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ProfessorVC: Bootstrapping 101

Professor VC

I moderated a panel discussion last night on one of my favorite topics, bootstrapping, as part of our Silicon Valley Center for Entrepreneurship Eminent Speaker Series at San Jose State. Don't Stop Believin' Is There Any Truth in "The Social Network"? A Lot of Horn Tooting over a Kazoo sized deal.

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ProfessorVC: Why I Hate Convertible Debt.Let Me Count the Ways

Professor VC

My partner in Menlo Incubator , Gary Kremen , and I had a recent debate on which one of us hates convertible debt more. This will also serve as a good pointer for all the entrepreneurs who ask why I am not interested in their company led convertible note financing round. In cases where it is truly a bridge financing (i.e.

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ProfessorVC: Is the Grass Really Greener on the Dark Side?

Professor VC

The spring semester of my Entrepreneurial Finance class starts tomorrow. We will also look at a variety of financing methods including venture capital, angel investing, licensing, franchising, roll-up, venture debt and my old favorite, bootstrapping. Labels: entrepreneur , entrepreneurial finance course , venture capital.

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ProfessorVC: Buyer's Remorse

Professor VC

Once the point is reached where you want to move ahead, we put the sales hat on and convince our partners about the incredible opportunity that we are lucky enough to be able to invest on the ground floor. I started thinking about this yesterday when Jeff Fluhr, founder of Stub Hub spoke at my San Jose State class.

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ProfessorVC: Can Entrepreneurship Be Taught?

Professor VC

However, for most of the rest of us, the analytical skills honed in college or grad school, along with the opportunity to network and explore different fields prove invaluable later. With that in mind, I created a new course at San Jose State last year, the Entrepreneurship Lab (E-Lab). November 20, 2009 8:26 AM. ► 2010.

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ProfessorVC: How Much Diligence is Due.

Professor VC

Don't Stop Believin' Is There Any Truth in "The Social Network"? I take CFO roles in early stage companies and participate on the management team during the early financings and business model development phases. I also teach Entrepreneurial Finance at San Jose State. ▼ January. (1).

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ProfessorVC: Touched by an Angel

Professor VC

A partner from the law firm (sponsor, covers the drinks and food) tosses out some softball questions to the panelists, the audience chimes in with Q&A and finally, culminates with the meet and greet where the panelists are flooded with business cards and pitches on the next great thing, which is often very similar to the last great thing.