Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2019

The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than early projections and product development. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. Solicit funds from friends and family. Apply for contests and business grants.

Finance 320

Finance Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 320

Board Effect

JANUARY 6, 2020

What is governance and what does good governance mean for today’s boards of directors? Good governance of today accounts for longstanding governance practices, as well as modern governance principles. Good governance should be evident in every organization’s policy-setting and decision-making.

Government 64

Government Software Review Technical Review Due Diligence 64

YoungUpstarts

OCTOBER 6, 2020

To stay competitive in our digital world, small and medium-sized businesses need to be equipped with and proficient in the latest technologies. In his new book, “Tech Debt 2.0 : How to Future Proof Your Small Business and Improve Your Tech Bottom Line” , senior global business and technology executive Michael C. Tech Debt 2.0

Technical Review 246

Technical Review Small Business Software Review Security 246

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2019

The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capitalists) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than the more risky research and development efforts. The positives are that you give up no equity, and these apply to the early startup stages, but they do take time and much effort to win.

Intellectual Property 219

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 219

Steve Blank

DECEMBER 11, 2023

No Knowledge of Computers Silicon Valley emerged from work in World War II led by Stanford professor Fred Terman developing microwave and electronics for Electronic Warfare systems. The company took on any engineering work that came their way but were kept in business developing new code-breaking machines for the Navy.

Minnesota 303

Minnesota Engineer Minneapolis Silicon Valley 303

Steve Blank

MAY 17, 2022

The Department of Defense has thought that Artificial Intelligence is such a foundational set of technologies that they started a dedicated organization- the JAIC – to enable and implement artificial intelligence across the Department. These technologies will transform businesses and government agencies.

Artificial Inteligence 421

Artificial Inteligence Software Review Algorithm Technical Review 421

Board Effect

JUNE 20, 2023

Patient access and equity. Get Back to Governance Basics Examine the quality of your board orientation training. This is a good place to start getting back to the basics of good governance. Governance technology such as a board portal by BoardEffect can be a huge advantage for boards that are committed to working efficiently.

Software Review 98

Software Review Technical Review Government Community 98

Steve Blank

APRIL 11, 2013

The previous post described how China built its science and technology infrastructure. This post is about the how the Chinese government engineered technology clusters. Of all the Chinese government programs, the Torch Program is the one program that kick-started Chinese high-tech innovation and startups.

Programming 283

Programming Technical Review SBIR China 283

Up and Running

MARCH 12, 2019

We live in an era when technology permeates every aspect of our lives. For a lot of non-technical founders—that is, entrepreneurs with a business idea but without technical expertise— sourcing software development talent is critical. So how can you protect your intellectual property when you outsource software development work?

IP 80

IP Software Developers Software Development Intellectual Property 80

VC Cafe

JANUARY 22, 2021

Amazon Corporate Development – Notable acquisitions include Whole Foods ($13.7B), smart doorbell system Ring ($1.2B, 2018) and autonomous mobility technology Zoox ($1.2bn). The Alexa Fund also provides up to $200 million in venture capital funding to fuel voice technology innovation. AI startups in the Alexa Fund portfolio.

Technical Review 174

Technical Review Startup Venture Capital Incubator 174

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2018

A critical stage for most first-time entrepreneurs is getting their idea developed into at least a prototype to validate their technology. Acquiring seed-stage funding is admittedly tough, but a source that I find often overlooked is government grant funding, accessible in the U.S. The approval process is long and bureaucratic.

Early Stage 225

Early Stage SBIR Technical Review Seed Stage 225

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 30, 2017

The “venture capital” model is the only option they know, where they feel they get no mercy, giving up equity and control. Some investors are all about making money, while others care more about changing the world, advancing technology, or curing a disease that has ravaged their family.

Technical Review 220

Technical Review Accredited Investor Due Diligence Equity 220

Board Effect

NOVEMBER 24, 2020

BoardEffect was founded in 2007 by a team of web developers that served nonprofits and educational institutions. Most nonprofits didn’t have the tools or technology to fulfill their work efficiently. BoardEffect Supports Good Governance Practices. BoardEffect Supports Good Governance Practices.

Government 98

Government Technical Review Software Review Web Development 98

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 14, 2014

The problem is that professional investors (Angels and Venture Capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than the more risky research and development efforts. The positives are that you give up no equity, and these apply to the early startup stages, but they do take time and much effort to win.

Entrepreneur 283

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 283

YoungUpstarts

OCTOBER 14, 2011

But those same words could easily be applied to the Singapore-based technology entrepreneurs present at Techventure 2011. Plans for more Singapore-based technology incubators. Talent, as well as technology, is flowing in this direction. Singapore Innovation. ” The flow is not limited to money as well. Ongoing Challenges.

Singapore 198

Singapore Technical Review Technology Incubator 198

ReadWriteStart

FEBRUARY 19, 2020

Here’s a look at three factors fueling investor interest in Colombia’s technology startups. Colombia is an attractive market for technology companies. A solid foundation of government support. The company fosters development by promoting strategic international relations and foreign investment in the city.

Colombia 146

Colombia America Technical Review Startup 146

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 19, 2013

The problem is that professional investors (Angels and Venture Capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than the more risky research and development efforts. The positives are that you give up no equity, and these apply to the early startup stages, but they do take time and much effort to win.

Intellectual Property 309

Intellectual Property Technical Review Venture Capital Startup 309

Board Effect

FEBRUARY 22, 2024

As mission-driven entities, nonprofits face specific pressures and challenges in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I). While much work remains to be done, there is a path to enhancing representation across an organization, and it is a path supported by technology. Involve stakeholders. Take a look in the mirror.

Software Review 52

Software Review Technical Review Equity Security 52

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 2, 2023

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. In this context, there are at least six stages often included in the scope of R&D to narrow your focus: Search for new technologies. Technology pilots.

Angel Investor 256

Angel Investor Early Stage Incubator Government 256

Steve Blank

APRIL 11, 2013

The previous post described how China built its science and technology infrastructure. This post is about the how the Chinese government engineered technology clusters. Of all the Chinese government programs, the Torch Program is the one program that kick-started Chinese high-tech innovation and startups.

Programming 175

Programming Technical Review SBIR China 175

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 12, 2018

The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than early projections and product development. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. Solicit funds from friends and family. Apply for contests and business grants.

Intellectual Property 134

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 134

Board Effect

AUGUST 23, 2023

Huge changes are all around us – technology, the economy, climate change, the future of work and more. Keeping pace with trends affecting governance requires change even in the best of times. Are we using technology ethically? How are we ensuring our succession plans meet our diversity, equity, and inclusion goals?

Technical Review 52

Technical Review Software Review Minnesota Government 52

Steve Blank

OCTOBER 7, 2011

. —— I was invited to Finland as part of Stanford’s Engineering Technology Venture Program partnership with Aalto University. a government that’s trying to help, but gets in the way. Government Funding: Tekes , Sitra , Finnvera , Finnish Investment Industry. 9-to-5 Venture Capital. Lack of Business Experience.

Finland 327

Finland Venture Capital Government Russia 327

Board Effect

FEBRUARY 14, 2024

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) values are inextricably bound to the missions of most nonprofit organizations. Fortunately, many volunteer boards understand the importance of governing with their mission in the forefront – the importance of walking the walk.

Metrics 52

Metrics Equity Software Review Leadership 52

Board Effect

JUNE 25, 2023

Prompted by investors, consumers, and in some cases regulators, many organizations have created a set of ESG (environmental, social and governance) standards and goals. Your ESG standards results reporting could make you more competitive when seeking grant funding from other nonprofits, foundations, and government agencies.

Securities and Exchange Commission 52

Securities and Exchange Commission Technical Review Metrics Government 52

Steve Blank

OCTOBER 9, 2020

We just held our fourth sessions of our new national security class Technology, Innovation and Modern War. Joe Felter , Raj Shah and I designed a class to examine the new military systems, operational concepts and doctrines that will emerge from 21st century technologies – Space, Cyber, AI & Machine Learning and Autonomy.

Russia 346

Russia North Korea Technology China 346

David Teten

OCTOBER 1, 2015

You’ve got a great idea and domain expertise, but limited money and insufficient technology resources. Should you co-found your company with a software development shop? Not surprisingly, the list above also is ranked from least to most equity stake in an investment for the investor, relative to the cash they invest.

Software Developers 60

Software Developers Software Development Software Review Technical Cofounder 60

NZ Entrepreneur

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

If we want to maintain and support sustainable economic growth while meeting the broader needs of society, we will need an economy underpinned by innovation and new technologies. Underpinning this growth is good governance. In order to understand startup governance, you need to understand risk and reward. Risk and reward.

Technical Review 90

Technical Review Software Review New Zealand Due Diligence 90

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 13, 2013

A grant is not an equity investment, so the entrepreneur doesn’t have to give up a stake in the company either. Typically they can be used to fund product development and commercialization that would otherwise require outside investors. Professional help costs money. Stringent spending controls. Extend your networking.

Government 230

Government Equity Cost SBIR 230

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 12, 2015

Every investor in your startup, even friends and family, normally expects a share of your company (equity), which means your return for all your effort goes down quickly. This is at least double the time required for most equity investments, and may be a delay you can’t afford in keeping up with the market and your competitors.

SBIR 120

SBIR Equity Technical Review Early Stage 120

Steve Blank

OCTOBER 10, 2011

I was invited to Finland as part of Stanford’s Engineering Technology Venture Program partnership with Aalto University. Toxic Business Press and Contradictory Government Incentives. While the government says they love startups, the first thing they did this year is raise the capital gains tax. Part 1 can be found here.

Finland 330

Finland Naming Russia Government 330

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2021

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. In this context, there are at least six stages often included in the scope of R&D to narrow your focus: Search for new technologies. Technology pilots.

Early Stage 412

Early Stage Angel Investor Incubator Government 412

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. Another common example is exchanging equity for legal and accounting support.

Equity 266

Equity Startup Small Business Administration SBA 266

Steve Blank

MAY 3, 2022

National Security is Now Dependent on Commercial Technology. For decades, satellites that took detailed pictures of Earth were only available to governments and the high-resolution images were classified. government satellite in orbit. They’re not the only startup in this fight.

Ukraine 310

Ukraine China Private Equity Russia 310

Steve Blank

SEPTEMBER 13, 2022

passed the CHIPS and Science Act , one of the first pieces of national industrial policy – government planning and intervention in a specific industry — in the last 50 years, in this case for semiconductors. Their overall goal is to turn China into a technologically advanced and militarily powerful state that can challenge U.S.

China 356

China Venture Capital Government Artificial Inteligence 356

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2015

The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than the more risky research and development efforts. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. Solicit funds from friends and family. Apply for contests and business grants.

Entrepreneur 120

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 120

Hearpreneur

JULY 28, 2019

It impacts the pace at which businesses grow and it remains interesting to see trends that will emerge from some of these technologies. We asked entrepreneurs and business owners about the technologies that will have the biggest impact on technology and here’s the responses. #1- 1- Virtual reality. 6- Social media.

Technical Review 50

Technical Review Technology Artificial Inteligence Entrepreneur 50