The Startup Magazine

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

As the CEO of one of Canada’s largest private credit firms, can you describe the basics of private credit and its increasing importance to budding entrepreneurs? For entrepreneurs, this means not just securing capital, but also gaining a collaborator committed to their growth journey. The firm has made more than $4.5

Technical Review 132

Technical Review Due Diligence Bankruptcy Intellectual Property 132

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 14, 2022

The key elements of leadership in a company, both individual and organizational, are less tangible, but very critical in setting a market value for investment, acquisition, or going public. For startups, the entrepreneur and founder is almost always the face of the company. Focus on talent and people growth.

Technical Review 323

Technical Review Due Diligence Valuation Leadership 323

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 15, 2023

Most entrepreneurs I meet are reluctant to disclose anything about their idea to investors before getting a signed confidential disclosure agreement (CDA). Professional investors and advisors, on the other hand, usually refuse to sign these agreements today due to the risk of litigation and administrative workload, and will walk away.

Non-disclosure Agreement 254

Non-disclosure Agreement Technical Review Due Diligence Angel Investor 254

Gust

APRIL 13, 2014

The feedback was good, but some readers asked me to be a bit more specific on attributes that might indicate an ideal startup partner. In this context, I’m broadening the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.” You may be too independent to be partner material. Does not need to be managed.

Partner 179

Partner Software Review CTO Hire Fractional CTO 179

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2020

Every entrepreneur I know finds it a challenge to balance the joys of entrepreneurship against a set of frustrations they never anticipated. You expected the difficulty of finding funding, but you never expected it to go so fast into unanticipated expenses, inventory, support, and marketing. Scaling a business is hard.

Due Diligence 306

Due Diligence Entrepreneur Startup Acquisition 306

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2013

The feedback was good, but some readers asked me to be a bit more specific on attributes that might indicate an ideal startup partner. In this context, I’m broadening the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.” You may be too independent to be partner material. Does not need to be managed.

Partner 258

Partner Software Review CTO Hire Equity 258

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 16, 2017

Very few entrepreneurs have the range of skills and experience to be the solution creator as well as business creator, or operational as well as sales leader. The challenge is to recognize and recruit that ideal partner match early with minimal cost and risk. Some people are too independent to be partner material.

Partner 140

Partner Software Review CTO Hire Cofounder 140

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 1, 2021

Most entrepreneurs I meet are reluctant to disclose anything about their idea to investors before getting a signed confidential disclosure agreement (CDA). Professional investors and advisors, on the other hand, usually refuse to sign these agreements today due to the risk of litigation and administrative workload, and will walk away.

Non-disclosure Agreement 399

Non-disclosure Agreement Technical Review Due Diligence Angel Investor 399

YoungUpstarts

OCTOBER 25, 2018

It’s taken the Toronto executive from the world of Big 3 Accounting (as a CPA with PricewaterhouseCoopers in his early career) to Investment Banking(National Bank Financial) and capital markets (co-founding Eight Capital after leading the management buyout of Dundee Capital Markets). You also talk about challenges to entrepreneurs.

Partner 113

Partner Technical Review Management Due Diligence 113

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 15, 2019

Very few entrepreneurs have the range of skills and experience to be the solution creator as well as business creator, or operational as well as sales leader. The challenge is to recognize and recruit that ideal partner match early with minimal cost and risk. Some people are too independent to be partner material.

Cofounder 221

Cofounder Software Review CTO Hire Founder 221

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 15, 2020

The key elements of leadership in a company, both individual and organizational, are less tangible, but very critical in setting a market value for investment, acquisition, or going public. For startups, the entrepreneur and founder is almost always the face of the company. Focus on talent and people growth.

Valuation 311

Valuation Technical Review Due Diligence Leadership 311

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 29, 2011

A while back I talked about how and where to find a co-founder in “ Ten Steps in Choosing the Right Startup Partner ”. The feedback was good, but some readers asked me to be a bit more specific on attributes that might indicate an ideal startup partner. You may be too independent to be partner material. Compatible work styles.

Partner 240

Partner Software Review CTO Hire Fractional CTO 240

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 24, 2010

The feedback was good, but some readers asked me to be a bit more specific on attributes that might indicate an ideal business partner. In this article, I’m broadening the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.” You may be too independent to be partner material. Does not need to be managed.

Partner 230

Partner Software Review CTO Hire Fractional CTO 230

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 22, 2021

Most entrepreneurs have learned that it’s almost always quicker and easier to get cash from someone you know, rather than angel investors or professional investors (VCs). Here is a summary of some key items to think about as an entrepreneur before approaching friends, family, or even fools: Don’t be afraid to ask, carefully.

Technical Review 338

Technical Review Elevator Pitch Due Diligence Angel Investor 338

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021

As a startup mentor and investor, I am approached regularly by aspiring entrepreneurs who assert that business plans take too much time, are inaccurate, and rarely add value. Most of these scenarios involve attracting outside investors, strategic partners, or key team members: You are the team and you don’t need outside funding.

Business Plan 316

Business Plan Technical Review Angel Investor Due Diligence 316

The Startup Magazine

MARCH 14, 2022

India has always been renowned as the land of entrepreneurs. Advertising and marketing tech. A business plan is drawn up to attract investors and partners. Here the company looks to grow and strives to create a dominant position in the market. And this has been the way of life here in India. Education tech. Retail tech.

Technical Review 143

Technical Review Due Diligence India Startup 143

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 22, 2017

In my activities as an angel investor, and my work with new ventures seeking investment, I find the “due diligence” stage to be fraught with the most risk. My best advice is to put some structure and discipline into your due diligence preparation, including the following steps: Schedule a team meeting to bring everyone up to date.

Due Diligence 148

Due Diligence Bankruptcy Angel Investor Stock 148

Hearpreneur

JULY 23, 2023

Any business or company looking to grow and succeed in a competitive market needs to expand either solely or in partnership with other businesses. We asked business leaders, entrepreneurs and business owners about their business development tips and here are the insights that can help your venture propel towards unprecedented growth. #1-

Developer 92

Developer Technical Review Entrepreneur Due Diligence 92

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 7, 2020

Although his focus is naturally on bigger companies, I contend that his recommended strategies apply equally well to entrepreneurs and startups: Demand a mindset of deep thinking for the long term. Explore partners and M&A to solidify your strategy. Hone your process for due diligence and integrating these new elements.

Technical Review 312

Technical Review Due Diligence Merger Social Media 312

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 23, 2014

Sometimes entrepreneurs are so focused on making change happen for others, that they forget that continually changing themselves and their company is equally important. Negative advice on an unknown is easy and safe to give, so every entrepreneur hears it over and over. Ignore the voices of dissent again. Move to a higher platform.

Technical Review 262

Technical Review Entrepreneur Due Diligence Institutional Investors 262

The Startup Magazine

APRIL 2, 2020

However, what many first-time entrepreneurs fail to realize is that there are limits placed on personal asset protection, and there are circumstances where the court can find that you are personally liable for the debt of your business. Be able to prove due diligence whenever you can. You must abide by your operating agreement.

Software Review 114

Software Review Intellectual Property Limited Liability Company IP 114

The Equity Kicker

DECEMBER 5, 2013

As I’ve written before here at Forward Partners we work with entrepreneurs to help them launch and scale their companies in two different ways. Right now we’re looking to invest in up to two amazing new entrepreneurs or founding teams at that true startup stage. Both sides are free to walk away.

Partner 117

Partner Software Review eCommerce Due Diligence 117

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 18, 2012

I’ve noticed that some entrepreneurs seem to have no trouble attracting investors, while others with a great business plan struggle with it. On the top line, angel investors look to invest in entrepreneurs that have an almost unwavering passion and sense of urgency. If you don’t have it, you probably won’t succeed, even with funding.

Technical Review 294

Technical Review Intellectual Property Angel Investor Elevator Pitch 294

View from Seed

SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

With plenty of resources available for entrepreneurs about how to craft an effective pitch deck for raising seed-stage capital from VCs, often what’s left out are some of the tactical components of an initial meeting. Different partners in a VC firm are different. VCs understand. “Does the full hour still work for you?”).

Technical Review 308

Technical Review Entrepreneur Due Diligence Seed Stage 308

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 3, 2013

Most entrepreneurs have learned that it’s almost always quicker and easier to get cash from someone you know, rather than Angel investors or professional investors (VCs). Here is a summary of some key items to think about as an entrepreneur before approaching friends, family, or even fools: Don’t be afraid to ask, carefully.

Technical Review 273

Technical Review Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Due Diligence 273

David Teten

DECEMBER 3, 2019

But in business, you want a lot of partners. In liquid markets, most of the calories expended on technology and analytics are focused on trade selection, or “ origination ”. In the private equity universe, most Partners have primary training as deal-makers, not as managers. 2) Market . 1) Manage the firm .

Technical Review 78

Technical Review Software Review Analytics Private Equity 78

The Startup Magazine

NOVEMBER 28, 2018

The event presenter, FUND, is a national connector of entrepreneurs, VCs, angel investors, and industry experts with a focus on deal flow and making connections. Balodana provides store hosting and marketing as well as support services such as concierge customer service and style advice to ensure a superb customer experience.

Technical Review 152

Technical Review Software Review Illinois Due Diligence 152

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 14, 2010

Back in November I agreed with Nivi over at VentureHacks to do a series on the ten most important attributes of a successful entrepreneur. Unfortunately, I don’t believe it is perfectly correlated with what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. This is the last post in that series.

Technical Review 284

Technical Review Due Diligence Entrepreneur Early Stage 284

YoungUpstarts

NOVEMBER 20, 2019

by Lu Zhang, founder and managing partner of Fusion Fund. 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. All entrepreneurs must face adversity, no matter their background.

Technical Review 140

Technical Review Due Diligence Early Stage Differentiation 140

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

Sometimes entrepreneurs are so focused on making change happen for others, that they forget that continually changing themselves and their company is equally important. Negative advice on an unknown is easy and safe to give, so every entrepreneur hears it over and over. In his recent book “ Invent, Reinvent, Thrive ,” Lloyd E.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Leadership Due Diligence Marketing 120

YoungUpstarts

DECEMBER 2, 2019

For instance, some focus solely on technical support, and others that work specifically in the marketing industry. Here are some benefits of partnering with a virtual assistant: · They help put processes in place. Some virtual assistants specialize in a particular industry or specific task.

Technical Review 147

Technical Review Due Diligence Technical Support Bootstrapping 147

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2010

I’ve noticed that some entrepreneurs seem to have no trouble attracting investors, while others with a great business plan struggle with it. On the top line, angel investors look to invest in entrepreneurs that have an almost unwavering passion and sense of urgency. If you don’t have it, you probably won’t succeed, even with funding.

Angel Investor 241

Angel Investor Technical Review Intellectual Property Elevator Pitch 241

Hearpreneur

FEBRUARY 1, 2019

Toronto’s Mark Attanasio , co-founder of Hillcrest Merchant Partners, has years of significant experience with advising clients on mergers and acquisitions raising capital and navigating the landscape of general capital markets. Hillcrest Merchant Partners with Donato Sferra. In 2017, he embarked on a new venture, founding.

Cofounder 48

Cofounder Venture Capital Partner Leadership 48

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 29, 2017

As an advisor to entrepreneurs, I often have to deal with people who are convinced that they must get me to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before they begin talks about their new venture. Here are my guidelines for when a signed agreement is required, versus other alternatives: Insist on a two-way NDA for partner negotiations.

Non-disclosure Agreement 153

Non-disclosure Agreement NDA Technical Review Due Diligence 153

VC Cafe

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

In the last month alone we saw Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), Satya Nadella (Microsoft), James Mitchell (Tencent), Dave Baszukcki (Roblox) and of course Tim Sweeney (Epic/Fortnite) officially brand/re-band their multi-billion dollar market cap companies as “Metaverse” companies. Enter Toya . My Farm by Toya.

Technical Review 178

Technical Review South Korea Due Diligence IP 178

Berkonomics

JANUARY 9, 2014

Dave’s note: Our guest insight this week is by Richard Sudek, an associate professor of entrepreneurism at Chapman University Graduate School of Business. He is Director of the Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurism and Business Ethics, and Chairman Emeritus of the Tech Coast Angels, the largest angel group in the United States.

Partner 114

Partner Technical Review Due Diligence CPA 114

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 19, 2014

We are often asked how companies get funded, why VCs make the decisions we make and what we’re looking for in entrepreneurs. By September 18th we were ready to bring them to a full partner meeting and as a group we were bought into the vision and the experience of this exact team to pull things off. Watch this space. (as

Technical Review 373

Technical Review North America Los Angeles Cofounder 373