The Next Web

SEPTEMBER 22, 2013

While you are working away on your business plan, looking for ways to raise capital, finding the right people to hire, etc., But have you ever had the opportunity to pick the brains of founders who created amazingly successful startups and companies like Envato , Backblaze , Simple , or Treehouse ? Find your niche.

Cofounder 164

Cofounder Founder Startup Bootstrapping 164

Up and Running

NOVEMBER 19, 2015

We all want the best for our babies—and our business plans! Nearly all businesses, whether they are small or large, are comprised of intellectual property (IP) and trade secrets, which can serve as the foundation for commercial success. Examples of IP and trade secrets include but are not limited to: Business plans.

Intellectual Property 60

Intellectual Property Business Plan IP Early Stage 60

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 11, 2023

How to evaluate New Businesses at Their Infancy, Their Early Stages, and Their Growth Stages Evaluating a new business venture involves elements of both art and science. Pre-Seed New businesses, often known as startups, have just entered the very first stage of the investment process.

Seed Stage 120

Seed Stage Technical Review Early Stage Due Diligence 120

Up and Running

MAY 28, 2015

We recently had Tim Berry, Palo Alto Software founder and business planning expert, present our Bplans audience with his latest advice on lean business planning. It’s all about making your business life easier, doing what works best, getting the best results by tracking what works and always improving.

Lean 60

Lean Business Plan Video Software Review 60

Up and Running

JULY 18, 2017

Bailey, of George Washington University School of Business and the Centre for Management Development, London Business School. As a founder, you’ve probably been focused on writing your business plan , building out your financial forecasts to position yourself to get funding, and managing the day-to-day minutia of running a business.

Founder 115

Founder United Kingdom Leadership Washington 115

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Most aspiring entrepreneurs understand that you can’t build a business if you won’t commit to delivering a product or service, but many are hesitant or refuse to commit to any financial forecasts. Yet every business requires revenue and volumes, as certainly as it requires a product to sell. Quantify overhead costs.

Forecast 290

Forecast Burn Rate Widget Business Plan 290

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 15, 2019

Steve Blank via Flickr by jdlasica I see more and more entrepreneurs who seem to have everything going for them – vision, motivation, passion, even a good business plan, product, and money, and yet they can’t close customers. Don’t attempt to scale it until you have a proven repeatable business model that predictably generates revenue.

Startup 245

Startup Angel Investor Technical Review Incubator 245

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 26, 2020

As an advisor to new hardware entrepreneurs, I often hear the myth that a business plan is no longer required to find an investor, if your idea is good enough. You may have heard that venture capitalists in Silicon Valley no longer read business plans. Provide specifics on the customer business model.

Business Plan 423

Business Plan Product Intellectual Property Elevator Pitch 423

Steve Blank

APRIL 23, 2014

buy out an entire company for its revenue and profits. Corporate business development and strategic partner executives are flocking to Silicon Valley to find these five types of innovation. Remember, the definition of a startup is a temporary organization designed to search for a repeatable and scalable business model. (

Acquisition 332

Acquisition Intellectual Property Silicon Valley Startup 332

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 28, 2018

There’s a quick litmus-test conversation any early-stage VC will have with the founder and it’s one that you should be as prepared for as your elevator pitch. Founder: “$8–10 million” VC: “What’s your current burn rate?” Founder: “$250k / month.” Founder: “Um. Let me check my plan.” Why are you raising so much?”

Burn Rate 247

Burn Rate Valuation Pre-Money Valuation Dilution 247

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 24, 2019

Every time I challenge a business plan with little or no budget for marketing, I get the answer that they will be using “viral” marketing, which costs nothing. In a business plan these are only one of the many marketing campaigns which continue to rise in cost. That’s a double death wish.

Viral 268

Viral Marketing SEM Campaign 268

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2020

In the spirit of helping you prepare and respond positively, I offer my list of the most common new venture founder unexpected realities, with some thoughts on how to mitigate each one: The business seems to be driving you, rather than you driving it. You need all the positive traction you can get to survive and prosper.

Due Diligence 306

Due Diligence Entrepreneur Startup Acquisition 306

Steve Blank

SEPTEMBER 5, 2018

Jeff Katzenberg has a great track record – head of the studio at Paramount, chairman of Disney Studios, co-founder of DreamWorks and now chairman of NewTV. Tech IPO prices exploded and subsequent trading prices rose to dizzying heights as the stock prices became disconnected from the traditional metrics of revenue and profits.

Lean 335

Lean Burn Rate Startup IPO 335

ReadWriteStart

JUNE 1, 2020

Funding might be a need in some cases — but it’s not an absolute necessity. ? The business should be self-sustainable. The primary source of your funds should be your paying customers, i.e., your business should generate enough revenues and profits to fund the growth and expansion. Government programs.

Entrepreneur 150

Entrepreneur Startup Elevator Pitch Seed Stage 150

Up and Running

JULY 28, 2022

Small Business Administration , an organization is considered to be a small business if their: Firm revenue ranges from $1 million to $40 million Number of employees is between 100 and 1,500. In addition, it should have a place of business and not be dominant in its field of operation. Develop a founders agreement.

Small Business 167

Small Business Intellectual Property Cofounder Software Review 167

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 21, 2016

After listening to hundreds of startup pitches, and reading even more business plans, most new venture investors develop their own favorite list of “red flags” that signal the beginning of the end of their interest. Many naïve startup founders believe that they can make good money with low margins.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Valuation Technical Review Equity 120

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2014

I see more and more entrepreneurs who seem to have everything going for them – vision, motivation, passion, even a good business plan, product, and money, and yet they can’t close customers. For example, when you think about distribution channels, revenue streams, or the relationship with the customer, ask customers what they expect.

Entrepreneur 283

Entrepreneur Startup Angel Investor Technical Review 283

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 12, 2017

I see more and more entrepreneurs who seem to have everything going for them – vision, motivation, passion, even a good business plan, product, and money, and yet they can’t close customers. For example, when you think about distribution channels, revenue streams, or the relationship with the customer, ask customers what they expect.

Startup 161

Startup Angel Investor Technical Review Incubator 161

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

Great marketing is required to generate revenue and grow every business, especially new businesses which have no brand recognition nor loyal customer base. Yet, as a business consultant, I still find many of you business leaders relying primarily on your technology, word-of-mouth , or location to attract necessary customers.

Marketing 333

Marketing Revenue Matching Viral 333

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 12, 2012

One of the biggest red flags I see in many Internet-related business plans today is advertising as the initial revenue stream, or a key part of it. Until you get a million page-views per month, your revenue will be negligible, and advertisers won’t be interested in your site. This is a tough business. Face reality.

Revenue 266

Revenue PPC Advertising CPA 266

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 20, 2012

I see more and more entrepreneurs who seem to have everything going for them – vision, motivation, passion, even a good business plan, product, and money, and yet they can’t close customers. For example, when you think about distribution channels, revenue streams, or the relationship with the customer, ask customers what they expect.

Startup 296

Startup Angel Investor Technical Review Incubator 296

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 5, 2021

Most aspiring entrepreneurs understand that you can’t build a business if you won’t commit to delivering a product or service, but many are hesitant or refuse to commit to any financial forecasts. Yet every business requires revenue and volumes, as certainly as it requires a product to sell. Quantify overhead costs.

Forecast 369

Forecast Burn Rate Startup Widget 369

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 19, 2011

I see more and more entrepreneurs who seem to have everything going for them – vision, motivation, passion, even a good business plan, product, and money, and yet they can’t close customers. For example, when you think about distribution channels, revenue streams, or the relationship with the customer, ask customers what they expect.

Startup 286

Startup Angel Investor Technical Review Incubator 286

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 7, 2013

Your friends and family are really the only answer until you have a significant revenue stream. Here are some key action items that may give your business some visibility: Start with an investment-grade business plan. They want founders who have been there and done that before, in the same business domain.

Venture Capital 252

Venture Capital IPO Elevator Pitch Initial Public Offering 252

Steve Blank

AUGUST 29, 2011

The benchmark is not perfect, it may even be flawed, but it is head and shoulders above what we have now – which is nothing – for giving Internet startups founders specific advice on best practices. 93% of startups that scale prematurely never break the $100k revenue per month threshold. Happy birthday Max.

Software Review 293

Software Review Early Stage Technical Review Startup 293

Steve Blank

FEBRUARY 16, 2010

You would think that would be enough to get wrong, but entrepreneurs and investors compound this problem by assuming that all startups grow and scale by executing the Revenue Plan. All discussion focused on “missing the revenue plan.”. Revenue Plan Needs to Match Market Type. They don’t. What went wrong?

Revenue 231

Revenue Balance Sheet Hockey Stick Burn Rate 231

The Startup Magazine

JULY 29, 2021

As part of our Founder Interview series, The Startup Magazine caught up with entrepreneur Ola Sars, Founder and CEO of music-tech leader, Soundtrack Your Brand. Ola Sars, Founder and CEO of Soundtrack Your Brand. Your A round is about securing a first team and product, proving that you can generate revenue.

Founder 153

Founder B2C B2B Audio 153

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 25, 2017

Every time I challenge a business plan with little or no budget for marketing, I get the answer that they will be using “viral” marketing, which costs nothing. In a business plan these are only one of the many marketing campaigns which continue to rise in cost. That’s a double death wish.

Campaign 167

Campaign Cost Viral Marketing 167

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2011

If the founders are not experienced, find a couple of advisors from the business sector to fill the gap. They must amplify your “elevator pitch” to investors, as well as key points from the business plan and the financial model. Prepare an investment-grade business plan. Finalize your financial model.

Intellectual Property 249

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Technical Review Elevator Pitch 249

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 24, 2011

Your friends and family are really the only answer until you have a significant revenue stream. Here are some key action items that will give you some priority: Create an investment-grade business plan. They want founders who have been there and done that before, in the same business domain. Line up a winning team.

Venture Capital 233

Venture Capital Revenue Elevator Pitch Silicon Valley 233

Steve Blank

APRIL 8, 2010

He and his co-founder were both PhD’s in applied math who believe they can make some serious inroads on next generation search. He said, “After we graduated we took our great idea, holed up in my apartment and spent months researching and writing a business plan. We even entered it in the business plan competition.

Business Model 329

Business Model Business Plan Customer Cap Table 329

A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks

OCTOBER 11, 2010

Ask a technical founder about his startup, and he'll proudly describe his stunning software — simple, compelling, useful, fun. Four uncomfortable seconds later, a smile breaks across the founder's face. This is Part 5 of the 5-part series: 5 lessons from 150 startup pitches. Making Oprah cry. Advertising ?? transmogrification] ?

Software Review 261

Software Review Technical Review Viral Software Developers 261

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 11, 2013

Every time I challenge a business plan with little or no budget for marketing, I get the answer that they will be using “viral” marketing, which costs nothing. In a business plan these are called marketing campaigns, which continue to rise in cost. That’s a double death wish.

Viral 249

Viral Marketing Entrepreneur SEM 249

Gust

JUNE 19, 2012

Tim Berry , Founder, Palo Alto Software. The 10 Best Sources of Cash to Start Your Business. Money to build the business is the number one challenge for most startups. Martin Zwilling , Founder and CEO, Startup Professionals. Tim Berry , Founder, Palo Alto Software. Tim Berry , Founder, Palo Alto Software.

Startup 180

Startup Forecast Angel Investor Software 180

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 4, 2016

Of course, that’s both the good news and the bad news for aspiring entrepreneurs, since it means more competition, and the business landscape is changing faster than ever. But for founders who do their homework, the cost of entry is lower and the opportunity is higher than ever. The cost of social media done well is low.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Startup Angel Groups Social Media 120

YoungUpstarts

MAY 23, 2018

Most startups do not fail because they had a bad idea that could not find a market, but rather because the founders and startup teams got overwhelmed or were missing key ingredients to success. Many founders or startup teams gravitate toward sales or design. Often, founders have an entrepreneurial mindset.

Due Diligence 104

Due Diligence Startup Finance Leadership 104

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 23, 2013

They evaluate you like you should assess a possible co-founder or first employee. Only after they see you as fundable, do they want to assess your plan for fundability, not the other way around. Rational business model, with prices and volumes. Are revenues and costs reasonable and projected for five years?

Founder 270

Founder Cofounder Bootstrapping Restful 270