Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021

I believe the Maker Movement and hardware startups with limited resources are made for each other. They come at the early stage while a startup has no revenue or valuation, so professional investors are hard to find. Countless startup teams have already been spawned from these.

Startup 397

Startup Cofounder Incubator Early Stage 397

Haystack

DECEMBER 29, 2018

It’s that time of year, time to look back and reflect on the most significant storylines in the tech, startup, and VC world. And, with that warning, I offer to you, the big stories in the startup and investing ecosystem of 2018, written in ascending order of importance and magnitude…. 6/ Venture Capital In Expansion Phase.

Technical Review 165

Technical Review Venture Capital Russia China 165

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 5, 2011

2 preamble issues having read the comments on TC today: 1: I know that the prices of startup companies is much great in Silicon Valley than in smaller towns / less tech focused areas in the US and the US prices higher than many foreign markets. As the risks below get eliminated the higher the valuation investors are prepared to pay.

Pre-Money Valuation 336

Pre-Money Valuation Valuation Silicon Valley Stock 336

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2014

I always advise software startups to file patents to protect their “secret sauce” from competitors, and to increase their valuation. This patent holding company has charged infringement and demanded royalties from every app developer for the iPhone and Android, for a feature most agree has been in apps for many years.

Software Review 250

Software Review Software Technical Review Intellectual Property 250

ReadWriteStart

JANUARY 13, 2024

Startups in the cybersecurity sector are facing a daunting market environment , contending with decreased valuations and increasing pressure to sell while competing for vital funding and collaborations.

Down Round 154

Down Round Marketing Artificial Inteligence Startup 154

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 6, 2016

I even prefer to fund entrepreneurs who have experience some level of set-backs in their careers or startups because I think it brings a humility to decision-making that I find healthy. You also ran the risk that if you hired employees quickly and then demand wasn’t as strong as expected it was incredibility hard to fire people.

South Korea 261

South Korea Silicon Valley Los Angeles Japan 261

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 14, 2017

Nearly every successful tech startup I’ve observed over the past 20 years has gone through a similar growth pattern: Innovate, systematize then scale operations. Innovate In the early years of a startup there is a lot of kinetic energy of enthusiastic innovators looking to launch a product that changes how an industry works.

Operations 286

Operations New York City Technical Review Startup 286

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 28, 2018

Conversely many VCs believe that constraining cash can often lead to increases in creative solutions at a startup. Every VC knows that the amount you raise is often a proxy for your valuation. Every VC wants to fund a deal that seems to have too much demand. Having too little demand leads to bankruptcy. Happy raising.

Burn Rate 247

Burn Rate Valuation Pre-Money Valuation Dilution 247

ReadWriteStart

JULY 2, 2022

Since most startups in 2022 are going online, you need to think about starting your business on the Internet. A startup on online platforms is an excellent idea for those who like flexible working hours and complete control over their income. Before preparing to launch for a startup, consider the following factors: Expertise.

Cost 140

Cost Software Review Technical Review Cloud 140

Steve Blank

SEPTEMBER 21, 2012

This is a guest post by my Startup Owner’s Manual co-author Bob Dorf. While statistics are weak on startup success rates, the worst one I’ve seen suggests that 2 in 1000 venture backed startups will ever achieve $100-million or more in valuation. ——————-. Does anybody care?

Startup 332

Startup Cofounder Customer Development Viral 332

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

How to optimize SaaS startup development costs. In this blog, we are going to discuss some of the important practices to optimize product development and remove unnecessary startup expenses. Most SaaS startups want to launch with more features because of the belief that it will help them increase the adoption.

Cost 158

Cost Developer Azure Cloud 158

Steve Blank

NOVEMBER 2, 2021

We discussed whether 1) that was true or just anecdotal 2) if true, was it the same in other research universities, 3) why it happened (software startups are getting funded at obscene valuations)? The goal is to meet its local chip demand by 2030. is dependent on TSMC , located in Taiwan, for its most advanced logic chips.

Technical Review 366

Technical Review Taiwan Technology Artificial Inteligence 366

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 25, 2018

Those that do it right also have the unprecedented opportunity to join the elite ranks of 250 unicorns (relatively new companies with a current valuation of over $1 billion). I suggest the following sequence of startup preparation steps: Create a business entity early to isolate business efforts.

Technical Cofounder 184

Technical Cofounder Intellectual Property Silicon Valley LLC 184

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 22, 2020

Luckily, not all investors are looking for the same thing, so it pays to know what type of investors are most interested in what your startup brings to the table. The key is understanding how potential investors see you, and especially how they view the maturity stage of your startup. Congratulations!

Angel Investor 370

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 370

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 25, 2020

With the advent and growth of crowdfunding over the past few years, many entrepreneurs have predicted the demise of those demanding angel investment groups and venture capital organizations. Have you ever wondered what professional startup investors think about all this? Lack of checks and balances on startup valuations.

Equity 411

Equity Angel Groups Accredited Investor Due Diligence 411

Gust

OCTOBER 19, 2014

I always advise software startups to file patents to protect their “secret sauce” from competitors, and to increase their valuation. This patent holding company has charged infringement and demanded royalties from every app developer for the iPhone and Android, for a feature most agree has been in apps for many years.

Software Review 173

Software Review Software Technical Review Intellectual Property 173

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2021

In startup business plans, a bubble is too many entrepreneurs and too many investors chasing the latest “next big thing,” like Google search engine, Facebook social network, or Amazon e-commerce site. Supply and demand ignored. We all believe that supply and demand meet to create stable prices (reflexive). Cheap money.

Demand 362

Demand Government Venture Capital Valuation 362

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2023

Luckily, not all investors are looking for the same thing, so it pays to know what type of investors are most interested in what your startup brings to the table. The key is understanding how potential investors see you, and especially how they view the maturity stage of your startup. Congratulations!

Angel Investor 313

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 313

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 25, 2017

They come at the early stage while a startup has no revenue or valuation, so professional investors are hard to find. Countless startup teams have already been spawned from these. Meeting the new consumer demand for customization. Customers today increasingly demand solutions that are customized just for them.

Technical Cofounder 153

Technical Cofounder Intellectual Property Wiki Cofounder 153

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 26, 2013

Every early-stage startup should explore this new funding alternative. Venture capital dispensed quarterly to startups actually declined again in the first quarter of 2013 to $6.3 VCs are finding that they don’t need the “large” funds of $100M to $500M to support a portfolio, if they focus on early-stage startups.

Angel Investor 231

Angel Investor Entrepreneur Early Stage Silicon Valley 231

ReadWriteStart

JANUARY 29, 2023

When it comes to launching a startup, most founders think they should reside in the United States, Silicon Valley, in particular, to have a successful business. While being in Silicon Valley provides excellent access to key people and companies, its fierce competition and fast-paced environment can soon kill the dreams of having a startup.

Asia 171

Asia Indonesia Silicon Valley Malaysia 171

The Equity Kicker

DECEMBER 6, 2013

Venturebeat reported yesterday that US startup valuations have reached ten year highs. You can see from the charts above that median valuations have been increasing at all stages from seed through to Series D or later.

Valuation 162

Valuation Venture Capital Startup Europe 162

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 6, 2023

Now there are dozens of online equity portals, including WeFunder and Microventures , already geared up to help regular people buy equity in a startup, without qualifying as an accredited investor. Have you ever wondered what professional startup investors think about all this? Lack of checks and balances on startup valuations.

Angel Groups 201

Angel Groups Accredited Investor Due Diligence Equity 201

Tim Keane

JANUARY 12, 2010

Startups and angels: Along the way to success. 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. Let’s start at the end.

Term Sheet 68

Term Sheet Valuation Dividend Liquidation Preference 68

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

Perhaps they're way off in their valuation (usually far too high), or paralyzed by fear at seeing the other terms, because they have no idea what's normal, and what's worth a fight to the death (their startup's). In very early startups, which have no valuation, the term sheet may specify a convertible note.

Term Sheet 120

Term Sheet Demand Preferred Stock Liquidation Preference 120

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 20, 2017

I endorse their list of the seven key drivers of digital opportunity, how to recognize them, and examples of how forward-thinking companies have capitalized on them, which I paraphrase and summarize here: Compression of supply and demand enables near instant fulfillment. Shifting demographics changes customer needs and expectations.

Technical Review 136

Technical Review Demand Valuation Business Model 136

View from Seed

NOVEMBER 18, 2020

Every ask implicitly suggests a valuation range. Conversely, a series A with a $6M ask suggests a lower valuation. Because every ask suggests a valuation, make sure it is market appropriate. First, most founders are overly optimistic about how the markets will receive their startup. That said….

Valuation 418

Valuation Founder Conversion Demand 418

YoungUpstarts

MARCH 11, 2015

With the daily demands of running a business along with the financial pressures and challenges inherent in early-stage companies, a business valuation may not be the first thing an entrepreneur thinks of when he awakes each morning. When does a startup company need a business valuation? by Janet Chase, Kaufman Rossin.

Valuation 100

Valuation Stock Options CPA Merger 100

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 1, 2009

It is also a result of pent-up demand. This has a tangible impact on the valuation of start-ups and the pace of investment. If you’re a startup, in bad times there is less over-funding of your competitors and therefore less pressure to give everything away for free. You have less wage pressure and less staff turnover.

Technical Review 269

Technical Review Stock Hawaii Early Stage 269

Hearpreneur

JANUARY 22, 2023

Regarding extended reality, gaming is a key sector for popular jobs that do not demand advanced degrees but do require a desire for online gaming. For example, a startup SaaS company can use a specialized app to create a good product management process and keep track of the project's progress. Thanks to Edward Mellett, WikiJob ! #7-

Artificial Inteligence 120

Artificial Inteligence Technical Review Entrepreneur Social Media 120

ithacaVC

NOVEMBER 14, 2014

I have written about startup valuations previously. If you are advising startup founders, I strongly suggest having them read all 4 of the posts to get the lay of the startup valuation land. There’s a reason it’s so difficult to figure out – valuations have little basis in reality for early stage companies.

Valuation 69

Valuation Startup Down Round Early Stage 69

The Next Web

SEPTEMBER 13, 2013

Thomas Clayton has started and run numerous high-tech startups in Silicon Valley. He is currently CEO of Bubbly , a social media startup backed by Sequoia Capital, SingTel Innov8, and JAFCO. The company is one of the largest VC–backed startups in Southeast Asia, having raised over $60M in funding. Sequoia , Accel , NEA , etc.).

Asia 132

Asia Silicon Valley India Term Sheet 132

VC Cafe

JANUARY 24, 2021

Companies like iHeartMedia, SiriusXM, and Spotify are investing in and leading the evolution of audio, focused on music streaming (on-demand and lean-back modalities), podcasting and content production. Trillion Hours, 218 Billion Downloads – demand for new apps and games still grows globally, up 7% YoY.

Technical Review 207

Technical Review Audio Forecast Social Media 207

Agile VC

SEPTEMBER 15, 2011

AGILEVC My idle thoughts on tech startups. Startup IPO Market: A Fickle Mistress. And even other strong, but perhaps not standout, companies like Active Network and Demand Media completed their own offerings. What will happen for the startup IPO market? How to Evaluate Firms for a Seed VC. How To Think About The Future.

IPO 100

IPO Marketing Silicon Valley Technical Review 100

Berkonomics

MARCH 5, 2020

So, it is important for the entrepreneur to identify, address and mitigate each of these in order to increase valuation and decrease the risk of ultimate loss of the business. Reduction or elimination of one or more of these risks increases the valuation of the company and certainly improves its chances of survival and growth.

Valuation 62

Valuation Down Round Early Stage Demand 62

Austin Startup

MARCH 22, 2021

In recent years we’ve seen mega-rounds of investment and sky-high valuations. billion Series D round giving the company a valuation of about $14 billion!* You’ll get quicker and quicker each time you do it, and soon your reputation will precede you due to pent-up demand from buyers and sellers. They raised a whopping $2.4

Software Review 100

Software Review San Francisco Valuation Stock 100

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 11, 2021

Although every startup is unique, there are certain common avoidable mistakes that can lead to legal complications which jeopardize the long-term success of the business. Later, when your venture is trying to close on financing, or even going public, that forgotten partner surfaces, demanding their original share.

Cost 363

Cost Non-Compete Accredited Investor Cofounder 363