Cracking the Code

JANUARY 22, 2009

Cracking The Code. Thoughts from a Venture Capitalist on Software, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Cloud Computing, Internet and more. If you assume a 20% cost of capital (typical for equity, debt is generally cheaper), then getting an upfront payment for one additional year on a $10k MRR contract saves you $24k.

Software Review 91

Software Review Clawback Sales Salary 91

Rob Go

DECEMBER 28, 2011

So I thought I’d jot down some of the highlights I have seen from my vantage point in this 2011 Boston Consumer Web Year in Review. Zipcar: Ok, not exactly consumer web/software, but a great consumer tech company nonetheless. IPO’s/Exits. Tripadvisor: An amazing entrepreneurial story. market cap. Carbonite: Raised $62.5M

Technical Review 54

Technical Review Boston Software Review IPO 54

Software By Rob

NOVEMBER 16, 2009

Business of Software is a conference organized by Neil Davidson and Joel Spolsky , and was held this year in San Francisco. The speaking line-up is a who’s who of software bloggers and authors, including Geoffrey Moore, Paul Graham, Dharmesh Shah and Joel Spolsky. There were several great presentations during the conference.

Software Review 47

Software Review Software San Francisco RSS 47

femgineer.com

JULY 18, 2010

We engineers know that need to be agile in a startup and be able to scrap code and rebuild, but want we don’t want is to have a founder who manic or aimless. Sweat equity or salary? We like sitting at home or in coffee shops on our laptops coding away fun projects. Or do you just want a code monkey?

Engineer 41

Engineer Software Review Startup Technical Review 41

Altgate

SEPTEMBER 16, 2010

The presentation was on outsourcing generally, not just software engineering and the audience was very early stage companies (some yet to be founded). For example, you can barter for a service or you can negotiate payment terms or even equity for service. To that I say baloney. Even without cash you have many ways to outsource.

Software Review 65

Software Review Offshore Startup Boston 65

Agile VC

APRIL 17, 2011

Now that Google’s acquisition of ITA is closed, following lenghty FTC review, it would appear Kayak is poised to proceed with their IPO in the coming months. =. Kayak Software Corporation. 166M round closed Dec 2007. Filing Date: initial S-1 filed Nov 17, 2010 , updated March 9, 2011. Founding Date: 2004.

Pre-Money Valuation 113

Pre-Money Valuation Liquidation Preference Dividend Common Stock 113

Austin Startup

AUGUST 20, 2017

They’re looking to be paid properly in the context of the overall salary structure, including cash, benefits, and equity, and to be paid commensurate with performance. Make your choices only after you’ve done some due diligence with other companies where they’ve served. Self-Awareness will conclude this list for today.

Technical Review 48

Technical Review Software Review Cap Table Securities and Exchange Commission 48

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 22, 2011

I know that most people who are close to them tend to deny their existence, as we saw in the great housing bubble of 2002-2007 and the dot com bubble of 1997-2000. It’s like people arguing that there’s a beautiful beach house in 2006 that represents great long-term value due to scarcity of similar property.

Saudi Arabia 309

Saudi Arabia Valuation IPO Technical Review 309

Altgate

DECEMBER 17, 2009

 If you have an important software release coming up, that could be included.  Or perhaps you want to have internal performance reviews or customer satisfaction included.   Also, set up quarterly reviews with each executive to talk about progress.

Venture Capital 47

Venture Capital Metrics Startup Software Review 47

ConversionXL

OCTOBER 7, 2021

Where possible, use endorsements from industry influencers or positive reviews from customers who’ve tested your MVP. It’s a strategy used by software providers like SAP and IBM i2 , whose systems are vital to companies’ operations. . In 2007 when they launched their streaming service, it faced no real competition. Image source.

Product 142

Product Marketing Software Review Social Media 142

www.mint.com

MARCH 9, 2010

like courtney benson 460 days ago i agree that these are questions that one should ask but in the end result one can do all the due diligence possible and still wind up in a bad situation or the opposite can happen. It really comes down to the management, answers, instinct, experience and execution. All Rights Reserved.

Software Review 68

Software Review Startup Post-Money Valuation Technical Review 68

Austin Startup

DECEMBER 13, 2020

I’m not talking about exploring a new city and feeling like you get to re-invent yourself simply by changing zip codes; everyone loves that. Since at least 2007, Austin has been the fastest growing metro area in America. I have yet to meet a person who loves moving. Austin, in many ways, shows the promise and the problem in America.

Austin 118

Austin San Francisco Texas Technical Review 118

The Next Web

OCTOBER 3, 2012

Startups die due to a variety of causes. In 2007, Paul Graham gave a variety of causes for startup death in How Not To Die. I have witnessed startup failures that were due to predictable co-founder conflicts. Note: I’m not talking about equity. Scared of Code : This applies mainly to non-technical founders.

Cofounder 155

Cofounder Technical Cofounder Technical Review Software Review 155

Up and Running

FEBRUARY 9, 2015

This is Sabrina Parsons, the CEO of Palo Alto Software. Back in 2007 when I wrote my book Becoming Your Own Boss in 12 Months the first time, I started calling myself America’s number one small business expert all the way back in 2007. We’re so happy to have Melinda Emerson, the “SmallBizLady” with us today.

Social Media 60

Social Media Small Business Software Review Technical Review 60

Steve Blank

APRIL 11, 2013

The Torch program created Innovation Clusters by creating national Science and Technology Industrial Parks (STIPs), Software Parks, and Productivity Promotion Centers. In addition to the 54 Science and Technology Industrial Parks, the Torch program also set up an additional 32 Torch Program Software Parks. Venture Guiding Fund.

Programming 278

Programming Technical Review SBIR China 278

David Teten

MARCH 24, 2014

Addepar is precisely trying to collect and convert into software these best practices. (ff We did this again, overweighting emerging markets like Africa and EMEA (Middle East) in 2007 because they were cheap with high growth rates. David Teten : I’ve been researching investment best practices for a long time, so I share your interest.

Software Review 114

Software Review Due Diligence Venture Capital Portfolio 114

Steve Blank

APRIL 11, 2013

The Torch program created Innovation Clusters by creating national Science and Technology Industrial Parks (STIPs), Software Parks, and Productivity Promotion Centers. In addition to the 54 Science and Technology Industrial Parks, the Torch program also set up an additional 32 Torch Program Software Parks. Venture Guiding Fund.

Programming 170

Programming Technical Review SBIR China 170

David Teten

JANUARY 10, 2012

Mr. Parekh started his career at Goldman Sachs, developing the firm’s equities business in the Middle East, with high net worth family offices and sovereign wealth funds. He has been granted two software patents, and has multiple patents pending. Mr. Lindzon continues to manage a hedge fund he started in 1998.

Technical Review 128

Technical Review Technology North Carolina Switzerland 128

www.singlefounder.com

OCTOBER 23, 2010

I’d like to take a few minutes to dispel the top five myths of software startups. I could point to countless examples of mediocre software being unleashed upon the general population, after which people like you and me have to help replace it with something decent. In fact, not having one can be more helpful than anything else.

Software Review 40

Software Review Software Startup Massachusetts 40

maplebutter.com

JANUARY 8, 2013

Don’t wait to fill the void before letting him go (but obviously get all the code / usernames / password). Sometimes I use Balsamiq, sometimes I code a prototype, doesn’t matter – just create something, then tell the world. I think quick, do something, then review what I’ve learned. How I can find the right investor (software)?

Technical Review 44

Technical Review Startup Cofounder Software Review 44

Hearpreneur

OCTOBER 29, 2017

I started Ignite Social Media in 2007 after working in a mid-sized regional ad agency. www.bioquark.com) due to the fact that in spite of generating close to $1 trillion annually, my former industry was incapable of generating any cures for the chronic diseases responsible for the majority of human degeneration, suffering, and death.

Entrepreneur 76

Entrepreneur Social Media Liquidity Event Private Equity 76

venturehacks.com

FEBRUARY 24, 2010

What you don’t know Business founders who don’t code use bad proxies for picking technical co-founders (&# 10 years with Java!&# ). As a corporate lawyer for 15+ years, I just wanted to echo your sound advice that co-founders should impose reasonable vesting restrictions on the equity issued them. Geeks can always be hired.

Cofounder 101

Cofounder Founder Technical Cofounder Technical Review 101

ConversionXL

FEBRUARY 15, 2018

And for nearly 20 years, Ford’s luxury division lost money until it was sold off in 2007. Clutter and disorganized content suggest a lack of attention to detail, or an inability to distill information into a meaningful summary that, due to the halo effect, people assume reflects the overall character of the business.”. Image source.

eCommerce 125

eCommerce Conversion Sales Technical Review 125

venturehacks.com

MARCH 21, 2008

If your company hasn’t raised a Series A, increase the advisor’s equity by roughly 30%-50% to account for dilution from seed investors, Series A investors, option pools, swimming pools, and the like. Finally, there is a beauty to paying in equity rather than an equivalent amount of cash. Read some fun reviews of this site.

Advisory Board 44

Advisory Board Cap Table Vesting Equity 44

techcrunch.com

SEPTEMBER 2, 2012

Convertible Equity, A Better Alternative To Convertible Debt? From 2004 to 2007, she helped lead Congresswoman Carloyn Maloney’s community outreach and relations efforts in New York City. As a refresher, a convertible note is a loan that automatically converts into equity upon the closing of a Series A round of financing.

Equity 87

Equity San Francisco Technical Review Angel Investor 87

Life Beyond Code

SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

Once the $1 million revenue milestone is crossed, entrepreneurs find it easier to find additional customers, manage working capital, and access funding, whether it is credit or equity. I was looking for what you teach back in January 2007 and couldn’t find it anywhere. At 1/12th the cost, 1M/1M provides far more value.

Programming 116

Programming Silicon Valley Bootstrapping Technical Review 116