Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 2, 2022

As a long-time mentor to entrepreneurs, here is my collection of smart risks that investors and I look for in new startups: Focus on a tough customer problem rather than a fun technology. Even non-profits need revenue to cover their costs, and continue to provide services. Find a strategic partner to accelerate growth.

Forecast 304

Forecast Stock Options Technical Review Metrics 304

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 25, 2017

Every time I challenge a business plan with little or no budget for marketing, I get the answer that they will be using “viral” marketing, which costs nothing. At any rate, “buzz-worthy” and “viral” are marketing illusions that cost big money to create, and these are only the beginning. That’s a double death wish. Marty Zwilling.

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Campaign Cost Viral Marketing 167

The Startup Magazine

MARCH 28, 2021

In this guide, we will discuss the different ways you can set up an LLC and the costs involved. The only costs that you will need to pay will be the state filing fee. Hiring a lawyer for LLC formation might be a better option in this case. You will incur a legal cost of somewhere between $1,000 to $1,500 for the process.

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LLC Cost Limited Liability Company United States 110

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 27, 2011

I find it amusing when a journalist writes an article about a prominent startup (either privately held or preparing for an IPO) and decries that, “They’re not even profitable!” So your Q1 results will be $180,000 less profitable than if you hadn’t hired them. One of them is profitability.

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Startup Revenue Technical Review Flash 418

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 13, 2012

Every time I challenge a business plan with little or no budget for marketing, I get the answer that they will be using “viral” marketing, which costs nothing. At any rate, “buzz-worthy” and “viral” are marketing illusions that cost big money to create. Here are three elements of most viral marketing campaigns: Hire brand evangelists.

Viral 238

Viral Cost Marketing SEM 238

Steve Blank

SEPTEMBER 5, 2018

Reading the NY Times article “ Jeffrey Katzenberg Raises $1 Billion for Short-Form Video Venture, ” I realized it was time for a new startup heuristic: the amount of customer discovery and product-market fit you need to find is inversely proportional to the amount and availability of risk capital. He just hired Meg Whitman.

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Lean Burn Rate Startup IPO 335

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 29, 2018

Cash flow is a basic survival metric for every startup. Yet it always amazes me that I can find two different startups, seemingly working on the same problem, with one having a burn rate several times higher than the other. Things will cost more than you expect. They understand startup realities. You will make mistakes.

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Burn Rate Hockey Stick Startup Salary 223

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2020

Cash flow is a basic survival metric for every startup. Yet it always amazes me that I can find two different startups, seemingly working on the same problem, with one having a burn rate several times higher than the other. Things will cost more than you expect. They understand startup realities. You will make mistakes.

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Burn Rate Hockey Stick Salary Angel Investor 310

ReadWriteStart

JUNE 8, 2021

After launching a new startup, you’ll be interested in growing the business as quickly as possible, thus generating more revenue, securing more stability, and improving your reputation as well. What Makes Employees Productive in a New Startup? So what is it that makes employees productive in a new startup? Uncertainty.

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Employee Product Startup Software Review 127

YoungUpstarts

SEPTEMBER 12, 2018

Robust startup economies are popping up in communities all over the country, proving that entrepreneurs can succeed outside of Silicon Valley. At Rev1, we’re knee deep in helping startups build and scale in the Midwest, including direct support for attracting executive and tech talent. Be honest about your weaknesses.

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Hiring Technical Review Silicon Valley Due Diligence 100

The Startup Magazine

MARCH 8, 2024

You may need funding for new equipment, hiring additional staff, expanding facilities, or investing in marketing and advertising campaigns. When considering debt options, comparing interest rates, repayment terms, and fees from multiple lenders is crucial to finding the most cost-effective solution.

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Finance Technical Review Metrics .Net 122

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 26, 2022

Business agility is defined as the ability to adapt rapidly and cost efficiently. Bureaucracy can appear quickly in startups as well as large companies. Every organization must constantly review its hiring practices, training, and leadership to make sure the focus is on people who are motivated, open-minded, and empowered.

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Agile Technical Review Leadership Social Media 379

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 19, 2013

The era of VCs investing in successful consumer Internet startups such as eBay led to a belief system that seemed to permeate many enterprise software startups that hiring sales or implementation people was a bad thing. We only want software revenue.” It’s Profitable Revenue Covering Your Fixed Costs.

Technical Review 403

Technical Review Software Review Startup API 403

ReadWriteStart

FEBRUARY 21, 2021

Launching a new startup is always exciting. When you have the right idea at the right time, a startup that begins life as two people in a garage can eventually become a multi-billion-dollar enterprise. Oftentimes, new startups are inclined to cut costs that seem superfluous or unnecessary for the core business model to function.

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Startup Software Review Open Source Technical Review 106

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 30, 2020

Most of you prefer to ignore the feedback from analysts that your chances of creating the next unicorn startup may be as low as one in five million. You need a stable customer base with an automatically renewing revenue stream, such as the subscription model. Minimize permanent hiring and customized operational facilities.

Merger 386

Merger Acquisition Software Review Social Media 386

This is going to be BIG.

JANUARY 18, 2024

Still, there are a lot of downsides to taking venture money—the push to grow at all costs, our desire to be all up in your business, literally, and sometimes, we’re kind of obnoxious. These are people that didn’t make their money through a tech startup or startup investing. It will save everyone a lot of cost and time.

.Net 88

.Net Cap Table Startup Technical Review 88

ReadWriteStart

JANUARY 26, 2021

Launching a startup is ridiculously exciting. That’s because more than half of all startups fail within the first five years of operation. Understanding the reasons why startups fail can help you avoid such a fate. So what are the driving factors that lead to startup failure? Lack of Market Need. Poor Customer Experience.

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Startup Angel Investor Business Model Demand 180

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2020

As a long-time mentor to entrepreneurs, here is my collection of smart risks that investors and I look for in new startups: Focus on a tough customer problem rather than a fun technology. Even non-profits need revenue to cover their costs, and continue to provide services. Find a strategic partner to accelerate growth.

Management 322

Management Entrepreneur Forecast Stock Options 322

Steve Blank

APRIL 23, 2014

For decades large companies have gone shopping in Silicon Valley for startups. What can companies learn from others’ failed efforts to integrate startups into large companies? The answer - there are two types of integration strategies, and they depend on where the startup is in its lifecycle. The Innovation Portfolio.

Acquisition 332

Acquisition Intellectual Property Silicon Valley Startup 332

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 7, 2019

And launching a startup can be even more challenging. So what should you do if there are gaps in your own knowledge or experience – as a new startup owner? Hire the right key people. 23% of startups fail due to lack of expertise, skills and motivation. So hiring the right people is really important.

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Technical Review Startup Agile Hiring 129

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Cash is the fuel of every startup. It continually amazes me how two startups, seemingly comparable in stage and objective, can be so far apart in their burn rate. Here are some recommendations on how to keep the rate low, and help your startup to prosper at the same time: Measure it and manage it. Which would you bet on?

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Burn Rate Startup Salary Equity 232

The Startup Magazine

MAY 31, 2022

Your human resource activities can be outsourced to: Independent HR consultants are professionals who can assist you with hiring, HR policies, and other decision-making. On the other hand, HR agencies offer cost-effective, standardized services, while consultants offer customized HR solutions (best for small companies). Cost-cutting.

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United States Salary UAE Hiring 136

David Teten

AUGUST 19, 2019

So you’re interested in raising capital from a Revenue-Based Investor VC. A new wave of Revenue-Based Investors (“RBI”) are emerging. For background, see Revenue-Based Investing: A New Option for Founders who Care About Control. Rational burn profile, up to 50% of revenue at close, scaling down. Bigfoot Capital.

Revenue 60

Revenue Technical Review Software Review Equity 60

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 27, 2014

As a long-time mentor to entrepreneurs, here is my collection of smart risks that investors and I look for in new startups: Focus on a tough customer problem rather than a fun technology. Even non-profits need revenue to cover their costs, and continue to provide services. Find a strategic partner to accelerate growth.

Startup 283

Startup Forecast Stock Options Technical Review 283

YoungUpstarts

SEPTEMBER 15, 2015

The right advisor can have a greater impact on the success of your small business than any other hire you ever make. Here are seven ways that advisors can immediately help your small business achieve the next level of success: Assist With Strategies & Connections to Have Record Revenue & Profit in 2016.

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CTO Hire Fractional CTO Small Business Hiring 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2023

It won’t work, it costs time and money, and hurts your credibility when you need them later. It’s helpful to think of startups as proceeding through several stages, which I have defined a long time ago from a funding perspective. The alternative is to work with an innovation institute to evaluate your technology, or hire a consultant.

Incubator 305

Incubator Startup Exit Strategy Institutional Investors 305

Austin Startup

JANUARY 20, 2021

The Ferrari Museum in Modena, Italy The defining characteristic of the Silicon Valley startup is speed. It cost about $40 million in 2019 dollars. Startups must build speed into their culture. In 2006, I joined Yelp as employee #20 when the company had $1M in annual revenue. Sam Altman recently tweeted : Move faster.

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Sales Startup Sales Cycle Revenue 64

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 3, 2014

Most technology startups seem to be funded by product people or business people. My first startup was no different. ” So I did want any rational person who wants to improve does – I hired a coach. This is why I tell startups that most seasoned sales execs aren’t right for startups.

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Sales Startup Technical Review Matching 382

Transformify

MARCH 14, 2020

At the same time, the stock markets collapsed, and most businesses already report skyrocketing losses, unmet revenue targets and insufficient stock due to production slow down in China, India and the rest of the world. Out of a sudden, both startup founders and investors started asking themselves ‘’ What is our remote strategy?

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Hiring Bulgaria Italy Spain 98

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 4, 2016

In fact, investors recognize that founders usually learn more from mistakes than from success, so a well-explained startup failure can improve their odds of funding the next time around. As an active angel investor and startup advisor, I’ve seen many of the same stumbling blocks repeated all too many times. Hire slow and fire fast.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Startup Forecast Angel Investor 120

YoungUpstarts

MAY 30, 2019

Before moving ahead, it is worth to watch important stats on the global app revenue. It is safe to say that the mobile app users are keep growing and there are bright chances to grow for startups only if you have a clear app idea in your mind. Let’s take a look at a few important steps which can help your mobile-based startup thrive.

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Mobile San Diego Technical Review Startup 118

ReadWriteStart

NOVEMBER 20, 2023

Review Your Software Subscriptions “Reviewing your software subscriptions can be a quick way to reduce costs. Remove any redundant software that adds to your costs without providing tangible benefits. Look for discounts and group rates to reduce costs. ” — Carl Jenson, Founder of Compare Bank.

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Software Review Technical Review Retention Cost 138

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 28, 2011

Cash is the fuel of every startup. It continually amazes me how two startups, seemingly comparable in stage and objective, can be so far apart in their burn rate. Here are some principles on how to do that, and help your startup to prosper and live another day: Measure it and manage it. Pay people with equity or future revenue.

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Burn Rate Startup Salary Equity 231

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 2, 2021

Short-term earnings per share may be low, even as revenues and cash burned are high. Select new hires with attention to values. It’s now more intense than ever, with the cost of entry going down, and new players easily able to join the fray from anywhere in the world. Find funders who seek long-term returns.

Software Review 355

Software Review Algorithm Global IPO 355

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023

Many first-time entrepreneurs find themselves unable to bootstrap their startups, and also unable to find early funding at the venture capital level or even with angel investors. The average amount per startup has been $23,000, usually in the form of a convertible loan, rather than an equity investment.

Sweat Equity 274

Sweat Equity Elevator Pitch Startup Equity 274

ReadWriteStart

MARCH 8, 2021

Every startup entrepreneur wants to see their company grow. They want to open new offices, generate more revenue, and ultimately, secure higher profitability. . So what are the biggest barriers startup entrepreneurs experience in their route to achieve long-term growth? And more importantly, how can you avoid or overcome them?

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Startup Retention Acquisition Agile 127

The Startup Magazine

MAY 2, 2022

Our goal for this blog post is to help you scale your startup business. However, it is also important to know what scaling a startup business means and why it is a good thing! It means not just great sales figures but also more revenue from each sale on average. appeared first on The Startup Magazine. Conclusion.

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Software Review Social Media Analytics Employee 142