Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 15, 2023

The simple answer is that with all the staging of TV lights and billionaire investors, it’s nothing like Silicon Valley. Investors want to hear a quantified problem, a simple solution description, opportunity size, competition, traction, team qualifications, how much money you need, and what equity you are willing to give.

Entrepreneur 279

Entrepreneur Silicon Valley Angel Investor Due Diligence 279

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 6, 2022

Today most startup investors still register with the SEC as “ accredited ” investors before they buy any startup equity in the U.S. These requirements for equity investing have been relaxed only a bit, with caveats, with relevant crowdfunding changes. There you can get in for as little as $20, or even less.

Liquidity Event 300

Liquidity Event Angel Investor SEC Accredited Investor 300

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 17, 2022

Examples of some leaders in this space include Ron Conway in Silicon Valley and Jeff Bezos , CEO of Amazon, who each may have over 500 startups in their portfolio. It’s the right way to get money without giving up too much equity or control of your business.

Angel Investor 342

Angel Investor Venture Capital Silicon Valley Portfolio 342

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 14, 2022

I’m convinced that the following personal strategies are required and practiced by every successful business leader, regardless of Silicon Valley myths to the contrary: Lead with business and technical acumen for people who count. Incent others to contribute to your success. Don’t back away from conflicts that can be constructive.

Silicon Valley 284

Silicon Valley Bandwidth Angel Investor Equity 284

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 16, 2023

A few, like Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), despite recent failures, 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.

Early Stage 182

Early Stage Silicon Valley Private Equity Initial Public Offering 182

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2022

This is another very popular website for raising equity or debt investments for startups. The Founding Chapter is in Silicon Valley, California, (naturally). It was founded back in 2010 by Naval Ravikant and Babak Nivi of Venture Hacks , which is also a great place to visit for startup advice. USA Angel Investment Network.

North America 337

North America Accredited Investor Angel Investor Angel Groups 337

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

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 2, 2011

In this case, a private equity firm engaged me to assist in the purchase of a German software supplier. He has long helped entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley, as well as providing turnaround assistance as interim CEO for several companies in Europe. You can contact him directly at ernst@startupprofessionals.com.

Bankruptcy 221

Bankruptcy Silicon Valley Private Equity Europe 221

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 14, 2020

The simple answer is that with all the staging of TV lights and billionaire investors, it’s nothing like Silicon Valley. Investors want to hear a quantified problem, a simple solution description, opportunity size, competition, traction, team qualifications, how much money you need, and what equity you are willing to give.

Due Diligence 317

Due Diligence Angel Investor Silicon Valley Green 317

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 11, 2020

One of the most successful incubators is Y Combinator in Silicon Valley. Maybe you are more comfortable going slow, with limited resources, or aiming high and giving up equity. You need to feel the passion of others in the same stage. This place is often called an incubator or accelerator, or just a group of peers.

Entrepreneur 348

Entrepreneur Silicon Valley Incubator Merger 348

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 21, 2020

Apple has since capitalized on the top technical talent in Silicon Valley to stay ahead of the competition. Financial capital – revenue, equity, debt, funding. Most people I know credit Steve Job’s success to his ability to attract top technical talent, starting with Steve Wozniak who designed the first Apple computer.

Community 329

Community San Francisco Silicon Valley Startup 329

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2020

I’m convinced that the following personal strategies are required and practiced by every successful business leader, regardless of Silicon Valley myths to the contrary: Lead with business and technical acumen for people who count. Incent others to contribute to your success. Don’t back away from conflicts that can be constructive.

Silicon Valley 312

Silicon Valley Bandwidth Angel Investor Equity 312

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 19, 2020

Examples of some leaders in this space include Ron Conway in Silicon Valley and Jeff Bezos , CEO of Amazon, who each may have over 500 startups in their portfolio. It’s the right way to get money without giving up too much equity or control of your business.

Angel Investor 314

Angel Investor Silicon Valley Venture Capital Startup 314

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2018

According to the International Business Innovation Association ( InBIA ), there are over 2,200 of these locations worldwide, and new online versions springing up all over the place, like Founders Space in Silicon Valley. Direct seed funding, for a share of the equity, and introductions to investors.

Incubator 218

Incubator Silicon Valley North America Small Business Administration 218

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

Today most startup investors still register with the SEC as “ accredited ” investors before they buy any startup equity in the U.S. These requirements for equity investing have been relaxed only a bit, with caveats, with recent crowdfunding changes. There you can get in for as little as $20, or even less.

Liquidity Event 224

Liquidity Event SEC Entrepreneur Accredited Investor 224

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

The first thing to remember is that banks only do loans – they don’t do equity investments like angels and venture capitalists (and vice versa). All banks are looking hard right now to get back in the game, and certain ones, like Silicon Valley Bank, are more focused on small businesses. Bankers do not contribute equity.

Silicon Valley 187

Silicon Valley Equity Entrepreneur Finance 187

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 1, 2018

That’s why angel and equity investors are so sought after by entrepreneurs. They have contacts with the more “startup friendly” banks in your area, like Silicon Valley Bank, and might even be able to arrange a “loan guarantee” if you meet these criteria.

Silicon Valley 210

Silicon Valley CPA Small Business Administration SBA 210

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 14, 2019

This is another very popular website for raising equity or debt investments for startups. The Founding Chapter is in Silicon Valley, California, (naturally). It was founded back in 2010 by Naval Ravikant and Babak Nivi of Venture Hacks , which is also a great place to visit for startup advice. USA Angel Investment Network.

Angel Investor 241

Angel Investor North America Accredited Investor Angel Groups 241

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 20, 2010

In this case, a private equity firm engaged me to assist in the purchase of a German software supplier. He has long helped entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley, as well as providing turnaround assistance as interim CEO for several companies in Europe. You can contact him directly at ernst@startupprofessionals.com.

Bankruptcy 120

Bankruptcy Silicon Valley Private Equity Software Review 120

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

Today most startup investors still register with the SEC as “ accredited ” investors before they buy any startup equity in the U.S. Typically these are used only for non-equity rewards or pre-orders, but the JOBS Act does allow equity investments with many restrictions. There you can get in for as little as $20, or even less.

Liquidity Event 184

Liquidity Event SEC Accredited Investor Angel Investor 184

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 17, 2016

According to the National Business Incubator Association ( NBIA ), there are over 7,000 of these locations worldwide, and new online versions springing up all over the place, like Founders Space in Silicon Valley. Direct seed funding, for a share of the equity, and introductions to investors.

Incubator 120

Incubator Silicon Valley Startup Small Business Administration 120

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2010

The first thing to remember is that banks only do loans – they don’t do equity investments like angels and venture capitalists (and vice versa). All banks are looking hard right now to get back in the game, and certain ones, like Silicon Valley Bank, are more focused on small businesses. Bankers do not contribute equity.

Silicon Valley 201

Silicon Valley Early Stage Startup Equity 201

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 27, 2014

Examples of some leaders in this space include Ron Conway in Silicon Valley and Brian Cohen , chairman of the New York Angels, who each may have over 500 startups in their portfolio. It’s the right way to get money without giving up too much equity or control of your business.

Angel Investor 260

Angel Investor Silicon Valley Startup Portfolio 260

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 12, 2013

See how many you have personally experienced already, or are currently mentioned in your business plan: Crowd-sourcing equity. Sites like KickStarter have for years offered rewards and pre-sales for crowd investments, but real equity won’t be legalized until sometime this year for people other than accredited investors.

Entrepreneur 274

Entrepreneur Accredited Investor Silicon Valley Angel Investor 274

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 8, 2017

Don’t believe that Silicon Valley myth that all you have to do is sketch your idea on the back of a napkin, and investors will line up to give you money. When sizing your funding request, be aware of the value of your startup today, since most investors expect an equity share for their contributions.

Elevator Pitch 163

Elevator Pitch Angel Investor Silicon Valley Business Model 163

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

But there are notable examples of for-profit incubators that are thriving, including YCombinator , led by Paul Graham in Silicon Valley, and TechStars , led by David Cohen and located in several key cities around the country, that have an excellent reputation and track record. Health, life, and other insurance at group rates.

Incubator 247

Incubator Silicon Valley Startup Small Business Administration 247

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 24, 2014

This is another very popular website for raising equity or debt investments for startups. The Founding Chapter is in Silicon Valley, California, (naturally). It was founded back in 2010 by Naval Ravikant and Babak Nivi of Venture Hacks , which is also a great place to visit for startup advice. New England Investment Network.

North America 289

North America Rhode Island Accredited Investor Angel Investor 289

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 11, 2017

This is another very popular website for raising equity or debt investments for startups. The Founding Chapter is in Silicon Valley, California, (naturally). It was founded back in 2010 by Naval Ravikant and Babak Nivi of Venture Hacks , which is also a great place to visit for startup advice. USA Angel Investment Network.

Angel Investor 167

Angel Investor North America Accredited Investor Angel Groups 167

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 11, 2013

They have contacts with the more “startup friendly” banks in your area, like Silicon Valley Bank, and might even be able to arrange a “loan guarantee” if you meet these criteria.

Entrepreneur 252

Entrepreneur Angel Investor Silicon Valley SBA 252

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

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.

IPO 205

IPO Silicon Valley Private Equity Initial Public Offering 205

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 20, 2013

This is another very popular website for raising equity or debt investments for startups. The Founding Chapter is in Silicon Valley, California, (naturally). It was founded back in 2010 by Naval Ravikant and Babak Nivi of Venture Hacks , which is also a great place to visit for startup advice. New England Investment Network.

Angel Investor 270

Angel Investor North America Rhode Island Accredited Investor 270

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 1, 2013

Today you still need to be registered with the SEC as an “ accredited ” investor to legally buy any startup equity. Today these are only legal in the USA for non-equity rewards or pre-orders, but the JOBS Act may relax the accredited investor rule soon. There you can get in for as little as $20, or even less.

Accredited Investor 219

Accredited Investor Liquidity Event SEC Stock 219

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 11, 2016

The simple answer is that with all the staging of TV lights and billionaire investors, it’s nothing like Silicon Valley. Investors want to hear a quantified problem, a simple solution description, opportunity size, competition, traction, team qualifications, how much money you need, and what equity you are willing to give.

Founder 120

Founder Angel Investor Due Diligence Silicon Valley 120

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 31, 2016

They have contacts with the more “startup friendly” banks in your area, like Silicon Valley Bank, and might even be able to arrange a “loan guarantee” if you meet these criteria.

Security 120

Security Angel Investor Silicon Valley Small Business Administration 120

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 22, 2016

I’m convinced that the following personal strategies are required and practiced by every successful business leader, regardless of Silicon Valley myths to the contrary: Lead with business and technical acumen for people who count. Incent others to contribute to your success. Don’t back away from conflicts that can be constructive.

Silicon Valley 120

Silicon Valley Bandwidth Angel Investor Equity 120

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2017

And then on an ongoing basis, our partners provide basic bookkeeping, legal, accounting and equity management services. No one disputes that NYC is the second-largest startup center after Silicon Valley, but what’s interesting is that in many months last year it grew even faster than the West Coast.

New York City 120

New York City New York Delaware Silicon Valley 120

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 30, 2012

Even banks, as well as equity investors, look more favorably on a proven business model than a new and unproven one. Just because something works in Silicon Valley, doesn’t mean it will work in Peoria. Don’t just copy successful formats and strategies, but learn from what has worked and not worked for your competitors.

Silicon Valley 211

Silicon Valley Equity Technology Cost 211