Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 28, 2020

But for founders who do their homework, the cost of entry is lower and the opportunity is higher than ever. Who would not want to join the unicorns (recent startups with a current valuation of over $1 billion)? He nails the current key startup parameters, including the following: Crafting a lean business plan as your road map.

Intellectual Property 404

Intellectual Property Startup Angel Groups Social Media 404

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 5, 2021

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.

Viral 348

Viral Marketing SEM Campaign 348

The Startup Magazine

FEBRUARY 26, 2021

Not sure how to account or tax the website development costs? Before you can start determining the tax treatment for your website development costs, you need to determine what you use your website for. To show this progress you have to add up all the sources of revenue and the subtract all the expenses related to that revenue.

Web Development 118

Web Development Balance Sheet Cost Developer 118

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 24, 2020

As a frequent advisor to new entrepreneurs and startups, I often hear your frustration with being treated differently from other startups by investors, on expectations for valuation , traction, and market size. For many years, startups featuring all-electric vehicles fell into this stage of the business lifecycle.

Artificial Inteligence 436

Artificial Inteligence Marketing Valuation Startup 436

The Startup Magazine

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

As prices for hardware and sensors continue to drop, organizations can now cost-effectively add intelligence and connectivity to their industrial infrastructure. Oil and gas companies have a pain point: the need to remotely manage their sites more cost-effectively , reduce their carbon footprint and improve the safety of their workers.

Revenue 170

Revenue Technical Review Cost Operations 170

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 6, 2021

Many startups fail before reaching that magic “cash-flow positive” position they have been striving for, despite seemingly reasonable financial projections. Don’t forget to add all pesky “overhead” costs, with fixed elements, like rent, insurance, and administration, and variable elements, like delivery, customer support, and commissions.

Technical Review 379

Technical Review Finance Startup Salary 379

ReadWriteStart

DECEMBER 15, 2022

Startup studios continue to grow in popularity as incubators for new businesses. Rather than simply launching one startup, the startup studio model creates an organization whose business is launching startups. These can then be repeated and improved on with each successive startup.

Incubator 188

Incubator Startup Software Developers Software Development 188

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 11, 2022

Something happened in the past 7 years in the startup and venture capital world that I hadn’t experienced since the late 90’s — we all began praying to the God of Valuation. How might our next phase of the journey seem brighter, even with more uncertain days for startups and capital markets? What happened? There was no money train.

Valuation 466

Valuation San Francisco Ratchet Liquidation Preference 466

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2022

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. Join a startup incubator.

Intellectual Property 261

Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator Bootstrapping 261

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. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. Join a startup incubator.

Intellectual Property 219

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 219

Up and Running

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

But being able to monetize customers and acquire those customers at a low enough cost is quite another. Especially in the early stages of growth, standing up to competition means that your business also needs to minimize the cost of acquiring new customers. This kind of retargeting is highly cost-effective.

Acquisition 127

Acquisition Cost Affiliate Customer 127

The Startup Magazine

NOVEMBER 13, 2020

There are hidden startup costs can quickly surpass available funding, highlighting the importance of careful startup budgeting. In addition to these common outlays, there are several hidden startup costs that entrepreneurs tend to overlook or never know existed. Overall cost is typically 1.25

Cost 109

Cost Entrepreneur Software Review Salary 109

The Startup Magazine

JULY 8, 2022

The idea behind the strategy is to provide the target audience with some basic services or features at zero cost to attract prospects. While the service may be free to users, it’ll still cost you. This means your operational costs will have to remain at a minimum. The post Does a Freemium Model Work for Your StartUp?

Startup 130

Startup Technical Support Software Developers Software Development 130

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

Then every startup has to learn to pivot, because their first understanding of the real problem is usually not quite right. Entrepreneurs set the price of their solution based on their costs, and their perception of value. With the best solutions, the customer gets value which exceeds your revenue. Telling isn’t selling.

Sales 348

Sales Startup Bootstrapping Technical Review 348

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 25, 2020

The last thing a new entrepreneur wants to think about for a new startup is how it will end. Startups with no exit planned will minimize investor returns. Most entrepreneurs like the startup role, but not the big-company role. Yet one of the first things a potential equity investor asks about is your exit strategy.

Exit Strategy 376

Exit Strategy Startup Private Equity Equity 376

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 14, 2023

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.

Burn Rate 258

Burn Rate Hockey Stick Management Salary 258

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 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. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. Join a startup incubator.

Finance 320

Finance Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 320

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023

But for founders who do their homework, the cost of entry is lower and the opportunity is higher than ever. Who would not want to join the unicorns (recent startups with a current valuation of over $1 billion)? He nails the current key startup parameters, including the following: Crafting a lean business plan as your road map.

Intellectual Property 261

Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Angel Groups Social Media 261

YoungUpstarts

JANUARY 11, 2021

If your accounting processes aren’t in order, you may not have a complete picture of your startup’s financial health and could be leaving money on the table. To avoid these common pitfalls — and set up your finances to support your business as it grows — follow these four accounting tips for startups and small businesses.

Small Business 180

Small Business Startup Cofounder Vertical 180

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.

Campaign 167

Campaign Cost Viral Marketing 167

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

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. You will incur a legal cost of somewhere between $1,000 to $1,500 for the process. LLC Formation Costs. What Are Your Options for LLC Formation?

LLC 110

LLC Cost Limited Liability Company United States 110

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. It’s the antithesis of the Lean Startup.

Lean 335

Lean Burn Rate Startup IPO 335

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 21, 2020

Some analysts argue that revenue drives growth, while others say user growth drives revenue. Google reached $1B in revenue within five years of incorporation, and now has a market capitalization of over $1 trillion. Long-term stability requires revenue growth and profit. Both have worked. Traditionally, it was simple.

Revenue 434

Revenue Valuation Viral Retention 434

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 16, 2022

A question that I still hear debated often is whether a new online platform startup growth strategy should focus on user count or profits. Most startups and investors I know don’t have unlimited funds, so the first question they should ask and do ask today, is “When is your company going to be profitable (self-sustaining)?”

Revenue 297

Revenue Widget Angel Investor Early Stage 297

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2020

Based on my own experiences in startups, and many years of advising new business owners, I’m convinced that there are a few common frustrations that we all need to anticipate and prepare for, rather than let them be a surprise and a painful dent in your enthusiasm and personal satisfaction from living your dream.

Due Diligence 306

Due Diligence Entrepreneur Startup Acquisition 306

The Startup Magazine

NOVEMBER 3, 2019

With heavy global competition between airlines and customers having online alternatives at their fingertips, airlines face challenges of constantly updating pricing, which can make airline revenue management complex and optimizing revenue a major challenge across industries. What Airline Revenue Management Does.

Revenue 61

Revenue Management Software Review Technical Review 61

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 17, 2021

It wasn’t so many years ago that starting a new e-commerce business on the Internet was a complex custom development project, usually costing a million dollars or more. Almost anyone can start a company today on a shoestring budget, following these cost-cutting recommendations: Establish a solid legal structure for your business.

Cost 405

Cost Entrepreneur Burn Rate Social Media 405

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 17, 2021

Whether you are contemplating an investment in your favorite startup, or a little-known stock on a public exchange, there is “big data” out there that can’t possibly be evaluated by you without predictive analytics. Without predictive targeting, a retention campaign may cost more than it gains. Investment risk management.

Analytics 248

Analytics Retention Social Media Startup 248

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.

Burn Rate 223

Burn Rate Hockey Stick Startup Salary 223

YoungUpstarts

DECEMBER 7, 2017

Launching your startup in a down economy doesn’t make it any less likely to last. Two conditions that do matter to your startup’s out-year viability are the cost and length of its product development cycle. Longer, costlier cycles drain cash on hand while delaying the onset of crucial revenue streams.

Cost 100

Cost Developer Small Business Administration Marketing 100

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

The Startup Magazine

DECEMBER 29, 2022

These include high costs, competition, and shifting regulations. According to IBIS World, the revenues generated by the hotels and motels industry in 2022 have reached $258.1 Leveraging Revenue Management Solutions. Revenue management is the practice of managing the flow of revenue in and out of a business.

Management 140

Management Software Review Revenue Cost 140

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 19, 2023

Entrepreneurs who experience success with their first startup are often amazed to realize that the risks and fears of doing it right the second time go up, rather than down. Encores are tough, especially in the high-risk world of startups, yet every entrepreneur I know can’t wait to start over and do it again.

Technical Review 229

Technical Review Due Diligence Business Model Demand 229

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 26, 2023

The cost of any new product these days must include education and rollout marketing, perhaps equal or greater than the development costs. Don’t forget to address the risks and cost of doing nothing. Marketing costs will continue to increase. Customers won’t buy what they can’t find or don’t understand.

Product 354

Product Technical Review Artificial Inteligence Dividend 354

VC Cafe

FEBRUARY 27, 2024

especially if the startup already has a product and revenue? While the answers are somewhat semantic, the pre-seed funding round is making a comeback in 2024 startup financing. Pre-seed round tends to be the first ‘institutional’ round of funding in a startup. Seed is about showing initial product market fit.

Valuation 186

Valuation Software Review Generative AI Technical Review 186

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 15, 2019

I found their five phases of the process to be compelling, based on my own years of experience mentoring startups: Nail the pain. For example, when you think about distribution channels, revenue streams, or the relationship with the customer, ask customers what they expect. It’s time for a new startup model. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 245

Startup Angel Investor Technical Review Incubator 245