Steve Blank

MARCH 3, 2015

Starting in the 1950’s, Stanford’s engineering department became “outward facing” and developed a culture of spinouts and active faculty support and participation in the first wave of Silicon Valley startups. Berkeley Haas Business School is a leader in entrepreneurship education. We had multiple business plan competitions.

Business Plan 120

Business Plan Silicon Valley Saudi Arabia Lean 120

YoungUpstarts

MARCH 22, 2019

Stay compliant with ATO and government legislation through automated updates to tax and payroll processes. Unless you are taking over an established enterprise and have hefty cash resources, it is likely that you will require a loan to get the business on its feet. Provide real-time stock and inventory levels. Automate data processing.

Software Review 176

Software Review Due Diligence Startup Stock 176

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 11, 2022

Government grants. You still start the process with a business plan, but then you look for a philanthropist rather than an investor. Some nonprofit entrepreneurs think they can skip the whole plan, rather than just the sections on valuation, equity offered, and exit strategy.

Angel Investor 327

Angel Investor Equity Technical Review Exit Strategy 327

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 8, 2019

Government grants. You still start the process with a business plan, but then you look for a philanthropist rather than an investor. Some nonprofit entrepreneurs think they can skip the whole plan, rather than just the sections on valuation, equity offered, and exit strategy.

Equity 235

Equity Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy 235

Up and Running

MAY 1, 2014

You’ve reviewed what a business plan is , and why you need one to start and grow your business. It’s time to dig into the process of actually writing a business plan. In this step-by-step guide, I’ll take you through every stage of writing a business plan that will actually help you achieve your goals.

Business Plan 163

Business Plan Forecast Balance Sheet Distribution 163

Up and Running

AUGUST 30, 2017

Working out a business plan for your daycare center can be a challenge. As someone who owns eight successful daycares in the Chicago area, I know the strategies and approaches that work when it comes to developing a sound business plan for a daycare center. What is your business model? How will you grow?

Business Plan 93

Business Plan SBA Software Review Advisory Board 93

Steve Blank

FEBRUARY 23, 2013

For what I had thought were a few simple ideas about taking what we’ve learned about startups and applying it to corporate innovation, the post has gotten an amazing reaction. government agencies and private corporations, he has a unique perspective. He is a co-author of The GE Work-Out and The Boundaryless Organization.

Business Model 334

Business Model Technical Review Business Plan Search 334

Steve Blank

OCTOBER 7, 2011

I spent the month of September lecturing, and interacting with (literally) thousands of entrepreneurs in two emerging startup markets, Finland and Russia. What I found in Finland was: a whole lot of smart, passionate entrepreneurs who want to build a startup hub in Helsinki. Startup Blog: Arctic Startup.

Finland 328

Finland Venture Capital Government Russia 328

Up and Running

MAY 15, 2018

Innovative products and business models are the foundations of a promising startup. From jewelry to dog food to SaaS (software as a service) products, startups are popping up in virtually every field around the world, despite the risks. Creating a scalable business model.

SBA 84

SBA Angel Investor Technical Review Startup 84

Steve Blank

FEBRUARY 23, 2013

For what I had thought were a few simple ideas about taking what we’ve learned about startups and applying it to corporate innovation, the post has gotten an amazing reaction. government agencies and private corporations, he has a unique perspective. He is a co-author of The GE Work-Out and The Boundaryless Organization.

Business Model 226

Business Model Business Plan Technical Review Search 226

Gust

APRIL 27, 2014

Even when your startup is a one-man show and lots of fun, a “business” needs some discipline and controls to keep it from being defined as a hobby by investors, and assure some financial return. Like it or not, you are now entering the dreaded realm of specifying and documenting “formal business processes.”

Startup 187

Startup Institutional Investors Angel Investor Bootstrapping 187

Steve Blank

APRIL 14, 2013

I just spent a few weeks in Japan and China on a book tour for the Japanese and Chinese versions of the Startup Owners Manual. This left an open playing field for Chinese software startups as they “copy to China” existing U.S. business models. Small startups act the same way, simply cloning each other’s products.

China 327

China Silicon Valley Non-Compete Intellectual Property 327

Steve Blank

OCTOBER 10, 2011

I presented to 1,000’s of entrepreneurs, talked to 17 startups, gave 12 lectures, had 9 interviews, chatted with 8 VC’s, sat on 4 panels, talked policy with 2 government ministers, 2 members of parliament, 1 head of a public pension fund and was in 1 TV-documentary. Toxic Business Press and Contradictory Government Incentives.

Finland 331

Finland Naming Russia Government 331

SoCal CTO

JANUARY 5, 2011

Some really great stuff in 2010 that aims to help startups around product, technology, business models, etc. 500 Hats , February 1, 2010 When to Use Facebook Connect – Twitter Oauth – Google Friend Connect for Authentication?

Silicon Valley 378

Silicon Valley Startup Term Sheet Venture Capital 378

Steve Blank

JUNE 8, 2021

The trick is we use the same Lean LaunchPad / I-Corps curriculum — and the same class structure – experiential, hands-on– driven this time by a mission -model not a business model. Few consider opportunities to make the world safer with the Department of Defense, Intelligence community or other government agencies.

Lean 413

Lean Security Asia SBIR 413

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 3, 2016

These things outside your control do happen, but based on my years of experience as a startup advisor and angel investor, I still see too many shortcuts leading to failure that are inside the entrepreneur decision realm. I certainly agree that starting a business is fraught with risk, and none of us get it all right the first time.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Startup Angel Investor Viral 120

Steve Blank

MAY 9, 2017

I’ve spent my life in innovation, eight startups in 21 years, and the last 15 years in academia teaching it. the wave of semiconductor startups in the 1960’s/70’s, the emergence of Venture Capital as a professional industry, the personal computer revolution in 1980’s, the rise of the Internet in the 1990’s and finally.

Restful 243

Restful Silicon Valley Puerto Rico San Jose 243

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 14, 2010

After considering about 200 investment opportunities over the past two years, we have established a decision making process to identify trophy entrepreneurs and startups. Unfortunately, we read far more poorly written business plans at Main Street than good ones. Repetition will kill an otherwise acceptable business plan.

Intellectual Property 265

Intellectual Property Balance Sheet Phoenix Arizona 265

The Startup Magazine

FEBRUARY 11, 2022

How will my business be structured? What is the nature of my client base (individuals, businesses, government entities)? You have options like flat fee, hourly rate, or pay per service, so think about what’s best for your business model. A Poor Business Plan: A poor business plan can also lead to failure.

Technical Review 155

Technical Review Business Plan Networking Employee 155

Steve Blank

APRIL 14, 2013

I just spent a few weeks in Japan and China on a book tour for the Japanese and Chinese versions of the Startup Owners Manual. This left an open playing field for Chinese software startups as they “copy to China” existing U.S. business models. Small startups act the same way, simply cloning each other’s products.

China 219

China Silicon Valley Non-Compete Intellectual Property 219

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 8, 2018

In fact, I often have to tell aspiring entrepreneurs that their inventions have zero value, at least not until they are put in the context of a business plan, with qualified people committed to executing the plan. You need a viable business model and customers. Early-stage ideas fall in the same category.

Technical Review 215

Technical Review Intellectual Property Early Stage Global 215

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 15, 2015

Government grants. You still start the process with a business plan, but then you look for a philanthropist rather than an investor. Some non-profit entrepreneurs think they can skip the whole plan, rather than just the sections on valuation, equity offered, and exit strategy. That’s a higher calling. Marty Zwilling.

Angel Investor 120

Angel Investor Equity Technical Review Exit Strategy 120

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 22, 2020

Luckily, not all investors are looking for the same thing, so it pays to know what type of investors are most interested in what your startup brings to the table. The key is understanding how potential investors see you, and especially how they view the maturity stage of your startup. Congratulations!

Angel Investor 370

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 370

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 2, 2023

Angel investors and venture capitalists are looking for startups with real products and a proven business model, ready to scale. Yet I still get too many business plans that clearly are looking for money to do research and development (R&D) on a new and unproven technology. They believe in you above all else.

Angel Investor 256

Angel Investor Early Stage Incubator Government 256

Steve Blank

JULY 13, 2021

By the end of the 20th century, case studies and business plans had reached an evolutionary dead-end for entrepreneurs. The Rise of Business Schools – Management as an Occupation. The business school was invented in the first decade of the 20th century in response to a massive economic transformation in the U.S.

Lean 436

Lean Agile Business Model Business Plan 436

Up and Running

NOVEMBER 15, 2017

Even if you already know what a SWOT analysis is and what it’s used for, it can be tough to translate that information and examine your own business with a critical eye. Reading an example SWOT analysis for a business that is either in your industry or based on a comparable business model can help get you started.

Botswana 148

Botswana Business Plan Oregon Distribution 148

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 14, 2023

Every existing business, as well as every startup, needs to reassess their product or service in the context of these five forces: Intensity of competitive rivalry. This is where most current business plan analyses focus today. This is an important first step, but it’s only the beginning. Threat of new competitors entry.

Differentiation 220

Differentiation Framework Equity Business Plan 220

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 24, 2020

Every existing business, as well as every startup, needs to reassess their product or service in the context of these five forces: Intensity of competitive rivalry. This is where most current business plan analyses focus today. This is an important first step, but it’s only the beginning. Threat of new competitors entry.

Differentiation 378

Differentiation Framework Equity Business Plan 378

Steve Blank

DECEMBER 10, 2014

Over 44 classes have embedded the business model canvas and/or Customer Discovery including a year-long course taken by every single one of its bioengineering majors. It was Steve who first brought Will Harvey to visit Immersion, which led to a strategic investment in There.com, Will’s stealth-mode but sure-fire, can’t-miss startup.

Maryland 278

Maryland Lean DC Virginia 278

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2021

Angel investors and venture capitalists are looking for startups with real products and a proven business model, ready to scale. Yet I still get too many business plans that clearly are looking for money to do research and development (R&D) on a new and unproven technology. They believe in you above all else.

Early Stage 412

Early Stage Angel Investor Incubator Government 412

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

I favor the more cautious approach, and would offer the following insights to help you make the right decisions: Join a startup or take a role in an existing business. Working in a business, especially a startup , is all about predicting the future, and responding to unanticipated changes, or new entrants.

Silicon Valley 286

Silicon Valley Angel Investor LLC Incubator 286

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 18, 2014

In fact, I often have to tell aspiring entrepreneurs that their inventions have zero value, at least not until they are put in the context of a business plan, with qualified people committed to executing the plan. You need a viable business model and customers. business entrepreneur idea invention startup value'

Technical Review 266

Technical Review Intellectual Property Early Stage Global 266

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 26, 2021

We all hate to see your proposal rejected , when a bit more effort and homework could expedite your startup funding and rollout. Of course, you can find these elements embodied in many of the business plan templates and tools out there, such as the Business Model Canvas.

Intellectual Property 332

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Business Model Channel 332

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2023

Luckily, not all investors are looking for the same thing, so it pays to know what type of investors are most interested in what your startup brings to the table. The key is understanding how potential investors see you, and especially how they view the maturity stage of your startup. Congratulations!

Angel Investor 313

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 313

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 12, 2021

In my experience as a business advisor and occasional investor, many of you won’t make it that far, succumbing to the high costs of getting those first customers, funding an initial inventory, and building an operational support process. Build your plan around resources you know. Join a startup accelerator or structured peer group.

Dilution 404

Dilution Incubator Bootstrapping Government 404

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 14, 2020

Nice-to have” and “easier-to-use” products, or social ventures needing government support, are not likely to provide a financial return to investors. Undefined business model or very low gross margins. Here is my list of red flags that cause many investors to look elsewhere: No well-defined need or viable customer set.

Due Diligence 308

Due Diligence Intellectual Property Preferred Stock Startup 308

SoCal CTO

DECEMBER 1, 2010

I continue to collect great content that is the intersection of startups, products, online and technology. Equity-Only CTO and Equity-Only Developers - SoCal CTO , November 1, 2010 I had a recent email dialog with the founder of a company looking for a CTO for their startup. Was it a Startup Founder Developer Gap ?

Technical Review 175

Technical Review Technology Product CTO Hire 175