Steve Blank

JANUARY 22, 2014

Part 1: Bend, Oregon Ecosystem and Entrepreneurs. Part 2: Early-stage Regional Venture Funds. Few entrepreneurs find this scalable and repeatable business model because it’s not easy. This has changed the way entrepreneurs think about building their startups and how investors should look at them. ——-.

Early Stage 286

Early Stage Silicon Valley Oregon Technical Review 286

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 23, 2014

There has been much discussion in the past few years of the changing structure of the venture capital industry. The rise of alternative sources of capital (crowd funding and the like). The overall trends in our industry have breathed a new life into the venture capital industry. The iPhone was released.

Technical Review 398

Technical Review Venture Capital Valuation Pre-Money Valuation 398

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 3, 2021

Australian entrepreneur and consulting firm owner Luke Lazarus understands that launching a business is not easy. Instead of pursuing a life of leisure, Lazarus decided to use his success to help struggling business owners and entrepreneurs. Lazarus has had the heart of an entrepreneur for as long as he can remember.

United States 167

United States Entrepreneur Angel Investor Social Media 167

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

On the phone … Me: So, you raised venture capital? Convertible notes have both features in them but for some reason entrepreneurs don’t understand it. It’s like we need a finance 101 course for entrepreneurs. It’s like we need a finance 101 course for entrepreneurs. We raised a seed round.

Venture Capital 417

Venture Capital Liquidation Preference Valuation Term Sheet 417

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 26, 2020

A few, like Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), actually do provide management services to startups, invest in startups, or provide early-stage venture capital, but that is not called an investment service and is part of a function called Emerging Technologies, or sometimes Private Equity.

Silicon Valley 362

Silicon Valley Private Equity Initial Public Offering Term Sheet 362

Hunter Walker

DECEMBER 11, 2023

Originally backed by venture capital, in 2021 Daniel worked with TPG , a large private equity firm, to make them the majority investor. It might ‘exit’ again at a later point (anything from a sale to an IPO), but it’s no long dependent on VC funding. What does 2023 Daniel know that 2012 Daniel didn’t?

Private Equity 78

Private Equity Equity DC Leveraged Buyout 78

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 8, 2014

” It’s the most common refrain I hear from investors and even entrepreneurs these days. Given how efficient markets are when a large market like LA starts to blossom it attracts capital pretty quickly. billion in venture capital to LA’s technology startups and 2014 will shatter that figure.

Los Angeles 376

Los Angeles Silicon Valley Entrepreneur Seattle 376

Steve Blank

AUGUST 5, 2014

Kathryn has been the founding VP of Marketing of Oracle , a successful recruiter, a world class Venture Capitalist, a co-founder of a Venture Capital firm, a great board member, one of my mentors and most importantly a wonderful friend. Larry was the best entrepreneur I’ve ever known, and completely unconventional….

Venture Capital 333

Venture Capital Silicon Valley Chicago Cofounder 333

Steve Blank

SEPTEMBER 14, 2009

Over the same 30 years, Venture Capital firms have honed their skills and strategies to match Wall Streets needs to achieve liquidity for their portfolio companies. One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is misunderstanding the role of venture capital investors. What Do VC’s Do?

Silicon Valley 217

Silicon Valley IPO Technical Review Venture Capital 217

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 6, 2017

It was only a year ago that many in the Venture Capital industry were predicting that “winter was coming” and to be fair the author of this post was chief amongst them. Yet as we enter February 2017 the VC funding markets are booming, Snap, Inc has filed for its IPO, AppDynamics was just purchased for $3.7 Baidu alone raised $3.2

Venture Capital 150

Venture Capital Saudi Arabia Kuwait Burn Rate 150

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 17, 2022

Based on the best evidence I can find, the genesis of this trend and the advantages come from several evolutionary changes in the startup investment industry, and some innovations driven by the recession several years ago and the recent pandemic: Venture capital funds are regaining momentum. Super angels sometimes drive up valuations.

Angel Investor 342

Angel Investor Venture Capital Silicon Valley Portfolio 342

The Next Web

JULY 20, 2013

They speak about how they love to help entrepreneurs build successful companies, yet when I ask them to give me feedback on my business plan or idea, they usually don’t even bother writing me back. Venture capitalists and their feedback. What can you as an entrepreneur do in such cases? VCs are arrogant. VCs are cowards.

Silicon Valley 124

Silicon Valley Mongolia Technical Cofounder Entrepreneur 124

View from Seed

MARCH 24, 2021

At NextView Ventures we have written many pieces about venture capital — how to raise it, build your business, engage with investors, iterate your product, navigate expanding industries, etc. 7 Common Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make in VC Pitches and How to Fix Them “Different partners in a VC firm are different.

Seed Stage 177

Seed Stage Hiring IPO Analytics 177

Gust

DECEMBER 28, 2011

In the “good old days,” angels invested in seed-stage startups and teed up promising companies for subsequent venture capital financing. If the company was successful, this quickly led to an IPO – a very happy ending for the entrepreneur, the angels, and the venture capitalists. My, my…how the world has changed.

IPO 153

IPO Venture Capital Entrepreneur Angel Investor 153

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 13, 2011

Yeah, that was when I changed for me…” “…there was so much positive feedback on demystifying this one element of venture capital. Brad’s start in Venture Capital. I owe ya’ a 20 minute call (or in person next time I’m in San Diego). This time frame – 2005/2006 – web 2.0 was starting.

Technical Review 288

Technical Review Venture Capital Silicon Valley Software Review 288

ReadWriteStart

MARCH 31, 2020

Venture capital investment is one of the top places startups look out for when seeking funding for their business alongside other popular options like angel investing and crowdfunding. This may probably drive entrepreneurs to alternative funding options, such as equity crowdfunding. What does this mean for startups?

Technical Review 175

Technical Review Artificial Inteligence Startup Term Sheet 175

www.geekwire.com

JULY 10, 2012

VENTURE CAPITAL. ENTREPRENEURS. You are here: Home / Startups / Bad returns be damned: Venture capital fundraising jumps 31 percent in U.S. Bad returns be damned: Venture capital fundraising jumps 31 percent in U.S. But Seattle entrepreneur Aaron Roberts, a former engineer… Read More.

Venture Capital 42

Venture Capital Seattle Cofounder Software Engineering 42

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 6, 2022

Many entrepreneurs I know are confused by the definition and need for an Advisory Board versus a Board of Directors. This Advisory Board is a good test drive for the more formal Board of Directors required later, when going public (IPO) or the entrance of venture capital investors.

Advisory Board 348

Advisory Board IPO Angel Investor Acquisition 348

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 21, 2021

Yet as a business advisor I am convinced that making the jump from a startup to a the next unicorn takes a different mindset, and actions most entrepreneurs are reluctant to face. In my experience, here are some of the key elements of that “second-stage” of entrepreneurship: Move from small investors to major venture capital.

Merger 379

Merger Due Diligence SEC IPO 379

David Teten

JANUARY 19, 2021

Similar to the explosion of seed funds in the past decade, we (and some limited partners too ) believe these Flexible VCs are on the forefront of what will become a major segment of the venture ecosystem. We detail below the major categories of VC: VENTURE CAPITAL TYPOLOGY. FLEXIBLE VC VS. OTHER VENTURE CAPITAL MODELS.

Cofounder 78

Cofounder Technical Review Equity Dividend 78

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 23, 2012

Many observers of the venture capital industry have questioned whether its best days are behind it. Looking ahead at the next decade I am excited by what I believe will be viewed as one of the best and most rational investment periods for venture capital due to seven discrete factors: 1. Thank you, Aaron Sorkin!

Venture Capital 347

Venture Capital Technical Review LP Mobile 347

YoungUpstarts

MAY 24, 2018

In today’s business environment where innovation and technology converge and the modern day entrepreneur has more support and incentive than ever to begin their dream startup company, more often than not discussions about state and local business taxes have a similar tone: “The company is losing money; we don’t owe any taxes.”.

South Dakota 160

South Dakota North Dakota Wyoming United States 160

The Startup Magazine

OCTOBER 29, 2021

We can trace the Midwest’s renaissance to Sprout Social’s successful initial public offering (IPO) , which saw the company debut on public markets at a price of $17 per share and rise to over $120 per share today. Growing Venture Capital Activity. billion in venture capital, compared to just $2.7

Silicon Valley 174

Silicon Valley Kansas City Chicago Denver 174

Pascal's View

AUGUST 28, 2010

6) The most efficient fuel for this IPO engine is venture capital. v) “Since 1999, over 60% of IPOs have been VC-backed. This is an extraordinary percentage considering that only 1/16 th of 1% of all companies are VC-backed.” “… it is highly unlikely that a company that does not take venture capital ends up going public.

Venture Capital 56

Venture Capital America Initial Public Offering IPO 56

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 22, 2011

This was an audience of mostly first-time entrepreneurs. It is great for entrepreneurs and great for VCs. So here is what I have been telling entrepreneurs privately for the past 6 months. And this is happening in mezzanine (pre-IPO) deals as well. And post IPO deals, although these tend to correct more quickly.

Saudi Arabia 309

Saudi Arabia Valuation IPO Technical Review 309

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 6, 2023

With the advent and growth of crowdfunding over the past few years, many entrepreneurs have predicted the demise of angel investment groups and venture capital organizations. That’s not as high as the failure rate with professional investors, but it should convince entrepreneurs that crowdfunding is still no panacea for funding.

Angel Groups 201

Angel Groups Accredited Investor Due Diligence Equity 201

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

how on Earth could the venture capital market stand still? One of the most common questions I’m asked by people intrigued by but also scared by venture capital and technology markets is some variant of, “Aren’t technology markets way overvalued? And the truth is that several entrepreneurs prefer it this way.

Pre-Money Valuation 471

Pre-Money Valuation Valuation Venture Capital Early Stage 471

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2023

On the other hand, if you are a new entrepreneur, still in the idea stage, professional investors will only tell you to come back later when you have traction (customers and revenue). Different types of investors tend to specialize in capitalizing on businesses at different stages.

Angel Investor 313

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 313

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. These groups are now largely run by volunteers at no cost to entrepreneurs. Lack of checks and balances on startup valuations.

Equity 411

Equity Angel Groups Accredited Investor Due Diligence 411

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 19, 2020

Based on the best evidence I can find, the genesis of this trend and the advantages come from several evolutionary changes in the startup investment industry, and some innovations driven by the recession several years ago: Venture capital funds are still regaining momentum. Super angels sometimes drive up valuations.

Angel Investor 314

Angel Investor Venture Capital Silicon Valley Startup 314

Feld Thoughts

JULY 28, 2014

The SBIC was instrumental in the creation of the venture capital business. If you want to see a fun quote on it, read A History of Silicon Valley which quotes: “ …many venture capital pioneers think the SBIC program did little to advance the art and practice of venture investing.

SBIC 142

SBIC Venture Capital Colorado SBA 142

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Recently I wrote a post arguing to make the definition of a Startup more inclusive than that to which Silicon Valley, fueled by Venture Capital return profiles, would sometimes like to attach to the word. Recycled Capital has played a very important role. It creates recycled capital + 2nd-time entrepreneurs … on steroids.

Community 378

Community San Diego Silicon Valley Los Angeles 378

Up and Running

AUGUST 18, 2014

Startups tend to rely on capital that comes via angel investors or venture capital firms while small business operations may rely on loans and grants. The interesting thing about venture capital is that those providing it tend to have a more active role in whatever company they are backing.

Small Business 154

Small Business Exit Strategy Cofounder Angel Investor 154

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 14, 2016

What every entrepreneur is asking me these days, is “How do I get to be a unicorn?” Based on some good estimates of how many new ventures have been started in the last five years, the statistical odds of any individual startup making it to this level are less than one in a million. These are popularly called “unicorns.”

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Valuation Merger Exit Strategy 120

Up and Running

NOVEMBER 12, 2014

An exit strategy is a method by which entrepreneurs and investors, especially those that have invested large sums of money in startup companies, transfer ownership of their business to a third party, or by which they recoup money invested in the business. See Also 3 Things Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know About Exit Strategies.

Exit Strategy 117

Exit Strategy Lock-up Period Merger IPO 117

Steve Blank

JULY 15, 2010

If you take funding from a venture capital firm or angel investor and want to build a large, enduring company (rather than sell it to the highest bidder), this isn’t the decade to do it. The collapse of the IPO market and dysfunctional math in the venture capital community has stacked the odds against you.

Venture Capital 297

Venture Capital IPO Liquidity Event Entrepreneur 297

Steve Blank

MARCH 16, 2016

Founders can now access the largest pool of risk capital that ever existed –in the form of Private Equity (Angel Investors, family offices , Venture Capitalists (VC’s) and Hedge Funds.). At its core Venture Capital is nothing more than a small portion of the Private Equity financial asset class.

Liquidity Event 120

Liquidity Event Founder Liquidation Preference Venture Capital 120