Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2019

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. Apply for contests and business grants. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity.

Intellectual Property 219

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 219

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 11, 2020

Taking on equity investors to fund your company is much like getting married – it is a long-term relationship that has to work at all levels. Investor due diligence on a startup is not a mysterious black art, but is nothing more than a final integrity check on all aspects of your business model, team, product, customers, and plan.

Technical Review 310

Technical Review Due Diligence Term Sheet Offshore 310

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 11, 2023

This could be a proportion of the company’s equity or investment; in other instances, it could be a portion of its later-stage profits. Seed money can range from a relatively modest sum to a sizeable one, depending not only on the nature of the startup, the sector in which it will operate, and any other pertinent business aspects.

Seed Stage 128

Seed Stage Technical Review Early Stage Due Diligence 128

The Startup Magazine

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

The process of getting venture capital funding may be difficult, but it pays off in a cash infusion for your business which may be able to make the difference between failure and success. Dan Lok explains what venture capital funding is and how to secure it for your business. Venture capital is a type of private equity.

Venture Capital 144

Venture Capital Technical Review Software Review Security 144

Steve Blank

OCTOBER 30, 2012

The class teaches founders how to dramatically reduce their failure rate through the combination of business model design, customer development and agile development using the Startup Owners Manual. More importantly, it makes no demands of you to stand and deliver your weekly customer development progress in front of your peers.

Startup 335

Startup Lean Incubator Business Model 335

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 21, 2018

If you are one of the thousands of entrepreneurs who need equity funding to get your startup going (no loans to repay), you are probably overwhelmed at the prospect of finding, contacting and pitching to the huge number of qualified angels and investment groups around the country. Collect target customer testimonials and advocacy.

Equity 236

Equity Intellectual Property Elevator Pitch Social Media 236

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 14, 2014

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. Apply for contests and business grants. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity.

Entrepreneur 283

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 283

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2017

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. Apply for contests and business grants. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity.

Product Development 177

Product Development Cost Developer Product 177

ReadWriteStart

JUNE 1, 2020

Funding might be a need in some cases — but it’s not an absolute necessity. ? The business should be self-sustainable. The primary source of your funds should be your paying customers, i.e., your business should generate enough revenues and profits to fund the growth and expansion. Equity investors.

Startup 150

Startup Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Seed Stage 150

VC Cafe

MARCH 1, 2024

AI to build enterprise software – In the future, every enterprise could have their own custom ERP, CRM or HRIS that is continually updating itself as the company itself is changing. Technological Convergence – The global equity market value associated with disruptive innovation could increase to 60% by 2030.

Artificial Inteligence 176

Artificial Inteligence Technical Review Software Review Generative AI 176

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 19, 2013

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. Apply for contests and business grants. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity.

Intellectual Property 309

Intellectual Property Technical Review Venture Capital Startup 309

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 12, 2018

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. Apply for contests and business grants.

Intellectual Property 134

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 134

Steve Blank

MARCH 12, 2014

Therefore we needed them to think and learn about two parts of a startup; 1) ideation - how to create new ideas and 2) customer development – how do they test the validity of their idea (is it the right product, customer, channel, pricing, etc.). Customer Discovery in the Real World. This was a huge learning moment.

Lean 334

Lean Customer Development Startup Silicon Valley 334

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 19, 2011

He is very hands-on and helpful – especially for any company looking into customer acquisition. Good listener, take in information, • Have pulse on what the market wants (hard to train that) cannot take this from customers only. Passion: Have to be able to motivate people, customers, team, yourself. we both love Jason).

Acquisition 304

Acquisition Warrant Customer Term Sheet 304

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 21, 2023

For example, professional investors put great priority on your previous experience in building a business, and they expect to own a portion of the business equity and control for the funds they do provide. Trade equity or services for startup help. Negotiate an advance from a strategic partner or customer.

Equity 266

Equity Startup Small Business Administration SBA 266

www.startuplessonslearned.com

MAY 4, 2012

Founders Dilemmas: Equity Splits. Noam is one of a rare breed of business academics: he studies entrepreneurship using a rigorous empirical approach. The following is an exclusive excerpt which sets up a common pitfall regarding equity splits. Lessons Learned. by Eric Ries. Tuesday, April 24, 2012. Uncertainties abound.

Equity 72

Equity Founder Technical Cofounder Cofounder 72

View from Seed

SEPTEMBER 18, 2019

The other aspect of the people roadmap is org-level team building necessary to unlock or accompany certain stages of the business. As the company progresses through product market fit (PMF), you will want to highlight other key senior hires required to scale and round out the functional expertise of the exec team.

Part-Time VPE 195

Part-Time VPE Seed Stage CTO Hire Forecast 195

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 8, 2023

Here are eight key insights that will help you find a productive match: Angels want equity ownership, not causes. By definition, angels are accredited investors, who invest their own money for a percentage of the business. Every angel looks to scale the business after you have funded product design, perhaps with friends and family.

Venture Capital 265

Venture Capital Accredited Investor Syndicate Syndication 265

YoungUpstarts

APRIL 16, 2020

The fast options to get business cash are: Collecting from customers. Each of these options has negative ramifications – bad customer experience, personal financial strain, and high-interest rates, respectively speaking. Customers not paying invoices. How do I Turnaround an Unprofitable Business?

Recapitalization 200

Recapitalization Forecast Software Review Finance 200

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 8, 2021

This usually means not taking money from equity investors, since investors want fast growth, high profits, and an exit event, to allow investments to be recouped. Of course, even lifestyle entrepreneurs want to be happy, and want their business to be “successful.” Business model to maintain lifestyle is the primary driver.

Entrepreneur 371

Entrepreneur Equity Dilution LLC 371

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2015

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. Apply for contests and business grants.

Entrepreneur 120

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 120

SoCal CTO

MARCH 3, 2011

This overview (executive summary) needs to include: Product and Business What is the product? Who's the customer? What's the business model short-term and long-term? I'm looking for free (equity only) development, should I contact you? See Equity-Only CTO and Equity-Only Developers for more on this.

Fractional CTO 264

Fractional CTO CTO Hire NDA Technical Review 264

SoCal CTO

MARCH 3, 2011

This overview (executive summary) needs to include: Product and Business What is the product? Who's the customer? What's the business model short-term and long-term? I'm looking for free (equity only) development, should I contact you? See Equity-Only CTO and Equity-Only Developers for more on this.

Fractional CTO 259

Fractional CTO CTO Hire NDA Technical Review 259

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

Taking on equity investors to fund your company is much like getting married – it is a long-term relationship that has to work at all levels. Investor due diligence on a startup is not a mysterious black art, but is nothing more than a final integrity check on all aspects of your business model, team, product, customers, and plan.

Technical Review 257

Technical Review Due Diligence Term Sheet Offshore 257

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 20, 2016

Investors all know that the startup road is long and hard, so they look for people who have put and will continue to put “skin in the game” -- time, sweat equity, and money. It starts with having a vision and an ability to get the message across in your elevator pitch, in a written business plan and one-on-one with potential investors.

Sweat Equity 152

Sweat Equity Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Software Review 152

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 7, 2022

Angel investors will perk up if you have a prototype or a few real customers, while venture capitalists will likely choose to wait until you have achieved several million in revenue or customer count. Be prepared to explain your business model. How much equity ownership are you willing to offer?

Preferred Stock 304

Preferred Stock Exit Strategy Equity Angel Investor 304

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2023

For example, if you have a proven product, real revenue, a big potential market, and are ready to scale up the business, every investor will be interested. On the other hand, if you are a new entrepreneur, still in the idea stage, professional investors will only tell you to come back later when you have traction (customers and revenue).

Angel Investor 313

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 313

Steve Blank

OCTOBER 7, 2011

It’s hard enough to pick which existing companies with known business models to aid. At Tekes, government employees (and their hired consultants) – with no equity, no risk or reward, no startup or venture capital experience – try to pick startup winners and losers.

Finland 325

Finland Venture Capital Government Russia 325

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 21, 2016

Lead with your intent to offer the solution free to customers. Of course, customers love free, but investors hate it. They know it’s especially hard to provide a financial return with a free business model. Even non-profits need money to scale, but their pitch should be to philanthropists, not equity investors.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Valuation Technical Review Equity 120

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 29, 2020

For example, professional investors put great priority on your previous experience in building a business, and they expect to own a portion of the business equity and control for the funds they do provide. Trade equity or services for startup help. Negotiate an advance from a strategic partner or customer.

Equity 436

Equity Small Business Administration SBA Syndicate 436

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 30, 2023

It may not be as sexy, but starting a new business which builds on an existing technology or business model is usually less risky than introducing that ultimate new disruptive technology. Many of the major business successes started this way. Many of the major business successes started this way. Martin Zwilling

Social Media 230

Social Media Business Model Equity Distribution 230

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 11, 2023

That’s why all those so-called million dollar ideas I hear about as an investor don’t get me excited, and entrepreneurs find that working twenty hours a day often generates nothing more than sweat, instead of the desired sweat equity. Here are five key ones to celebrate: Enjoy the feedback from every satisfied customer.

Sweat Equity 296

Sweat Equity Startup Salary Viral 296

Steve Blank

OCTOBER 10, 2011

You find early stage employees expecting to work normal hours, to get paid a regular salary, and not asking or expecting equity. Filed under: Business Model versus Business Plan , Customer Development , Teaching , Venture Capital. There isn’t much of a killer instinct among the masses.

Finland 327

Finland Naming Russia Government 327

www.inc.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2011

Internet and Online Business. Business Software. Will Work for Equity. Why Arizona Bay started taking stock from its customers instead of cash. Dave Graham Business Venture Capital Private Equity GlobalLogic Inc. Theres a huge opportunity cost in not taking equity," he says. LEADERSHIP & MANAGING.

Arizona 40

Arizona Equity Iowa Venture Capital 40

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 20, 2023

Networking to build and maintain positive relationships with the right people outside your company is something you can’t forget in the rush to get your new business going. Potential customers these days rely more and more on name recognition for credibility and new brand adoption. This is not a place for friends and family.

Marketing 290

Marketing Leadership Differentiation Equity 290

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

For a business, you must define the absolute minimum features you need to satisfy the customer problem, and test it in the market. By using a laser focused approach for the first iteration, you may actually produce something and get a customer without funding. Get a real customer and real revenue.

Intellectual Property 281

Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Sweat Equity CTO Hire 281

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. Expanding the product line.

Angel Investor 256

Angel Investor Early Stage Incubator Government 256