Gust

JUNE 3, 2012

Many entrepreneurs I know feel guilty about not quitting their day job when initiating their startup, worrying about not giving their all to an employer, juggling the multiple roles, or even a legal conflict of interest. Then there are the more pragmatic questions of how to make concurrent startup efforts productive.

Entrepreneur 152

Entrepreneur Cofounder Angel Investor Salary 152

Gust

MAY 7, 2014

The venture capital fund itself makes money… …by investing early in a startup company’s life, when success is not at all assured. This is the money that is invested into the startups. Invested Interests capital company general partners investing IPO startup venture capital fund'

Venture Capital 154

Venture Capital IPO Limited Partner Carried Interest 154

Gust

DECEMBER 7, 2014

In my experience, that’s actually the worst way to start, for reasons I will outline here, and also the least common way, according to an authoritative survey of new startups. The best partners are ones who share costs and risks. Show you are committed to your startup, not just involved.

Bootstrapping 191

Bootstrapping Entrepreneur Startup Burn Rate 191

Gust

JUNE 23, 2014

With the estimated 510 million live websites at last year-end, and 280,000 new ones being added every day, the biggest challenge for an entrepreneur is to get found, and get some credibility for a new startup. The biggest excuse most startup founders mention is too much to do building a product, mapping strategy, investors, etc.

Startup 174

Startup Cofounder Social Media SEO 174

Gust

SEPTEMBER 28, 2014

Your startup is gone, it’s never coming back, and you are in mourning. The loss of a startup is very much like losing your job, as characterized by Debbie Mandel a while back, so don’t be surprised if you experience: Sleep disturbances, and difficulty waking up in the morning. Invested Interests entrepreneur failure startup'

Startup 165

Startup Bootstrapping Partner Entrepreneur 165

Gust

SEPTEMBER 2, 2012

Even experienced entrepreneurs need a partner to back up each other and improve fundability. The question is how to find that elusive perfect-fit partner. First, I will admit there is no magic formula here, just like in real life when trying to find a relationship partner. Join online “dating” sites for business partners.

Cofounder 170

Cofounder Silicon Valley Non-Compete Startup 170

Gust

MARCH 11, 2014

By Tomasz Tunguz , Partner at Redpoint Ventures. According to analysis by my partner Jamie Davidson on typical periods between financings peaks around 9 months so the follow on rates for Series Bs should be accurate up until the 2011 class, which gives these startups more than 2 years to raise their B.

Seed Stage 169

Seed Stage Seed Capital Startup Green 169

Gust

DECEMBER 29, 2013

I’ve been advising and mentoring startups and growth companies for years, and find myself always pushing them to try something new, for the sake of growth and survival. Rely on informal agreements with partners. The same principles apply to strategic partners. Image via HealthyBodyLife.com. So be alert and be flexible.

Startup 183

Startup Intellectual Property LLC Burn Rate 183

Gust

MAY 31, 2014

So before a startup receives outside funding, the board is “elected” by—and usually consists of—the founders (although it may exist in name only.). Invested Interests board of directors business entrepreneur founders startup' A company’s board of directors is technically elected by the company’s shareholders.

Common Stock 159

Common Stock Startup Stock Founder 159

Gust

OCTOBER 29, 2014

On October 1st, 2014, after more than two years of partnership and development, Gust proudly joined the Mayor of the City of New York and IBM in announcing the launch of Digital.NYC , NYC’s new official hub for tech and startups. Most of the profiles of startups and investors are provided by Gust.

Early Stage 133

Early Stage Technical Review New York Deal Flow 133

Gust

JUNE 17, 2012

Money to build the business is the number one challenge for most startups. A large percentage of startups never apply to either. You need to explore more common and more productive approaches for getting your startup moving forward. Self-funding is the preferred source of cash for your startup – if you can do it.

Technical Review 164

Technical Review Bootstrapping Venture Capital Incubator 164

Gust

JUNE 22, 2014

With the estimated 510 million live websites at last year-end, and 280,000 new ones being added every day, the biggest challenge for an entrepreneur is to get found, and get some credibility for a new startup. The biggest excuse most startup founders mention is too much to do building a product, mapping strategy, investors, etc.

Startup 125

Startup Cofounder Social Media SEO 125

Gust

NOVEMBER 23, 2014

You need them before you need funding, and if you select the wrong people, or use them incorrectly, no amount of money will likely save your startup. If you are looking for someone to fill an operational gap, or to do product design, it’s usually more productive to look for a partner, employee, or consultant.

Advisory Board 185

Advisory Board Startup Stock Options Stock 185

Gust

NOVEMBER 3, 2013

Based on my experience as a mentor and an entrepreneur, if you fail on your first startup, you are about average. Every young entrepreneur knows implicitly that startup success is a long hard road. Statistics show that the failure rate for new startups within the first 5 years is higher than 50 percent. Inexperienced team.

Intellectual Property 183

Intellectual Property Startup Viral Early Stage 183

Gust

DECEMBER 2, 2012

Every entrepreneur needs to be honest about their strengths and weaknesses, and realistic about their reasons for choosing the startup route. Statistics show that at least 50% of new startups fail within five years, and many of the survivors eventually fail. A business startup is actually a second expense more than a second income.

Startup 181

Startup Entrepreneur Employee Partner 181

Gust

JUNE 1, 2014

Every startup requires building and maintaining effective relationships with people, including partners, team members, customers, and investors. Invested Interests entrepreneur friction startup' Image via Wikipedia. Entrepreneurship is not a job for the Lone Ranger.

Startup 162

Startup Entrepreneur Partner Employee 162

Gust

OCTOBER 21, 2012

A startup begins with a great idea, but all too often, that’s where it ends. His focus is on repeatable practices to maximize business opportunities in large companies, but I’m convinced that these apply equally well to startups: Clearly define your value chain. Apple NYC image via The Washington Post. Define response mechanisms.

Architecture 162

Architecture Startup Washington Operations 162

Gust

NOVEMBER 28, 2011

Fortune 1000 CEOs usually don’t make good startup CEOs, and vice versa. The startup road is guaranteed to be long and hard. Investors don’t like “equal partner” situations, or worse yet, family pairs in top positions. The size of the race is also important. Experience and expertise in this business area.

Startup 147

Startup Bootstrapping Social Network Internet 147

Gust

FEBRUARY 1, 2014

More typically, they are networked-based, with the angel offering to connect the startup with resources, partners, investors or acquirers that would otherwise fall outside the company’s reach. Of course, all of the above items are “some things” that truly committed angels do for startups.

Angel Investor 148

Angel Investor Startup IPO Early Stage 148

Gust

DECEMBER 15, 2011

Having taken stock of the main legal documents and actions involved in forming and operating a new startup, let’s crack open the “case” (disregarding the warnings about voiding your warranty) and examine a few of the steps, documents and key decisions to be made in getting a new startup ready for business. Let’s start with your name.

Naming 141

Naming Delaware Tajikistan Database 141

Gust

DECEMBER 21, 2011

Boston, New York City, Seattle and Southern California spawn many exciting startups…but do not exceed the Valley in any measure of entrepreneurial achievement. And, while being the undisputed leader in breeding and growing startups, the Valley is not the only place in the world (or the US) where entrepreneurs thrive.

Silicon Valley 107

Silicon Valley Southern California Tucson Seattle 107

Gust

OCTOBER 11, 2011

An “ elevator pitch ” is a concise, well-practiced description of your startup and your plan, delivered with conviction and enthusiasm, that your mother should be able to understand in the time it would take to ride up an elevator. How do you expect them to get excited, if your startup sounds like a dull subject to you?

Elevator Pitch 174

Elevator Pitch Startup Differentiation Distribution 174

Gust

NOVEMBER 11, 2011

Startups and investors discover each other, and the community wins because the event becomes visible evidence of new business and new jobs locally. Or the in-kind winning includes legal work or management consulting, but the startup that wins has its own providers. Investors and startup winner end up never agreeing on terms.

Software Review 79

Software Review Term Sheet Due Diligence Angel Investor 79

Gust

JUNE 15, 2014

If you are not yet ready to commit, you should consider getting more experience in your relevant business domain, or taking on a partner who has run a small business. Also you shouldn’t assume that your experience in a large public company is applicable to running a startup. Invested Interests accountable entrepreneur startup'

Entrepreneur 174

Entrepreneur Bootstrapping Employee Restful 174

Gust

MARCH 16, 2014

In reality, so-called “Founder’s” shares are simply common stock, issued at the time of startup incorporation, for a very low price, and normally allocated to the multiple initial players commensurate with their investment or role. As the company builds value, shares allocated later for employees or partners will have an appropriate price.

Stock 175

Stock Vesting Common Stock Founder Vesting 175

Gust

FEBRUARY 23, 2014

Most startups dream of attracting a celebrity endorsement, and assume that it will take their startup to the stars. Startups such as Chirpify have managed to flourish and raise millions with endorsements from folks like Lil Wayne and Snoop Lion. Take a hard look for your own startup. Prepare to handle endorsement success.

Matching 151

Matching Campaign Stock Distribution 151

Gust

MARCH 9, 2014

It’s not uncommon for me to see a startup business plan “mission” to be the “premier brand” for their product, yet their marketing budget in the financials is trivial. So what are some credible marketing and promotion steps you should consider for your startup? Establish partners and referrals. Image via Flickr.com.

Marketing 146

Marketing SEM Viral Social Media 146

Gust

MAY 18, 2014

Thus customers and partners rely more and more on personal engagement with people. I’ve focused these more towards startups and entrepreneurs: Show a personal face. That means a startup should never use the old-fashioned anonymous website, with no names, addresses, or personal pictures.

Customer 166

Customer Audience Advertising Social Media 166

Gust

DECEMBER 14, 2014

Execution is making things happen, and for startups it usually means making change happen, which is even more difficult. I found a book on this subject, “ The 4 Disciplines of Execution ,” by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, and Jim Huling, which seems to talk well to startups as well as the corporate world it was written for.

Entrepreneur 189

Entrepreneur Founder Revenue Startup 189

Gust

JANUARY 26, 2014

Today’s learner-centered mentoring is a dynamic and two-way relationship that involves critical reflection and full participation in short period increments by both partners. The mentee becomes a proactive and equal partner, helping direct the relationship and set its goals. Invested Interests entrepreneur mentoring startup team'

Partner 161

Partner Leadership Software Design 161

Gust

JULY 10, 2012

Partner up. Investors don’t want to fund anybody’s virgin startup. If you’ve never worked with a startup, then find a partner or two who have. They don’t insist that you’ve already launched and exited successfully, but they do insist that you’ve been through a startup.

Bootstrapping 165

Bootstrapping Valuation Restful Sales 165

Gust

NOVEMBER 17, 2013

If you expect to succeed in the thrill-a-minute, roller coaster ride of a startup, let me assure you it takes more than a good idea, a rich uncle, and luck. Invested Interests entrepreneur invention startup' Image via IntellectualVentures.com. In fact, the idea is often the least important part of the equation.

Flash 194

Flash Entrepreneur Business Plan Startup 194

Gust

AUGUST 10, 2014

However, making no projections, or non-credible projections will get your startup marked as unfundable. The rules are obviously not absolute, but you must be prepared to explain to potential investors why your startup is the exception to these guidelines: Five-year financial projections are the norm.

Liquidity Event 176

Liquidity Event Equity Venture Capital Merger 176

Gust

OCTOBER 31, 2011

But recently I was asked about success factors for services startups, and I quickly realized that there is very little published to help the thousands of startups that fall in this category. If you or any of your partners really don’t have the credentials, the commitment or the interest, you won’t succeed.

Angel Investor 143

Angel Investor Venture Capital Partner Networking 143

Gust

JANUARY 12, 2014

So how do you fight this, and get real momentum going in your startup? For example, a result is not forty hours of work, but a prototype complete, partner contract signed, or first customer sale. Invested Interests entrepreneur fake work momentum startup' Here are some key recommendations: Measure results, not work.

Entrepreneur 171

Entrepreneur Hiring Employee Operations 171

Gust

JANUARY 26, 2014

Today’s learner-centered mentoring is a dynamic and two-way relationship that involves critical reflection and full participation in short period increments by both partners. The mentee becomes a proactive and equal partner, helping direct the relationship and set its goals. Invested Interests entrepreneur mentoring startup team'

Partner 116

Partner Leadership Software Design 116

Gust

NOVEMBER 16, 2014

If you are looking for a potential business partner, count on building a relationship over several months, before you really know the person. Invested Interests entrepreneur smart people startup' Resumes don’t provide much of a picture in this regard. Don’t let your ego get in the way.

Entrepreneur 195

Entrepreneur Hiring Partner Networking 195