VC Cafe

MARCH 1, 2024

That’s why lists like Ycombinator’s Requests for Startups (RFS) help entrepreneurs thinking about starting a company (or picking a problem) and can be a good barometer for founders on what’s interesting to investors right now. Generalizable robotics represent a $24 trillion-plus global revenue opportunity.

Artificial Inteligence 176

Artificial Inteligence Technical Review Software Review Generative AI 176

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 28, 2014

Every entrepreneur believes that their product or service is different, and that every customer will quickly see the advantage over competitors. Yet true product differentiation in the eye of the customer is rarely achieved. Of course, working on perception can backfire if the differentiation reality isn’t there.

Differentiation 255

Differentiation Product Social Media Reputation 255

Hearpreneur

SEPTEMBER 9, 2022

We asked entrepreneurs and business owners about their best business or entrepreneur turnaround story and here are the responses. #1- Over the years, despite massive losses, Netflix was able to bounce back and improve its revenue by 47%. My favorite entrepreneur turnaround story is that of Lord Alan Sugar.

Entrepreneur 94

Entrepreneur Bankruptcy Southern California South Africa 94

ReadWriteStart

OCTOBER 2, 2023

I’ll start by taking you to the world of Startup X, a passionate team of entrepreneurs who believed they had the next big thing in the world of software as a service (SaaS). It makes the product more user-friendly and can also help build trust with customers and differentiate the product from competitors in the SaaS market.

Design 105

Design Product Churn Rate Architecture 105

YoungUpstarts

NOVEMBER 20, 2019

I’ve been fortunate enough to be on both sides of the table, as an entrepreneur and a VC, and I’ve observed that most investors look for the same things I do when deciding whether to invest in a company. You may be able to generate revenue, but VCs want exponential growth. Like you, they’re looking for opportunity.

Technical Review 140

Technical Review Due Diligence Early Stage Differentiation 140

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 16, 2019

Every entrepreneur believes that their product or service is memorable, and that every customer will quickly see the advantage over competitors. Yet true product differentiation in the eye of the customer is rarely achieved. Of course, working on perception can backfire if the differentiation reality isn’t there.

Differentiation 310

Differentiation Product Social Media Reputation 310

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023

Many first-time entrepreneurs find themselves unable to bootstrap their startups, and also unable to find early funding at the venture capital level or even with angel investors. Friends and family are quick to differentiate between a passionate hobby and a sincere effort to change the world. This shows respect and professionalism.

Sweat Equity 274

Sweat Equity Elevator Pitch Startup Equity 274

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 24, 2017

Most of the guidance you see for entrepreneurs is aimed at those who are selling a product (Apple, Tesla, Xiaomi), or selling a service (Uber, Airbnb, Snapchat). The “product” value is difficult to quantify, the costs are nebulous, and entrepreneurs have to clone themselves to scale the business.

Differentiation 141

Differentiation SBA Social Media Dividend 141

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 1, 2017

I was mentoring some graduate students at a local university recently, and I sensed again that profit seems to be a dirty word these days to many aspiring entrepreneurs. Every business needs to develop a revenue model even before a product. Revenue is a percentage of every transaction. Freemium model – people pay for upgrade.

Revenue 166

Revenue Affiliate Advertising Retention 166

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 31, 2014

The revenue model you select is basically the implementation of your business strategy, and the key to attaining your financial objectives. So what are some of the most common revenue models being used by startups today? Cost-based model. The customer advantage is a lower entry cost. Product is free, but you pay for services.

Revenue 287

Revenue Startup Business Model Retention 287

The Startup Magazine

OCTOBER 27, 2019

Unfortunately, such a high number does not translate to an equal level of revenues. An even more surprising statistic is that over 60% of all business-related revenues are collected by large corporations, the likes of which include Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Google, and similar. Poor Cash Flow Management. Inventory Issues.

Technical Review 62

Technical Review Revenue Software Review Campaign 62

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 27, 2011

” I mention journalists here because they perpetuate the myth that focusing on profits is ALWAYS the right answer and then I hear many entrepreneurs (and certainly many “normals”) repeating the same mantra. I have had this discussion with many a first-time entrepreneur. Simplifying: Revenue -. Operating Costs.

Startup 418

Startup Revenue Technical Review Flash 418

ReadWriteStart

JUNE 23, 2011

We have done almost 90 roundtables so far and, based on this extensive experience of learning directly from entrepreneurs about their core issues, 1M/1M has just launched a new assessment tool for entrepreneurs. He is heading straight into an intensely competitive market without adequate differentiation or competitive positioning.

Spain 115

Spain Entrepreneur India San Francisco 115

ReadWriteStart

MARCH 8, 2021

Every startup entrepreneur wants to see their company grow. They want to open new offices, generate more revenue, and ultimately, secure higher profitability. . So what are the biggest barriers startup entrepreneurs experience in their route to achieve long-term growth? And more importantly, how can you avoid or overcome them?

Startup 127

Startup Retention Acquisition Agile 127

Hearpreneur

FEBRUARY 4, 2016

There is no rule which states that an entrepreneur needs to be the most extroverted person in the room. There has been a long line of entrepreneurs who prefer to be behind the scenes, working on the guts of their business, making sure their ship continues to run the right course.

XML 48

XML Entrepreneur B2B Differentiation 48

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 2, 2022

I expect that should seem intuitive to all entrepreneurs, but every investor I know has many stories about startup funding requests with major business model elements missing. The most common failures are solutions looking for a problem, lack of a defined market, or an inadequate revenue model. Revenue model. Cost structure.

Business Model 256

Business Model Distribution Viral Green 256

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 3, 2009

There were tons of young entrepreneurs showing their latest Web 2.0 I will quote a prominent, well-known entrepreneur whom I like and respect and who told me when he was raising money, “I don’t know how much I’m going to charge for my product so why should I create an artificial spreadsheet?&#. Here’s why.

Business Plan 334

Business Plan AJAX Venture Capital Technical Review 334

YoungUpstarts

APRIL 17, 2018

As a new entrepreneur or business owner, the most important thing you will do is hire talent. As with sales, these core reasons need to be compelling to candidates, while being as unique to you (competitive differentiation) as possible. Your internal team creates your external results, such as new products and increased revenues.

Cofounder 164

Cofounder Elevator Pitch Hiring Dividend 164

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 11, 2021

Many first-time entrepreneurs find themselves unable to bootstrap their startups, and also unable to find early funding at the venture capital level or even with angel investors. Friends and family are quick to differentiate between a passionate hobby and a sincere effort to change the world. This shows respect and professionalism.

Sweat Equity 346

Sweat Equity Elevator Pitch Equity Venture Capital 346

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 25, 2016

In our industry we applaud the efforts for entrepreneurs to have tried and we know that today’s failure can bring the experience for tomorrow’s success. It turns out that to build a successful company you ultimately need this strange thing called “revenue” that people don’t just hand you: You need to earn it.

Startup 150

Startup Seed Money DC Software Review 150

ReadWriteStart

JUNE 16, 2011

What I find exciting about Freshdesk is that they may be able to do the same thing in customer support that Zoho did in CRM: a drastic downshifting of the price-point of a full-functionality, differentiated, cutting edge customer support solution. As an entrepreneur CEO, she ran three companies: DAIS, Intarka and Uuma.

India 123

India Bootstrapping Non-Compete Entrepreneur 123

Steve Blank

FEBRUARY 10, 2016

Funding challenges and other issues founders face in the early days of starting up were the focus of interviews with the latest guests on Entrepreneurs are Everywhere , my radio show on SiriusXM Channel 111 (airing weekly Thursdays at 1 pm Pacific, 4 pm Eastern). Hire around you to fill those weak spots. …. Will : Absolutely, 100 percent.

Silicon Valley 120

Silicon Valley Ohio Columbus Entrepreneur 120

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 11, 2023

Successful entrepreneurs are the ones who think the most creatively, not only in their initial product or service, but more importantly all through the stages of growth from startup to maturity. Entrepreneurs have to be careful not to look too hard for evidence that confirms their passion and positive perspective.

Marketing 299

Marketing Metrics Differentiation Demand 299

Duct Tape Marketing

JANUARY 25, 2023

Growing Your Audience (And Your Revenue) With A Book written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing Marketing Podcast with Matt Briel In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast , I interview Matt Briel. 7:30] Would you say self-publishing is seen as a differentiator for businesses? [11:42] Thanks, John.

Audience 88

Audience Revenue Distribution Differentiation 88

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 11, 2016

Entrepreneurs are supposed to have insights that others don’t have and we’re supposed to be good judges about which entrepreneurs and executives have both the most clever ideas and the right skill sets to do transformational things against all odds. It has grown recurring revenue by more than 500% and deal-size by 276%.

Venture Capital 150

Venture Capital Fractional CTO Cofounder Early Stage 150

Steve Blank

APRIL 12, 2010

He turned to the other VC’s and added, “That’s why we write the checks and entrepreneurs run the company.”. Unlike the stories in the popular press, entrepreneurs who build successful companies don’t get it right the first time. The Search for the Business Model. Pivoting the Business Model.

Business Model 332

Business Model Agile Customer Development Startup 332

Up and Running

DECEMBER 16, 2014

To grow a business, most entrepreneurs know that they should be implementing PR strategies. But where do you start, and what are the best approaches to public relations for an entrepreneur? ” We recently featured an excerpt from her book, which offers even more great tips on networking for entrepreneurs.

Public Relations 117

Public Relations Small Business PR Entrepreneur 117

Gust

AUGUST 24, 2014

The revenue model you select is basically the implementation of your business strategy, and the key to attaining your financial objectives. So what are some of the most common revenue models being used by startups today? Cost-based model. The customer advantage is a lower entry cost. Product is free, but you pay for services.

Revenue 184

Revenue Startup Retention Internet 184

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. The focus should always be on execution, revenue, and profits. In all these cases, a bust is inevitable, and everyone may lose.

Demand 362

Demand Government Venture Capital Valuation 362

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 18, 2020

Successful entrepreneurs are the ones who think the most creatively, not only in their initial product or service, but more importantly all through the stages of growth from startup to maturity. Entrepreneurs have to be careful not to look too hard for evidence that confirms their passion and positive perspective.

Metrics 392

Metrics Differentiation Demand Cloud 392

ReadWriteStart

JULY 14, 2020

Entrepreneurs often think of an asset as funding for their startup, talent that provides a competitive advantage, or proprietary technology that differentiates their offerings in products or services. Entrepreneurs need time to handle every aspect of their business and keep it on the right track. Set limits and boundaries.

Management 151

Management Entrepreneur Demand Differentiation 151

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 22, 2014

Successful entrepreneurs are the ones who think the most creatively, not only in their initial product or service, but more importantly all through the stages of growth from startup to maturity. Entrepreneurs have to be careful not to look too hard for evidence that confirms their passion and positive perspective. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 284

Entrepreneur Metrics Differentiation Demand 284

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 9, 2010

This means smaller amounts given to more entrepreneurs who get a chance to prove that they can build great businesses. I applaud the direction of investors who want to re-invigorate venture capital by taking it back to the real entrepreneur who needs help getting his venture off the ground. Marty Zwilling.

Technical Review 215

Technical Review Early Stage Venture Capital Startup 215

YoungUpstarts

MAY 13, 2014

In 2010, Diapers.com brought in an estimated $300 million in revenue. In the excitement of a new idea, many entrepreneurs often forget to ask themselves one very important question: “How big is my total addressable market?”. Finding your niche is a great way to differentiate your business and build a reputation within your industry.

Pennsylvania 224

Pennsylvania Retention Differentiation Reputation 224

YoungUpstarts

JULY 17, 2013

I grew the business that I currently lead as CEO from a start-up to more than 60 million dollars in revenue in less than six years. Because of this, fellow entrepreneurs are always asking me the proverbial question that is woven into the media interview of every successful CEO, “So, what’s your secret?”.

Georgia 238

Georgia Sales Cycle Atlanta Business Model 238

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

Financial Summary: Explain your business model, startup costs, revenues, and liabilities to the company. With the rise of new cannabis companies, it is important to differentiate your cannabis company from the competition, whether you are opening a farm, extraction operation, or dispensary. Target market: Who is your ideal buyer?

Business Plan 154

Business Plan Technical Review Forecast Exit Strategy 154

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 8, 2016

As a startup advisor and investor, I find that more and more entrepreneurs avoid using the term “profit” in pitching their new venture. Thus I was pleased and a bit surprised to see a new book, “ The Purpose Is Profit ,” by Ed “Skip” McLaughlin, an entrepreneur who has both succeeded and failed in starting multiple businesses.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Exit Strategy 120