Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2022

For the rest of us, the following suggestions will help you survive the valley of death: Accumulate some resources before you start. In reality, the financing valley of death tests the commitment, determination, and problem solving ability of every entrepreneur. It always reduces risk to plan your business first.

Intellectual Property 261

Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator Bootstrapping 261

Up and Running

NOVEMBER 26, 2018

Most healthy businesses need business financing at some point. Startups have to deal with starting costs and ongoing businesses have to finance growth and working capital. Financing options depend on what kind of business you have. Don’t waste your time looking for the wrong kind of financing. Venture capital.

SBA 161

SBA Venture Capital Angel Investor Technical Review 161

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 19, 2013

According to a Gompers and Lerner study, the challenge is very real, with 90% of new ventures that don't attract investors failing within the first three years. For the rest of us, the following suggestions will help you survive the valley of death: Accumulate some resources before you start.

Intellectual Property 309

Intellectual Property Technical Review Venture Capital Startup 309

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2019

For the rest of us, the following suggestions will help you survive the valley of death: Accumulate some resources before you start. In reality, the financing valley of death tests the commitment, determination, and problem solving ability of every entrepreneur. It always reduces risk to plan your business first.

Intellectual Property 219

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 219

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 14, 2014

According to a Gompers and Lerner study, the challenge is very real, with a majority of new ventures that don''t attract investors failing within the first three years. For the rest of us, the following suggestions will help you survive the valley of death: Accumulate some resources before you start.

Entrepreneur 283

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 283

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 12, 2018

The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than early projections and product development. For the rest of us, the following suggestions will help you survive the valley of death: Accumulate some resources before you start.

Intellectual Property 134

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 134

View from Seed

JANUARY 13, 2021

As seed has become the mainstream path to early-stage financing, the definition of seed has changed, and if one is to be a credible first institutional seed investor, he or she would need a fund big enough to be competitive and write $1-2M initial checks. This is because the market actually has changed. I’m not critical of them for that.

Dilution 399

Dilution Later Stage Portfolio Technical Review 399

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2017

For the rest of us, the following suggestions will help you survive the valley of death: Accumulate some resources before you start. In reality, the financing valley of death tests the commitment, determination, and problem solving ability of every entrepreneur. It always reduces risk to plan your business first.

Product Development 177

Product Development Cost Developer Product 177

Hunter Walker

FEBRUARY 17, 2022

Homebrew: Venture capital is no longer as opaque as it was 10 years ago, but a lot of what gets shared is pro-VC content marketing more than the real day-to-day reality. KS: So much of what is shared about venture, especially on Twitter, is an endless string of wins. On top of all this, I was settling into San Francisco.

Venture Capital 85

Venture Capital San Francisco Portfolio Operations 85

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. a couple of people that worked for Softbank plus me got together and with sponsorships from Softbank created a separate venture fund.”. was starting.

Technical Review 288

Technical Review Venture Capital Silicon Valley Software Review 288

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. The Exit Problem.

Venture Capital 347

Venture Capital Technical Review LP Mobile 347

ReadWriteStart

FEBRUARY 19, 2020

In 2018, venture capital investments in Latin America doubled for the second consecutive year, according to LAVCA’s Annual Review of Tech Investment in Latin America. Colombia has a few industries with massive potential for disruptive transformation , in particular, health and finance. Increased foreign investment.

Colombia 146

Colombia America Technical Review Startup 146

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. To the rest of us, new great things often start out looking like toys, and Gen-Y knows their toys. Overconfidence. Marty Zwilling.

Demand 362

Demand Government Venture Capital Valuation 362

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2015

According to a classic Gompers and Lerner study, the challenge is very real, with a majority of new ventures that don't attract investors failing within the first three years. For the rest of us, the following suggestions will help you survive the valley of death: Accumulate some resources before you start.

Entrepreneur 120

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 120

Up and Running

AUGUST 30, 2021

Solve the rest later. Angel investors, venture capital firms, accelerators, and (maybe) the newer equity crowdfunding will look to see if you have previous experience in startups. Your startup becomes irrelevant. Instead, focus on the problem you want to solve. Become comfortable with rejection.

Entrepreneur 132

Entrepreneur Lean Colorado Engineer 132

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 9, 2014

David is also the CEO of Gust , which is an online platform for startup financing used by over 50,000 accredited angel investors, 1000 angel groups and venture capital funds, and 250,000 entrepreneurs. I just finished a new book, “ Angel Investing ,” by a friend and one of the most active angel investors in New York, David S.

Angel Investor 278

Angel Investor Angel Groups Accredited Investor IRR 278

Up and Running

AUGUST 18, 2014

Startups have some unique struggles, especially in regard to financing. 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. Key difference #2 – the relationship with funding. The exit is what gives them a return.”

Small Business 154

Small Business Exit Strategy Cofounder Angel Investor 154

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. Finance is about reporting on historical performance and future planning through the lens of financial metrics.”

Seed Stage 177

Seed Stage Hiring IPO Analytics 177

YoungUpstarts

FEBRUARY 5, 2013

Written by David Shelters , managing director of Bangkok, Thailand-based investment banking and financial advisory firm Karon Business Consulting, the book should be an eye-opener for aspiring and new technology entrepreneurs and can help you navigate the dangerous waters known as venture capital.

Technical Review 164

Technical Review Private Equity Thailand Incubator 164

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 26, 2016

The key to being able to run a business that isn’t yet profitable (on operating margin) is availability of capital to finance losses and preferably at a cost that isn’t too punitive to the founders and employees. Sustaining short-term losses is all predicated on ability to finance the losses through venture capital or other means.

Metrics 150

Metrics Cost Acquisition Startup 150

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 21, 2010

I won’t cover any companies negatively for which I’ve invested in one of their competitors and rest assured that I will disclose an investment in any company I talk positively about. Tags: This Week in Venture Capital VC Industry. If I ever say anything less than positive, I have no vested interests in doing so.

Venture Capital 265

Venture Capital Social Network Angel Investor Chad 265

Feld Thoughts

NOVEMBER 2, 2016

This quarter they interviewed me as part of it on Quarterly VC Update: Brad Feld on the State of Venture Capital Investing. We try to keep our heads down and just help finance our companies continuously through all stages. What other “macro” trends do you see affecting the rest of 2016 and 2017?

Venture Capital 70

Venture Capital Private Equity Early Stage Valuation 70

Steve Blank

APRIL 14, 2013

Sea Turtles and VPN – the connections to the rest of the world. The motivations are the same – profit – driven by entrepreneurs and venture finance. Filed under: China , Customer Development , Technology , Venture Capital. China Customer Development Technology Venture Capital'

China 323

China Silicon Valley Non-Compete Intellectual Property 323

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2015

David is 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 over 45,000 accredited angel investors, 1000 angel groups and venture capital funds, and 200,000 entrepreneurs. billion collected in 2014.

Angel Investor 120

Angel Investor Angel Groups Accredited Investor IRR 120

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2013

Seed investments” are early stage financings (typically less than $1.5 million) made by either Angels or venture capitalists, or both. Thus the venture capital industry isn’t dead yet, despite all the rumors, and more startups are getting money, even at Series A and later levels. This is nothing new.

Massachusetts 249

Massachusetts Silicon Valley Venture Capital California 249

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

VC Adventure

AUGUST 15, 2018

Back in the olden days of venture capital, company boards had wide discretion in pricing company options. These reports are generally quite lengthy and not always particularly comprehensible to non-finance professionals. Quick note: I’m not your lawyer. I’m not giving legal advice in this post. I was wrong.

Valuation 48

Valuation Common Stock Cap Table Software Review 48

View from Seed

FEBRUARY 26, 2020

That trend has been coupled with a proliferation of institutional seed venture capital firms. It goes slowly until it goes fast , as once a lead is in place the rest of the syndicate can be rounded out with additional groups with complementary strengths.

Syndicate 257

Syndicate Syndication Lead Investor Venture Capital 257

YoungUpstarts

FEBRUARY 27, 2019

Skill vs. Luck in Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital: Evidence from Serial Entrepreneurs , a Harvard paper, noted that first-time entrepreneurs have an 18 percent chance for success, but by following these tips you can help increase those odds whether you plan to launch your startup in Edmonton , Vancouver, Boston or anywhere else.

Angel Investor 194

Angel Investor Boston Venture Capital Social Media 194

Berkonomics

AUGUST 3, 2023

Some businesses require very little capital and the founder can self-finance the enterprise and retain 100% of its ownership and control from ignition through liquidity event (startup through sale). And even with the significant cost of credit card debt, many entrepreneurs aggressively use existing cards to finance a startup.

Private Equity 118

Private Equity Valuation Cap Table Accredited Investor 118

Steve Blank

APRIL 14, 2013

Sea Turtles and VPN – the connections to the rest of the world. The motivations are the same – profit – driven by entrepreneurs and venture finance. Filed under: China , Customer Development , Technology , Venture Capital. China Customer Development Technology Venture Capital'

China 215

China Silicon Valley Non-Compete Intellectual Property 215

Up and Running

APRIL 24, 2014

But other than traditional sources, like loans, venture capital, and angel investments, how can you get the cash you need to grow? We asked nine company founders the following question: What is one creative way to quickly finance a new product-based business OTHER than crowdfunding? Consult for Cash. Get a Charge Card.

Finance 115

Finance Product Equity B2B 115

ReadWriteStart

DECEMBER 9, 2010

Jacqueline asked an important question: how do you mitigate your working capital challenges in an e-commerce company at the very early stages without raising financing? First, there are two primary aspects that have to be managed: inventory financing and customer acquisition costs. You can listen to the rest in the recording.

Silicon Valley 117

Silicon Valley Malaysia India China 117

Austin Startup

MARCH 1, 2018

Surrender to Serendipity My general rule of thumb is to make a big calendar with everything I could possibly want to do on it and then in the moment do whichever of the things is easiest and aligns with the rest of the group I’m worth. A Venture Capital Outlook on Industry 4.0 Don’t forget the ABC’s of SXSW?

Technical Review 89

Technical Review Austin Texas Cofounder 89

The Equity Kicker

MAY 14, 2012

Twice in the last week I found myself coaching founders on how to build a financing plan around value creation milestones so I thought I would share what I said here. Given that the valuation of a startup increases when milestones like these are hit it makes sense to build a financing plan based on when they are likely to come in.

Finance 118

Finance Valuation Venture Capital Dilution 118

This is going to be BIG.

MAY 4, 2022

Only a small minority of people are born into the kinds of connections and life paths to provide them instant access to capital. The rest have to work super hard to create access for themselves, build trust and win investors over. I’m a straight white dude who grew up in NYC and worked in finance.

Cap Table 163

Cap Table Cofounder Private Equity Finance 163

OnlyOnce

FEBRUARY 9, 2022

On the heels of the announcement we made last month about our Series B financing , we are now announcing the launch of a new program called Bolster Prime and a new venture capital fund called Bolster Ventures. And the rest, as they say, is history. This is another big week for us at Bolster.

Silicon Valley 62

Silicon Valley Venture Capital Cap Table Early Stage 62