Steve Blank

NOVEMBER 12, 2019

As there was no venture capital, these early startups were funded by early sales to weapon systems prime contractors and subcontractors. It’s not that these companies are smarter than Defense Department employees, but they operate with different philosophies, different product development methodologies, and with different constraints.

Government 313

Government Artificial Inteligence Silicon Valley North Korea 313

Tim Keane

SEPTEMBER 18, 2006

In a lot of startups (especially good ones) the founder/CEO/leader is a customer-oriented sales person. After the idea/product/service is built, and the market mapped, the company begins to grow. The sales oriented CEO needs to manage this process as intently as the customer facing sales process. Planning for a Harvest.

Harvest 60

Harvest LBO Investment Bankers Wisconsin 60

Tim Keane

JUNE 13, 2006

Growth involves, in many businesses, more customer service, product development, support, marketing and so forth – in addition to more R&D. So, if all of your costs rise smoothly in direct proportion to sales, I would suspect you built these costs for the first month and then just scaled them going forward. Google Ads.

Wisconsin 60

Wisconsin Entrepreneur Startup Angel Investor 60

Tim Keane

APRIL 24, 2006

The product development cycle was excellent. However, the distribution channel we had planned to use lacked the sophistication ultimately required by the product design, and the manufacturers adoption cycle was insufficient. We had a business at $2MM in sales look like it could go to $8MM. If it does not work, get out.

Wisconsin 60

Wisconsin Angel Investor Bootstrapping Venture Capital 60