn’t need Google anymore. Sridhar Ramaswamy, my fellow investor at Greylock and the co-founder of Neeva , released a demo video last month about how Neeva has been working intensely on exactly that. RH: These are all good actions we should take.

Artificial Inteligence 36

Artificial Inteligence ChatGPT Technical Review Conversion 36

View from Seed

SEPTEMBER 11, 2019

But here’s some examples or frameworks to consider. But even as a concept stage company there are ways to show progress with your business. A) Pre-Product Companies. You’re obviously not showing charts of user growth, number of customers, or revenue.

Seed Stage 149

Seed Stage B2B Seed Capital Revenue 149

Hippoland

AUGUST 8, 2018

At Hustle Fund, we back both first time founders as well as repeat founders. One thing I’ve noticed is that almost every repeat, previously-successful-founder focuses on the same thing for their respective startups: customer acquisition. Business customers, depending on the problem, are less price sensitive than consumers.

Founder 48

Founder Sales Cycle Affiliate Retention 48

Hippoland

AUGUST 8, 2018

At Hustle Fund, we back both first time founders as well as repeat founders. One thing I’ve noticed is that almost every repeat, previously-successful-founder focuses on the same thing for their respective startups: customer acquisition. Business customers, depending on the problem, are less price sensitive than consumers.

Founder 48

Founder Sales Cycle Affiliate Retention 48

Duct Tape Marketing

OCTOBER 15, 2019

He is the founder and CEO of The Extreme Leadership Institute, where he helps leaders in the business, non-profit, and educational worlds grow and learn to inspire. Farber and I discuss the foundations of his most recent book, and he shares how integrating love into your business model can inspire employees and win you loyal fans.

Customer 72

Customer Leadership Framework Business Model 72

Up and Running

JULY 8, 2014

Like any other business, there’s a lot to consider when purchasing a franchise. Does starting your own business yield more long-term rewards, or is buying a franchise a better choice? To find out, we asked eight founders from Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) their thoughts on the subject.

Framework 119

Framework Naming Reputation Business Model 119