YoungUpstarts

NOVEMBER 19, 2020

People refers to the management and employees that are currently employed by the business. Committed employees and tenured management teams can act as a value driver as they are directly involved with the direction and growth of your company. Does it have a niche or intellectual property?

Exit Strategy 246

Exit Strategy Intellectual Property Valuation Metrics 246

Scott Edward Walker

OCTOBER 19, 2020

Over the past six months, my firm has been engaged by a number of startups with significant intellectual property (“IP”) problems. In a couple of cases, the founders played lawyer on their own; in the other cases, the founders either used (i) a Web service that did not address IP issues or (ii) an inexperienced law firm.

IP 52

IP Software Review Founder Technical Review 52

Steve Blank

DECEMBER 10, 2009

Early on in my career I took a “we’re moving too fast to deal with lawyers” attitude to patents and Intellectual Property (IP.) At one of my entrepreneurship classes at Stanford, Dan Dorosin , of Fenwick & West LLP guest lectures about startups and Intellectual Property. Intellectual Property.

Intellectual Property 213

Intellectual Property IP Software Review Non-disclosure Agreement 213

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 10, 2016

Every startup founder loves to prompt for questions from investors and potential key team members about their vision, and the huge opportunity that can be had with their disruptive technology. Most founders like to talk about their many months or years of sweat-equity , but cash invested is a stronger commitment.

Sweat Equity 120

Sweat Equity Burn Rate Technical Review Intellectual Property 120

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 8, 2015

Every startup founder loves to prompt for questions from investors and potential key team members about their vision, and the huge opportunity that can be had with their disruptive technology. Most founders like to talk about their many months or years of sweat-equity , but cash invested is a stronger commitment.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Due Diligence Sweat Equity Burn Rate 120

Up and Running

NOVEMBER 19, 2015

Nearly all businesses, whether they are small or large, are comprised of intellectual property (IP) and trade secrets, which can serve as the foundation for commercial success. The World Intellectual Property Organization defines IP as, “creations of the mind,” which, depending on the business, can take many forms.

Intellectual Property 60

Intellectual Property Business Plan IP Early Stage 60

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 21, 2016

They expect to hear about founders and team member’s prior experience in building a startup, and knowledge in the relevant solution domain. Investors read this as an excuse for no real intellectual property or innovation. Many naïve startup founders believe that they can make good money with low margins.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Valuation Technical Review Equity 120

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 4, 2016

The good news is that everyone expects entrepreneurs to make mistakes, since founders explore uncharted territory. In fact, investors recognize that founders usually learn more from mistakes than from success, so a well-explained startup failure can improve their odds of funding the next time around. Hire slow and fire fast.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Startup Forecast Angel Investor 120

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 29, 2023

In my view, this mismatch of motivation to your business model is the primary reason that 90 percent of startups ultimately fail, and a shockingly high 80 percent of employees are dissatisfied at work. Every business needs marketing, distribution, a positive revenue model and intellectual property to survive.

Intellectual Property 243

Intellectual Property Matching Business Model Cofounder 243

YoungUpstarts

MAY 19, 2016

by Gadiel Morantes , chief revenue officer at Early Growth Financial Services. Ideally, tech startup founders stay on till the very end. Without a contingency plan, companies that unexpectedly lose a co-founder find themselves in muddy water. Intellectual property matters are just one way these problems can materialize.

Technical Review 124

Technical Review Burn Rate IP Intellectual Property 124

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 11, 2022

Getting investors to trust you with their money is always a challenge, and it’s even more difficult in the early stages, where you don’t have a significant revenue stream, a few customers, or maybe even a product yet. Lack of intellectual property. Naïve expectations on funding terms and process. Surprises during due diligence.

Due Diligence 271

Due Diligence Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Preferred Stock 271

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 4, 2016

But for founders who do their homework, the cost of entry is lower and the opportunity is higher than ever. Excellent detailed resources are everywhere, including a new book, “ The Startup Checklist ,” by serial entrepreneur and founder of the New York Angels, David S. Rounding out the team with employees and freelancers.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Startup Angel Groups Social Media 120

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 16, 2021

In my view, this mismatch of motivation to your business model is the primary reason that 90 percent of startups ultimately fail, and a shockingly high 80 percent of employees are dissatisfied at work. Every business needs marketing, distribution, a positive revenue model and intellectual property to survive.

Intellectual Property 328

Intellectual Property Matching Business Model Cofounder 328

Austin Startup

FEBRUARY 7, 2019

Knowbella Tech is an open science collaboration company that uses blockchain to deliver free tools, services, grants, and intellectual properties (IP) to researchers, particularly the underserved in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Knowbella founder Jason Barkeloo answered some questions about his company.

Intellectual Property 48

Intellectual Property Technical Review Malta Startup 48

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 14, 2020

Getting investors to trust you with their money is always a challenge, and it’s even more difficult in the early stages, where you don’t have a significant revenue stream, a few customers, or maybe even a product yet. Lack of intellectual property. Naïve expectations on funding terms and process. Surprises during due diligence.

Due Diligence 308

Due Diligence Intellectual Property Preferred Stock Seed Stage 308

Scott Edward Walker

SEPTEMBER 28, 2011

Question My co-founders and I are working on a cool new site, and we’ll be ready to launch in a few weeks. Otherwise, if one of the founders quits after a few months, he would take all of his shares with him. In short, this is a nightmare scenario – particularly if there is bad blood with the other co-founders. IP Ownership.

Vesting 89

Vesting Software Review IP Intellectual Property 89

Steve Blank

MARCH 31, 2014

Companies horde cash and squeeze the most revenue and margin from the money they use. Some companies use a suggestion box, others like Google give employees 20% of their time to work on their own projects. And to keep executing large organizations hire employees with a range of skills and competencies. This never ends well.

Private Equity 325

Private Equity Metrics China Intellectual Property 325

The Startup Magazine

JANUARY 31, 2019

You may also need to compile a company constitution document if your state requires it, and register your business with the internal revenue service as well. For instance you need to learn how to interview new staff, how to fire ineffective employees, and how to structure a working relationship with freelancers and contractors.

Intellectual Property 99

Intellectual Property Hiring Startup LLC 99

Scott Edward Walker

NOVEMBER 22, 2015

For many startups, intellectual property (IP) is their most valuable asset. Startups must ensure that none of the founders’ prior employers have any rights to the venture’s IP because a founder was working on the venture while previously employed. Any IP created or acquired by a founder (e.g., code, a patent, etc.)

IP 40

IP Software Review Due Diligence Intellectual Property 40

Startup Company Lawyer

MAY 4, 2009

Adeo Ressi , the founding member of TheFunded , recently announced the establishment of TheFunded Founder Institute. The Founder Institute helps founders launch innovative companies by providing training, services, and company-building assignments, such as incorporating the business, filing provision patents, and setting up books and records.

Founder 28

Founder Warrant San Francisco Intellectual Property 28

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 18, 2016

First priority is real revenue, customers and contracts. Thus, $100,000 of gross revenue in the last 12 months might be extrapolated to $500,000 to $1 million in valuation. Future revenue projections are not relevant at the pre-revenue stage. Future revenue projections are not relevant at the pre-revenue stage.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Valuation Pre-Money Valuation Startup 120

YoungUpstarts

JUNE 27, 2018

You have to align your business model to the needs of the market, find competent staff to execute your plans, develop a high-quality product, invest in marketing and set up a corporate network that can boost growth and revenue. While some CEOs start the company with just a couple of employees, others start with a few hundred.

Intellectual Property 100

Intellectual Property Non-Compete Startup Bankruptcy 100

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 26, 2012

Two founders have spent $200K of personal and family funds over a one year period to start the company, get a prototype site up and running, and have already generated some “buzz” in the Internet community. On the other hand, if the pre-money valuation is $4M, the founders ownership remains at a healthy 80% level.

Valuation 270

Valuation Pre-Money Valuation NPV Intellectual Property 270

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 1, 2016

Getting investors to trust you with their money is always a challenge, and it’s even more difficult in the early stages, where you don’t have a significant revenue stream, a few customers, or maybe even a product yet. Lack of intellectual property. Naïve expectations on funding terms and process. Surprises during due diligence.

Due Diligence 120

Due Diligence Intellectual Property Preferred Stock Seed Stage 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. Delay incorporating until required by investors.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Due Diligence Non-Compete Startup 120

David Teten

JANUARY 28, 2019

Access to University’s Intellectual Property : Office of Cooperative Research. This offers ample space for corporate partners to grow nearby with connectivity to NYC and many potential employees/interns from Yale. Founder community. Marketing of tech community : Yale Tech News , Yale Entrepreneurship Magazine.

Affiliate 60

Affiliate Connecticut Programming Community 60

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

Two founders have spent $200K of personal and family funds over a one year period to start the company, get a prototype site up and running, and have already generated some “buzz” in the Internet community. On the other hand, if the pre-money valuation is $4M, the founders ownership remains at a healthy 80% level.

Pre-Money Valuation 246

Pre-Money Valuation Valuation NPV Intellectual Property 246

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 11, 2015

In my view, this mismatch of motivation to your business model is the primary reason that 70 percent or more of startups ultimately fail, and an even higher percentage of employees are dissatisfied at work. Every business needs marketing, distribution, a positive revenue model and intellectual property to survive.

Matching 120

Matching Intellectual Property Startup Business Model 120

Gust

DECEMBER 8, 2011

Likewise, founders can benefit from understanding basic characteristics of the overall legal structure, formation and governance documents, rights and responsibilities of team members, etc. Determine who will serve on the Board of Directors and in executive officer positions (usually founders). Offer letters for employees.

Intellectual Property 139

Intellectual Property Non-disclosure Agreement Delaware Stock 139

www.inc.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2011

Employee Benefits. Intellectual Property. Last spring, Dave Graham , founder of software consulting firm Arizona Bay, learned that a major client, Jumpstart Automotive Media, had been acquired for more than $80 million. Jumpstart wasnt much at the time, just four employees working from home offices. Advertising.

Arizona 40

Arizona Equity Iowa Venture Capital 40

Gust

NOVEMBER 18, 2012

Two founders have spent $200K of personal and family funds over a one year period to start the company, get a prototype site up and running, and have already generated some “buzz” in the Internet community. On the other hand, if the pre-money valuation is $4M, the founders ownership remains at a healthy 80% level.

Valuation 187

Valuation Pre-Money Valuation NPV Intellectual Property 187

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 6, 2010

Two founders have spent $200K of personal and family funds over a one year period to start the company, get a prototype site up and running, and have already generated some “buzz” in the Internet community. On the other hand, if the pre-money valuation is $4M, the founders ownership remains at a healthy 80% level.

Valuation 234

Valuation Pre-Money Valuation NPV Startup 234

Ben's Blog

JANUARY 19, 2011

And if you are the founder, the logical part is the easy part. Business— when a company is acquired for its actual business (revenue and earnings). If the answers to both are yes, then selling would literally mean selling yourself and your employees short. Indeed, the task would be far simpler if there were no emotion involved.

Acquisition 78

Acquisition Technical Review Intellectual Property Silicon Valley 78

Scott Edward Walker

OCTOBER 27, 2015

We charge a flat fee of $2,000, plus filing fees, for up to three co-founders and it includes unlimited phone calls and emails. Thus, founders never have to worry about picking-up the phone and asking their lawyers questions. Indeed, we have done more than 300 Startup Packages and the appeal is obvious: no billable hours.

Intellectual Property 40

Intellectual Property Accredited Investor Vesting Delaware 40

infochachkie.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2011

For instance, if a consultant proposes to help you with public relations, pay them a commission equivalent to the greater of a flat fee per story placed or a percentage of revenue generated from the PR coverage. If a consultant claims they can enhance your marketing efforts, pay them based on their direct impact on your incremental sales.

Equity 40

Equity Silicon Valley Cofounder Technical Review 40

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 2, 2018

Founders who avoid the use of the term “profit” had better have deep pockets of their own. At the other extreme, I don’t condone greedy and unethical business practices to unjustly shake down customers and employees alike. The best advantage includes intellectual property to provide a barrier to entry or incent acquisition.

Intellectual Property 48

Intellectual Property Initial Public Offering Merger Acquisition 48

blog.simeonov.com

FEBRUARY 22, 2010

Simeon, can you tell us how you structure ownership and control so you can fire your co-founders if necessary? The first part will dispel some myths, address the lifecycle of founder agreements and the key compensation and control parameters in them. Let’s start by dispelling some myths: There is a standard founder agreement.

Founder 44

Founder Vesting Agile Startup 44