Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 3, 2014

Thus I’m getting more questions on new mechanisms, like crowd funding, and an old one long out of favor, the so-called “reverse merger.” Reverse mergers may not get your startup on the Nasdaq. The reverse merger process itself doesn’t raise any capital. Yet reverse mergers are not all bad. Marty Zwilling.

Merger 246

Merger OTC IPO Stock 246

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 25, 2023

Even still, in the context of all three points, I recommend that you evaluate the most common exit alternatives and considerations, and integrate the right one into your startup strategy and plan: M&A - merger or acquisition by another company.

Exit Strategy 264

Exit Strategy Private Equity Equity Technical Review 264

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

Thus I’m getting more questions on new mechanisms, like crowd funding, or going public through the side door as a reverse merger. Reverse mergers may not get your startup on the Nasdaq. The reverse merger process itself doesn’t raise any capital. Yet reverse mergers are not all bad.

Merger 261

Merger OTC IPO Due Diligence 261

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 12, 2022

Most of their new claims to innovation are acquired through mergers and acquisitions from the entrepreneurial pipeline. They have become a by-product of innovation rather than the cause of it: Conglomerates grew from industrialization, not innovation.

Artificial Inteligence 315

Artificial Inteligence Offshore Merger Technical Review 315

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 25, 2020

Even still, in the context of all three points, I recommend that you evaluate the most common exit alternatives and considerations, and integrate the right one into your startup strategy and plan: M&A - merger or acquisition by another company.

Exit Strategy 376

Exit Strategy Startup Private Equity Equity 376

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 1, 2012

This strategy is called “organic growth,” yet it alone may yield only a fraction of the potential you could achieve, unless you add the additional strategies of partnerships and M&A (mergers and acquisitions). Actively pursue mergers and acquisitions. M&A is “buying” resources for growth.

CTO Hire 229

CTO Hire Fractional CTO Merger Non-Compete 229

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 7, 2020

You need to be constantly assessing mergers and acquisitions, as well as divestitures. Explore partners and M&A to solidify your strategy. These days, the market is moving so fast that it is rarely adequate to rely only on internal development to keep up with change. Hone your process for due diligence and integrating these new elements.

Technical Review 312

Technical Review Due Diligence Merger Social Media 312

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 28, 2023

Let market response dictate a later split, merger, or acquisition. Longer term, when ready, it may be time for merger or acquisition. By sharing and learning in non-competing areas, they can focus their limited resources on solidifying their core competencies, and expanding their unique segment of the market.

Non-Compete 262

Non-Compete Intellectual Property Merger Acquisition 262

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2023

One of the biggest in this decade was the merger of America Online (AOL) with Time Warner, engineered in the early 2000’s by Time Warner CEO Gerald Levin and AOL CEO Steve Case for a whopping $164 billion. Time Warner was forced to take a $99 billion loss only two years after the merger, and Levin was forced out.

Merger 275

Merger Analytics Open Source America 275

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 26, 2020

The options here include going public (IPO), merger/acquisition, liquidate, or no exit, just paying off investors. Investors want to know how and when they might see some return on their investment, since startups require some event to show value. Most investors don’t want long-term commitments.

Business Plan 423

Business Plan Product Intellectual Property Elevator Pitch 423

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 21, 2019

This is the end game for an industry, and many companies, characterized by mergers and acquisitions to a few dominant players. Companies with an innovative and creative bias, which thrived during the innovation phase, usually struggle in this period. The emphasis is on global processes and tight execution. Consolidation.

Dilution 224

Dilution Merger Flash Global 224

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 9, 2019

Most of their new claims to innovation are acquired through mergers and acquisitions from the entrepreneurial pipeline. They have become a by-product of innovation rather than the cause of it: Conglomerates grew from industrialization, not innovation.

Engineer 219

Engineer Entrepreneur Offshore Merger 219

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 21, 2021

Utilize mergers and acquisitions to accelerate growth. As you might imagine, even with the proper planning, mergers and acquisitions are difficult to pull off. Both are required, and become the central force driving growth, as well as survival. But they can be spectacular growth vehicles when they work.

Merger 379

Merger Due Diligence SEC IPO 379

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 5, 2020

One of the biggest in this decade was the merger of America Online (AOL) with Time Warner, engineered in the early 2000’s by Time Warner CEO Gerald Levin and AOL CEO Steve Case for a whopping $164 billion. Time Warner was forced to take a $99 billion loss only two years after the merger, and Levin was forced out.

Merger 433

Merger Analytics Open Source America 433

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2014

The good news is that a patent can scare off or at least delay competitors, and as a “rule of thumb” patents can add up to $1M to your startup valuation for investors or M&A exits (merger and acquisition).

Software Review 250

Software Review Software Technical Review Intellectual Property 250

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 1, 2020

Let market response dictate a later split, merger, or acquisition. Longer term, when ready, it may be time for merger or acquisition. By sharing and learning in non-competing areas, they can focus their limited resources on solidifying their core competencies, and expanding their unique segment of the market.

Non-Compete 317

Non-Compete Intellectual Property Merger Acquisition 317

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2013

This has value now, and is critical for maximum value in a merger or acquisition. Convincingly presents a patent, trademark, or other “secret sauce” that can create equity value, not just current cash flow for the owners. Not in a heated rush. Calm and self-assured, rather than desperate.

Technical Review 273

Technical Review Intellectual Property Angel Investor Elevator Pitch 273

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2014

Even still, in the context of all three points, I recommend that you evaluate the most common exit alternatives and considerations, and integrate the right one into your startup strategy and plan: M&A - merger or acquisition by another company.

Exit Strategy 289

Exit Strategy Entrepreneur IPO Startup 289

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 18, 2012

This has value now, and is critical for maximum value in a merger or acquisition. Convincingly presents a patent, trademark, or other “secret sauce” that can create equity value, not just current cash flow for the owners. Not in a heated rush. Calm and self-assured, rather than desperate.

Technical Review 294

Technical Review Intellectual Property Angel Investor Elevator Pitch 294

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 17, 2022

Because of their high visibility and huge portfolios, this new class of investors can match the right talent to the right startup quickly and efficiently with introductions and mergers. This helps the startups with the most opportunity move forward quickly to greater success.

Angel Investor 342

Angel Investor Venture Capital Silicon Valley Portfolio 342

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

This is the end game for an industry, and many companies, characterized by mergers and acquisitions to a few dominant players. Companies with an innovative and creative bias, which thrived during the innovation phase, usually struggle in this period. The emphasis is on global processes and tight execution. Consolidation.

Dilution 134

Dilution Merger Flash Global 134

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 24, 2013

Most of their new claims to innovation are acquired through mergers and acquisitions from the entrepreneurial pipeline. They have become a by-product of innovation rather than the cause of it: Conglomerates grew from industrialization, not innovation.

Entrepreneur 263

Entrepreneur Offshore Merger Technical Review 263

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2017

Most of their new claims to innovation are acquired through mergers and acquisitions from the entrepreneurial pipeline. They have become a by-product of innovation rather than the cause of it: Conglomerates grew from industrialization, not innovation.

Offshore 139

Offshore Merger Technical Review Distribution 139

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2023

The new investors you need at this stage are investment bankers, private equity, or competitors, to buy you out via merger or acquisition (M&A), or to go public with an Initial Public Offering (IPO). This is the exit stage for the entrepreneur, and for all earlier investors.

Angel Investor 313

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 313

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 2, 2013

That means merger and acquisition (M&A), not initial public offering (IPO). That goes back to the strength of the management team as the #1 threshold. Exit strategy. What’s most realistic these days is an exit via sale to an existing major company for which you solve a meaningful problem. No exit strategy means no return to investors.

Cram Down 269

Cram Down Angel Investor Intellectual Property Venture Capital 269

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 16, 2023

Officially, the investment banks mission is to raise money for companies by issuing and selling securities in the capital markets, and providing advice on transactions such as mergers and acquisitions. Investment banks normally charge fees consisting of three components.

Early Stage 182

Early Stage Silicon Valley Private Equity Initial Public Offering 182

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 15, 2021

Competitors can become strategic investors or merger candidates. This approach has been used for years, and implies very little risk, but many startups are still “too busy” to pursuing possible partners. Simple referral fees can bring real growth.

Partner 434

Partner Non-disclosure Agreement Intellectual Property Non-Compete 434

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 11, 2021

An internal business expansion is often incompatible with established operations, thus mergers and acquisitions are the most common scaling strategies. People embedded in an existing business are often too narrowly focused, comfortable, and risk averse to be new entrepreneurs.

Dilution 428

Dilution Entrepreneur Merger Acquisition 428

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 28, 2022

When contemplating a merger or acquisition, you should never overlook the human factors of post-acquisition integration , such as stress among existing employees, IT incompatibilities, and employee turnover. This strategy should not replace organic growth efforts, but should expedite them.

Intellectual Property 322

Intellectual Property Acquisition Non-Compete Merger 322

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 3, 2022

Look for a merger or acquisition that will bring multiplier resources to your business, such as related successful products, a positive brand image, or a proven distribution network. This allows you to make earlier and more informed decisions to grow your business before a crisis. In some cases, the best mentor is one of your best customers.

Marketing 299

Marketing Social Media Merger Acquisition 299

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 26, 2020

Officially, the investment banks mission is to raise money for companies by issuing and selling securities in the capital markets, and providing advice on transactions such as mergers and acquisitions. Investment banks normally charge fees consisting of three components.

Silicon Valley 362

Silicon Valley Private Equity Initial Public Offering Term Sheet 362

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 3, 2021

Equity investors realize that they won’t see any real return until an exit occurs, such as a sale, merger, or IPO. This may include plans to merge or buy competitors, as well as a continuing plan to introduce new innovations. Present a viable exit strategy for investors to cash out.

Exit Strategy 406

Exit Strategy Merger Angel Investor IPO 406

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 14, 2013

This is the end game for an industry, and many companies, characterized by mergers and acquisitions to a few dominant players. Companies with an innovative and creative bias, which thrived during the innovation phase, usually struggle in this period. The emphasis is on global processes and tight execution. Consolidation.

Dilution 187

Dilution Merger Flash Global 187

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 16, 2018

One of the biggest in this decade was the merger of America Online (AOL) with Time Warner, engineered in the early 2000’s by Time Warner CEO Gerald Levin and AOL CEO Steve Case for a whopping $164 billion. Time Warner was forced to take a $99 billion loss only two years after the merger, and Levin was forced out.

Merger 276

Merger Analytics Open Source America 276

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 14, 2016

The smartest ventures are always courting a multi-billion dollar sale or merger with giants in the industry, including Google (YouTube), Microsoft (Skype), and Facebook (WhatsApp). The number of new ventures that successfully navigate the path to a public offering (IPO) with big numbers is still small.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Valuation Merger Exit Strategy 120

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2022

Thankfully, most mistakes won’t be as spectacular as the America Online merger with Time Warner for $350 billion, back in 2000, engineered by then superstar entrepreneurs Stephen M. They know leadership is all about managing their own complicated, illogical, and fallible human foibles, as well as the people they depend on. Case and Gerald M.

Management 297

Management Merger Leadership Affiliate 297

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2010

This has value now, and is critical for maximum value in a merger or acquisition. Convincingly presents a patent, trademark, or other “secret sauce” that can create equity value, not just current cash flow for the owners. Not in a heated rush. Calm and self-assured, rather than desperate.

Angel Investor 241

Angel Investor Technical Review Intellectual Property Elevator Pitch 241