SoCal CTO

MAY 14, 2012

A lot of this action is early-stage startups and it's not clear to me how all of this will shake out given how hard it is for VCs to raise capital right now. Increase in the number of inquiries I've been getting for: Free Startup CTO Consulting Sessions and/or other similar kinds of inquiries. Are others seeing this as well?

Los Angeles 254

Los Angeles Fractional CTO Startup Early Stage 254

SoCal CTO

DECEMBER 19, 2012

I was talking with an early-stage founder who has a product vision and wants to get it built. He is not a technical person, but is somewhat web savvy. He wanted to get input from me on what he's doing, and he wants to begin to ask developers what it would take to build his product.

Developer 354

Developer Technical Review Fractional CTO Software Review 354

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

He left out capital sources, but it's still a pretty succinct list of the types of people / communication you should be having early stage. I like how Mark Suster handles the question in 10 Marketing Lessons for Early-Stage Tech Startups. You need all of these people to bake the cake. What is Stealth? " Ummm.

NDA 211

NDA Stealth Intellectual Property Non-disclosure Agreement 211

SoCal CTO

MAY 21, 2012

What parts Agile addresses and the big problems with Agile for early-stage startups? The key for most early-stage startups is to understand the core metrics for your business, ensure you have visibility into those metrics, and then optimize the business around those metrics. How do you know if you may have issues?

Fractional CTO 175

Fractional CTO CTO Hire Startup Social Network 175

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

He left out capital sources, but it's still a pretty succinct list of the types of people / communication you should be having early stage. I like how Mark Suster handles the question in 10 Marketing Lessons for Early-Stage Tech Startups. You need all of these people to bake the cake. What is Stealth? " Ummm.

NDA 198

NDA Stealth Intellectual Property Non-disclosure Agreement 198

SoCal CTO

APRIL 18, 2012

Trend #2 - Early Stage Companies Lower Salary and Higher Equity (for Founder CTOs) The one exception to Trend #1 seems to be for Startup CTO s at earlier stage companies. I was expecting that over the past few years, the pressure on VCs maybe had translated into lower salaries. It has not. CTO salaries are escalating quickly.

CTO Hire 294

CTO Hire Salary Equity Los Angeles 294

SoCal CTO

JANUARY 26, 2010

I’ve been having discussions with several people recently about the role of the CTO (Chief Technology Officer) in very early stage companies. However, I’ve now begun questioning how and what an early-stage / startup CTO should be. It makes this early stage challenging.

CTO 225

CTO Fractional CTO CTO Hire Technical Review 225

SoCal CTO

JANUARY 28, 2010

Yesterday, I met with someone at the early stage of a startup. Especially for an early-stage startup? He has a great concept with some complexity to it. He was struggling to find high quality developers in Los Angeles. I’m curious how anyone else would recommend that someone goes about finding a Los Angeles web developer?

Los Angeles 167

Los Angeles Web Development Web Developer 167

SoCal CTO

MAY 22, 2012

I recently posted about the Increase in Early-Stage Startup Activity in Los Angeles. In that post, I mentioned how one of the signals is the big increase in number of startup events and the number of attendees at those events.

Los Angeles 198

Los Angeles Southern California PHP Ruby 198

SoCal CTO

DECEMBER 1, 2007

Most often I'm being brought in the early stage, Start-up or Expansion (as the company looks at new product lines). My focus in this post is on the Early and Start-up stages - expansion is more of a consulting, focused project role and it acts different. Roger Smith ) This helps explain where I normally play.

Fractional CTO 231

Fractional CTO CTO Hire Technical Review Early Stage 231

SoCal CTO

OCTOBER 6, 2011

" Today I had two conversations with early stage startups (see Free CTO Consulting ). I’ve spoken to dozens of customers, I have a validated customer persona, built an MVP to test key behavioral hypotheses, and the data doesn’t back what you’re saying." " One was an enterprise software product.

Customer 227

Customer Fractional CTO Viral Lean 227

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

I recently had a phone call with an early stage entrepreneur that was incredibly frustrating. And this last one is why I tell every startup founder: Every Web/Mobile Startup Must Have a Technical Advisor. Of course, when you go to have this conversation be prepared. I’d prefer that you don’t make the same mistakes.

Fractional CTO 211

Fractional CTO Conversion NDA Early Stage 211

SoCal CTO

MARCH 1, 2010

And while I’m at it, a great post by Steve Blank No Accounting For Startups looking at early stage score keeping. StartupList — a new way to reach angels - Venture Hacks , February 3, 2010 AngelList is a curated list of angel investors, representing $80M going into early-stage startups this year.

Acquisition 150

Acquisition Cofounder Technical Cofounder Cost 150

SoCal CTO

OCTOBER 7, 2009

size of company (startup to very large), stage (early stage to established firms) vary widely. Part of the reason is that when I look at the CTOs, we see that the industries (games, entertainment, aerospace, retail, etc.), or focused on industry or type of company.

Southern California 150

Southern California Software Developers Software Development California 150

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 20, 2007

Ive personally been involved in the start-up world in Los Angeles for about 15 years, and have had the opportunity to work on many early-stage companies (e.g., Early Stage Marketing and Branding – Farida Fotouh. eHarmongy) as an acting CTO. Product Manager Entrepreneur Mark Geller SEO for Startups Startup Version 1.0

Technical Cofounder 150

Technical Cofounder Southern California Los Angeles CTO Hire 150

SoCal CTO

AUGUST 4, 2011

Almost every day I'm talking to early stage startup founders (see Free Startup CTO Consulting Sessions ) about what they plan to do. I tend to ask a lot of questions, challenge aspects, make suggestions. But I've often been very surprised by one aspect of these conversations.

Developer 396

Developer Founder Viral Oauth 396

SoCal CTO

AUGUST 4, 2011

Almost every day I'm talking to early stage startup founders (see Free Startup CTO Consulting Sessions ) about what they plan to do. I tend to ask a lot of questions, challenge aspects, make suggestions. But I've often been very surprised by one aspect of these conversations.

Developer 384

Developer Founder Viral Oauth 384

SoCal CTO

NOVEMBER 10, 2009

In some ways it is similar to early stage incubators such as Y Combinator, although FI is even earlier stage, focusing on developing the founders themselves as entrepreneurs as opposed to actual companies. And how can an early stage company think about social media relative to important startup metrics (see [link] )?

Management 150

Management Product Entrepreneur Silicon Valley 150

SoCal CTO

MARCH 9, 2010

I take on these roles periodically, but before any startup engages me or anyone else as a technology advisor there are some other considerations. In Why assemble an advisory board?

Technical Review 150

Technical Review Advisory Board Technology Fractional CTO 150

SoCal CTO

MARCH 18, 2010

More Visible Networking Marketing, Startups and Networking in Los Angeles – Cliff Allen Los Angeles Technology Connector – Kurt Daradics Product Manager Entrepreneur Mark Geller Early Stage Marketing and Branding – Farida Fotouhi Attorney and Startup Business Advisor – Aaron Shechet Negative Customer Acquisition Costs - Creative Startup Marketing Ideas (..)

Los Angeles 225

Los Angeles Revenue Southern California Social Network 225

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 2, 2011

A lot of my time is spent helping early-stage companies get to proof points so that they can raise capital. They might have some seed money and are thinking or raising a Series A based on success of an early release (MVP). Bill Payne is an expert on how early-stage investors should look at valuation.

Valuation 198

Valuation Revenue Pre-Money Valuation Early Stage 198

SoCal CTO

MARCH 20, 2007

Early Stage Marketing and Branding – Farida Fotouh. Mobile Internet Apple Facebook ► 2009 (32) ► December (3) Startup Software Developers Startup Software Development – Do Your Homework Be. User Interface Beyond the Web Site ► November (7) Negative Customer Acquisition Costs - Creative Sta.

Venture Capital 150

Venture Capital Technical Cofounder Southern California Los Angeles 150

SoCal CTO

MARCH 9, 2007

Early Stage Marketing and Branding – Farida Fotouh. Mobile Internet Apple Facebook ► 2009 (32) ► December (3) Startup Software Developers Startup Software Development – Do Your Homework Be. User Interface Beyond the Web Site ► November (7) Negative Customer Acquisition Costs - Creative Sta.

Technical Cofounder 150

Technical Cofounder Southern California Los Angeles CTO Hire 150

SoCal CTO

MARCH 20, 2007

Early Stage Marketing and Branding – Farida Fotouh. Mobile Internet Apple Facebook ► 2009 (32) ► December (3) Startup Software Developers Startup Software Development – Do Your Homework Be. User Interface Beyond the Web Site ► November (7) Negative Customer Acquisition Costs - Creative Sta.

Technical Cofounder 150

Technical Cofounder Southern California Search Engineer 150

SoCal CTO

MARCH 13, 2007

Early Stage Marketing and Branding – Farida Fotouh. Mobile Internet Apple Facebook ► 2009 (32) ► December (3) Startup Software Developers Startup Software Development – Do Your Homework Be. User Interface Beyond the Web Site ► November (7) Negative Customer Acquisition Costs - Creative Sta.

Technical Cofounder 150

Technical Cofounder Southern California Los Angeles Internet 150

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 28, 2007

Early Stage Marketing and Branding – Farida Fotouh. Mobile Internet Apple Facebook ► 2009 (32) ► December (3) Startup Software Developers Startup Software Development – Do Your Homework Be. User Interface Beyond the Web Site ► November (7) Negative Customer Acquisition Costs - Creative Sta.

Technical Cofounder 150

Technical Cofounder Southern California Los Angeles Mobile 150

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 25, 2007

Early Stage Marketing and Branding – Farida Fotouh. Mobile Internet Apple Facebook ► 2009 (32) ► December (3) Startup Software Developers Startup Software Development – Do Your Homework Be. User Interface Beyond the Web Site ► November (7) Negative Customer Acquisition Costs - Creative Sta.

Technical Cofounder 150

Technical Cofounder Southern California Los Angeles CTO Hire 150

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 17, 2007

Early Stage Marketing and Branding – Farida Fotouh. Mobile Internet Apple Facebook ► 2009 (32) ► December (3) Startup Software Developers Startup Software Development – Do Your Homework Be. User Interface Beyond the Web Site ► November (7) Negative Customer Acquisition Costs - Creative Sta.

Technical Cofounder 150

Technical Cofounder Los Angeles Southern California CTO Hire 150

SoCal CTO

MARCH 1, 2007

Early Stage Marketing and Branding – Farida Fotouh. Mobile Internet Apple Facebook ► 2009 (32) ► December (3) Startup Software Developers Startup Software Development – Do Your Homework Be. User Interface Beyond the Web Site ► November (7) Negative Customer Acquisition Costs - Creative Sta.

Technical Cofounder 150

Technical Cofounder Networking Southern California Los Angeles 150

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 17, 2007

Early Stage Marketing and Branding – Farida Fotouh. Mobile Internet Apple Facebook ► 2009 (32) ► December (3) Startup Software Developers Startup Software Development – Do Your Homework Be. User Interface Beyond the Web Site ► November (7) Negative Customer Acquisition Costs - Creative Sta.

Los Angeles 150

Los Angeles Technical Cofounder Southern California CTO Hire 150

SoCal CTO

MARCH 12, 2007

Early Stage Marketing and Branding – Farida Fotouh. Mobile Internet Apple Facebook ► 2009 (32) ► December (3) Startup Software Developers Startup Software Development – Do Your Homework Be. User Interface Beyond the Web Site ► November (7) Negative Customer Acquisition Costs - Creative Sta.

Technical Cofounder 150

Technical Cofounder Southern California Los Angeles CTO Hire 150

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 27, 2007

Early Stage Marketing and Branding – Farida Fotouh. Mobile Internet Apple Facebook ► 2009 (32) ► December (3) Startup Software Developers Startup Software Development – Do Your Homework Be. User Interface Beyond the Web Site ► November (7) Negative Customer Acquisition Costs - Creative Sta.

Technical Cofounder 150

Technical Cofounder Southern California Los Angeles CTO Hire 150

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 25, 2007

Early Stage Marketing and Branding – Farida Fotouh. Mobile Internet Apple Facebook ► 2009 (32) ► December (3) Startup Software Developers Startup Software Development – Do Your Homework Be. User Interface Beyond the Web Site ► November (7) Negative Customer Acquisition Costs - Creative Sta.

Technical Cofounder 150

Technical Cofounder Southern California Los Angeles CTO Hire 150

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 17, 2007

Early Stage Marketing and Branding – Farida Fotouh. Mobile Internet Apple Facebook ► 2009 (32) ► December (3) Startup Software Developers Startup Software Development – Do Your Homework Be. User Interface Beyond the Web Site ► November (7) Negative Customer Acquisition Costs - Creative Sta.

Incubator 150

Incubator Technical Cofounder Southern California Los Angeles 150

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 17, 2007

Early Stage Marketing and Branding – Farida Fotouh. Mobile Internet Apple Facebook ► 2009 (32) ► December (3) Startup Software Developers Startup Software Development – Do Your Homework Be. User Interface Beyond the Web Site ► November (7) Negative Customer Acquisition Costs - Creative Sta.

Technical Cofounder 150

Technical Cofounder Southern California Los Angeles CTO Hire 150

SoCal CTO

MARCH 20, 2007

Early Stage Marketing and Branding – Farida Fotouh. Mobile Internet Apple Facebook ► 2009 (32) ► December (3) Startup Software Developers Startup Software Development – Do Your Homework Be. User Interface Beyond the Web Site ► November (7) Negative Customer Acquisition Costs - Creative Sta.

Technical Cofounder 150

Technical Cofounder Southern California Los Angeles CTO Hire 150

SoCal CTO

MARCH 5, 2007

Early Stage Marketing and Branding – Farida Fotouh. Mobile Internet Apple Facebook ► 2009 (32) ► December (3) Startup Software Developers Startup Software Development – Do Your Homework Be. User Interface Beyond the Web Site ► November (7) Negative Customer Acquisition Costs - Creative Sta.

Open Source 150

Open Source Business Model Technical Cofounder Southern California 150