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6 Guidelines On How And When To Use Non-Disclosures

Startup Professionals Musings

As an advisor to entrepreneurs, I often have to deal with people who are convinced that they must get me to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before they begin talks about their new venture. Don’t ask for an NDA from trusted investors and advisors.

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7 Lessons They Don’t Teach You In Crowdfunding School

Startup Professionals Musings

Crowdfunding platforms don’t have the facilities to handle non-disclosure agreements that you might expect from every professional investor. On the other hand, if your solution is aimed at boomers or requires in-depth technical knowledge, crowdfunding may be futile. Be extra careful with your intellectual property.

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5 Ways To Protect Your Idea From Theft

YoungUpstarts

Non-Disclosure Agreements – A non-disclosure agreement helps to protect your idea by committing all the parties you are working with to confidentiality. Non-compete agreement – If you’re pitching an idea to a potential client or investor, have them sign a non-compete agreement.

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HOW TO: Build an App for Your Small Business

mashable.com

Contact Us Submit News Contact Us Write for Us Spark of Genius Series Mashable | The Social Media Guide Business Mashable on Facebook Join Us! This post originally appeared on the American Express OPEN Forum , where Mashable regularly contributes articles about leveraging social media and technology in small business.

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Crowd-Funding Success Usually Brings New Challenges

Startup Professionals Musings

Even online, the type of people who may respond to social media requests may bear very little relationship to the intended market. Non-disclosure agreements can’t be done in these environments. Crowd sample size and makeup not representative of market. Investors are not prepared for the high risk of startups.

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Is Crowd-Funding the Answer When Investors Decline?

Startup Professionals Musings

Even online, the type of people who may respond to social media requests may bear very little relationship to the intended market. Non-disclosure agreements can’t be done in these environments. Crowd sample size and makeup not representative of market. Investors are not prepared for the high risk of startups.

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Don’t Count on Crowd-Funding to Save Your Startup

Startup Professionals Musings

These are variations on a “crowd-funding” theme to raise money for a startup through social networks and voting at public events. Crowd-sourcing tools, usually Internet applications, use the social media to poll for interest, feedback, and ultimately some funding for the startup. Intellectual property is jeopardized.