Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 19, 2022

In this model, often called micro-financing or peer-to-peer lending (P2P), people contribute with the intent to create a pool for all to borrow against. No startup ownership or financial return should be expected, but contributors can enjoy the satisfaction of furthering non-profits or causes with a passion to change the world.

Accredited Investor 352

Accredited Investor Startup SEC Equity 352

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 25, 2023

Relevant support employees, including those in HR, finance, recruiting, and benefits, need to be located as close to team members as possible, for availability of their assistance, and understanding of the current needs. Responsive – empower employees to help peers. As well, they need to be empowered to act quickly and appropriately.

Employee 282

Employee Matching Customer Leadership 282

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 9, 2019

Finance has homes in New York, Hong Kong, and London. Finding talent and financing isn’t the only hurdle to overcome on the road to startup success. Today, Silicon Valley is the consumer and enterprise software capital of the world. Energy is still the domain of Houston and Dubai. The list goes on and on. How can you get exposure?

Las Vegas 243

Las Vegas Silicon Valley Arizona Montana 243

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 26, 2021

Idea people must surround themselves with people who build momentum and get things done, including production, marketing, finance, and sales. Unfortunately for them, building a business is all about implementation. As an example, I worked with Bill Gates early on, but I fear he may have failed without partners Steve Ballmer and Paul Allen.

Entrepreneur 341

Entrepreneur Angel Investor Partner Software Developers 341

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 8, 2019

Obviously, these companies still need money to get started, or finance growth, just like a for-profit company. Hopefully you can see from this list that the people and processes involved in financing a nonprofit have little in common with angel investors, or the venture capital process. Individual and institutional philanthropy.

Equity 235

Equity Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy 235

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 16, 2012

Despite these pundits, I sense a fundamental change in the early-stage financing eco-system. With the Internet and other powerful but inexpensive business tools, the cost of development and rollout of new startups is lower than ever before, so the “big bang” theory of funding no longer makes sense.

Early Stage 253

Early Stage Finance Seed Stage Entrepreneur 253

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2022

In reality, the financing valley of death tests the commitment, determination, and problem solving ability of every entrepreneur. It’s the time when you create tremendous value out of nothing. It’s what separates the true entrepreneurs from the wannabes.

Intellectual Property 261

Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator Bootstrapping 261

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 28, 2021

David is still one of the most active angel investors in New York, and also the CEO of Gust , which is an online platform for startup financing used by 800,000 entrepreneurs over the years, providing access to 85,000 angel investment professionals. Rose, according to his classic book, “ Angel Investing.”

Angel Investor 361

Angel Investor Accredited Investor IRR Angel Groups 361

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 24, 2018

Based on my experience, creating a new business is at least as difficult as creating an innovative solution, and it takes a knowledge of finance, operations, customers and the marketplace. You need skills in finance, operations, and marketing to supplement product development, and more hours of work than one person can manage.

Angel Investor 249

Angel Investor Cofounder Finance Operations 249

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2023

Many entrepreneurs are convinced that banks are not worth the effort for startups, especially early-stage ones that still don’t have a revenue stream, or collateral to back up their financing needs. This question gets to the heart of what bank financing is and isn't supposed to accomplish. Management with a strong track record.

Equity 303

Equity Silicon Valley Finance Early Stage 303

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 23, 2013

There is so much written these days about how to attract investors that most entrepreneurs “assume” they need funding, and don’t even consider a plan for “bootstrapping,” or self-financing their startup. In fact, most of the rich entrepreneurs you know actively turned away early equity proposals. You need specialized equipment.

Bootstrapping 252

Bootstrapping Sweat Equity Entrepreneur Technical Review 252

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 20, 2020

In this model, often called micro-financing or peer-to-peer lending (P2P), people contribute with the intent to create a pool for all to borrow against. No startup ownership or financial return should be expected, but contributors can enjoy the satisfaction of furthering non-profits or causes with a passion to change the world.

Accredited Investor 324

Accredited Investor Entrepreneur SEC Equity 324

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 5, 2015

I challenge any entrepreneur, for example, to define the difference between "seed-stage" and "early-stage" financing. Even if you work every day in the world of new-venture funding, as I do, the options are confusing, and their meanings seem to change on a regular basis. Yet, knowing this distinction is important.

Seed Stage 120

Seed Stage Finance Early Stage Startup 120

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 13, 2012

There is so much written these days about how to attract investors that most entrepreneurs “assume” they need funding, and don’t even consider a plan for “bootstrapping,” or self-financing their startup. In fact, most of the rich entrepreneurs you know actively turned away early equity proposals. You need specialized equipment.

Sweat Equity 239

Sweat Equity Technical Review Bootstrapping Equity 239

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 15, 2019

Look at the big picture first of development, finance, and marketing/sales. If both of you are experts at software development, even though one loves design and the other loves coding, that still won’t get the marketing done. Feels a real passion and love for their role.

Cofounder 221

Cofounder Software Review CTO Hire Founder 221

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 2, 2017

Finance has homes in New York, Hong Kong, and London. Finding talent and financing isn’t the only hurdle to overcome on the road to startup success. Today, Silicon Valley is the consumer and enterprise software capital of the world. Energy is still the domain of Houston and Dubai. The list goes on and on. How can you get exposure?

Silicon Valley 149

Silicon Valley Las Vegas Arizona Montana 149

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 22, 2011

There is so much written these days about how to attract investors that most entrepreneurs “assume” they need funding, and don’t even consider a plan for “bootstrapping,” or self-financing their startup. In fact, most of the rich entrepreneurs you know actively turned away early equity proposals. You need specialized equipment.

Sweat Equity 255

Sweat Equity Technical Review Entrepreneur Bootstrapping 255

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2020

Many entrepreneurs are convinced that banks are not worth the effort for startups, especially early-stage ones that still don’t have a revenue stream, or collateral to back up their financing needs. This question gets to the heart of what bank financing is and isn't supposed to accomplish. Management with a strong track record.

Silicon Valley 406

Silicon Valley Equity Startup Finance 406

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 7, 2013

Finance has homes in New York, Hong Kong, and London. Finding talent and financing isn’t the only hurdle to overcome on the road to startup success. Today, Silicon Valley is the consumer and enterprise software capital of the world. Energy is still the domain of Houston and Dubai. The list goes on and on. How can you get exposure?

Silicon Valley 256

Silicon Valley Las Vegas Phoenix Montana 256

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 23, 2017

Unfortunately, some are so in love with themselves (narcissistic), that they can’t be convinced that anyone else could possibly run their finances, or take on marketing. Find a partner who has dealt with the realities of technology, tools, and financing. A startup has enough unknowns, without ignorance of the basics.

Startup 165

Startup Technical Review Partner Finance 165

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

Obviously, these companies still need money to get started, or finance growth, just like a for-profit company. Hopefully you can see from this list that the people and processes involved in financing a nonprofit have little in common with angel investors, or the venture capital process. Individual and institutional philanthropy.

Angel Investor 132

Angel Investor Equity Technical Review Exit Strategy 132

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2019

In reality, the financing valley of death tests the commitment, determination, and problem solving ability of every entrepreneur. It’s the time when you create tremendous value out of nothing. It’s what separates the true entrepreneurs from the wannabes.

Intellectual Property 219

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 219

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 28, 2013

A closer analysis often indicates the cause to be a lack of diligence in handling common business finances. But don’t forget that the underlying laws of finance are harder to change, much like the laws of physics, so try not to ignore these basics.

Technical Review 251

Technical Review Entrepreneur Salary Finance 251

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 5, 2022

Personal finances must be kept separate from the business. Being an entrepreneur is a lifestyle, making it hard to isolate the startup finances from family financial stability and future retirement requirements. They aren’t mentally prepared for the long-term grind, with repeated tough challenges along the way.

Silicon Valley 292

Silicon Valley Viral Finance Leadership 292

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 20, 2012

A closer analysis often indicates the cause to be a lack of diligence in handling common business finances. But don’t forget that the underlying laws of finance are harder to change, much like the laws of physics, so try not to ignore these basics.

Technical Review 273

Technical Review Startup Finance Cost 273

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 13, 2022

I won’t even try to cover here the ones you didn’t find for your personal life, like managing personal finances and credit. The focus here would be on the actual nuts and bolts of how things get budgeted and financed in business. There's some untruth hidden in 99 percent of everything you're told. Business Budgets and Benefits.

Dividend 352

Dividend Salary Social Network Finance 352

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 2, 2019

You now need help, rather than helpers, who can not only do their job independently, but can teach you the finer points of sales or finance, which may not be your strong suite. This is where you realize you need to start trusting others so you can remove yourself from the day-to-day tasks.

Leadership 248

Leadership Technical Review Cofounder Social Media 248

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 30, 2012

Attract investors and financing. The startups that typically receive the most dollars in first-time financings are ones that have at least four things going for them: Experience in related fields. No strategy leads to no decisions or poor decisions.

Intellectual Property 248

Intellectual Property Startup IP Finance 248

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 30, 2022

Very few startups are cash-rich enough to self-finance aggressive second-stage growth. They need a large infusion from venture capitalists, private equity, bank loans, or mezzanine financing. I like the ten steps he outlines, which I characterize here as follows: Seek major capital infusion. There is no free lunch.

Mezzanine 368

Mezzanine Private Equity Bandwidth Metrics 368

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 13, 2013

Obviously, these companies still need money to get started, or finance growth, just like a for-profit company. Hopefully you can see from this list that the people and processes involved in financing a non-profit have little in common with Angel investors, or the venture capital process. Individual and institutional donations.

Equity 207

Equity Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy 207

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2021

In finance, a bubble is too much money chasing assets, greater asset production and a herd mentality. In finance, “this time is different” is the beginning of a new bubble. In all these cases, a bust is inevitable, and everyone may lose. Overconfidence.

Demand 362

Demand Government Venture Capital Valuation 362

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2014

Look at the big picture first of development, finance, and marketing/sales. If both of you are experts at software development, even though one loves design and the other loves coding, that still won’t get the marketing done. Passion for what they do.

Partner 269

Partner Software Review CTO Hire Fractional CTO 269

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 16, 2018

These sessions also facilitate career advancement, with a better understanding of the skills and experience required to move into marketing or finance. Another approach is putting people on temporary assignments for growth. Everyone loves a no-risk approach to testing their ability to advance into new areas of the business.

Technical Review 178

Technical Review Marketing Due Diligence Social Media 178

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 31, 2022

After many years in business, I’m convinced that none of us has the strengths and interest in all the areas needed for success, including solution changes, finance, marketing, and operations. Trying to do everything is a sure way to maximize stress, lower job satisfaction, and minimize productivity.

Metrics 272

Metrics Early Stage Finance Programming 272

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

Obviously, these companies still need money to get started, or finance growth, just like a for-profit company. Hopefully you can see from this list that the people and processes involved in financing a non-profit have little in common with angel investors, or the venture capital process. Individual and institutional donations.

Angel Investor 218

Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy Equity 218

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 11, 2021

Later, when your venture is trying to close on financing, or even going public, that forgotten partner surfaces, demanding their original share. Many startups delay incorporation until the first formal round of financing, which is too late. Trouble with the IRS over Founders stock value.

Cost 363

Cost Non-Compete Accredited Investor Cofounder 363

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 16, 2015

Finance has homes in New York, Hong Kong, and London. Finding talent and financing isn’t the only hurdle to overcome on the road to startup success. Today, Silicon Valley is the consumer and enterprise software capital of the world. Energy is still the domain of Houston and Dubai. The list goes on and on. How can you get exposure?

Las Vegas 120

Las Vegas Silicon Valley Phoenix Montana 120