Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 9, 2020

Thus I was happily surprised when I found the classic book, “ The Tech Entrepreneur’s Survival Guide ,” by Bernd Schoner, PhD, and cofounder of ThingMagic, which leans heavily on the people side of the equation. Being the leader doesn’t mean more equity, nor does it mean the leader will necessarily be CEO. The industry veteran.

Technical Cofounder 308

Technical Cofounder Cofounder Advisory Board Stock Options 308

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2013

A while back I talked about how and where to find a co-founder in “ For a Startup, Two Heads are Always Better Than One.” In this context, I’m broadening the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.” In this context, I’m broadening the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.”

Partner 258

Partner Software Review CTO Hire Equity 258

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 16, 2022

Supportive co-founder and executive positions. Often the Boomer is more willing to work for equity, and easily convinced to step aside when revenues reach that next threshold. Often the Boomer is more willing to work for equity, and easily convinced to step aside when revenues reach that next threshold.

Advisory Board 368

Advisory Board Dividend Angel Investor Cofounder 368

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2021

In fact, the cost may be minimal, if you do your networking and build a relationship with an experienced business executive or two in your domain who are willing to share and give back for a nominal retainer, perhaps one percent of your new startup equity. The cost of a co-founder is usually fifty percent of your equity.

Advisory Board 356

Advisory Board Bandwidth Cofounder Technical Review 356

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2020

Supportive co-founder and executive positions. Often the Boomer is more willing to work for equity, and easily convinced to step aside when revenues reach that next threshold. Often the Boomer is more willing to work for equity, and easily convinced to step aside when revenues reach that next threshold.

Advisory Board 312

Advisory Board Startup Dividend Angel Investor 312

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 18, 2018

Thus I was happily surprised when I found the classic book, “ The Tech Entrepreneur’s Survival Guide ,” by Bernd Schoner, PhD, and cofounder of ThingMagic, which leans heavily on the people side of the equation. Being the leader doesn’t mean more equity, nor does it mean the leader will necessarily be CEO. The industry veteran.

Technical Cofounder 144

Technical Cofounder Cofounder Advisory Board Startup 144

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 11, 2014

Thus I was happy to see a new book, “ The Tech Entrepreneur’s Survival Guide ,” by Bernd Schoner, PhD, and cofounder of ThingMagic, which leans heavily on the people side of the equation. Being the leader doesn’t mean more equity, nor does it mean the leader will necessarily be CEO. The industry veteran. The financial suit.

Technical Cofounder 245

Technical Cofounder Cofounder Advisory Board Startup 245

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

Thus I was happy to see a recent book, “ The Tech Entrepreneur’s Survival Guide ,” by Bernd Schoner, PhD, and cofounder of ThingMagic, which leans heavily on the people side of the equation. Being the leader doesn’t mean more equity, nor does it mean the leader will necessarily be CEO. The industry veteran. The financial suit.

Technical Cofounder 120

Technical Cofounder Cofounder Advisory Board Stock Options 120

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 12, 2013

In a moment of crisis, you may be tempted to take on the first person expressing interest as a co-founder. First you have to be clear on who you are, and who you can co-exist with, what complementary skills and resources you need, and what decisions in the business you are willing to relegate. We both have the same vision.”

Cofounder 240

Cofounder Founder Sweat Equity Startup 240

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 8, 2012

In a moment of crisis, you may be tempted to take on the first person expressing interest as a co-founder. First you have to be clear on who you are, and who you can co-exist with, what complementary skills and resources you need, and what decisions in the business you are willing to relegate. We both have the same vision.”

Cofounder 244

Cofounder Founder Sweat Equity Partner 244

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 8, 2022

Most entrepreneurs struggle with many startup founders quandaries in building their business, and these key dilemmas are probably the biggest source of pain and failure for the entrepreneur lifestyle. Should you start a company solo or find co-founders to help you? The co-founder relationship dilemma.

Founder 325

Founder Hockey Stick Cofounder Liquidity Event 325

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 14, 2022

In a moment of crisis, you may be tempted to take on the first person expressing interest as a co-founder. First you have to be clear on who you are, and who you can co-exist with, what complementary skills and resources you need, and what decisions in the business you are willing to relegate. It usually doesn’t work.

Partner 351

Partner Cofounder Sweat Equity Startup 351

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

First you have to be clear on who you are, and who you can co-exist with, what complementary skills and resources you need, and what decisions in the business you are willing to relegate. Investors routinely decline to fund co-founders who are siblings, or in a romantic relationship. “We We both have the same vision.”

Cofounder 239

Cofounder Founder Sweat Equity Startup 239

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 20, 2016

Thus the top priority of every entrepreneur who wants funding should be to build and highlight their “dream team” of co-founders, executives and advisers, to attract the biggest and best investors. There is a common belief in the angel and venture capital community that you put your money on the best team, rather than the best idea.

Sweat Equity 152

Sweat Equity Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Software Review 152

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 1, 2014

Supportive co-founder and executive positions. Often the Boomer is more willing to work for equity, and easily convinced to step aside when revenues reach that next threshold. Often the Boomer is more willing to work for equity, and easily convinced to step aside when revenues reach that next threshold.

Entrepreneur 266

Entrepreneur Advisory Board Dividend Angel Investor 266

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

Every entrepreneur needs to understand the following basics, to be addressed at company formation, as they engage a qualified attorney to draw up the paperwork: Allocate founder’s stock commensurate with commitment. Key founder vesting should have no cliff. Facilitate an upgrade of founder’s common to founder’s preferred.

Stock 240

Stock .Net Vesting Founder Vesting 240

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 4, 2010

First you have to be clear on who you are, and who you can co-exist with, what complementary skills and resources you need, and what decisions in the business you are willing to relegate. Investors routinely decline to fund co-founders who are siblings, or in a romantic relationship. “We We both have the same vision.”

Cofounder 207

Cofounder Founder Sweat Equity Startup 207

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 23, 2021

Thus, in my role as mentor to young entrepreneurs, I always recommend that you first take a hard look at your own values and priorities, before jumping into any new startup, as the founder, or even as a side hustle. Should I start out alone, or assemble a team first? A business is never a solo operation.

Startup 399

Startup Exit Strategy Cofounder Equity 399

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. Most founders bootstrap product development. Very few people have both, but there are some notable exceptions, including Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook and Elon Musk , founder of Tesla Motors, SpaceX and others.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Intellectual Property Cofounder Bootstrapping 120

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 10, 2019

Most entrepreneurs struggle with many startup founders quandaries in building their business, and these key dilemmas are probably the biggest source of pain and failure for the entrepreneur lifestyle. Should you start a company solo or find co-founders to help you? The co-founder relationship dilemma.

Hockey Stick 243

Hockey Stick Cofounder Liquidity Event Startup 243

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 18, 2023

Billionaire entrepreneur and "Shark Tank" co-host Mark Cuban is an outspoken proponent of the all-in early approach in a video interview, and made it clear that he gives no credibility and low odds to founders seeking funding who have not fully committed their time and efforts to their cause.

Private Equity 255

Private Equity Salary Cofounder Equity 255

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 27, 2023

Every startup needs to start their funding search looking for grants, with no equity dilution, as well as contests and foundations. Attract a co-founder and key team members. Other project and research reports in their library are a rich source of new ideas, if you are still looking for a place to start.

Arizona 276

Arizona Intellectual Property Accredited Investor Entrepreneur 276

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 15, 2021

Every entrepreneur needs to understand the following basics, to be addressed at company formation, as they engage a qualified attorney to draw up the paperwork: Allocate founder’s stock commensurate with commitment. Key founder vesting should have no cliff. Facilitate an upgrade of founder’s common to founder’s preferred.

Vesting 298

Vesting Dilution Stock Founder Vesting 298

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 30, 2020

Billionaire entrepreneur and "Shark Tank" co-host Mark Cuban is an outspoken proponent of the all-in early approach in a video interview, and made it clear that he gives no credibility and low odds to founders seeking funding who have not fully committed their time and efforts to their cause.

Entrepreneur 321

Entrepreneur Private Equity Startup Salary 321

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 14, 2014

Most entrepreneurs struggle with many startup Founders dilemmas in building their business, and these key dilemmas are probably the biggest source of pain and failure for the entrepreneur lifestyle. Should you start a company solo or find co-Founders to help you? The co-Founder relationship dilemma.

Hockey Stick 268

Hockey Stick Cofounder Entrepreneur Liquidity Event 268

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 30, 2020

Every startup needs to start their funding search looking for grants, with no equity dilution, as well as contests and foundations. Attract a co-founder and key team members. Other project and research reports in their library are a rich source of new ideas, if you are still looking for a place to start.

Arizona 310

Arizona Intellectual Property Accredited Investor Dividend 310

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 10, 2019

In a moment of crisis, you may be tempted to take on the first person expressing interest as a co-founder. First you have to be clear on who you are, and who you can co-exist with, what complementary skills and resources you need, and what decisions in the business you are willing to relegate. It usually doesn’t work.

Partner 177

Partner Sweat Equity Cofounder Equity 177

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2017

Most entrepreneurs struggle with many startup founders dilemmas in building their business, and these key dilemmas are probably the biggest source of pain and failure for the entrepreneur lifestyle. Should you start a company solo or find co-founders to help you? The co-founder relationship dilemma.

Hockey Stick 144

Hockey Stick Cofounder Entrepreneur Liquidity Event 144

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 8, 2017

In a moment of crisis, you may be tempted to take on the first person expressing interest as a co-founder. First you have to be clear on who you are, and who you can co-exist with, what complementary skills and resources you need, and what decisions in the business you are willing to relegate. We both have the same vision.”

Partner 149

Partner Cofounder Sweat Equity Startup 149

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 19, 2013

Most entrepreneurs struggle with many startup Founders dilemmas in building their business, and these key dilemmas are probably the biggest source of pain and failure for the entrepreneur lifestyle. Should you start a company solo or find co-Founders to help you? The co-Founder relationship dilemma.

Founder 245

Founder Hockey Stick Cofounder Liquidity Event 245

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 29, 2018

Of course, initially these founder’s shares were worth essentially nothing, but it doesn’t take much of an imagination to grasp the possibilities. Now is the time to talk to a qualified attorney, and get some discipline in place for the following strategies: Manage founder’s shares like gold with partners.

Stock 129

Stock Vesting Preferred Stock Cofounder 129

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 25, 2019

For example, one of the first decisions that most of you entrepreneurs face is how much equity to give to early investors, co-founders, and key new hires. The results are lost opportunity, poor contracts, or a failed business.

Entrepreneur 241

Entrepreneur Cofounder Lean Equity 241

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 9, 2015

Yet many entrepreneurs rely on expensive outside services and outside money, rather than do the networking for a co-founder or two who have the right skills to work for equity. Salaried staff will never have the commitment of co-founders that depend on the success of the startup. The need to hire staff immediately.

Bootstrapping 120

Bootstrapping Cofounder Equity Agile 120

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 1, 2016

Founders generally need more focus on the market sizing, volume projections, cost details and margin expectations to balance the optimism of their passion for the idea. Co-founder and equity negotiations work best if you own all the equity. Focus on structuring the business brings priority to building a plan early.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property LLC Limited Liability Company Nevada 120

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 2, 2016

Mark Zuckerberg can tell you a horror story about how his early informal breakup with a co-founder ultimately cost him a settlement later worth four billion dollars. A co-founder who loses interest and backs out early will likely be back to claim his half after you reach unicorn status. Late surprises lead to lawsuits.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Due Diligence Non-Compete Startup 120

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 18, 2015

Every entrepreneur needs to understand the following basics, to be addressed at company formation, as they engage a qualified attorney to draw up the paperwork: Allocate founder’s stock commensurate with commitment. Key founder vesting should have no cliff. Facilitate an upgrade of founder’s common to founder’s preferred.

Stock 120

Stock Vesting Common Stock Founder Vesting 120

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 23, 2016

Other entrepreneurs don’t even realize that they badly need a co-founder or team leader who can complement their own skills. Update yourself on their history, founder backgrounds, and competitors. Adjust your lifestyle to work for equity value. Practice active listening with advisors and startup founders.

Startup 120

Startup Burn Rate Cofounder Salary 120