Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 25, 2023

Of course, if you are able to bootstrap your startup, and don’t anticipate the need for outside investors, you can technically ignore the first two points. You probably will do that job poorly, unless you plan your exit early, to move on to your next startup role, to do that better the next time.

Exit Strategy 264

Exit Strategy Private Equity Equity Technical Review 264

YoungUpstarts

SEPTEMBER 20, 2018

I never paid my dues at a corporate job. I had a husband who was gone more hours than he was home, working at a technology startup while getting his MBA at night. Less than ten years later , I had taken my healthcare tech company from a concept to a business – a business that someone wanted to buy.

Technical Review 370

Technical Review United States Bootstrapping Venture Capital 370

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 25, 2020

Of course, if you are able to bootstrap your startup, and don’t anticipate the need for outside investors, you can technically ignore the first two points. You probably will do that job poorly, unless you plan your exit early, to move on to your next startup role, to do that better the next time.

Exit Strategy 376

Exit Strategy Startup Private Equity Equity 376

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2019

Self-funding or bootstrapping is still the most common and safest approach for startups Keep your day job until revenue starts to flow. After bootstrapping, friends and family are the most common funding sources for early-stage startups. Bartering technically means exchanging goods or services as a substitute for money.

Intellectual Property 219

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 219

Steve Blank

SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

Larry had the DNA I’ve seen common with all the successful entrepreneurs I’ve backed in my 25 years of Venture Capital work—only he had a more exaggerated case than most. Huge Technical Visio n. Larry always had a 10-year technical vision that he could draw on the whiteboard or spin like a yarn. Larry just blew them away.

Technical Review 333

Technical Review Venture Capital Software Review Database 333

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 19, 2013

According to a Gompers and Lerner study, the challenge is very real, with 90% of new ventures that don't attract investors failing within the first three years. Self-funding or bootstrapping is still the most common and safest approach for startups Keep your day job until revenue starts to flow. Set expectations accordingly.

Intellectual Property 309

Intellectual Property Technical Review Venture Capital Startup 309

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 14, 2014

According to a Gompers and Lerner study, the challenge is very real, with a majority of new ventures that don''t attract investors failing within the first three years. Self-funding or bootstrapping is still the most common and safest approach for startups Keep your day job until revenue starts to flow. Set expectations accordingly.

Entrepreneur 283

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 283

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 30, 2017

One of the most common complaints I hear from new business owners and startups is about the pain and difficulty raising capital. The “venture capital” model is the only option they know, where they feel they get no mercy, giving up equity and control. Block out sufficient time on your calendar for raising capital.

Technical Review 220

Technical Review Accredited Investor Due Diligence Equity 220

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 8, 2019

In the US, a nonprofit is technically any company who qualifies as tax exempt through IRS Section 501(c). For a nonprofit, bootstrapping is self-funding from donations and fund-raising. Examples include charitable organizations, trade unions, and public arts organizations. Individual and institutional philanthropy. Government grants.

Equity 235

Equity Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy 235

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 12, 2018

The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than early projections and product development. Self-funding or bootstrapping is still the most common and safest approach for startups Keep your day job until real revenue flows.

Intellectual Property 134

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 134

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2017

Self-funding or bootstrapping is still the most common and safest approach for startups Keep your day job until revenue starts to flow. After bootstrapping, friends and family are the most common funding sources for early-stage startups. Bartering technically means exchanging goods or services as a substitute for money.

Product Development 177

Product Development Cost Developer Product 177

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 25, 2012

For example, with any outside investment, you give up some ownership and control, and with bootstrapping your growth curve will likely be longer and more organic. Following is my prioritized larger list of sources, with some “rules of thumb” which may save you a lot of time and energy: Bootstrapping. Venture capital.

Technical Review 257

Technical Review Bootstrapping Venture Capital Incubator 257

Up and Running

NOVEMBER 26, 2018

Also, high-tech high-growth startups have access to investment funding that would not be available to stable, established businesses that show only slow growth. Myth #1: Venture capital is a growing opportunity for funding businesses. Actually, venture capital financing is very rare. Venture capital.

SBA 161

SBA Venture Capital Angel Investor Technical Review 161

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2015

According to a classic Gompers and Lerner study, the challenge is very real, with a majority of new ventures that don't attract investors failing within the first three years. Self-funding or bootstrapping is still the most common and safest approach for startups Keep your day job until real revenue flows.

Entrepreneur 120

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 120

Professor VC

JANUARY 27, 2011

How Much Diligence is Due.Or Ive addressed the due diligence question in previous posts, but this came up again in a debate we were having at a recent meeting of the Sand Hill Angels. And in order to increase our groups returns, one of our goals should be to get more people and man hours involved in the diligence process.

Technical Review 31

Technical Review Due Diligence Silicon Valley San Jose 31

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2011

For example, with any outside investment, you give up some ownership and control, and with bootstrapping your growth curve will likely be longer and more organic. Following is my prioritized larger list of sources, with some “rules of thumb” which may save you a lot of time and energy: Bootstrapping. Venture capital.

Technical Review 233

Technical Review Bootstrapping Startup Venture Capital 233

online.wsj.com

SEPTEMBER 23, 2012

Loading… Tech. SIGNIFICANCE PROMINENT. --> The Venture Capital Secret: 3 Out of 4 Start-Ups Fail. An entrepreneur with a hot technology and venture-capital funding becomes a billionaire in his 20s. The National Venture Capital Association estimates that 25% to 30% of venture-backed businesses fail.

Venture Capital 107

Venture Capital Software Review Rhode Island North Dakota 107

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 8, 2016

They don’t realize that according to statistics , more than 90 percent of satisfied entrepreneurs use bootstrapping, since other people’s money always comes with strings, most of them negative. Bootstrapping gives you the flexibility to explore creative alternatives. You left your corporate job to get away from budgets.

Bootstrapping 120

Bootstrapping Advisory Board Startup Venture Capital 120

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2014

Of course, if you are able to bootstrap your startup, and don’t anticipate the need for outside investors, you can technically ignore the first two points. You probably will do that job poorly, unless you plan your exit early, to move on to your next startup role, to do that better the next time.

Exit Strategy 289

Exit Strategy Entrepreneur IPO Startup 289

David Teten

AUGUST 19, 2019

I’ve been a traditional equity VC for 8 years, and I’m now researching new business models in venture capital. RBI normally requires founders to pay back their investors with a fixed percentage of revenue until they have finished providing the investor with a fixed return on capital, which they agree upon in advance.

Revenue 60

Revenue Technical Review Software Review Equity 60

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

In the US, a nonprofit is technically any company who qualifies as tax exempt through IRS Section 501(c). For a nonprofit, bootstrapping is self-funding from donations and fund-raising. Examples include charitable organizations, trade unions, and public arts organizations. Individual and institutional philanthropy. Government grants.

Angel Investor 132

Angel Investor Equity Technical Review Exit Strategy 132

Austin Startup

NOVEMBER 25, 2018

Although bootstrapping is still an approach in Austin, a lot has changed since I wrote my original challenge to the Bootstrap Austin group back in 2005. Bootstrap Austin, started by Bijoy Goswami. The original Bootstrap Austin was truly special and Bijoy did an amazing job bringing together some terrific entrepreneurs.

Bootstrapping 48

Bootstrapping Austin Equity Cofounder 48

Gust

JUNE 17, 2012

For example, with any outside investment, you give up some ownership and control, and with bootstrapping your growth curve will likely be longer and more organic. Following is my prioritized larger list of sources, with some “rules of thumb” which may save you a lot of time and energy: Bootstrapping. Venture capital.

Technical Review 164

Technical Review Bootstrapping Venture Capital Incubator 164

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 13, 2013

In the US, a non-profit is technically any company who qualifies as tax exempt through IRS Section 501(c). For a non-profit, bootstrapping is self-funding from donations and fund-raising. Examples include charitable organizations, trade unions, and public arts organizations. Individual and institutional donations. Government grants.

Equity 207

Equity Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy 207

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 26, 2013

According to David Rose , CEO of Gust, venture capital investors funded about 1500 startups last year, with Angel investors backing over 50,000 more. No wonder 90% of the successful startups still bootstrap. Most now routinely buy startups for new technology and new products. Women are a growing force as entrepreneurs.

IPO 273

IPO Entrepreneur Social Media Startup 273

Up and Running

MAY 15, 2018

Funding is crucial for improving technology, hiring the right people, and launching a comprehensive marketing strategy to get a foothold in the market. However, sourcing enough money to start your new venture can be difficult. Make sure to use the latest automation and software technologies wherever makes sense.

SBA 84

SBA Angel Investor Technical Review Startup 84

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

In the US, a non-profit is technically any company who qualifies as tax exempt through IRS Section 501(c). For a non-profit, bootstrapping is self-funding from donations and fund-raising. Examples include charitable organizations, trade unions, and public arts organizations. Individual and institutional donations. Government grants.

Angel Investor 218

Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy Equity 218

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 1, 2010

For example, with any outside investment, you give up some ownership and control, and with bootstrapping you growth curve will likely be longer and more organic. Following is my prioritized larger list of sources, with some “rules of thumb” which may save you a lot of time and energy: Bootstrapping. Venture capital.

Technical Review 149

Technical Review Bootstrapping Startup Venture Capital 149

Version One Ventures

APRIL 30, 2013

To increase your chances of venture capital financing, you’ll need to lower the risks as much as possible, such as: Bootstrapping as long as you can to get a working prototype into the market. The reality is that few venture capitalists are ready to write a check to a hardware startup today, and it’s not all due to the risk.

Venture Capital 128

Venture Capital Software Review Incubator Startup 128

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 3, 2011

In the US, a non-profit is technically any company who qualifies as tax exempt through IRS Section 501(c). For a non-profit, bootstrapping is self-funding from donations and fund-raising. Examples include charitable organizations, trade unions, and public arts organizations. Individual and institutional donations. Government grants.

Angel Investor 238

Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy Equity 238

Feld Thoughts

JANUARY 2, 2014

When people ask me how they can become a VC, I point them to my partner Seth Levine’s excellent blog posts How to become a venture capitalist and How to get a job in venture capital (revisited). Feld Technologies was acquired in November 1993. Venture Capital fred wilson seth godin yoyodyne'

San Francisco 159

San Francisco Boston Venture Capital Angel Investor 159

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 15, 2015

In the US, a non-profit is technically any company who qualifies as tax exempt through IRS Section 501(c). For a non-profit, bootstrapping is self-funding from donations and fund-raising. Examples include charitable organizations, trade unions, and public arts organizations. Individual and institutional philanthropy. Government grants.

Angel Investor 120

Angel Investor Equity Technical Review Exit Strategy 120

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 27, 2016

Of course, if you are able to bootstrap your startup, and don’t anticipate the need for outside investors, you can technically ignore the first two points. You probably will do that job poorly, unless you plan your exit early, to move on to your next startup role, to do that better the next time.

Equity 120

Equity Exit Strategy Private Equity Startup 120

rapidrollout.wordpress.com

OCTOBER 23, 2010

Web Startup Lessons Advice from a CTO and Entrepreneur Home About Finding a Technical Partner for Your Startup Today I received an inquiry from a student at an Ivy League university who wants to launch a web startup. One partner takes on a business role and the other takes responsibility for technology. Again, go where the geeks are.

Technical Review 40

Technical Review Fractional CTO Partner CTO Hire 40

David Teten

AUGUST 19, 2019

I’ve been a traditional equity VC for 8 years, and I’m now researching new business models in venture capital. I believe that Revenue-Based Investing (“RBI”) VCs are on the forefront of what will become a major segment of the venture ecosystem. At maturity, which is typically 3 to 5 years, any unpaid amount of the cap is due.

Revenue 60

Revenue Term Sheet Founder Technical Review 60

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 19, 2015

No wonder 90% of the successful startups still bootstrap. Conglomerates, which were the engines of growth and vitality in the twentieth century, have proven themselves unable to innovate, and have a tarnished public image due to financial woes and poor management. Most now routinely buy startups for new technology and new products.

IPO 120

IPO Angel Investor Startup Incubator 120

Austin Startup

AUGUST 2, 2018

In the venture capital world, it’s similarly staggering, with 4.2% of deal-making partners in venture capital and 3% of venture-backed company CEOs being women.” - Letter from the Founding General Partner, 09/1/2015. Currently, they’ve raised $19.1m for their fund, and plan to invest in 12 companies.

Austin 57

Austin Software Review Technical Review Entrepreneur 57