Eric Friedman

NOVEMBER 18, 2022

Advisor helping a startup – Midjourney. I have been thinking about early stage equity and advisor grants for some time, including a post in 2016 , that I rely on and wanted to revisit. If you are looking for a primer or how much early stage equity to grant to advisors, this is it. 25% as equity compensation.

Early Stage 103

Early Stage Equity Vesting Cap Table 103

ReadWriteStart

DECEMBER 15, 2022

Startup studios continue to grow in popularity as incubators for new businesses. Rather than simply launching one startup, the startup studio model creates an organization whose business is launching startups. These can then be repeated and improved on with each successive startup.

Incubator 188

Incubator Startup Software Developers Software Development 188

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2022

In my years of advising startups and occasional investing, I’ve seen many great ideas start and fail, but the right team always seems to make good things happen, even without the ultimate idea. You need to have a technical genius on the team to get your startup product off the ground. The operations superstar.

Technical Cofounder 309

Technical Cofounder Cofounder Advisory Board Startup 309

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 24, 2016

I always tell entrepreneurs that two heads are better than one, so the first task in many startups is finding a co-founder or two. So the first question I usually get is what percent of the company or equity is that person worth? Just because it was your idea doesn’t mean you “deserve” 90% of the equity.

Equity 120

Equity Cofounder Technical Cofounder Intellectual Property 120

Steve Blank

JANUARY 17, 2023

Three types of organizations – Incubators, Accelerators and Venture Studios – have emerged to reduce the risk of early-stage startup failure by helping teams find product/market fit and raise initial capital. They do the most to de-risk the early stages of a startup. Reducing Startup Risk. Carlos stirred his coffee.

Technical Cofounder 346

Technical Cofounder Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 346

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 14, 2023

Cash flow is a basic survival metric for every startup. Yet it always amazes me that I can find two different startups, seemingly working on the same problem, with one having a burn rate several times higher than the other. They understand startup realities. Desperate entrepreneurs lose their leverage and die young.

Burn Rate 258

Burn Rate Hockey Stick Management Salary 258

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2021

In my experience as an angel investor for new startups, I’m always surprised by how many entrepreneurs are looking for funding without outside advisors. The cost of a co-founder is usually fifty percent of your equity. An experienced Board can give them credibility, as well as advice on the many pitfalls of starting a new company.

Advisory Board 356

Advisory Board Bandwidth Cofounder Technical Review 356

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 17, 2011

I recently wrote a post about why I didn’t think early-stage startups should have COOs. What a luxury in a startup to have the number one person in the business get to focus on just strategy? “I need somebody to run operations.&# I never said you shouldn’t have a VP of Operations. What will it do?

Operations 292

Operations CTO Hire Startup Early Stage 292

ReadWriteStart

JUNE 1, 2020

I have often been asked about Startup Funding by entrepreneurs. Many myths surround the subject of startup funding. Here is Startup Funding, a Comprehensive Guide for Entrepreneurs. Reasons for funding. ? Scale up your operations. Now you may want to scale up your operations or expand your presence.

Startup 150

Startup Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Seed Stage 150

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 29, 2018

Cash flow is a basic survival metric for every startup. Yet it always amazes me that I can find two different startups, seemingly working on the same problem, with one having a burn rate several times higher than the other. They understand startup realities. Desperate entrepreneurs lose their leverage and die young.

Burn Rate 223

Burn Rate Hockey Stick Startup Salary 223

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2020

Cash flow is a basic survival metric for every startup. Yet it always amazes me that I can find two different startups, seemingly working on the same problem, with one having a burn rate several times higher than the other. They understand startup realities. Desperate entrepreneurs lose their leverage and die young.

Burn Rate 310

Burn Rate Hockey Stick Salary Angel Investor 310

Steve Blank

OCTOBER 23, 2023

Laura Thomas is a former CIA operations officer. Strategy and Operations roles: These roles help make sure vision, resources (budgets and people), and the market opportunity are aligned. Reading how she moved in 2021 from CIA ops to a quantum technology company offered insightful career transition advice for those leaving her agency.

Government 212

Government Advisory Board Salary Sales Cycle 212

The Startup Magazine

MARCH 14, 2022

And with the technology available these days, it is convenient to invest in emerging startups. Are you wondering how to invest in startups in India? The digital startup craze. The world is about to see a new generation propagating the Indian startup investing industry. Sectors witnessing a startup boom. Media tech.

Technical Review 145

Technical Review Due Diligence India Startup 145

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 15, 2023

With one of the many new tools , and a dose of sweat equity, you can create a website for almost nothing -- and you are on your way to success with ecommerce, your latest invention or personal services. Operate small, but show a big-company image. Use your equity for key executives and business partners.

Equity 349

Equity Hockey Stick Bootstrapping Sweat Equity 349

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 25, 2020

According to more recent statistics , fewer than a quarter of all crowdfunding operations end up being successful, and the rest have to return anything they do collect. Have you ever wondered what professional startup investors think about all this? Have you ever wondered what professional startup investors think about all this?

Equity 411

Equity Angel Groups Accredited Investor Due Diligence 411

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 11, 2022

Angel investors and venture capitalists don’t make equity investments in nonprofit good causes. What options do they have available to them, since they can’t sell a share of the company (no equity investment)? There is no discussion of equity, or return on investment. Individual and institutional philanthropy. Marty Zwilling.

Angel Investor 327

Angel Investor Equity Technical Review Exit Strategy 327

Hunter Walker

DECEMBER 11, 2023

He’s founder and CEO of Greenhouse , a ‘hiring operating system’ for companies which spans recruiting and onboarding tools for enterprises and SMEs. Originally backed by venture capital, in 2021 Daniel worked with TPG , a large private equity firm, to make them the majority investor.

Private Equity 78

Private Equity Equity DC Leveraged Buyout 78

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 13, 2013

What options do they have available to them, since they can’t sell a share of the company (no equity investment)? There is no discussion of equity, or return on investment. Some non-profit entrepreneurs think they can skip the whole plan, rather than just the sections on valuation, equity offered, and exit strategy.

Equity 207

Equity Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy 207

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 11, 2023

These investments are a tremendous help to your startup because they will serve as a stepping stone to reach your target eventually. The fundamental objective and aim of seed investment is to assist a company in launching its operations successfully. With startup funding, these companies can get through this phase.

Seed Stage 126

Seed Stage Technical Review Early Stage Due Diligence 126

SoCal CTO

MAY 13, 2014

A large part of this conversation is what kinds of advisors startups should be looking for. A little while ago, I suggested that Every Web/Mobile Startup Should Have a Technical Advisor. We both felt that most startups are not taking a very systematic approach to defining with they need in terms of advisors. Connected Advisors?

Advisory Board 241

Advisory Board Fractional CTO CTO Hire Startup 241

ReadWriteStart

JANUARY 20, 2020

Unfortunately, however, our love affair with startups is unfounded, especially as it relates to those who may be looking to provide, market to or target their product/service to the startup segment. Why We Are In Love With Startups? The most commonly-referenced startup story is fun to tell: Founded by 20-somethings.

Sweat Equity 107

Sweat Equity Non-Compete Startup Azure 107

Steve Blank

OCTOBER 30, 2012

Today we are announcing the biggest entrepreneurial program ever launched – Startup Weekend Next. A partnership of Startup Weekend , Startup America , TechStars and Udacity , Startup Weekend Next brings four weeks of amazing hands-on training learning to build your startup to cities around the world.

Startup 335

Startup Lean Incubator Business Model 335

David Teten

MARCH 14, 2018

I’ve listed them below in *very* roughly descending order of efficiency, measured by increased dollars one can put to work, divided by the operational dollars required to implement each strategy. . Sophisticated VC and private equity funds have a wide array of options for leveraging outside operating executives.

Private Equity 60

Private Equity Venture Capital Equity Cofounder 60

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 11, 2020

Even though the color of their money is always green, all startup investors are not the same. Taking on equity investors to fund your company is much like getting married – it is a long-term relationship that has to work at all levels. Personally visit another startup funded by this investor. It’s no fun for either side.

Technical Review 310

Technical Review Due Diligence Term Sheet Offshore 310

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Cash is the fuel of every startup. It continually amazes me how two startups, seemingly comparable in stage and objective, can be so far apart in their burn rate. Here are some recommendations on how to keep the rate low, and help your startup to prosper at the same time: Measure it and manage it. Which would you bet on?

Burn Rate 232

Burn Rate Startup Salary Equity 232

The Startup Magazine

JANUARY 24, 2020

So, you’re preparing to launch a startup of your very own: congratulations! Before you start earning profits and making an impression on the startup market, you’ll want to learn from your colleagues’ common startup mistakes. If you’re committed to making your startup a success, be sure to read this guide first.

Software Review 143

Software Review Startup Technical Review Hiring 143

The Startup Magazine

MARCH 8, 2024

By strategically leveraging debt, businesses can access the capital needed to invest in new opportunities, expand operations, and increase profitability. It compares a company’s net operating income to its debt payments, providing insight into its repayment capacity.

Finance 123

Finance Technical Review Metrics .Net 123

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 4, 2014

Two heads are better than one, so the first task in many startups is finding a co-founder or two. The first question I usually get is what percent of the company or equity is that person worth? Just because it was your idea doesn’t mean you “deserve” 90 percent of the equity. Now comes the reality check.

Cofounder 261

Cofounder Stock Founder Technical Cofounder 261

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 20, 2016

Building a startup business is not the same as corporate executive experience, so prior titles in a big business may actually be seen as a negative. On the other hand, having failed in an earlier startup may be an advantage, if positioned properly, and some learning is evident. Focus on prior results, not titles.

Sweat Equity 152

Sweat Equity Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Software Review 152

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

Cash flow is a basic survival metric for every startup. Yet it always amazes me that I can find two different startups, seemingly working on the same problem, with one having a burn rate several times higher than the other. They understand startup realities. Desperate entrepreneurs lose their leverage and die young.

Burn Rate 120

Burn Rate Hockey Stick Startup Salary 120

ReadWriteStart

JANUARY 20, 2020

Unfortunately, however, our love affair with startups is unfounded, especially as it relates to those who may be looking to provide, market to or target their product/service to the startup segment. Why We Are In Love With Startups? Most Startups Lack Budgets The Pareto Principle is at work when it comes to startups.

Sweat Equity 78

Sweat Equity Non-Compete Startup Azure 78

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 28, 2011

Cash is the fuel of every startup. It continually amazes me how two startups, seemingly comparable in stage and objective, can be so far apart in their burn rate. Here are some principles on how to do that, and help your startup to prosper and live another day: Measure it and manage it. Pay people with equity or future revenue.

Burn Rate 231

Burn Rate Startup Salary Equity 231

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 19, 2017

Capital investments are like gasoline on a startup business’s metaphorical fire. If you’re like most startup CEOs, your startup has been your personal fiefdom and baby. When you accept outside money, particularly a private equity (PE) investment, however, that changes. Rule 1: Bootstrap until you have a viable product.

Private Equity 94

Private Equity Pre-Money Valuation Equity Startup 94

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 9, 2020

In my years of advising startups and occasional investing, I’ve seen many great ideas start and fail, but the right team always seems to make good things happen, even without the ultimate idea. You need to have a technical genius on the team to get your startup product off the ground. The operations superstar.

Technical Cofounder 308

Technical Cofounder Cofounder Advisory Board Stock Options 308

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 6, 2013

Final startup grind from msuster. And the folks at Startup Grind have been kind enough to invite me to present this morning in Mountain View on the topic. PMs are a vital part of a tech startup. Equally – a great VP Finance can be leveraged well to take on finance, legal, HR and much of the operational tasks.

Cofounder 388

Cofounder Early Stage Startup Silicon Valley 388

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 29, 2019

Startup funding is undeniably an essential part of any new business launch, which is typically a hard nut to crack. However, here, we have attempted to shortlist a few easier ways for funding a startup. The working capital loan is required to run a complete cycle of revenue-generating operations. Bank loans. Government programs.

Startup 96

Startup Government Valuation Technical Review 96

View from Seed

APRIL 6, 2021

You have 4-6 years of professional experience as a technology operator, founder, or investor in New York. You have an authentic passion for startups and a deep respect for entrepreneurship. Who Are We Looking For. You are a native of NYC tech with a strong network. You act as an “ invited guest.”. You are hungry. A Final Note.

Technical Review 317

Technical Review Software Review Seed Stage Cofounder 317