Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 20, 2016

Thus the top priority of every entrepreneur who wants funding should be to build and highlight their “dream team” of co-founders, executives and advisers, to attract the biggest and best investors. Solo entrepreneurs rarely find an investor. Investors talk to each other and they love warm introductions to up-and-coming entrepreneurs.

Sweat Equity 152

Sweat Equity Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Software Review 152

Steve Blank

MAY 17, 2010

Last week one of the schools I teach at invited me to judge a business plan contest. I suggested that they first might want to read my post on why business plans are a poor planning and execution tool for startups. At best I think business plan competitions are a waste of time.

Business Plan 314

Business Plan Business Model Customer Development Deal Flow 314

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 3, 2016

As a small business and startup advisor, I find that entrepreneurs often love to talk about their latest idea, but not their execution. Like most investors, I’m convinced that success in business is more about the plan and the person than the idea. Tie executive titles and organizations to business roles.

Entrepreneur 266

Entrepreneur Technical Review Metrics Restful 266

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 26, 2019

As an advisor to business owners, and an occasional angel investor, my job is to separate the actual challenges from the common misconceptions that distract many promising entrepreneurs while building the leadership team required for your solution, marketing, and finance success. More money would solve all your startup problems.

Bandwidth 246

Bandwidth Software Review Salary Angel Investor 246

Up and Running

AUGUST 30, 2021

The outdoor industry wasn’t helping itself, so he did what all entrepreneurs do: start a business to solve the problem. It’s difficult to be an entrepreneur — whether you’re a recent college graduate or have managed multiple companies. It’s why the average age of an entrepreneur is 42 years old. Solve the rest later.

Entrepreneur 132

Entrepreneur Lean Colorado Engineer 132

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 8, 2019

Obviously, these companies still need money to get started, or finance growth, just like a for-profit company. Hopefully you can see from this list that the people and processes involved in financing a nonprofit have little in common with angel investors, or the venture capital process. Individual and institutional philanthropy.

Equity 235

Equity Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy 235

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 11, 2022

Obviously, these companies still need money to get started, or finance growth, just like a for-profit company. Hopefully you can see from this list that the people and processes involved in financing a nonprofit have little in common with angel investors, or the venture capital process. Individual and institutional philanthropy.

Angel Investor 327

Angel Investor Equity Technical Review Exit Strategy 327

YoungUpstarts

JUNE 7, 2018

One of the biggest challenges facing startup businesses is getting adequate financing – without hobbling future performance. It’s not just an issue of knowing where to start and what options fit best with the entrepreneur’s personal and business circumstances, cash needs and credit rating. Of course not.

Entrepreneur 124

Entrepreneur Incubator Finance Canada 124

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 11, 2023

These investments are a tremendous help to your startup because they will serve as a stepping stone to reach your target eventually. 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.

Seed Stage 122

Seed Stage Technical Review Early Stage Due Diligence 122

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 28, 2013

Many startups fail before reaching that magic “cash-flow positive” position they have been striving for, despite seemingly reasonable financial projections. A closer analysis often indicates the cause to be a lack of diligence in handling common business finances. In startups, cash is king. Not having a budget.

Technical Review 251

Technical Review Entrepreneur Salary Finance 251

Up and Running

OCTOBER 28, 2022

Securing investment dollars is often the number one priority for entrepreneurs when starting a business. However, each “type” of investor brings a different level of risk — and, let’s be honest, not all businesses are attractive to investors. Pros and cons of using your own money for startup costs.

Cost 138

Cost Startup Early Stage Vesting 138

Hearpreneur

FEBRUARY 18, 2024

Here are the various ways entrepreneurs and business owners stay motivated in business. #1- Whatever happens with my business (and not all of it depends entirely on me), I tell myself every day that the experience is potentially transformative, and I can use it to improve myself incrementally.

Entrepreneur 116

Entrepreneur Jordan Networking AJAX 116

The Startup Magazine

FEBRUARY 19, 2019

Startups with a solid business plan and great pitch deck have a far greater chance of gaining investment. In this essay by one of Mercia’s Fund Principals, Ian Wilson, Ian talks about the sorts of things he and the team are looking for when plans come to them for review. Writing a plan does not need to be a daunting task.

Business Plan 92

Business Plan Technical Review Initial Public Offering Due Diligence 92

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 23, 2019

Working on writing your business plan and looking for some tools or resources to make it easier? Some people just want to see a sample business plan , so they can copy the outline, or topics covered, or style, putting in their own content of course. . Business plan template. Sample business plan.

Business Plan 82

Business Plan Incubator Software Review Programming 82

The Startup Magazine

MARCH 2, 2023

You will need to look at past situations, analyze different scenarios and create a flexible business plan. A simple way to do this is to divide the scenarios into three categories; worst-case, likely-case, and best-case, and use your intuition and the facts to make a plan for all consequences.

Management 141

Management Business Plan Advertising Finance 141

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 11, 2020

. “A goal without a plan is just a wish!” Every successful business idea had a strategically written business plan. To provide direction of business development or just to attract investors, a business plan is a roadmap toward a company’s success. . Business plan format.

Business Plan 264

Business Plan Balance Sheet Lean Forecast 264

YoungUpstarts

APRIL 7, 2016

With countless roadblocks along the way, it’s not uncommon for a startup to falter to the point of folding before it has ever reached even the simplest of business goals. The solution: Startup Labs. What is a Startup Lab? The Startup Lab usually takes equity in return for talent that is dedicated to the company.

Seed Stage 100

Seed Stage Silicon Valley Incubator Asia 100

YoungUpstarts

MARCH 22, 2019

So you have a great business idea, you’ve done your research and due diligence, you know your market and you are good at what you do. Many small business owners and entrepreneurs begin their first foray into self employment neglecting some of the most crucial aspects of running a business. What could go wrong?

Software Review 176

Software Review Due Diligence Startup Stock 176

Up and Running

AUGUST 28, 2018

If you’re thinking about starting an outpatient medical practice, one of the first things you should do is write a business plan. There are a few different types of business plans , depending on how you intend to use it. There are a few different types of business plans , depending on how you intend to use it.

Business Plan 72

Business Plan Technical Review Exit Strategy Oregon 72

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 29, 2019

Most of the innovative business ideas are lost in the market due to a lack of appropriate funds. Startup funding is undeniably an essential part of any new business launch, which is typically a hard nut to crack. However, here, we have attempted to shortlist a few easier ways for funding a startup. Bank loans.

Startup 95

Startup Government Valuation Technical Review 95

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 13, 2021

In my role as mentor to many of you aspiring entrepreneurs, I often find you convinced that all you need to start is a unique innovation or idea , and now you are ready to jump in with both feet and enjoy the ride. Remember that being an entrepreneur is all about starting and running a business, after the initial invention.

Entrepreneur 339

Entrepreneur Stealth Social Network Business Plan 339

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 20, 2012

Many startups fail before reaching that magic “cash-flow positive” position they have been striving for, despite seemingly reasonable financial projections. A closer analysis often indicates the cause to be a lack of diligence in handling common business finances. In startups, cash is king. Not having a budget.

Technical Review 273

Technical Review Startup Finance Cost 273

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 23, 2019

Working on writing your business plan and looking for some tools or resources to make it easier? Some people just want to see a sample business plan , so they can copy the outline, or topics covered, or style, putting in their own content of course. . Business plan template. Sample business plan.

Business Plan 60

Business Plan Incubator Software Review Programming 60

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 23, 2012

Every startup faces a myriad of challenges that are well beyond the scope of any founder, so you need a few guiding lights to illuminate the road ahead. I recommend that every early-stage startup find three Advisory Board members. Once your company is past the startup stage, you do need a board of directors.

Advisory Board 239

Advisory Board Technical Review Startup Software Review 239

The Startup Magazine

JANUARY 11, 2022

If so, it’s important to understand that there are no guarantees in the world of commercial businesses. Fortunately, there are many tips and startup secrets to help you maximize the likelihood that your entity will survive and flourish. Too often, entrepreneurs get caught up in a rush to do everything at once.

Entrepreneur 182

Entrepreneur Startup CPA Networking 182

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 30, 2015

Aspiring entrepreneurs often ask me what to do first when starting a business. Just don’t try to sell your business to investors before it is well established. Instead, entrepreneurs need to focus first on execution disciplines and timing. Build your time line and momentum quickly after your business' start.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Preferred Stock Stealth 120

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022

Not to mention the mental and emotional impact of being an entrepreneur. As you begin your startup journey—consider the following tips to set your business up for success. Download our free Startup Checklist and review the complete guide for starting a small business. Be passionate about your business idea.

Forecast 154

Forecast Software Review Bootstrapping Finance 154

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 9, 2021

Some people even believe that entrepreneurs must be born with the right genes, and no element of education is relevant. In my view, the most effective entrepreneurs are those with a background of an array of real-life experiences, both positive and negative, as well as good academic and coaching activities.

Entrepreneur 373

Entrepreneur Chad Incubator Dilution 373

Up and Running

MAY 28, 2015

We recently had Tim Berry, Palo Alto Software founder and business planning expert, present our Bplans audience with his latest advice on lean business planning. It’s all about making your business life easier, doing what works best, getting the best results by tracking what works and always improving.

Lean 60

Lean Business Plan Video Software Review 60

Up and Running

MARCH 26, 2015

Unsure what kind of business plan you need? We get this question a lot, mainly because there are so many different things labelled as business plans: strategic plans, annual plans, operational plans, feasibility plans, and, of course, what most people think of, business plans for startups seeking investment.

Business Plan 60

Business Plan Lean Forecast Balance Sheet 60

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 5, 2019

The biggest obstacle facing young entrepreneurs – or, in fact, entrepreneurs of any age – is often that they don’t have the funding to turn their business idea into a reality. If you’re confused about the finance options available to you, here are some of the most widely used for your consideration. Family and Friends.

Finance 147

Finance SBA Small Business Administration Angel Investor 147

The Startup Magazine

MARCH 25, 2020

If you want your startup business to enjoy unparalleled long-term success, you have to get the basics right during the earliest stages of its conception. Do you want your startup to be a long-term success story? . If it is to enjoy the best possible start in life, your business needs a plan.

Startup 85

Startup Reputation Social Media Finance 85

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 14, 2016

I’ve been quite vocal with my concern that farming your business plan out is usually a bad idea. A business plan is not a one-time task— it’s an ongoing practice. Real companies with real business plans review and revise them often. Real companies with real business plans review and revise them often.

Business Plan 60

Business Plan Metrics Differentiation Hiring 60

YoungUpstarts

NOVEMBER 15, 2017

If you are looking towards the end of 2017 and you plan on jumping out of your comfort zone for 2018, you may be an entrepreneur in the making. If you are looking to build a business from scratch in the new year there are a few things you will need to know and consider.

Software Review 186

Software Review Startup Finance Software 186

YoungUpstarts

MAY 12, 2016

If you are an aspiring entrepreneur, launching your startup will be everything you have ever dreamed of. You may look to Silicon Valley for inspiration, where hyped tech startups have investors vying to get their money in the stocks. Read on to find out how you can fund a non-tech startup: 1.

Technical Review 100

Technical Review Silicon Valley Startup Business Plan 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2020

Many entrepreneurs are convinced that banks are not worth the effort for startups, especially early-stage ones that still don’t have a revenue stream, or collateral to back up their financing needs. This question gets to the heart of what bank financing is and isn't supposed to accomplish. Money from other sources.

Silicon Valley 406

Silicon Valley Equity Startup Finance 406