Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 16, 2017

The challenge is to recognize and recruit that ideal partner match early with minimal cost and risk. In fact, I would broaden the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.” Some people are too independent to be partner material. Neither partner needs to be managed.

Partner 140

Partner Software Review CTO Hire Cofounder 140

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 ”. The feedback was good, but some readers asked me to be a bit more specific on attributes that might indicate an ideal startup partner. You may be too independent to be partner material.

Partner 179

Partner Software Review CTO Hire Fractional CTO 179

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 5, 2023

Should they go after high-tech nerds for partners, or professional technologists? The right answer for a good business partner today is neither of the above. Startups succeed most often when the founding partners know how to build and run a business, rather than how to build and run technology. Are you there?

Technical Cofounder 260

Technical Cofounder Technology Management Entrepreneur 260

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 24, 2010

A week ago I talked about how and where to find a co-founder in “ How to Select an Ideal Startup Co-Founder ”. The feedback was good, but some readers asked me to be a bit more specific on attributes that might indicate an ideal business partner. You may be too independent to be partner material. Does not need to be managed.

Partner 230

Partner Software Review CTO Hire Fractional CTO 230

YoungUpstarts

OCTOBER 25, 2018

Today, Mark Attanasio gets to flex his full range of expertise and interests as co-founder and Managing Partner of Hillcrest Merchant Partners, a Toronto-based merchant bank focused on early stage and mid market growth companies. I appreciate the startup culture and mindset,” Attanasio says. “I

Partner 113

Partner Technical Review Management Due Diligence 113

TechEmpower

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

We recently completed a web-based application that uses a unique algorithm to match professionals with new career opportunities. This isn’t just our opinion - our startup metrics prove it! Applying that solution to our job matching site made perfect sense. Everyone struggles with empty text boxes.

Generative AI 295

Generative AI Artificial Inteligence Houston America 295

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 17, 2020

It seems like every entrepreneur I meet these days is quick to proclaim themselves a visionary, expecting that will give more credibility to their startup idea, and improve their odds with investors. In reality, I’m one of the majority of investors who believe that startup success is more about the execution than the idea.

Founder 329

Founder Cofounder Bandwidth Matching 329

YoungUpstarts

NOVEMBER 21, 2018

One of most critical things you should consider before jumping into a co-foundership is partnering with someone who can make up for the qualities you lack. For example, while your long-term goal may be launching a successful business, your partner may just want to earn some extra cash on the side. This, in turn, can lead to failure.

Cofounder 217

Cofounder Technical Cofounder Software Engineering Startup 217

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 11, 2011

The simple answer is to find a business partner, not an “implementer,” who already has the technical experience you need, and is willing and able to run that side of the business. If you are an entrepreneur, like Andrew Mason , CEO of Groupon, with a degree in music and no technical business partner to be found, your job is a bit harder.

Technical Review 236

Technical Review Partner Entrepreneur Architecture 236

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

Young entrepreneurs and startups, in particular, often remain naively unfocused, despite their passion, of what it takes to provide the high-quality service expected. Then make sure that everyone on the team does the same, and are motivated to improve the match with your startup. Set the tone and lead the way.

Technical Review 249

Technical Review Salary Metrics Matching 249

Steve Blank

JANUARY 17, 2023

Three types of organizations – Incubators, Accelerators and Venture Studios – have emerged to reduce the risk of early-stage startup failure by helping teams find product/market fit and raise initial capital. They do the most to de-risk the early stages of a startup. Reducing Startup Risk.

Technical Cofounder 346

Technical Cofounder Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 346

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 17, 2014

I strongly recommend a dramatic departure from this model, called “planned iteration” or Lean Startup methodology, where you assume you won’t get it right the first time, so you launch with a minimum viable product (MVP). With a minimum viable product, your startup remains much more agile. Find customers, partners and channels early.

Agile 253

Agile Startup Social Network Software Developers 253

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 8, 2023

The most valuable assets of a new startup are the people on the team, and the most challenging task of the entrepreneur and team leaders is to spend their leadership time and energy productively. Most new startup founders start out by assuming they need to spread their leadership efforts evenly across all team members. Squeaky wheels.

Employee 267

Employee Leadership Cofounder Matching 267

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 4, 2011

Your goal is “ coopetition ” - to find a way to partner with your competitor in such a way that both parties can substantially benefit from the other's resources - without stealing customers or damaging anyone's credibility. But remember that “dancing with the wolves” can also get you eaten for lunch. Integrate for new or critical mass.

Partner 225

Partner Non-Compete Merger Technical Review 225

Hunter Walker

DECEMBER 13, 2020

Especially since VC pattern matching may inappropriately label people this way (can’t sell) who are merely nervous or new to their environment. You’re spending much of your time selling: the vision to employees, the opportunity to investors, the story to the press, the offering to the customers, the relationship to partners.

Technical Cofounder 144

Technical Cofounder Cofounder Startup Matching 144

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 9, 2013

I strongly recommend a dramatic departure from this model, called “planned iteration” or Lean Startup methodology, where you assume you won’t get it right the first time, so you launch with a minimum viable product (MVP). With a minimum viable product, your startup remains much more agile. Find customers, partners and channels early.

Agile 263

Agile Startup Social Network Software Developers 263

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 11, 2020

Even though the color of their money is always green, all startup investors are not the same. Investor due diligence on a startup is not a mysterious black art, but is nothing more than a final integrity check on all aspects of your business model, team, product, customers, and plan. It’s no fun for either side.

Technical Review 310

Technical Review Due Diligence Term Sheet Offshore 310

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 8, 2021

Young entrepreneurs and startups, in particular, often remain naively unfocused, despite their passion, of what it takes to provide the high-quality service expected. Then make sure that everyone on the team does the same, and are motivated to improve the match with your startup. Set the tone and lead the way.

Technical Review 385

Technical Review Salary Metrics Matching 385

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 19, 2013

The era of VCs investing in successful consumer Internet startups such as eBay led to a belief system that seemed to permeate many enterprise software startups that hiring sales or implementation people was a bad thing. If you’re an early-stage enterprise startup services revenue is exactly what you need.

Technical Review 403

Technical Review Software Review Startup API 403

Steve Blank

APRIL 23, 2014

For decades large companies have gone shopping in Silicon Valley for startups. What can companies learn from others’ failed efforts to integrate startups into large companies? The answer - there are two types of integration strategies, and they depend on where the startup is in its lifecycle. The Innovation Portfolio.

Acquisition 332

Acquisition Intellectual Property Silicon Valley Startup 332

Startup Lessons Learned

AUGUST 20, 2020

I’ve long been an advocate of using Lean Startup principles to advance non-profits and philanthropic organizations, whose work is so urgently needed at this moment in history. Its creation was a chance to see how Lean Startup principles can be applied to philanthropic work as well as high-growth startups.

Lean 128

Lean San Francisco Technical Review Software Review 128

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 23, 2017

As an advisor to startups, and a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m still surprised at the number who are determined to go it alone. For example, inventors need to stick with their creative skills, and find a partner who knows how to build a business around it. That’s a win-win for both partners.

Startup 165

Startup Technical Review Partner Finance 165

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 12, 2021

If marketing is not your thing, then you need to find a partner or outside expert to help you. If you can’t state clearly why your startup is the only choice, then it’s time to regroup before spending your hard-fought funding. If customers don’t know you exist, you can’t solve their problem, they won’t buy.

Las Vegas 385

Las Vegas Matching Marketing Social Media 385

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 30, 2020

Most of you prefer to ignore the feedback from analysts that your chances of creating the next unicorn startup may be as low as one in five million. Get support from credible industry groups and partners. But for those of you who are a real match for the entrepreneur lifestyle, that’s what makes it fun.

Merger 386

Merger Software Review Acquisition Social Media 386

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 13, 2020

The most valuable assets of a new startup are the people on the team, and the most challenging task of the entrepreneur and team leaders is to spend their leadership time and energy productively. Most new startup founders start out by assuming they need to spread their leadership efforts evenly across all team members. Squeaky wheels.

Leadership 317

Leadership Entrepreneur Cofounder Matching 317

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 18, 2016

It seems like every entrepreneur I meet these days is quick to proclaim themselves a visionary, expecting that will give more credibility to their startup idea, and improve their odds with investors. In reality, I’m one of the majority of investors who believe that startup success is more about the execution than the idea.

Cofounder 120

Cofounder Founder Entrepreneur Startup 120

Gust

NOVEMBER 9, 2014

Eric Ries on Lean Startup methodology, via Wikipedia. I strongly recommend a dramatic departure from this model, called “planned iteration” or Lean Startup methodology, where you assume you won’t get it right the first time, so you launch with a minimum viable product (MVP). Find customers, partners and channels early.

Agile 163

Agile Startup Lean Social Network 163

The Startup Magazine

JANUARY 22, 2024

For example, the frame, typically made of durable composites or light metals, provides the foundation that all other elements mount onto, so measurements must match perfectly. The post Where to Find High-Quality Drone Parts and Accessories appeared first on The Startup Magazine.

Technical Review 138

Technical Review Security Reputation Portland 138

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 9, 2014

If you think you are the perfect fit for the entrepreneur lifestyle, but you’re not yet sure if you’re ready to start your own, then I recommend that you take a job with an existing startup first to validate the culture realities against your dream. Running or working for a startup is more of a lifestyle than a career choice.

Technical Review 250

Technical Review Stock Options Due Diligence Silicon Valley 250

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 31, 2012

The simple answer is to find a business partner, not an “implementer,” who already has the technical experience you need, and is willing and able to run that side of the business. If you are an entrepreneur, like Andrew Mason , CEO of Groupon, with a degree in music and no technical business partner to be found, your job is a bit harder.

Technical Review 230

Technical Review Technology Founder Management 230

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

I have to tell each of you that starting and growing a new business is a long hard road , but can be very exciting and satisfying if you find the right match, and do your homework before you start. You may start a business alone, but you need an employee team plus investors, vendors, and partners to scale the business.

Startup 237

Startup Angel Investor Matching Metrics 237

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 13, 2014

After years of trying to persuade Kara Nortman to become a partner at Upfront Ventures I can officially announce now that she’s joined us effective immediately. It is rare to find somebody who matches exactly what I’m looking for in a partner so when you find it you act: Academic rigor (Princeton undergrad, Stanford MBA).

Partner 408

Partner Las Vegas Los Angeles Baltimore 408

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 13, 2022

You may feel good when that first burst of customers arrives, but don’t assume that “ word of mouth ” and those early adopters will grow your business to match your dreams of success. I have learned from experience that scaling any business is difficult. They won’t find you. Secure outside expansion funding through investors.

Technical Review 355

Technical Review Social Media Channel Flash 355

ReadWriteStart

JANUARY 31, 2023

Whether it’s marketing yourself as an expert, writing Shopify-specific content, or partnering with other Shopify Partners, fitting into the Shopify Partners and Ecosystem is one of the crucial steps. The Shopify Experts marketplace operates with the Shopify Partner program — the actual site and community management system.

Curation 140

Curation Portfolio eCommerce Programming 140

Mucker Lab

MAY 28, 2020

This post originally appeared in TechCrunch back in 2015, written by our co-founder and managing partner Erik Rannala. Like a teenager with a million-dollar allowance and an identity crisis, a startup with too much capital and no product-market fit will become capable of making larger mistakes. As an investor, I root for startups.

Startup 78

Startup Cofounder Burn Rate Technical Review 78

Feld Thoughts

JUNE 13, 2017

As you may know, over breakfast in 2015 Jeff Bussgang and I launched Global EIR with the hope of advancing the startup visa effort on a local and state level after it stalled in Congress. In response to this opportunity, SVB is joining Amy and me in a match challenge to raise $300,000 for Global EIR.

Silicon Valley 187

Silicon Valley Matching Global Boston 187

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 21, 2013

Young entrepreneurs and startups, in particular, often remain naively unfocused, despite their passion, of what it takes to provide the high-quality service expected. Then make sure that everyone on the team does the same, and are motivated to improve the match with your startup. entrepreneur startup customer service business'

Customer 230

Customer Technical Review Startup Salary 230