Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2019

According to a well-researched 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.

Finance 320

Finance Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 320

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2019

According to my experience and a this Motley Fool article, the challenge is very real, with around half of all new businesses no longer existing after five years. Consider licensing your product or intellectual property, and “white labeling.” Commit to a major customer.

Intellectual Property 219

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 219

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2023

The critical success factors for a product business are well known, starting with selling every unit with a gross margin of 50 percent or more, building a patent and other intellectual property, and continuous product improvement. You have no shelf life, so you can’t make money while you sleep.

Intellectual Property 278

Intellectual Property Social Media Business Model Employee 278

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

APRIL 24, 2022

This means building a revenue stream, and tuning your business model to produce margins in the 50 percent range or above. Once you have a proven business model, you need to scale the business up quickly to stay ahead of competitors. If you want to survive. Survival means growth and scaling. If you want to mate.

Intellectual Property 281

Intellectual Property Startup Early Stage Venture Capital 281

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 29, 2023

According to most definitions, anyone who starts a business is an entrepreneur , but most people don’t realize there are many startup types out there, and picking the wrong one can be just as disastrous as being stuck in a cubicle at work, or doing things with no interest and no skills. Aspire to be in control of your own domain.

Intellectual Property 243

Intellectual Property Matching Business Model Cofounder 243

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 21, 2023

A technical champion may drive a specific innovation, but the business leader has to own the result, in order to drive an appropriate business model, customer acquisition, support, and a growth strategy. Business risks are not just development risks. Value creation.

Intellectual Property 343

Intellectual Property Metrics .Net Social Network 343

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 3, 2020

The critical success factors for a product business are well known, starting with selling every unit with a gross margin of 50 percent or more, building a patent and other intellectual property, and continuous product improvement. You have no shelf life, so you can’t make money while you sleep.

Intellectual Property 436

Intellectual Property Social Media Business Model Employee 436

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

JANUARY 7, 2023

Never take your eye off the ball in business. Of course, there are many other common reasons for startup failure, including inexperienced teams, inadequate marketing, no intellectual property, business model doesn’t work, or just giving up too early.

Intellectual Property 314

Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Bankruptcy Viral 314

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2014

Registered patents and other intellectual property. A proven business model, ready to scale, is particularly attractive. They seek to establish win-win relationships with all partners, including investors, and treat them all as trusted advisors, rather than win-loss opportunities.

Angel Investor 268

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Early Stage 268

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 14, 2014

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. Consider licensing your product or intellectual property, and “white labeling.” Commit to a major customer.

Entrepreneur 283

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 283

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. Consider licensing your product or intellectual property, and “white labeling.” Commit to a major customer.

Product Development 177

Product Development Cost Developer Product 177

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 9, 2017

An effective tool I see used more and more, as a prelude to a more detailed business plan, is the Business Model Canvas , first introduced by Alexander Osterwalder back in 2008. In my experience as a new business advisor, a business is nothing until people are aligned and work in sync. Key activities. Try this one.

Business Model 143

Business Model Intellectual Property Startup Angel Investor 143

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 14, 2023

Simply stated, it means that your business has the potential to multiply revenue with minimal incremental cost. Ready to scale is when you have a proven product and a proven business model, about to expand to new geographies and markets. Use a minimum viable product (MVP) to validate the model.

Hockey Stick 339

Hockey Stick Intellectual Property Non-Compete Business Model 339

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 30, 2015

Register some intellectual property to provide a barrier to entry. A large portion of your competitive advantage and your potential value to investors is the size of your intellectual property portfolio. Fundable entrepreneurs have a proven business model and are ready to scale up the business.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Preferred Stock Stealth 120

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. Consider licensing your product or intellectual property, and “white labeling.” Commit to a major customer.

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

NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Define some intellectual property. File a patent and trademarks to show real intellectual property. This is called “validating the business model.” Investors routinely go to candidate web sites to get a feel for the tone and scope of the company, as well as its maturity and offerings.

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

MAY 1, 2021

Truly satisfied customers are a joy to every business person. A business model that works. Of course, never forget those ongoing perspiration items that seem to haunt you every day: Create intellectual property. You have figured out how to undercut your competitor’s price, and still hold your margin.

Sweat Equity 400

Sweat Equity Intellectual Property Startup Viral 400

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 30, 2012

Investors highly prize gifted leaders who are business veterans with experience in similar ventures, who can move quickly and effectively. Great business model. Show that your business can build the necessary products and services rapidly and achieve economies of scale with minimum capital and labor. Scalability.

Intellectual Property 248

Intellectual Property Startup IP Finance 248

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

JANUARY 16, 2021

According to most definitions, anyone who starts a business is an entrepreneur , but most people don’t realize there are many startup types out there, and picking the wrong one can be just as disastrous as being stuck in a cubicle at work, or doing things with no interest and no skills. Aspire to be in control of your own domain.

Intellectual Property 328

Intellectual Property Matching Business Model Cofounder 328

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 11, 2022

Undefined business model or very low gross margins. Lack of intellectual property. Therefore evidence of team members who don’t fit, family members who don’t have a role, or evidence of conflicting priorities will quickly derail investor interest. All internal teams need to have relevant skills and experience.

Due Diligence 271

Due Diligence Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Preferred Stock 271

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 10, 2016

Never take your eye off the ball in business. Of course, there are many other common reasons for startup failure, including inexperienced teams, inadequate marketing, no intellectual property, business model doesn’t work, or just giving up too early.

Business Model 120

Business Model Intellectual Property Startup Bankruptcy 120

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2010

Define some intellectual property. File a patent and trademarks to show real intellectual property. This is called “validating the business model.” Investors routinely go to candidate web sites to get a feel for the tone and scope of the company, as well as its maturity and offerings.

Angel Investor 224

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Technical Review Elevator Pitch 224

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 21, 2016

They know it’s especially hard to provide a financial return with a free business model. Investors fear negative vibes will infect the business. Investors read this as an excuse for no real intellectual property or innovation. Lead with your intent to offer the solution free to customers.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Valuation Technical Review Equity 120

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

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

JULY 25, 2020

A technical champion may drive a specific innovation, but the business leader has to own the result, in order to drive an appropriate business model, customer acquisition, support, and a growth strategy. Business risks are not just development risks. Value creation.

Intellectual Property 360

Intellectual Property Social Network Metrics .Net 360

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

APRIL 19, 2020

Simply stated, it means that your business has the potential to multiply revenue with minimal incremental cost. Ready to scale is when you have a proven product and a proven business model, about to expand to new geographies and markets. Use a minimum viable product (MVP) to validate the model.

Hockey Stick 386

Hockey Stick Intellectual Property Startup Non-Compete 386

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 14, 2021

Other intellectual property has similar value, including trade secrets, copyrights and trademarks. Investors are looking for technology, process, or business model breakthroughs, to move costs to a new level. Your solution is just the beginning, not the only solution. This approach is not convincing.

Intellectual Property 417

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Dilution Differentiation 417

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 24, 2019

This means building a revenue stream, and tuning your business model to produce margins in the 50 percent range or above. Once you have a proven business model, you need to scale the business up quickly to stay ahead of competitors. If you want to survive. Survival means growth and scaling. If you want to mate.

Intellectual Property 236

Intellectual Property Early Stage Venture Capital Framework 236

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 12, 2020

Never take your eye off the ball in business. Of course, there are many other common reasons for startup failure, including inexperienced teams, inadequate marketing, no intellectual property, business model doesn’t work, or just giving up too early.

Intellectual Property 310

Intellectual Property Startup Bankruptcy Viral 310