Up and Running

DECEMBER 22, 2015

Angel investors can teach you a lot about money, whether or not you’re seeking funding from them. I’ve seen this over and over in my dealings as a member of a local angel investment group. What we do at the Willamette Angel Conference is the rule, not the exception. We don’t just reject startups; we explain why.

Angel Investor 60

Angel Investor IRR Software Review Startup 60

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 26, 2021

I know from experience that my friends who are angel investors are looking for the same indications, although none of us has a scorecard , or even know exactly what we are looking for. Idea people must surround themselves with people who build momentum and get things done, including production, marketing, finance, and sales.

Entrepreneur 341

Entrepreneur Angel Investor Partner Software Developers 341

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2022

Exchanging your services for services is possible with legal counsel, accountants, engineers, and even sales people. In reality, the financing valley of death tests the commitment, determination, and problem solving ability of every entrepreneur. Joint venture with distributor or beneficiary.

Intellectual Property 261

Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator Bootstrapping 261

Berkonomics

DECEMBER 17, 2020

Let’s take a few minutes to examine the kind of equity financing available to small or early stage businesses. Friends and family investors. Here is a class of investor we’ve covered before, one usually focused upon you and less upon your business case. Individual super angel investors. And the one thing in common?

Equity 62

Equity Finance Liquidity Event Angel Groups 62

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 15, 2019

As a long-time business advisor and angel investor, I’m a believer that “two heads are better than one” in building a new business. Very few entrepreneurs have the range of skills and experience to be the solution creator as well as business creator, or operational as well as sales leader.

Cofounder 221

Cofounder Software Review CTO Hire Founder 221

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 9, 2019

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. Also, investors from the super-hubs (Silicon Valley, New York, or Boston), probably won’t assume anyone outside their domain has the savvy and resources to make it happen.

Las Vegas 243

Las Vegas Silicon Valley Arizona Montana 243

Berkonomics

OCTOBER 5, 2023

Since this number is budgeted and pre-authorized, managers tend to focus upon other things such as sales, marketing and product development issues. Not long after, the company was sold in a “fire sale” amounting to slightly less than the debt on the books. All investors, including the VC firm, lost everything.

Silicon Valley 118

Silicon Valley Burn Rate Angel Investor Down Round 118

The Startup Magazine

MARCH 22, 2019

The question of venture capitalist versus angel investor often arises. Venture capital and angel investments offer excellent options to startup businesses. They are less likely than angel investors to provide capital to companies that don’t have at least some proven success in their markets. Angel Investors.

Angel Investor 123

Angel Investor Venture Capital Accredited Investor Equity 123

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2019

Exchanging your services for services is possible with legal counsel, accountants, engineers, and even sales people. In reality, the financing valley of death tests the commitment, determination, and problem solving ability of every entrepreneur. Joint venture with distributor or beneficiary.

Intellectual Property 219

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 219

Up and Running

NOVEMBER 26, 2018

Most healthy businesses need business financing at some point. Startups have to deal with starting costs and ongoing businesses have to finance growth and working capital. Financing options depend on what kind of business you have. Don’t waste your time looking for the wrong kind of financing.

SBA 161

SBA Venture Capital Angel Investor Technical Review 161

Up and Running

JUNE 23, 2022

On the other hand, some of these are not easily fixable so you’ll have to look for alternative solutions to your financing problems. Don’t forget that many of these ratios have similar drivers, such as capital, sales on credit, accounts receivable, inventory, payment patterns, etc. Explore other financing options.

SBA 163

SBA Finance Balance Sheet Technical Review 163

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 11, 2023

The following is a condensed explanation of seed funding: Seed money is a form of early-stage financing that new businesses receive from investors in exchange for a share of ownership in the company. The term “seed financing” refers to the stage of funding that comes from first equity.

Seed Stage 126

Seed Stage Technical Review Early Stage Due Diligence 126

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 16, 2017

As a long-time business advisor and angel investor, I’m a believer that “two heads are better than one” in building a new business. Very few entrepreneurs have the range of skills and experience to be the solution creator as well as business creator, or operational as well as sales leader.

Partner 140

Partner Software Review CTO Hire Cofounder 140

YoungUpstarts

OCTOBER 19, 2018

When you’re looking for extra funds, there are typically two options: debt financing and equity financing. It’s important to understand the difference between debt financing and equity financing so when it comes time to get additional funding, you know which is the right fit for your business and how to get it.

Finance 157

Finance Equity Vesting Dividend 157

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 14, 2014

Exchanging your services for services is possible with legal counsel, accountants, engineers, and even sales people. In reality, the financing valley of death tests the commitment, determination, and problem solving ability of every entrepreneur. Joint venture with distributor or beneficiary.

Entrepreneur 283

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 283

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 2, 2017

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. Also, investors from the super-hubs (Silicon Valley, New York, or Boston), won’t assume anyone outside their domain has the savvy and resources to make it happen.

Silicon Valley 149

Silicon Valley Las Vegas Arizona Montana 149

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2017

Exchanging your services for services is possible with legal counsel, accountants, engineers, and even sales people. In reality, the financing valley of death tests the commitment, determination, and problem solving ability of every entrepreneur. Joint venture with distributor or beneficiary.

Product Development 177

Product Development Cost Developer Product 177

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022

Track finances early. Even if you’re not a numbers person, you need to track your finances. This prepares you to file taxes, pitch to investors, apply for small business loans, manage credit card spending, and easily track the health of your business. Consider financing early. Have enough cash on hand.

Forecast 154

Forecast Software Review Bootstrapping Finance 154

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 7, 2013

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. Also, investors from the super-hubs (Silicon Valley, New York, or Boston), won’t assume anyone outside their domain has the savvy and resources to make it happen.

Silicon Valley 256

Silicon Valley Las Vegas Phoenix Montana 256

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2016

This is a positive in uncoupling them from a dependency on a single company or boss, but the downside is that they have to suddenly manage all facets of a business, including finances, strategy, and savings for the future. Sales Professional. They are always ready to move on to the next big opportunity as markets change.

Entrepreneur 120

Entrepreneur Angel Investor Social Media LLC 120

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 19, 2013

Exchanging your services for services is possible with legal counsel, accountants, engineers, and even sales people. In reality, the financing valley of death tests the commitment, determination, and problem solving ability of every entrepreneur. Joint venture with distributor or beneficiary.

Intellectual Property 309

Intellectual Property Technical Review Venture Capital Startup 309

Up and Running

AUGUST 17, 2022

Can you increase sales tenfold without having to increase your headcount proportionately? One of the lesser-understood facts of outside investors is they don’t make money with a healthy growing company that is cash-flow independent and doesn’t want to bring in more money to grow faster. They want your business to be able to scale up.

Venture Capital 146

Venture Capital Intellectual Property Angel Investor Bootstrapping 146

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 12, 2018

Exchanging your services for services is possible with legal counsel, accountants, engineers, and even sales people. In reality, the financing valley of death tests the commitment, determination, and problem solving ability of every entrepreneur. Joint venture with distributor or beneficiary.

Intellectual Property 134

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 134

Up and Running

MARCH 14, 2018

I know what it’s like to pitch to investors—both angels and venture capitalists. I’ve raised close to $1 million from angel investors for my previous technology startups. Sometimes you only get 10 minutes to pitch your business opportunity to the investors (or less in some cases). Image via WOCinTechChat.

Hockey Stick 164

Hockey Stick Exit Strategy Technical Review Angel Investor 164

ReadWriteStart

MAY 22, 2012

When it comes to financing a brand-new startup, most founders find themselves stuck between the proverbial rock and hard place. While some lucky startups attract angel investors or have access to money from friends and family, the vast majority are on their own, at least at first. Beware Revolving Credit Charges.

Technical Review 118

Technical Review Software Review Angel Investor Startup 118

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 15, 2015

This is a positive in uncoupling them from a dependency on a single company or boss, but the downside is that they have to suddenly manage all facets of a business, including finances, strategy, and savings for the future. Sales Professional. They are always ready to move on to the next big opportunity as markets change.

Entrepreneur 120

Entrepreneur Angel Investor Social Media LLC 120

Tim Keane

MARCH 9, 2011

Startups and angels: Along the way to success. By Tim Keane, Angel Investor, Golden Angels Investors, LLC. How to prepare a sales forecast for a business plan » March 09, 2011. How should I finance my new venture? What are the reasons to choose one financing structure over another?

Finance 83

Finance Bootstrapping Startup Equity 83

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 11, 2022

The canvas is a visual chart with elements describing your value proposition, structure, finances, and customers, to help companies identify and align business activities. As a former angel investor, I look for this level of alignment and understanding in every funding presentation I hear. Key activities.

Business Model 334

Business Model Intellectual Property Angel Investor Channel 334

Up and Running

AUGUST 30, 2021

Angel investors, venture capital firms, accelerators, and (maybe) the newer equity crowdfunding will look to see if you have previous experience in startups. More often than not, whatever it is you are building will require a complementary skill set, whether that’s business/finance, sales/marketing, or design/engineering.

Entrepreneur 132

Entrepreneur Lean Colorado Engineer 132

Up and Running

DECEMBER 18, 2013

Instead of looking at your credit score or asking you for your business’s detailed financial statements, Kabbage asks you for your UPS, PayPal, Amazon, Square, eBay, and/or Quickbooks accounts, and then uses the data it gathers from those accounts to determine your sales revenue and cash flow itself.

Kenya 119

Kenya Angel Investor Technical Review Software Review 119

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 16, 2015

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. Also, investors from the super-hubs (Silicon Valley, New York, or Boston), won’t assume anyone outside their domain has the savvy and resources to make it happen.

Las Vegas 120

Las Vegas Silicon Valley Phoenix Montana 120

Growthink Blog

DECEMBER 27, 2017

And the desire to raise capital (whether from an individual “angel” investor or a venture capital firm) is often the key motivator in the business planning process. But how exactly will your business plan persuade investors to sign a check? Raising money from individual "angel" investors? read more.

Venture Capital 129

Venture Capital Business Plan Technical Review Private Placement 129

YoungUpstarts

JUNE 1, 2016

Full disclosure – any kind of financing comes with costs, whether it’s interest payments, equity, and/or your very valuable time which, as an entrepreneur, is the thing you will always wish you had more of. Purchase order financing. Angel Investors. Asset-based lending. Asset-based lending.

Finance 100

Finance Angel Investor Cofounder Later Stage 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2015

Exchanging your services for services is possible with legal counsel, accountants, engineers, and even sales people. In reality, the financing valley of death tests the commitment, determination, and problem solving ability of every entrepreneur. Joint venture with distributor or beneficiary.

Entrepreneur 120

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 120

The Startup Magazine

MARCH 29, 2024

Will you opt for direct sales, subscriptions, or a freemium model? Understand your costs, both fixed and variable, and plan your finances accordingly to sustain operations and fuel growth. Whether it’s through bootstrapping, seeking angel investors, or applying for grants, explore all options available to you.

Intellectual Property 132

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Business Model Bootstrapping 132

Berkonomics

AUGUST 10, 2023

Setting your expectations Taking in angel or venture money requires a setting of an entrepreneur’s expectations that may come as a shock at least at first. The newest investor has the power. There is no middle ground. Resetting your priorities Taking money from these sources involves resetting priorities over time. Draconian terms?

Liquidity Event 116

Liquidity Event Initial Public Offering Dividend Valuation 116

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

Was Paul Graham right in his “high resolution” financing post? Some thoughts on raising angel money. In fact, most early investor work hard to help their startups get to the next level so it makes no sense for the angel investor and founders to be at odds. Investors call Bull Cap.

Ratchet 354

Ratchet Liquidation Preference Equity Stock 354