Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 2, 2019

Most of you aspiring entrepreneurs have no idea how dramatically your own role has to evolve as you develop a solution, start a business, and expect it to scale into a successful self-managed company. Here is an outline of the stages that we both see: Envision, implement, sell, and manage every step. Feel free to join us.

Leadership 248

Leadership Technical Review Cofounder Social Media 248

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 11, 2023

It is necessary to cover the early stages of product development, thorough market research, and other processes during the initial step. Seed capital is a component of the initial investments made in young businesses. During the pre-seed fundraising stage, investors need a viable business plan to base their investments on.

Seed Stage 124

Seed Stage Technical Review Early Stage Due Diligence 124

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2013

Starting a business is a lot like starting a marriage. Product development is stuck at that 90% mark, a key person leaves, and customers are talking but not buying. When I was a software development manager, I tried to get a “bottoms up” time estimate from the team, and then pad it by 50%. Marty Zwilling.

Founder 250

Founder Startup Software Developers Software Development 250

Up and Running

FEBRUARY 12, 2022

Learn why the traditional way of writing a five-year business plan is often a waste of time and how to use a Lean Plan instead for smarter, easier strategic planning to establish your long-term vision. But, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t plan for the long term. What is a long-term plan?

Business Plan 83

Business Plan Lean Forecast Exit Strategy 83

Steve Blank

AUGUST 31, 2009

After 20 years of working in startups, I decided to take a step back and look at the product development model I had been following and see why it usually failed to provide useful guidance in activities outside the building – sales, marketing and business development. Product Development Diagram 1.

Customer Development 238

Customer Development Developer Customer Silicon Valley 238

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 30, 2022

Early-stage entrepreneurs rightly keep their focus on creating an innovative product or service. After celebrating success at that level, they often find themselves ill-prepared to move to the next stage, for scaling their business into a high-performing enterprise. Switch your attention from product development to sales.

Mezzanine 368

Mezzanine Private Equity Bandwidth Metrics 368

Hearpreneur

JULY 10, 2017

No matter the tale, the background behind each and every business is what fuels each and brand. We asked some entrepreneurs and business owners, why they started their businesses: #1 – Personal Quest. For me, starting my own business was a personal quest. Image Credit: Serena Pau. Image Credit: Ben Lai.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Hungary Software Review Cofounder 100

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 24, 2012

Starting a business is a lot like starting a marriage. Product development is stuck at that 90% mark, a key person leaves, and customers are talking but not buying. When I was a software development manager, I tried to get a “bottoms up” time estimate from the team, and then pad it by 50%.

Software Developers 229

Software Developers Software Development Business Model Product Development 229

Gust

APRIL 27, 2014

I’m continually amazed at the number of entrepreneurs who go for months into a new business without really keeping a formal record of money spent or assets acquired. Use a simple accounting tool like QuickBooks, get away from co-mingled funds, and you have the first business process you need. Develop your business plan.

Startup 187

Startup Institutional Investors Angel Investor Bootstrapping 187

YoungUpstarts

MAY 3, 2017

When you’re starting a business, focus is the name of the game. Every entrepreneur knows this — at least in theory. From product development to market research, many startups are one-person operations in their early days. As an entrepreneur, you wear several hats, each requiring a different skill set. The result?

Technical Review 113

Technical Review Management Arizona Software Review 113

Hearpreneur

DECEMBER 31, 2016

Often entrepreneurs and business owners create their New Year’s Resolutions around their business. It could be more revenue, hiring clients or launching a new product or service, but every new year is an exciting time because it’s ripe with opportunity. 1 – Developing Software. #2

Entrepreneur 68

Entrepreneur Software Review New Zealand Mobile 68

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 6, 2011

Starting a business is a lot like starting a marriage. Product development is stuck at that 90% mark, a key person leaves, and customers are talking but not buying. When I was a software development manager, I tried to get a “bottoms up” time estimate from the team, and then pad it by 50%.

Startup 245

Startup Software Developers Software Development Business Model 245

Business Plan Blog

OCTOBER 4, 2013

If you have a technical background and you are focused on product development, consider a co-founder with a sales and marketing background that can focus on selling your world class product. Rather, give titles such as VP of Engineering, Product/Technology, Sales, Marketing, Finance, etc. Early Stage.

Part-Time VPE 79

Part-Time VPE Fractional VPE Cofounder CTO Hire 79

Up and Running

JANUARY 3, 2019

In this article, I’ll cover: What a persona is and how a business can use one. How to create a persona for your business. Success in marketing and product development comes from a deep understanding of your target customer. But, what if your business is solving a problem that you don’t have? User personas.

Software Review 130

Software Review Product Development Portland Software 130

SoCal CTO

OCTOBER 15, 2009

I have about 11 years in the technology sector including roles doing market research, sales and product development. My focus has been marketing strategy and product development. I’m currently working with several startups, helping them launch new web businesses. Most people think they can do product design.

Los Angeles 179

Los Angeles Southern California Management Product 179

Steve Blank

NOVEMBER 2, 2009

For those of you who have been following the discussion, a Lean Startup is Eric Ries ’s description of the intersection of Customer Development , Agile Development and if available, open platforms and open source. The Customer Development process (and the Lean Startup) is one way to do that.

Lean 244

Lean Silicon Valley Startup RSS 244

Steve Blank

MAY 9, 2017

The second thing that’s changed is that we’re now Compressing the Product Development Cycle. In the 20 th century startups I was part of, the time to build a first product release was measured in years as we turned out the founder’s vision of what customers wanted. Finally the board would fire the VP of sales.

Restful 222

Restful Silicon Valley Puerto Rico San Jose 222

YoungUpstarts

MAY 6, 2019

These people exist and they are called ‘Serial entrepreneurs.’. Serial entrepreneurs are those who understand the complete concept of a startup lifecycle and benefit from that. They make money by starting a product from scratch and then selling it in thousands of dollars. Product development. Business plan.

Startup 113

Startup Technical Cofounder Merger Early Stage 113

Steve Blank

NOVEMBER 5, 2009

Chasing funding versus chasing customers and a repeatable and scalable business model, is one reason startups fail. Product Development – Getting Funded as The Goal In a traditional product development model, entrepreneurs come up with an idea or concept, write a business plan and try to get funding to bring that idea to fruition.

Customer Development 262

Customer Development Developer Customer Silicon Valley 262

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 15, 2022

In many cases, your advisor will identify key employees and create a business plan to help you find a buyer and negotiate the best price possible. If all else fails, your advisor may be able to salvage the sale by reengaging other interested parties. Creating a business plan. Preparing for the sale.

Merger 128

Merger Acquisition Due Diligence Valuation 128

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 1, 2019

Early-stage entrepreneurs rightly keep their focus on creating an innovative product or service. After celebrating success at that level, they often find themselves ill-prepared to move to the next stage, for scaling their business into a high-performing enterprise. Switch your attention from product development to sales.

Mezzanine 244

Mezzanine Private Equity Startup Bandwidth 244

Up and Running

APRIL 12, 2018

Creating financial forecasts and budgets are not typically how many entrepreneurs envision spending their time, but these tools are incredibly necessary. Your business also has fluctuating expenses. Things like product development, materials and packaging, performance-based bonuses, and more. Variable expenses.

Forecast 77

Forecast Early Stage Software Review Technical Review 77

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 11, 2010

Starting a business is a lot like starting a marriage. Product development is stuck at that 90% mark, a key person leaves, and customers are talking but not buying. When I was a software development manager, I tried to get a “bottoms up” time estimate from the team, and then pad it by 50%. Marty Zwilling.

Software Developers 122

Software Developers Software Development Business Model Design 122

YoungUpstarts

MAY 3, 2013

If you were built to lead instead of follow, a career as an entrepreneur might be right for you. But before you can launch a high-growth company, you’ll need to find the right business plan and create a culture of success. Advice For The Young At Heart business strategy entrepreneur Entrepreneurship Mike Broderick startup'

Cofounder 230

Cofounder Entrepreneur Ohio Aggregator 230

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 12, 2013

Many entrepreneurs I know don’t realize that the language they learned in the corporate world, or even their recent MBA class, won’t get them ahead in the startup world today. As a reality check, try this quick test of your entrepreneur savvy. As a reality check, try this quick test of your entrepreneur savvy. Super-angels.

Entrepreneur 274

Entrepreneur Accredited Investor Silicon Valley Angel Investor 274

Up and Running

JULY 3, 2014

Pick the one that works best for you, keeping in mind that you can shorten the analysis while keeping the major components of the plan intact. The back-of-the-napkin export business plan (suitable for born-global entrepreneurs). The traditional-export business plan. The Laurel export business plan.

Business Plan 74

Business Plan Widget France Global 74

Up and Running

DECEMBER 22, 2015

I have to admit, I’ve seen some judges of graduate-level business plan competitions care about IRR, but never an actual angel investor during actual due diligence. Please, get a clue: Real businesses usually turn out net profits in single digits, and only rarely up as high as 20%. 5 Shark Tank Lessons for Entrepreneurs.

Angel Investor 60

Angel Investor IRR Software Review Startup 60

Duct Tape Marketing

APRIL 6, 2022

Founders Space was ranked the #1 incubator for overseas startups by Forbes and Entrepreneur Magazines. Steve is also the author of Surviving a Startup: Practical Strategies for Starting a Business, Overcoming Obstacles, and Coming Out on Top. But I, what I wanna do in the a book is tell entrepreneurs, you can't just dive into it.

San Francisco 97

San Francisco Technical Review Incubator Silicon Valley 97

YoungUpstarts

MAY 16, 2018

Schramm, author of “ Burn the Business Plan: What Great Entrepreneurs Really Do “ If I asked you to describe the prototypical successful entrepreneur, you may share a story mythologized in our culture of a brilliant young man with an idea so good and so disruptive that he just can’t waste any time finishing college.

Silicon Valley 157

Silicon Valley Forecast Venture Capital Business Plan 157

Up and Running

JUNE 14, 2017

Almost on a weekly basis, I meet new aspiring entrepreneurs looking to execute on their ideas. Some believe in the all-in approach to product development: build an advanced app. The problem is that you cannot build a business out of nice. The best entrepreneurs are able to get at interviewees’ real intentions.

Technical Review 96

Technical Review Distribution Redemption Demand 96

Up and Running

MAY 23, 2016

To give you a better idea of what entrepreneurs in this industry are thinking about during each phase of the startup process, I interviewed SaaS entrepreneurs from all over the world, including our own COO Noah Parsons. Noah has been a key figure in the making of LivePlan, our own SaaS product. Step 1: Start with a lean plan.

Software Review 74

Software Review Software Delaware Forecast 74

Growthink Blog

SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

The dream of every entrepreneur is to build a company successful enough so as to one day be able to attract a buyer to and for it. But one that so often gets lost in the noise, hustle and bustle of the daily business battle. Luckily there is a way to give any business a quick and easy boost. To prospective financial buyers.

Harvest 48

Harvest IP Software Review Forecast 48

Up and Running

OCTOBER 10, 2018

This article is part of our Business Planning Guide —a curated list of our articles that will help you with the planning process! Business advisors, experienced entrepreneurs, bankers, and investors generally agree that you should develop a business plan before you start a business.

Startup 114

Startup Forecast Lean Balance Sheet 114

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 3, 2013

Early-stage entrepreneurs rightly keep their focus on creating an innovative product or service. After celebrating success at that level, they often find themselves ill-prepared to move to the next stage, for scaling their business into a high-performing enterprise. Switch your attention from product development to sales.

Mezzanine 240

Mezzanine Private Equity Bandwidth Metrics 240

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

Early-stage entrepreneurs rightly keep their focus on creating an innovative product or service. After celebrating success at that level, they often find themselves ill-prepared to move to the next stage, for scaling their business into a high-performing enterprise. Switch your attention from product development to sales.

Mezzanine 141

Mezzanine Private Equity Startup Bandwidth 141

Steve Blank

FEBRUARY 18, 2010

As a pun on my last company as an entrepreneur, E.piphany, I called the book The Four Steps to the Epiphany. My blog also allowed me to indulge my interest in a few other subjects: The Secret History of Silicon Valley , thoughts on a career as an entrepreneur, observations about family and startups, etc. It Wasn’t Just Me.

Silicon Valley 202

Silicon Valley Customer Development IP Developer 202

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 4, 2014

I’m continually amazed at the number of entrepreneurs who go for months into a new business without really keeping a formal record of money spent or assets acquired. Use a simple accounting tool like QuickBooks, get away from co-mingled funds, and you have the first business process you need. Develop your business plan.

Startup 268

Startup Institutional Investors Angel Investor Bootstrapping 268