Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 26, 2018

Despite the fact that the number of IPOs (Initial Public Offerings) for startups have continued to stay low, I still hear it touted often as the preferred exit strategy. Concerns over valuations being reset to a new normal, and a soft exit market, are seen as key drivers. Everyone dreams of becoming a billionaire overnight.

Exit Strategy 128

Exit Strategy IPO Initial Public Offering SEC 128

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 7, 2020

I recognize that entrepreneurs tend to substitute vision and passion for formal processes, but using no discipline or process in building something new is a sure way to spend money, rather than see any return and build a self-sustaining business. Marketing, sales, support, and service operations. Solution development and delivery.

Entrepreneur 328

Entrepreneur Exit Strategy Metrics Operations 328

Up and Running

MARCH 14, 2018

I’ve seen too many entrepreneurs think, “Oh, I know my business inside and out—pitching will be a breeze!” I’ve seen many entrepreneurs crash and burn when delivering their investor pitch—and ramble on and on. Customer acquisition: Marketing and sales strategy. How much will it cost? Your exit strategy.

Hockey Stick 164

Hockey Stick Exit Strategy Technical Review Angel Investor 164

Hearpreneur

NOVEMBER 19, 2021

But, you can be sure that as an entrepreneur, each day will be loaded with new possibilities to challenge yourself, be innovative, and learn something new. These businesses were helping people straighten their teeth at a much lower cost and with less pain than traditional alternatives such as braces. #7- I could push myself.

Entrepreneur 146

Entrepreneur Software Review LLC Web Development 146

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 2, 2013

How do you as an entrepreneur with a new idea get to be one of those choices? That means there are far more entrepreneurs looking for money than there are investors, and entrepreneur entitlement is not a realistic expectation. This requires a visible focus on the company’s revenue model, the costs to get there, and cash on hand.

Cram Down 269

Cram Down Angel Investor Intellectual Property Venture Capital 269

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 10, 2023

I recognize that entrepreneurs tend to substitute vision and passion for formal processes, but using no discipline or process in building something new is a sure way to spend money, rather than see any return and build a self-sustaining business. Marketing, sales, support, and service operations. Solution development and delivery.

Exit Strategy 288

Exit Strategy Metrics Operations Cost 288

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 3, 2021

Based on my own years of experience in startups and big business, and more recently as an angel investor, I often cringe when I see one of you entrepreneurs missing a cue that I have seen work for many before you. A passionate entrepreneur I met a while back had found that a certain algae could be grown cheaply, and could end world hunger.

Exit Strategy 406

Exit Strategy Merger Angel Investor IPO 406

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 27, 2016

The last thing a new entrepreneur wants to think about for a new startup is how it will end. Yet one of the first things a potential equity investor asks about is your exit strategy. Here are three important reasons for the question: Good investment paybacks normally require an exit event.

Equity 120

Equity Exit Strategy Private Equity Startup 120

Up and Running

MAY 12, 2020

While many traditional jobs still can’t function remotely, or have difficulty adjusting, many entrepreneurs have found success in starting a business from home. Can I afford the cost of any adjustments that need to be made? Think about an exit strategy. Point of Sale system (if necessary). Business phone system.

Software Review 153

Software Review Exit Strategy Technical Review Business Plan 153

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 14, 2023

Based on my experience as an investor and mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley and elsewhere, one of the quickest ways to kill your credibility and your startup is to offer a poorly written business plan, or none at all. An entrepreneur who can’t manage a plan, probably won’t be able to manage the new business.

Silicon Valley 257

Silicon Valley Exit Strategy Startup Business Plan 257

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

Financial Summary: Explain your business model, startup costs, revenues, and liabilities to the company. Once you identify your ideal customer, you can tailor your marketing and sales plan to that person. Components of this section include: Your marketing and sales plan. Your funding ask and exit strategy, if applicable.

Business Plan 154

Business Plan Technical Review Forecast Software Review 154

Hearpreneur

MAY 15, 2020

We asked some entrepreneurs and business owners, why they started their businesses: #1- Make learning to swim more convenient. My struggles lead to all kinds of problems including getting cited by OSHA and TCEQ, skyrocketing insurance costs & lost business opportunities. Each story is different though the reasons may be the same.

Entrepreneur 127

Entrepreneur LLC Los Angeles San Francisco 127

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 28, 2015

Too many entrepreneurs look for that one magic bullet -- an exciting new technology, perhaps, or their own determination to make the world a better place -- to override any shortcomings in their startup model. In the real world, marketing initiatives that go viral cost big money and effort for their innovation and execution.

Exit Strategy 120

Exit Strategy Technical Review Distribution Viral 120

Hearpreneur

OCTOBER 5, 2018

Benjamin Yee is the entrepreneur behind an innovative software, EMERGE App, that makes it easy to manage the process. It’s a user-friendly and affordable app that businesses can utilize to help increase efficiency while reducing overall costs involved. For example, landed costs are a pain for importers. Listen to them.

Software 55

Software Management Entrepreneur Vietnam 55

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 12, 2021

You should plan an exit strategy, and optimize your activities and timing to get top dollar. What you don’t need is a buyer dealing directly with your landlord to get your key asset, leaving you with no leverage and minimum value for the sale. Neither perspective is good for credibility or a fair result from your sale.

Due Diligence 410

Due Diligence Intellectual Property Bankruptcy Exit Strategy 410

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 31, 2021

Based on my experience as an investor and mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley and elsewhere, one of the quickest ways to kill your credibility and your startup is to offer a poorly written business plan, or none at all. An entrepreneur who can’t manage a plan, probably won’t be able to manage the new business.

Silicon Valley 342

Silicon Valley Exit Strategy Business Plan Restful 342

Up and Running

JANUARY 2, 2013

I’ve seen too many entrepreneurs think, “oh, I know my business inside and out – pitching will be a breeze!” I’ve also seen many entrepreneurs crash and burn when delivering their investor pitch – and ramble on and on. How much will it cost? ” Good luck! How will you measure success?

Hockey Stick 164

Hockey Stick Exit Strategy Technical Review Due Diligence 164

Up and Running

AUGUST 28, 2018

Financial summary: Explain your business model, startup costs, revenues, and liabilities to the company. Components of this section include: Your marketing and sales plan. Your funding ask and exit strategy, if applicable. Marketing and sales plan. Do they self-pay or use insurance? Be specific. Financial plan.

Business Plan 72

Business Plan Technical Review Exit Strategy Oregon 72

NZ Entrepreneur

NOVEMBER 14, 2019

For example, startups often do not register their trade marks because they have an exit strategy in mind—an exit strategy that will see their business absorbed into a large organisation with its own trade mark protected house brands already in place. appeared first on NZ Entrepreneur Magazine.

Intellectual Property 45

Intellectual Property IP Software Review New Zealand 45

Up and Running

MAY 1, 2014

The vast majority of business owners and entrepreneurs aren’t business experts. Marketing and Sales Plan. What marketing and sales tactics will you be using? Highlight the key aspects of your financial plan, ideally with a chart that shows your planned sales, expenses, and profitability. > Don’t be intimidated.

Business Plan 163

Business Plan Forecast Balance Sheet Distribution 163

Austin Startup

OCTOBER 23, 2019

In his book, Secrets of Sand Hill Road, he explains exactly how VC’s decide where and how much to invest, and how entrepreneurs can get the best possible deal while making the most of their relationships with VC’s. The unit cost fell and this idea of pay as you go. Those two things dramatically changed the business."-

Fractional VPE 49

Fractional VPE Austin Artificial Inteligence Fractional CTO 49

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 13, 2020

For example, every investor I know can tell you about meeting a passionate entrepreneur who is pitching a great technology innovation, but has not done the financial homework on making it a good business. Thus the investor can’t visualize any return on investment (ROI), so the entrepreneur gets no money, and a good opportunity is lost to all.

Liquidity Event 308

Liquidity Event Forecast Exit Strategy Bootstrapping 308

Up and Running

JULY 15, 2016

Despite the fact that production costs for certain products are now cheaper in some Southeast Asian countries, China remains the factory of the world. This is clearly the best way for foreign entrepreneurs to retain control of the company and transfer money abroad. For Western entrepreneurs, these rules can cause a headache.

China 60

China Entrepreneur Technical Review Framework 60

Duct Tape Marketing

APRIL 18, 2024

As a former business exit advisor, she crafts exit strategies, adding up to five figures to clients’ net profit monthly so they can focus on growth. We want to hear frustration and embarrassment that every entrepreneur goes through. But that comes at a cost. Mandi (01:59): Yeah. You're saying that led?

Framework 62

Framework Sales Cycle Sales Hiring 62

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 8, 2016

As a startup advisor and investor, I find that more and more entrepreneurs avoid using the term “profit” in pitching their new venture. Thus I was pleased and a bit surprised to see a new book, “ The Purpose Is Profit ,” by Ed “Skip” McLaughlin, an entrepreneur who has both succeeded and failed in starting multiple businesses.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Exit Strategy 120

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 5, 2016

In my experience as an advisor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I often encounter the myth that an initial startup requires investors. The media tends to highlight experienced entrepreneurs who succeed with early new venture funding, like Uber’s Garrett Camp , but fail to point out the more common bootstrapping successes.

Bootstrapping 120

Bootstrapping Entrepreneur Startup Exit Strategy 120

Up and Running

AUGUST 20, 2018

Every business has long-term and short-term goals, sales targets, and expense budgets—a business plan encompasses all of those things and is as useful to a startup trying to raise funds as it is to a 10-year-old business that’s looking to grow. The projections include sales, costs, expenses, and cash flow. Market trends.

Business Plan 119

Business Plan Technical Review Lean Forecast 119

Up and Running

MAY 15, 2018

As an entrepreneur, you will face several challenges while seeking the funds, in part because you’ll have to convince others that your idea is a solid investment. This means being able to increase profits without increasing costs at an equal (or higher) rate. However, sourcing enough money to start your new venture can be difficult.

SBA 84

SBA Angel Investor Technical Review Startup 84

YoungUpstarts

DECEMBER 24, 2018

Real estate agents are much more familiar with the property sale dynamics in your location, and they’ll probably have access to far more properties than you could find on your own. How much will it cost? Have an exit strategy. What counts as a “good” deal to you may not count as a good deal to someone else.

Exit Strategy 149

Exit Strategy Finance Cost Security 149

Up and Running

AUGUST 19, 2014

Many angels are entrepreneurs themselves, or executives and business or community leaders. what’s behind your financials, your go-to-market strategy, your current traction in the marketplace, your competition and why you’re better, your intellectual property or “secret sauce,” your exit strategy, etc.). Tweet This Tip.

Angel Investor 161

Angel Investor Technical Review Due Diligence Startup 161

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2018

I’m still amazed at how many technical entrepreneurs don’t have a business pitch, and offer me their product pitch or product spec instead. Business model showing costs, pricing, and margins. Solo entrepreneurs have a hard time finding an investor. Customized marketing strategy and realistic sales plans. “If

Product 145

Product Intellectual Property Liquidity Event Exit Strategy 145

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 28, 2016

I recognize that entrepreneurs tend to substitute vision and passion for formal processes, but no discipline or process in building something new is a sure way to spend money, rather than see any return and build a self-sustaining business. Solo entrepreneurs, with a team of helpers, will be assumed to be a hobby rather than a business.

Exit Strategy 155

Exit Strategy Metrics Operations Cost 155

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 3, 2015

How easy is it to acquire a customer, and how much will it cost? How much money and effort will it cost to deliver value? Estimate your basic expenses and forecast sales to ensure that you can make a profit with your business. Create a marketing and sales plan. Estimate your startup costs. Sales forecast.

Elevator Pitch 60

Elevator Pitch Startup Balance Sheet Forecast 60

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2012

Explain in terms your mother could understand, and quantify the “cost-of-pain” in dollars or time. Many entrepreneurs scare away potential investors by claiming that their technology represents “truly disruptive technology.” Marketing, sales, and partners. Exit strategy. Include a current valuation estimate.

Business Plan 283

Business Plan Sweat Equity Exit Strategy Intellectual Property 283

Up and Running

MARCH 11, 2015

I actually use LivePlan and I mentor entrepreneurs all over the world. I have some entrepreneurs who are in Gaza, who are in Cairo, who are in New Jersey, and I’m in Oregon. This includes again another acronym I’m going to share, CAC, the cost to acquire a customer, the customer acquisition cost.

Technical Review 60

Technical Review Software Review Due Diligence Exit Strategy 60

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 13, 2011

Explain in terms your mother could understand, and quantify the “cost-of-pain” in dollars or time. Many entrepreneurs scare away potential investors by claiming that their technology represents “truly disruptive technology.” Marketing, sales, and partners. Exit strategy. Include a current valuation estimate.

Business Plan 290

Business Plan Sweat Equity Exit Strategy Intellectual Property 290

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 27, 2012

Explain in analogies your mother could understand, and quantify the “cost-of-pain” in dollars or time. Marketing, sales, and partners. Describe marketing strategy, sales plan, licensing, and partnership plans. Exit strategy. What is the planned exit strategy (IPO, merger, sale, including likely candidates)?

Elevator Pitch 247

Elevator Pitch Exit Strategy Burn Rate Merger 247