VC Cafe

FEBRUARY 26, 2023

Interestingly, there’s now more than 1,200 unicorns, but with the current state of the market it’s unclear how many will be able to justify yesterday’s price tag at exit. To implement this trait, founders need to have a deep understanding of their customers’ needs and pain points, as well as the market landscape.

Founder 88

Founder Cofounder Seed Stage Valuation 88

VC Cafe

AUGUST 4, 2022

The VC markets have contracted almost overnight and last round’s valuations may no longer hold. In May 2022, I published a post on ‘ advice for startups in a downturn ‘ which is more business oriented advice aggregated from the top pundits. This is an incredibly tough time to a lot of founders.

Founder 158

Founder Aggregator Startup Valuation 158

The Startup Magazine

MARCH 14, 2022

Advertising and marketing tech. Startups are now on a firm footing in India and equated favourably with the traditional business formats. It is here that the groundwork is laid and the business model developed. A business plan is drawn up to attract investors and partners. Education tech. Financial tech.

Technical Review 150

Technical Review Due Diligence India Startup 150

The Startup Magazine

MAY 27, 2020

The cryptocurrency market continues to evolve despite an increasing number of critics claim it’s doomed to fail. In fact, since the market tumbled in 2018, a lot of developments had occurred, and the trend for cryptocurrencies is expected to continue during 2020. Expanding the derivatives market. Volatility. Volatility.

Technical Review 125

Technical Review Offshore Sweden China 125

ReadWriteStart

JUNE 1, 2020

The next reason is to establish a competitive advantage over your competition and quickly acquire a substantial market share. Let’s take an example – In the case of an internet or app business, the user traction and market penetration is a must. Establish a competitive advantage. Both of which are expensive and time-consuming.

Startup 150

Startup Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Seed Stage 150

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 25, 2023

Google reached $1B in revenue within five years of incorporation, and now has a market capitalization of over $1 trillion. Should they focus on increasing revenues and profitability, or entice more and more users with “free” services, to increase their valuation. A business only achieved critical mass by becoming cash-flow positive.

Valuation 235

Valuation Revenue Viral Retention 235

Steve Blank

MARCH 17, 2020

But next the question is, ‘What happens to my business?”. The questions every startup or small business CEO needs to ask now are: What’s my Burn Rate and Runway? What does your new business model look like? This math works in a normal market…. Unfortunately, it’s no longer a normal market. Laying off people?

Burn Rate 436

Burn Rate Startup Valuation Sales Cycle 436

Steve Blank

MARCH 31, 2014

Think about this; 7 years ago Nokia owned 50% of the handset market. Fast-forward to today—Apple is the most profitable Smartphone company in the world and in Spain Android commands a market share of more than 90%. Its worldwide market share of Smartphones has dwindled to 5%. Apple owned 0%.

Private Equity 325

Private Equity Metrics China Intellectual Property 325

A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks

AUGUST 18, 2015

They have everything: money, brand, momentum, existing customers, press, product teams, distribution channels, expertise, market insight, analysts, sales offices, product features, and, by definition, a working business model. This market is willing to pay far more than cost for this product (else profits wouldn’t be generated).

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Valuation Flash Revenue 120

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 7, 2023

Every business, young or old, needs to avoid the following six mistakes that he outlines: Anticipating success based on the recent past. This fallacy, often called historical myopia, essentially involves extrapolating only from recent positive events, and ignoring the reality that markets saturate or evaporate.

Intellectual Property 314

Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Bankruptcy Viral 314

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 22, 2011

They have seen one side of a market where many of us have seen the ebb and flow multiple times. Still, market amnesia by ordinarily rational actors always surprises me. I believe a bubble occurs when a market is willing to pay greater than intrinsic value for an asset class. I spoke about a lot of things during the keynote.

Saudi Arabia 309

Saudi Arabia Valuation IPO Technical Review 309

crowdSPRING Blog

AUGUST 22, 2014

These posts and videos are about logo design , web design , startups, entrepreneurship, small business, leadership, social media, marketing, and more! Complete Guide to Google My Business | TechFunction – crowdspring.co/1ldeJWm. How to Test Whether Your Business Model is Worth Pursuing – crowdspring.co/1nbEqBG.

Social Media 92

Social Media Small Business Design Media 92

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2023

For example, if you have a proven product, real revenue, a big potential market, and are ready to scale up the business, every investor will be interested. Investors call this the seed stage , where money is required to build a market and a real product. The final product works great, and all the early users love it.”

Angel Investor 313

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 313

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 21, 2016

They know it’s especially hard to provide a financial return with a free business model. Target market sizing higher than $10 billion. It’s true that investors like large markets, preferably in the billion dollar range and growing, but sizing a startup market greater than the GNP of many countries is just not credible.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Valuation Technical Review Equity 120

View from Seed

AUGUST 17, 2021

New funds have formed, old market leaders are gone or walking dead. But the reality is that the more interesting the market, the more likely there is to be rapid and unpredictable change. But the reality is that the more interesting the market, the more likely there is to be rapid and unpredictable change. Patience is a virtue.

IRR 205

IRR Dilution Founder Portfolio 205

Tim Keane

JANUARY 12, 2010

Bottom Up Market Sizing » January 12, 2010. Term-sheets and Valuations: Thinking about Negotiations. The Valuation Question. When companies seeking their first round of serious funding are good enough to receive a term-sheet from an investor, the first issue that always arises is valuation.

Term Sheet 68

Term Sheet Valuation Dividend Liquidation Preference 68

Steve Blank

MARCH 12, 2014

The startups and the teaching team crafted a challenge for the kids to tackle using the Customer Development methodology, Lean Launchpad tools and the business model canvas. For their first startup, we chose a 3-year old funded company that was working to refine its customer segment and channel for its physical product.

Lean 334

Lean Customer Development Startup Silicon Valley 334

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 21, 2020

Google reached $1B in revenue within five years of incorporation, and now has a market capitalization of over $1 trillion. Should they focus on increasing revenues and profitability, or entice more and more users with “free” services, to increase their valuation. A business only achieved critical mass by becoming cash-flow positive.

Revenue 434

Revenue Valuation Viral Retention 434

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 10, 2016

Every business, young or old, needs to avoid the following six mistakes that he outlines: Anticipating success based on the recent past. This fallacy, often called historical myopia, essentially involves extrapolating only from recent positive events, and ignoring the reality that markets saturate or evaporate.

Business Model 120

Business Model Intellectual Property Startup Bankruptcy 120

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 11, 2022

Non-credible funding request or unreasonable valuation. Investors are looking to buy a chunk of the business, not the product. They need to know how much money you need, and what portion of the current business you are willing to offer for the investment. Future unproven projections don’t set today’s valuation.

Due Diligence 271

Due Diligence Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Preferred Stock 271

View from Seed

AUGUST 17, 2021

New funds have formed, old market leaders are gone or walking dead. But the reality is that the more interesting the market, the more likely there is to be rapid and unpredictable change. But the reality is that the more interesting the market, the more likely there is to be rapid and unpredictable change. Patience is a virtue.

IRR 156

IRR Dilution Founder Portfolio 156

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 7, 2013

Yet 2013 is still projected by The Fiscal Times as a difficult IPO opportunity for startups, due to choppy markets, continuing fiscal uncertainty, and the Facebook fiasco. The market and venture capitalists are looking for business, but with a continuing focus on proven business models. Line up a winning team.

Venture Capital 252

Venture Capital IPO Elevator Pitch Initial Public Offering 252

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 19, 2017

That’s because obtaining a pre-money valuation for a concept level technology company in excess of $1 million is difficult, particularly for a startup founder without a proven track record. By contrast, obtaining a pre-money valuation of $5 million for a business with a new viable product and even very minimal sales is somewhat reasonable.

Private Equity 94

Private Equity Pre-Money Valuation Equity Startup 94

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 2, 2011

Because of this, I've always tried to stay up-to-speed on how early-stage investors look at valuation of companies. Think about how you can prove your business model with an MVP. Bill Payne is an expert on how early-stage investors should look at valuation. Size of target market $100M is okay. is a requirement.

Valuation 198

Valuation Revenue Pre-Money Valuation Early Stage 198

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 20, 2017

Access to more information is leveling the market playing field. This means market changes in the world today are instantly available everywhere, and quickly change the way we buy, sell, interact, and live. Demands and expectations change regularly as people learn from others who share their experiences in this new digital age.

Technical Review 136

Technical Review Demand Valuation Business Model 136

VC Cafe

JANUARY 27, 2021

Now synonymous with video-conferencing, the company-name-turned-verb stock peaked in October 2020, a market interpretation of how the Zoom Boom has defined the daily lives of many millions throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. Next47 and American Insight Partners VC, demonstrates growing trust in its current and future business model.

Vertical 148

Vertical Video Technical Review Europe 148

crowdSPRING Blog

NOVEMBER 30, 2012

These posts and videos are about logo design , web design , startups, entrepreneurship, small business, leadership, social media, marketing, and more! Small Business and Startups: 5 DIY Things To Do For Your Brand! 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

View from Seed

AUGUST 17, 2021

New funds have formed, old market leaders are gone or walking dead. But the reality is that the more interesting the market, the more likely there is to be rapid and unpredictable change. But the reality is that the more interesting the market, the more likely there is to be rapid and unpredictable change. Patience is a virtue.

IRR 136

IRR Dilution Founder Portfolio 136

Steve Blank

APRIL 26, 2022

At the turn of the century after the dotcom crash, startup valuations plummeted, burn rates were unsustainable, and startups were quickly running out of cash. Most existing investors (those still in business) hoarded their money and stopped doing follow-on rounds until the rubble had cleared. They’re Back. Why do VCs Do This?

Cram Down 404

Cram Down Founder Venture Capital Recapitalization 404

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 22, 2020

For example, if you have a proven product, real revenue, a big potential market, and are ready to scale up the business, every investor will be interested. Investors call this the seed stage , where money is required to build a market and a real product. The final product works great, and all the early users love it.”

Angel Investor 370

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 370

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 14, 2010

In many areas, not enough entrepreneurs meet the criteria, so it’s still a buyer’s market. While most entrepreneurs want to prove an enormous market size potential, rarely does the entrepreneur know how many real customers exist and how many products they could potentially buy over a period of time. Participation.

Intellectual Property 265

Intellectual Property Balance Sheet Phoenix Arizona 265

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

For a business, you must define the absolute minimum features you need to satisfy the customer problem, and test it in the market. It doesn’t prove your business model of pricing, distribution, and support. Your objective is to build a business that marches with power and purpose past its goals and objectives.

Intellectual Property 281

Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Sweat Equity CTO Hire 281

crowdSPRING Blog

NOVEMBER 1, 2013

These posts and videos are about logo design , web design , startups, entrepreneurship, small business, leadership, social media, marketing, and more! Do you still use business cards for your business? The above video is a funny look at how some people feel about business cards. But a nearly $4 billion valuation?

Social Media 94

Social Media Small Business Design Media 94

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 12, 2020

Every business, young or old, needs to avoid the following six mistakes that he outlines: Anticipating success based on the recent past. This fallacy, often called historical myopia, essentially involves extrapolating only from recent positive events, and ignoring the reality that markets saturate or evaporate.

Intellectual Property 310

Intellectual Property Startup Bankruptcy Viral 310

ReadWriteStart

JULY 17, 2023

The acquisition will help Sheela Foam enter the fast-growing branded furniture market and expand its presence in the furniture industry. Furlenco’s innovative business model has disrupted the traditional furniture industry in India. The deal, proposed at $36.5 million, has valued Furlenco at about $104.3

India 104

India Acquisition Merger Curation 104

This is going to be BIG.

MAY 9, 2022

I’ve been asked by portfolio companies and plenty of others about how they should be changing their strategy given the stock market pullback and what they’ve been hearing on “VC twitter”. Ok, so if you’re a fundable company, you’re a fundable company—great big market, relevant team, solid plan. The incentive is too strong.

Stock 97

Stock Marketing Valuation Later Stage 97

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 19, 2015

That’s why I recommend that they find a co-founder who loves business challenges, including marketing and finance. Outside investors are most interested in scaling a proven business model, not research and development. Business people know how to downplay the technology and market the value of the solution.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Intellectual Property Cofounder Bootstrapping 120