Gust

NOVEMBER 8, 2012

As a native of Silicon Valley , I’ve witnessed the creative destruction of wave after wave of innovation as nearby corporate campuses repopulated themselves : From defense contractors to data centers , computer mainframe manufacturers to Internet search engines. Granted most startups will never become another Apple or Google.

Silicon Valley 187

Silicon Valley San Francisco Intellectual Property Accredited Investor 187

Gust

MAY 11, 2014

An advanced search tool is provided to search for a grant by eligibility, by issuing agency, or category. You need to enhance your business plan and marketing with all the benefits to your customers of the multiple “stimulus” plans and tax breaks now being put together, especially related to alternative energy products.

Seed Money 164

Seed Money SBIR Dilution Government 164

Gust

NOVEMBER 3, 2013

There is no substitute for market research, written by domain experts, to supplement your informal poll of friends and family. Having no competitors is a red flag (may mean no market), but finding ten or more with a simple Google search means this may be a crowded space. Too little focus on marketing.

Intellectual Property 183

Intellectual Property Startup Viral Early Stage 183

Gust

OCTOBER 7, 2012

Of course they pretend that they are trying to avoid alerting competitors prior to launch, but too often it becomes an excuse to move slowly in a world that’s all about getting to market fast. I believe stealth makes sense for large companies who can be sued for “pre-announcing” a new product to stall the market or kill a competitor.

Stealth 131

Stealth Entrepreneur Incubator Engineer 131

Gust

MARCH 5, 2014

In rare cases, one or both companies may ask the VC to serve as a neutral arbitrator, and help them come to a modus vivendi that works for both parties (although if this gets anywhere within the vicinity of market domination, it may verge on ‘restraint of trade’ and be illegal.).

Portfolio 121

Portfolio Business Model Engineer Search 121

Gust

DECEMBER 20, 2011

In reality, a startup is a temporary organization designed to search for a repeatable and scalable business model. This means the brilliant idea you started with will change as you iterate and pivot your business model until you find product/market fit.” What skills?

Angel Investor 93

Angel Investor Oregon Business Model Search 93

Gust

NOVEMBER 18, 2012

The founders now need a $1M Angel investment to do the marketing for a national NewCo rollout, build a team to manage the rollout, and maybe even pay themselves a salary. Here are the components and “rules of thumb” that I recommend to every startup: Place a fair market value on all physical assets (asset approach).

Valuation 187

Valuation Pre-Money Valuation NPV Intellectual Property 187

Gust

JUNE 10, 2012

Do basic Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Marketing (SEM), like cohort analysis , yourself. Sales and marketing costs. Print your own collateral and marketing materials until the business is rolling. Skip the IT consultants and build an entry website yourself to save $50K.

Cost 139

Cost Burn Rate SEM Startup 139

Gust

SEPTEMBER 27, 2014

In order to be competitive, a company needs to have just about everything in place, from its product to its team to market traction, before it is ready to seek funding. Rather than limiting your search to venture funds, therefore, consider the full range of startup options.

Angel Groups 159

Angel Groups Elevator Pitch Software Review Deal Flow 159

Gust

SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

A startup is in the business of creating value from nothing – or, as Steve Blank describes it, “searching for a repeatable and scalable business model.” A startup that has found product-market fit needs to transition quickly into that category, with operational excellence taking precedence over bursts of creative brilliance.

Startup 98

Startup Silicon Valley Reputation Community 98

Gust

DECEMBER 31, 2012

First of all, the Boomer demographic is currently the single largest, mainstream pool of experienced talent in the market today (76 million people strong). With the current difficult economic times, when companies fold, merge or cut back, more workers of all ages find themselves in search of new jobs. Retail sales to Gen-X and Gen-Y.

Advisory Board 177

Advisory Board Angel Investor Startup Equity 177