Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

I’m over-paying for every check I write into the VC ecosystem and valuations are being pushed up to absurd levels and many of these valuations and companies won’t hold in the long term. On the one hand, you’re over paying for every investment and valuations aren’t rational.

Pre-Money Valuation 471

Pre-Money Valuation Valuation Venture Capital Early Stage 471

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 27, 2019

Very few people turn up with a strong sense of “what we should be doing” or ready to lean into a productive conversation The financials were prepared by the VP of Finance / CFO. The law firm has done its job of preparing the stock option requests, board meeting minutes, 409a valuations. The meeting starts. it’s your own fault.

Stock Options 226

Stock Options Metrics Stock Valuation 226

Up and Running

JULY 24, 2017

For example, with an existing company, that information might be as simple as adding recent annual sales or number of employees to the basic company information in the first bullet here. For a startup, it might be a brief description of aspirations, such as a sales goal for the next year or three years from now.

Software Review 151

Software Review SBA Due Diligence Business Plan 151

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 2, 2011

Because of this, I've always tried to stay up-to-speed on how early-stage investors look at valuation of companies. Bill Payne is an expert on how early-stage investors should look at valuation. He just post: Establishing the Pre-money Valuation of Pre-revenue Startups. What are they really looking for? is a requirement.

Valuation 198

Valuation Revenue Pre-Money Valuation Early Stage 198

Steve Blank

FEBRUARY 26, 2020

And thanks to Ann Miura-Ko of Floodgate (my first Lean LaunchPad co-instructor) for her suggestions. For a Series A round you want to prove you have built a repeatable and scalable sales/revenue model and understand all parts of the business model. Series B is about proving your net revenue model (can you be profitable?).

Cofounder 431

Cofounder Seed Stage Valuation Metrics 431

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 5, 2017

Being an outsider, I also wanted to lean heavily on the actual research available on the subject, as well as the voices of women both in the tech space and who have successfully received venture funding. What about “leaning in”? There is an argument that women need to “ lean in ” (thanks, Sheryl Sandburg).

Venture Capital 82

Venture Capital Lean Cofounder Technical Review 82

VC Cafe

JANUARY 24, 2021

Companies like iHeartMedia, SiriusXM, and Spotify are investing in and leading the evolution of audio, focused on music streaming (on-demand and lean-back modalities), podcasting and content production. Audio will be a key component of the next wave of content and consumption, and it is set to continue to grow.

Technical Review 207

Technical Review Audio Forecast Social Media 207

The Startup Magazine

JUNE 1, 2023

There are currently tons of “zombie” startups that have runway, but growth has slowed and they have valuations that they won’t be able to grow into. Be honest with yourself VCs are now going to be looking closer at margins, cost structures and true sales, and product market fit. You’re going to spend A LOT of time with them.

Early Stage 146

Early Stage Los Angeles Silicon Valley Cofounder 146

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 19, 2010

Another topic we debated early in the program was “lean startup” vs. “ fat startup ” where we both took the obvious hedge and said “it depends.” But truthfully both Dana and I are more aligned with the lean startup principles and believe you only go FAT when you’ve really proved out your product / market fit. Time will tell.

Partner 240

Partner New York City Cofounder Syndicate 240

ConversionXL

AUGUST 11, 2021

A sponsorship strategy should cover five areas: Assets Audience data Asset valuation Activations Market identification. Sponsors will have different reasons for backing your project: sales, lead generation, brand awareness, product launches , corporate social responsibility, etc. Asset valuation. Audience data.

Audience 139

Audience Social Media Email Ruby 139

Hunter Walker

MAY 13, 2023

And during our first few years we leaned in to help teams find the right home when it didn’t work out for them as an independent company. And when they’re giving stock to existing shareholders instead of cash it’s at high 2021 valuations, buried below a preference stack. of the time my answer is no f **g way].

Early Stage 117

Early Stage Cap Table Acquisition Sales 117

Steve Blank

MAY 9, 2017

Their need to get into high-profile deals has driven late-stage valuations into unicorn territory. Everything a large company did, a startup should do – write a business plan; hire sales, marketing, engineering; spec all the product features on day one and build everything for a big first customer ship. We now understand that’s wrong.

Restful 230

Restful Silicon Valley Puerto Rico San Jose 230

David Teten

DECEMBER 3, 2019

I previously posted a detailed presentation with sales technology tools useful for B2B sales. Many VC funds rely on general-purpose CRM and sales funnel solutions like Copper , Pipedrive, Salesforce , Streak , and ZenDesk. She is a model for us all! 5) Manage relationships (CRM). If you have one, please contact me.

Technical Review 78

Technical Review Software Review Analytics Private Equity 78

Steve Blank

NOVEMBER 12, 2009

The presentation didn’t have a single word about Lean Startups or Customer Development. Just like catching a bug in development is cheaper than fixing it once it has been released, confirming lack of customer demand prior to ramping up a sales engine is cheaper than finding out once you have a paid sales team.

Venture Capital 220

Venture Capital Silicon Valley RSS Hockey Stick 220

YoungUpstarts

JULY 14, 2020

Pet supplies, personal grooming, and supplements have all experienced growth despite the economic impacts of COVID-19, while products in most other categories have seen sales decline. Expand Your Sales Channels. If sales on your primary channels have begun to decline, now may be the right time to expand.

eCommerce 200

eCommerce Channel LLC Curation 200

Up and Running

OCTOBER 3, 2018

If you want to put together a strategic plan to map out your business’s growth potential, you might consider a Lean Business Plan. But know that a Lean Plan shares all of the same components of a traditional business plan—it’s just shorter. Tailor your marketing and sales plan to attract more people like your ideal customer.

El Paso 61

El Paso Business Plan Technical Review Forecast 61

steveblank.com

JULY 8, 2011

AgileZen – project management visually see and interact with your work Kanbanery – Simple online team or personal kanban board LeanKit Kanban – Great for visualizing work of product development Kanban Pad – “Nice and lean” and free online Kanban tool Banana Scrum – A tool simple as Scrum itself.

Software Review 110

Software Review Startup Silicon Valley Analytics 110

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 30, 2010

The housing market is not recovered : Sales in existing homes in the US fell 27.2% Sales fell in every region of the country with the Midwest suffering the worst at 35%. VC funding is definitely back from the constipation that was 2009 replete with frothy valuations chasing dreams of the next Facebook, Groupon or Zynga.

Entrepreneur 298

Entrepreneur Technical Review Balance Sheet Government 298

YoungUpstarts

FEBRUARY 14, 2017

Managing your cash position when forecasted sales aren’t being achieved is tough, and if you are spending more than you are generating and cash piles are dwindling, now is the time to address your financial position. It now has a multi-billion dollar valuation. Cash is king, always has been and always will be. Channel pivot.

Technical Review 157

Technical Review Architecture Revenue Channel 157

Up and Running

JUNE 28, 2021

Whether we are working towards funding current growth, a future profitable sale, or company acquisition, value is key. These strategies for increasing value should not only drive profits and see you moving forward from being a small business but will open up the opportunity for a valuable sale should you want to move on in the future.

Small Business 84

Small Business Valuation Early Stage Security 84

betashop.com

OCTOBER 8, 2012

million registered users, 7500 supplier partners, 600 team members, and a run-rate of more than $150M in sales in just 15 months. At Fab, mobile is already 33% of our visits and sales and we just launched our mobile apps nearly a year ago. Never, ever, choose your investors based on valuation. 500M valuation = $5B target.

Technical Review 108

Technical Review Technology Software Review Valuation 108

crowdSPRING Blog

FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Hiring for Lean Startups: The First Few Hires – [link]. An interesting drill-down into Apple’s valuation – [link]. Amazon Misses; Q4 Sales Up 35% To $17.4B; Net Income Down 58% To $177M – [link]. Here’s Why I Think You’re Fine – [link]. Fail Your Way to Success – [link]. Understanding J.C.

Social Media 92

Social Media Small Business Design Media 92

Steve Blank

NOVEMBER 5, 2009

This post describes how companies using the Customer Development model can increase their credibility, valuation and probability of getting a first round of funding by presenting their results in a “Lesson Learned&# venture pitch. Your presentation doesn’t have a single word about Lean Startups or Customer Development.

Customer Development 266

Customer Development Developer Customer Silicon Valley 266

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 22, 2016

While thinking about the parameters of traction, and how to measure it, I was impressed with a new book, “ Scaling Lean: Mastering the Key Metrics for Startup Growth ” by Ash Maurya, a serial entrepreneur, and creator of the one-page business modelling tool Lean Canvas. Show increasing acceptance by major consumer outlets.

Metrics 143

Metrics Advisory Board Startup Lean 143

crowdSPRING Blog

APRIL 26, 2013

Empower Your Small Business: trust & loyalty, marketing insight, lean business – [link]. Don’t Use Social to Generate Sales; Make Selling Social | Advertising Age – [link]. Don’t Use Social to Generate Sales; Make Selling Social | Advertising Age – [link]. ” – [link]. .

Social Media 90

Social Media Small Business Design Media 90

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 5, 2013

At this stage you were expecting to be working on creating a good business valuation to attract future buyers, or at least funding college accounts for your kids. Set up group meetings, sales presentations, and special promotions using webinars, webcasts, and podcasts, rather than travel and personal meetings. Raise the marketing bar.

Entrepreneur 234

Entrepreneur Vertical Reputation Valuation 234

Feld Thoughts

NOVEMBER 18, 2013

Convertible debt financings have become an increasingly attractive approach for seed rounds because it delays the valuation discussion, costs less from a legal standpoint, and is an easier financial instrument to “keep raising more small amounts of money” on. One of them used to be a lead developer at [insert hot consumer tech company here].

Burn Rate 152

Burn Rate Equity Software Review Early Stage 152

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 17, 2011

A year ago I blogged about one of my most common mantras that applies to sales, biz dev & fund raising alike: “ Time is the Enemy of all Deals.&#. When times are really good for fund raising many teams delay to maximize their valuation. Are you in the “lean&# phase? How do you push valuation? The result?

Pre-Money Valuation 303

Pre-Money Valuation Dilution Valuation PR 303

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 6, 2012

At this stage you were expecting to be working on creating a good business valuation to attract future buyers, or at least funding college accounts for your kids. Set up group meetings, sales presentations, and special promotions using webinars, webcasts, and podcasts, rather than travel and personal meetings. Raise the marketing bar.

Startup 236

Startup Vertical Reputation Valuation 236

Steve Blank

SEPTEMBER 14, 2009

billion for a company with less than $50 million in sales. Underwriters realized that as long as the public was happy snapping up shares, they could make huge profits on the inflated valuations (regardless of whether or not the company should have ever been public.)

Silicon Valley 225

Silicon Valley IPO Technical Review Venture Capital 225

The Startup Toolkit

AUGUST 29, 2012

If you can’t get enough introductions to fill your custdev or sales calendar , then you need either industry or customer advisors. You’ll need to keep getting into sales meetings. In general, if you just need to get over a one-time hump, you can lean on friendly folks, do a little book learning, and move on.

Technical Review 38

Technical Review CTO Hire Cap Table Software Review 38

Hunter Walker

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022

As former product managers Satya and I lean towards having frameworks for these sorts of decisions, for both consistency and speed in internal operations. Conversely, if you’re not a good picker, it’s difficult to overcome that, even if you had perfect timing on secondary sales. If you do that well it’s very difficult to mess it up.

Venture Capital 122

Venture Capital Cap Table LP Equity 122

crowdSPRING Blog

NOVEMBER 30, 2012

The problem with a Lean Startup: the Minimum Viable Product | Paul Kortman – [link]. … Checking In on Foursquare’s Valuation – [link]. What a pile of crap … Facebook Reveals How Samsung Turned A $10 Million Ad Buy To $129 In Sales | Business Insider – [link]. Just got acquired? – [link].

Social Media 100

Social Media Small Business Central African Republic Design 100

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 30, 2016

forward sales with some as high as 12x sales. Collectively we chose growth and the market was rewarding high growth rates over any other factor so we felt that we ought to bring in an experienced CEO who had taken companies public, who had led large, international sales organizations and who was poised to take Invoca to the next level.

Balance Sheet 150

Balance Sheet Burn Rate Valuation Forecast 150

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 28, 2011

At this stage you were expecting to be working on creating a good business valuation to attract future buyers, or at least funding college accounts for your kids. Set up group meetings, sales presentations, and special promotions using webinars, webcasts, and podcasts, rather than travel and personal meetings. Raise the marketing bar.

Startup 230

Startup Vertical Reputation Valuation 230

www.inc.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2011

Sales & Marketing | Wednesdays. SALES & MARKETING. In the past few years, hundreds of small companies have been snatched up by private equity firms willing to agree to ever-rising valuations. But Ive definitely had to lean on Dave. The Goods: Your Business Toolbox | Thursdays. Finance | Tuesdays. Innovation | Fridays.

Arizona 40

Arizona Equity Iowa Venture Capital 40

ConversionXL

JANUARY 29, 2014

…it seems that a higher ROI may lean in the favor of word-of-mouth advertising. According to an article in Econsultancy , when a site has customer reviews, 63% of visitors are more likely to make a purchase & reviews produce an average of 18% uplift in sales. image source.

Software Review 126

Software Review Stock Video Advertising 126