Gust

SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

I don’t mean necessarily geographically close to me or conceptually close to my experience (software, web, etc.), By defensibility I mean expertise, design, differentiation, technology, trade secrets, and so on. I want something that can continue to sell in volume even while we all sleep. Closeness. but one or the other. Defensibility.

Technical Review 70

Technical Review Software Review Angel Investor Exit Strategy 70

Gust

AUGUST 9, 2014

A Software-as-a-Service company using open source and cloud computing technologies. Software will be created in these 6 different areas: Browser-based operating system. There are 4 main competitors to our business: (1) MSN, (2) Yahoo, (3), Google, and (4) Amazon. Contestant B. Web-based Productivity Applications.

Startup 131

Startup Database Open Source Equity 131

Gust

JUNE 10, 2012

I come from a high-tech software background, and only a few years ago, it would cost at least a million dollars ($1M) for a team of professionals to produce any commercial software product. Now, with open source software components, and low-cost development tools, the same job can be done by one good hacker for a few thousand dollars.

Cost 139

Cost Burn Rate SEM Startup 139

Gust

APRIL 23, 2014

That’s likely why SWIFT, the international banking consortium, this year named Gust the world’s most innovative financial technology startup, and why the US software industry has awarded Gust the CODiE for Best Collaboration Solution for two years in a row.

Angel Groups 127

Angel Groups Accredited Investor Private Equity Deal Flow 127

Gust

OCTOBER 16, 2012

Pre-revenue software, internet, mobile and telecom deals. Atlanta Technology Angels. Kiwi software deals were funded at a pre-money valuation of US1.4 As expected, the life Science, biotech and medical device sector and the energy and clean tech were funded at higher valuations than the software and other sectors.

Angel Groups 169

Angel Groups Valuation Pre-Money Valuation North Dakota 169

Gust

AUGUST 12, 2012

Because it addresses an internal audience, it can use technical jargon and assume the reader understands the technology. For software, websites, and high-tech products, this is the “meat” of what you intend to build. The product plan tells your developers what to build, and the marketing team what to market.

Product 150

Product Business Plan Differentiation Business Model 150

Gust

NOVEMBER 18, 2012

NewCo has filed a patent on one of their software tool algorithms, which is very positive, and puts them several steps ahead of others who may be venturing into the same area. Assign value to all paid professionals, as their skills, training, and knowledge of your business technology is very valuable. 500K might be a low estimate.

Valuation 187

Valuation Pre-Money Valuation NPV Intellectual Property 187

Gust

NOVEMBER 28, 2011

You may have great credentials as a public servant in your home town, but that won’t get you money to build a social network on the Internet, or start a software company. You can learn a lot about a new technology from Wikipedia and scouring the Internet, but probably not enough to qualify you as CEO of a new company in that area.

Startup 147

Startup Bootstrapping Social Network Internet 147

Gust

DECEMBER 27, 2012

The expectation is that in an era of increasing technology and decreasing costs, you will be bringing them an operating company with at least some traction. A comprehensive list of things you might want is listed in the answer to What materials or software should I use to pitch a VC? ,

Software Review 164

Software Review Term Sheet Technical Review Angel Investor 164

Gust

SEPTEMBER 21, 2014

human resources, technology, legal, and information technology) as needed. Been there, done that” - Building a software company is much different than a manufacturing one, or services. Been there, done that” - Building a software company is much different than a manufacturing one, or services.

NDA 147

NDA CPA SEC Startup 147

Gust

SEPTEMBER 23, 2012

Yet, new technology can quickly blindside you, and market dynamics change, plus you need to broaden your opportunity. Software as a service (SaaS) has now pretty much replaced the old licensing model, but offering it was a strategic risk for SalesForce.com. Plan to replace your product with a better and cheaper one.

Forecast 188

Forecast Viral Social Network Business Model 188

Gust

SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

When we originally conceived of a single platform tying together the world’s entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists and supporting organizations , it quickly became apparent that the biggest challenge had nothing to do with technology.

Angel Investor 79

Angel Investor Silicon Valley Venture Capital Finance 79