Gust

MARCH 14, 2023

The biggest complaint I hear from fellow investors is that startup founders often talk way too long, and neglect to cover the most relevant points. The average length of a funding pitch to angel investors is ten minutes. Even if you have booked an hour with a VC, you should plan to talk only for the first fifteen minutes.

Technical Review 113

Technical Review Angel Investor Founder Startup 113

Gust

APRIL 11, 2024

That means 95% of founders—or more—are gonna have a bad time,” explains Rand Fishkin, the author of Lost and Founder, and co-founder of Moz and more recently of SparkToro. But only one percent of startups become unicorns; in fact, most VC-backed companies don’t reach their expected rate of return.

Hockey Stick 169

Hockey Stick Cofounder Founder Startup 169

Gust

MARCH 22, 2024

Investors prefer investing in Delaware C Corps which don’t allow founders to take personal tax losses for early expenses. Many founders are tempted to make an S-Corp election which allows a pass-through tax treatment similar to an LLC.

Delaware 167

Delaware LLC Founder Startup 167

Gust

OCTOBER 5, 2015

Though it was only $5,000, it was enough to prove to myself and my co-founder, Lauren Mosenthal, that we could actually fundraise for our startup. The post Raising Capital As A First Time Founder appeared first on The Gust Blog. We already had 1,000 women signed Read more >.

San Francisco 70

San Francisco Founder Angel Investor Cofounder 70

Gust

OCTOBER 16, 2012

Dropbox Co-Founder Drew Houston believes false mythologies about tech company founders do a disservice to aspiring entrepreneurs. While many people think all tech founders start with world conquering visions, says Houston, the reality is that founders learn one day at a time just like everyone else. I like this a lot.

Houston 119

Houston Founder Cofounder Video 119

Gust

OCTOBER 26, 2015

Kevin Klages, Co-Founder and CEO of Planitar, raised a $500,000 seed round after four pitches to angel investors. We sat down with Kevin as he shared what his fundraising journey was like, the startup lessons he learned, and his advice to fellow founders. Here is what he had to say: HK: Tell me a little about Planitar.

Founder 70

Founder Angel Investor Cofounder Startup 70

Gust

APRIL 13, 2014

A while back I talked about how and where to find a co-founder in “ For a Startup, Two Heads are Always Better Than One ”. In this context, I’m broadening the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.” Photo of Chairman of Google Eric Schmidt with Sergey Brin and Larry Page via Wikipedia.

Partner 179

Partner Software Review CTO Hire Fractional CTO 179

Gust

FEBRUARY 12, 2014

Power Pitches founder investors pitch questions startup VCs' What is your contingency plan for when this seed round is exhausted, and you are unable to raise any more? What is your API/platform/partnership strategy? How are you going to sell the company, and to whom, within six years?

Founder 140

Founder API Advertising Startup 140

Gust

MARCH 8, 2016

Kathryn Schifferle, Founder and CEO of Work Truck Solutions, turned being a woman in work trucks into an oversubscribed $2.1 We sat down with Kathryn as she shared what her fundraising journey was like, the startup lessons she learned, and her advice to fellow founders, especially women. million round. Read more >. Read more >.

Founder 70

Founder Startup 70

Gust

NOVEMBER 8, 2012

Then sit down with your co-founders and divvy up the equity based on the contributions you all believe each of you will make…providing for reverse vesting, a large option pool, and a clear decision-making structure.

Founder 134

Founder Option Pool Vesting Cofounder 134

Gust

MAY 24, 2014

Gust News founders Gust investors startups' original post can be found on Quora @ [link] *.

Founder 135

Founder Database Restful Global 135

Gust

NOVEMBER 4, 2016

We’ve just released our free Co-founder Equity Split tool. It’ll give you a fair and objective recommendation about how to divide your startup’s ownership, so you and your co-founders will have a sensible, real starting point for this notoriously hard, crucially important conversation. Read more >.

Cofounder 70

Cofounder Framework Equity Founder 70

Gust

JUNE 16, 2023

And plenty of founders do sabotage the game: It’s estimated that 80% of startups don’t make it past the first year, and 90% fail over the long run. So, what can a startup founder do to ensure they’re navigating raising funds strategically?

Equity 185

Equity Security Founder Startup 185

Gust

JULY 12, 2012

If you are going to be a true co-founder (and 20% equity sounds like it), sharing over-all decision making about company direction, strategy, financing, staffing, etc. Over time, founders typically *leave* the board as they are replaced by an increasing number of investors/independents. They don’t *join* it later.

Cofounder 107

Cofounder Founder Warrant Equity 107

Gust

JUNE 19, 2012

Tim Berry , Founder, Palo Alto Software. Martin Zwilling , Founder and CEO, Startup Professionals. Tim Berry , Founder, Palo Alto Software. Martin Zwilling , Founder and CEO, Startup Professionals. Tim Berry , Founder, Palo Alto Software. Martin Zwilling , Founder and CEO, Startup Professionals. I like that.

Startup 180

Startup Forecast Angel Investor Software 180

Gust

DECEMBER 18, 2013

Assuming the company is able to make effective use of the seed money to greatly increase the value of the enterprise, all of that value therefore accrues to the founder, rather than the investor.

Valuation 150

Valuation Founder Seed Money Common Stock 150

Gust

APRIL 4, 2024

That means 95% of founders—or more—are gonna have a bad time,” explains Rand Fishkin, the author of Lost and Founder, and co-founder of Moz and more recently of SparkToro. But only one percent of startups become unicorns; in fact, most VC-backed companies don’t reach their expected rate of return.

Hockey Stick 79

Hockey Stick Cofounder Founder Startup 79

Gust

JULY 25, 2023

As the Growth Manager at Gust, one of my responsibilities is to evaluate accelerator programs on the Gust Accelerator Platform to determine if they are a good fit for our community of founders. The post How to pick the right startup Accelerator?

Startup 171

Startup Community Programming Founder 171

Gust

FEBRUARY 8, 2016

The post Angel Investors Spotlight: An Inside Look at Hudson Valley Startup Fund’s Investment Process & Advice for Founders appeared first on The Gust Blog. Read more >.

Angel Investor 70

Angel Investor Chad Founder Startup 70

Gust

AUGUST 19, 2022

Having worked with hundreds of founders and early-stage startups, I often hear questions in regards to setting up an Advisory Board. I will address some of the common questions I’ve heard over the years in this article and share some insights I’ve gained as both a founder and as an advisor.

Advisory Board 185

Advisory Board Early Stage Startup Founder 185

Gust

NOVEMBER 28, 2023

The principal roles of the lead investor was to negotiate the terms of an investment with the founder of the startup. That’s what you as a founder will have, which is why it’s also known as founders’ stock. That’s what you as a founder will have, which is why it’s also known as founders’ stock. Here’s why.

Due Diligence 91

Due Diligence Term Sheet Common Stock Preferred Stock 91

Gust

AUGUST 23, 2012

Startups usually begin with one or two founders who play many roles. The lead founder is likely to wear the hats of Founder, Chairman, CEO, President, CFO, CRO and CMO, while a co-founder may well be CTO, Chief Product Officer, and Programming Team Lead.

CTO Hire 118

CTO Hire Cofounder Startup Founder 118

Gust

JUNE 16, 2023

And plenty of founders do sabotage the game: It’s estimated that 80% of startups don’t make it past the first year, and 90% fail over the long run. So, what can a startup founder do to ensure they’re navigating raising funds strategically?

Equity 91

Equity Security Founder Startup 91

Gust

OCTOBER 17, 2022

Between COVID, the evolution of the API economy, and a increase in second, third & fourth time founders who are seeking funding. How has fundraising changed in the last few years? Janelle van Deventer breaks down the options for raising capital through bootstrapping, dilutive investors, government subsides and various forms of debt.

Dilution 184

Dilution API Bootstrapping Government 184

Gust

AUGUST 24, 2022

Because you are undoubtedly raring to go out and change the world, I’m going to provide you with a crash checklist in “starting smart,” so that you can avoid the biggest, most bone-headed errors made by many bright-eyed and enthusiastic first-time founders. The post 25 Key Action Steps for Every Entrepreneur appeared first on Gust.

Entrepreneur 185

Entrepreneur Founder 185

Gust

OCTOBER 4, 2012

People who tell you that VCs won’t look at a company with an even equity split are being silly. That has never once, in my experience, been even a slight hiccup, let alone a dispositive factor in a seed investment. That said, there is a core of truth in the concept that there always needs to be *some* way to make a decision.

Equity 125

Equity Founder Government Startup 125

Gust

MAY 17, 2023

Imagine that you are the founder of a Brazilian B2B SaaS startup that has landed a few enterprise clients and has some good traction. Your sights are now set on raising capital in Silicon Valley to scale your business and reach new markets. While your conversations with U.S.

Delaware 160

Delaware Silicon Valley B2B Startup 160

Gust

JUNE 3, 2012

Otherwise, I suggest that founders be up-front with their employers, with an honest commitment that the “side” work on the potential startup will not jeopardize committed results. In a part-time effort, a co-founder is essential to keeping you on-track and working. Pick a day and time per week where you always work together.

Entrepreneur 152

Entrepreneur Cofounder Angel Investor Salary 152

Gust

DECEMBER 22, 2011

Here are a few key questions and observations that I offer to any newly incorporating startup: Who are the founders? If all goes well, the value of those assets will grow geometrically over time to eventually be worth millions or even billions. Has anyone already left the picture? Were outside advisors, contractors or consultants involved?

Intellectual Property 149

Intellectual Property Technical Review Software Review IP 149

Gust

SEPTEMBER 6, 2022

At some point, founders ask themselves: when is it time to turn this project into a company? Before a technology startup becomes a company, it spends a period of time as simply a project. The founding team is usually one or two individuals building and testing products as they try to validate a demand for them in the market.

Startup 172

Startup Demand Founder Technology 172

Gust

JULY 7, 2022

Welcome to the Gust Launch Founder Spotlight! Gust Launch supports a variety of exciting founders doing amazing things. In this ongoing series we’ll highlight the experiences of Gust Launch founders, in their own words, as they navigate the challenges of early-stage entrepreneurship. Want to share your story?

Early Stage 91

Early Stage Founder 91

Gust

APRIL 6, 2014

I see startup founders and managers who are stalled transplants from large organizations, as well as highly-capable technologists trying to start and run a business for the first time. You can still be the founder, and bring in a CEO to run the business. Let me assure you that it is also alive and well within startups.

Non-Compete 148

Non-Compete Startup Management Founder 148

Gust

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

Krezzo Co-founder Stephen Newman talks cross-departmental operational alignment with OKRs (Objectives & Key Results). When start-ups begin to scale, one of the first things that becomes a big problem is keeping track of the core business priorities and performance across teams.

Cofounder 162

Cofounder Operations Founder 162

Gust

DECEMBER 1, 2011

Notice what is missing from this list of priorities: The company itself – that is, a business entity, most often a corporation , that will own the entire business (however defined), issue equity to founders, take investment capital , enter into contracts, make sales, pay employees and contractors, and so forth.

IP 114

IP Intellectual Property Equity Liquidity Event 114

Gust

NOVEMBER 28, 2023

This shows the increasing sophistication of investors and founders, the increasing experience and publicity surrounding the advantages/disadvantages of various options, and the increasing availability of model documents and online generators for different choices.

Due Diligence 91

Due Diligence Term Sheet Common Stock Stock 91

Gust

SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

It’s the result of several decades in high tech, three years as an investor in a local Oregon angel investment group , some consulting in due diligence for venture capital, and my experience as founder and co-founder of successful ventures. I want the founders to know that’s important, talk about it, and think about it.

Technical Review 70

Technical Review Software Review Angel Investor Exit Strategy 70

Gust

JULY 19, 2023

Being the founder of a startup can be both exciting and scary, particularly when raising capital from investors and managing your company’s finances. If this sounds familiar to you, a financial model is one tool you need to have in your corner.

Finance 70

Finance Conversion Founder Startup 70