Using just $2,000 in seed money generated from Hasso, the company produced its first batch of inventory--1,000 pairs of shoes. And to keep overhead low, the founders kept the team small: They hired a Web developer, an accountant, and one intern. When the brand launched in November 2012, they chose not to hire a PR team. MORE >>

His/her response was a practical one, that they are running out of money and needed the TechStars’ stipend to allow them to make rent; without some cash, they’d have to get jobs. Seriously, I’ve hired maybe 40 software engineers people in the last 4 years and I could not believe the numbers. Get a job at Google. MORE >>

There has been much discussion about VCs doing seed funding in the past year. I’ve written about it myself (Is VC Seed Funding Dead?) and (Is There Really a Signaling Problem with VC Seed Funding?). I’ve done 4 seed investments in the past year and they are 100% referenceable. Short summary of my posts: 1. MORE >>

Too many startups fail simply by missing the practical elements of money management, time management, and setting priorities. Most schools have business plan competitions, and even give out seed money to winners. But these won’t help you much finding investors, key executive hires, and pitfalls to avoid in the real world. MORE >>

For example, a recent phone call I had with a young entrepreneur straight out of one of the most prestigious engineering schools in America he asked, “I have an offer for $400,000 in seed money but the VC wants me to agree now to bring in a new CEO.&#  This company is doing its SEED round and they already want to bring someone new in. MORE >>