Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 14, 2023

If you sold your last startup for $800 million, you probably already know how to build a business, and even conservative investors won’t worry about the quality of your next business plan. Most investors tend to think of startups without a plan as expensive hobbies. I hope not. Marty Zwilling

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Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 29, 2022

These authors speak from their own wealth of experience in creating and growing technology startups, marketing, and fundraising. If you need venture capital, maybe you need to spend more time in Silicon Valley or Boston. Location and luck: right place at the right time.

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Silicon Valley Angel Investor Technical Review Boston 325

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 21, 2019

Image via Wikipedia From the advice I hear these days, if you want to be a successful entrepreneur, you need to be in Silicon Valley, Boston, New York, or one of the few other financial hubs around the world. High-tech ventures in Silicon Valley know they have to constantly innovate, but small town coffee shops can easily forget.

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Silicon Valley Missouri Technical Review Boston 269

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 16, 2015

Even in this age of globalization and virtualization, the geographic area where you choose to live and work can still make or break your startup business. I still have to tell some entrepreneurs that even with the best idea, they have to move to Silicon Valley to find the investors they need, or they need to move to the U.S.

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Las Vegas Silicon Valley Phoenix Montana 120

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2022

Alex is a Silicon Valley veteran and Cisco executive, often referred to as the ‘innovation therapist,’ who details his knowledge of many real-world cases and specifics on how to keep up with change and win in the marketplace.

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Technical Review Silicon Valley Software Review Metrics 252

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

One of the reasons that now is the time to be an entrepreneur is the explosion of startup assistance organizations, usually called incubators or accelerators. A few are still trying to make a profitable business out of nurturing startups, but it’s a challenge to make money when your customer startups don’t have many resources to give.

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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.

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Technical Review Stock Options Due Diligence Silicon Valley 250

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2020

Many entrepreneurs are convinced that banks are not worth the effort for startups, especially early-stage ones that still don’t have a revenue stream, or collateral to back up their financing needs. All banks are looking hard these days to get back in the game, and certain ones, like Silicon Valley Bank, are more focused on small businesses.

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Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2023

Many entrepreneurs are convinced that banks are not worth the effort for startups, especially early-stage ones that still don’t have a revenue stream, or collateral to back up their financing needs. A question I get from time to time is “Can I ever expect any backing from my bank for a great opportunity?” Marty Zwilling

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Equity Silicon Valley Finance Early Stage 303

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 1, 2013

Many entrepreneurs think that diversity on their team just makes their job harder, since startups are all about making fast decisions, and executing efficiently. In reality, diversity in a startup can be your big competitive advantage. This means your plans will be more creative, and your solutions to problems can occur faster.

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Advisory Board Silicon Valley Startup United States 228

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 16, 2023

None normally work for or provide funds for early-stage startups. Startups looking for an angel investor, or a Venture Capital investment usually realize that neither of these sources of funds normally has any connection with a bank. Many investment banks even call themselves “boutiques.”

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Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 9, 2016

Yet everyone has limits, and every investor implicitly has similar limits on what makes a startup investable, or one to avoid at all costs. Here is my perspective on the highest risk elements, from my years of working with investors and watching startups come and go: All the co-founders are first-time entrepreneurs. If you want U.S.

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New York City Silicon Valley Startup Bootstrapping 120

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 3, 2023

One of the reasons that now is the time to be an entrepreneur is the explosion of startup assistance organizations, usually called incubators or accelerators. A few are still trying to make a profitable business out of nurturing startups, but it’s a challenge to make money when your customer startups don’t have many resources to give.

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Incubator Silicon Valley North America Small Business Administration 231

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 22, 2018

Yet everyone has limits, and every investor implicitly has similar limits on what makes a startup investable, or one to avoid at all costs. Here is my perspective on the highest risk elements, from my years of working with investors and watching startups come and go: All the co-founders are first-time entrepreneurs. If you want U.S.

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New York City Silicon Valley Bootstrapping Technical Review 202

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 20, 2022

One of the things I learned from my years in Silicon Valley is that you must always focus on three steps ahead, as well as on what exists today. By definition, new startups have to do this to even have a shot at funding from venture capitalists and survival, but I find that existing companies often rest on their laurels far too long.

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Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 25, 2018

I suggest the following sequence of startup preparation steps: Create a business entity early to isolate business efforts. In addition to local business meetings, this can now be done online through startup matchmaking sites, including CoFoundersLab , Founder2be , and StartupAgents , as well as LinkedIn.

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Technical Cofounder Intellectual Property Silicon Valley LLC 184

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 31, 2021

If you sold your last startup for $800 million, you probably already know how to build a business, and even conservative investors won’t worry about the quality of your next business plan. Most investors tend to think of startups without a plan as expensive hobbies. I hope not. Marty Zwilling.

Silicon Valley 342

Silicon Valley Exit Strategy Business Plan Restful 342

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 14, 2020

A partnership was announced with the City of New York, to connect and grow NYC's startup ecosystem. This facilitates technology growth and innovation for startups in Silicon Alley, as well as positioning IBM for growth down the road. Learn by experimenting in low-cost and iterative ways.

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Partner Intellectual Property Silicon Valley Startup 310

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 19, 2020

Venture capitalists (VCs) have long been seen as the top of the pyramid for startup funding sources, but in fact angel investors now fund over twice as many companies, according the Crunchbase. The cost of entry for tech startups continues to go down. Super angels have greater scope to match talent with a startup.

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Angel Investor Venture Capital Silicon Valley Startup 314

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 8, 2014

Yet everyone has limits, and every investor implicitly has similar limits on what makes a startup investable, or one to avoid at all costs. Here is my perspective on the highest risk elements, from my years of working with investors and watching startups come and go: All the co-founders are first-time entrepreneurs. If you want U.S.

New York City 254

New York City Silicon Valley Bootstrapping Technical Review 254

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 25, 2018

Just as national cultures influence and shape a country, so does the startup culture set by founder strategy drive the future of a new venture. I believe this new focus on culture is a key to startup success today. It’s tempting as a startup to grab family members, or pay less and get inexperience.

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Silicon Valley Retention Metrics Architecture 143

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 17, 2022

Venture capitalists (VCs) have long been seen as the top of the pyramid for startup funding sources, but in fact angel investors now fund over twice as many companies, according to a classic Crunchbase article. The cost of entry for tech startups continues to go down. Super angels have greater scope to match talent with a startup.

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Angel Investor Venture Capital Silicon Valley Portfolio 342

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 23, 2018

Being a consultant is a role that works with big companies, but I have found that it doesn’t get much traction in small businesses and startups. I learned this the hard way, when I left IBM a few years ago to share what I had learned with the exciting world of startups in Silicon Valley.

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Silicon Valley Social Media Software Review Leadership 140

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 9, 2022

A partnership was announced a while back with the City of New York, to connect and grow NYC's startup ecosystem. This facilitates technology growth and innovation for startups in Silicon Alley, as well as positioning IBM for future growth. Learn by experimenting in low-cost and iterative ways.

Partner 328

Partner Intellectual Property Silicon Valley Cloud 328

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 26, 2013

Every early-stage startup should explore this new funding alternative. Examples of some leaders in this space include Mike Maples in Silicon Valley and David S. Venture capital dispensed quarterly to startups actually declined again in the first quarter of 2013 to $6.3 entrepreneur startup super-Angels David S.

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Angel Investor Entrepreneur Early Stage Silicon Valley 231

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 7, 2020

Here are a few of my favorites sampling techniques that I have seen work out well over the years: Take a job for a while with an early-stage startup. Adopt the Silicon Valley entrepreneur family model. One would keep a regular job, with medical benefits and normal work hours, while the other was deep in a startup.

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Silicon Valley Entrepreneur Stock Options Flash 315

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 5, 2022

Every new entrepreneur who has not spent years in corporate life has the advantage of an unbiased look at business opportunities, but at the same time has the disadvantage of missing critical business experiences that can cost them dearly in their first startup venture. Startups don’t come with formal training courses.

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Silicon Valley Viral Finance Leadership 292

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 15, 2023

The simple answer is that with all the staging of TV lights and billionaire investors, it’s nothing like Silicon Valley. Yet the process is eerily realistic, and every entrepreneur can glean some important lessons.

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Entrepreneur Due Diligence Angel Investor Silicon Valley 279

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 26, 2020

None normally work for or provide funds for early-stage startups. Startups looking for an angel investor, or a Venture Capital investment usually realize that neither of these sources of funds normally has any connection with a bank. Many investment banks even call themselves “boutiques.”

Silicon Valley 362

Silicon Valley Private Equity Initial Public Offering Term Sheet 362

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 14, 2022

Based on my years of experience in both startups and large companies, trusted relationships are more the key to success than a great business model, how smart you are, or how much money you have.

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Silicon Valley Bandwidth Angel Investor Equity 284

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 16, 2017

That’s why smart investors, like the best ones in Silicon Valley, and the ones on Shark Tank , can tell a lot about the future success of a business, even before results. In order to bring about change, you must make a conscious effort to focus on positive thoughts and behavior in others, as well as yourself.

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Silicon Valley Software Review Technical Review Metrics 144

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 13, 2011

If your startup is looking for an angel investor, it makes sense to present your plan to flocks of angels, and assume that at least one will swoop down and scoop you up. The Founding Chapter is in Silicon Valley, California, (naturally), and I have a connection there if you need a start. Or does it?

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Angel Investor North America South America Accredited Investor 255

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 18, 2015

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 120

Technical Review Entrepreneur Stock Options Due Diligence 120

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2022

I saw these summarized clearly in a new book, “ BUILD ,” by a well-known entrepreneur and technologist from Silicon Valley, Tony Fadell. Primarily for these reasons, I always recommend that new entrepreneurs and startups assemble a qualified Advisory Board or Board of Directors early in their lifecycle.

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Leadership Advisory Board Developer Silicon Valley 345

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 8, 2020

Every new entrepreneur who has not spent years in corporate life has the advantage of an unbiased look at business opportunities, but at the same time has the disadvantage of missing critical business experiences that can cost them dearly in their first startup venture. Startups don’t come with formal training courses.

Silicon Valley 361

Silicon Valley Viral Finance Leadership 361

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 10, 2023

He brings over 25 years of experience with Silicon Valley leadership companies in highlighting winners and losers. In my experience, new startup businesses are initiated primarily by these standalone innovators, popularly called entrepreneurs. As a result, these people often end up disheartened.

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Silicon Valley Lean Leadership Analytics 240

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 24, 2013

According to the Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist Confidence Index® for the First Quarter 2013, the Q1 increase marks three consecutive quarters of positive sentiment among Silicon Valley venture capitalists. entrepreneur startup investor funding venture capital business' No surprises here. Marty Zwilling.

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