Feld Thoughts

JUNE 14, 2017

Over sushi last night with two of them, who are also long-time friends, one of them asked me “Brad, how do you think we are differentiated?” I don’t even know what differentiation means anymore as it all blurs together. Differentiation is b t at this point – the only thing that matters is strategy and returns.

Differentiation 147

Differentiation Later Stage Equity Founder 147

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 4, 2014

The first question I usually get is what percent of the company or equity is that person worth? Just because it was your idea doesn’t mean you “deserve” 90 percent of the equity. The value in a startup is all about tangible results, so there is no equity value in the idea alone. Amount of venture funding provided.

Cofounder 261

Cofounder Stock Founder Technical Cofounder 261

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023

The average amount per startup has been $23,000, usually in the form of a convertible loan, rather than an equity investment. The vehicle of choice is most often a convertible note, which is really a loan with a specified duration and interest, with an option to convert it to equity when professional investors come in later.

Sweat Equity 274

Sweat Equity Elevator Pitch Startup Equity 274

View from Seed

SEPTEMBER 18, 2019

Instead of a laundry list of everything you want to build over the next 3-5 years, you should highlight the critical building blocks that would allow you to 1) dominate in the market you’re operating, and 2) differentiate yourself from competitors.

Part-Time VPE 195

Part-Time VPE Seed Stage CTO Hire Forecast 195

YoungUpstarts

OCTOBER 6, 2020

Conversely, if you are selling a company, and have managed your tech debt such that your liability or debt rating is low, this could create an advantage for you in negotiating a potential premium, as you have built tech equity rather than accrued debt.

Technical Review 246

Technical Review Small Business Software Review Security 246

YoungUpstarts

SEPTEMBER 13, 2019

The aim is to develop a differentiated and new identity in the minds of consumers, competitors, investors, and other stakeholders. Also, identify equities that won’t change. You can add flexibility to your brand by not violating previously established values and equities. Always have an open mind. Keep Your Brand Fluid.

Technical Review 149

Technical Review Software Review Bankruptcy Equity 149

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 14, 2023

That leads to switching costs, sunk costs, brand equity, and a host of other considerations, commonly called “barriers to entry.” A key is your differential advantage from alternatives. Small differentials and more competitors give customers higher leverage. Utility of alternative solutions. Bargaining power of suppliers.

Differentiation 220

Differentiation Framework Equity Business Plan 220

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 11, 2021

The average amount per startup has been $23,000, usually in the form of a convertible loan, rather than an equity investment. The vehicle of choice is most often a convertible note, which is really a loan with a specified duration and interest, with an option to convert it to equity when professional investors come in later.

Sweat Equity 346

Sweat Equity Elevator Pitch Equity Venture Capital 346

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 24, 2020

That leads to switching costs, sunk costs, brand equity, and a host of other considerations, commonly called “barriers to entry.” A key is your differential advantage from alternatives. Small differentials and more competitors give customers higher leverage. Utility of alternative solutions. Bargaining power of suppliers.

Differentiation 378

Differentiation Framework Equity Business Plan 378

VC Cafe

MARCH 1, 2024

Companionship Differentiated value prop vs. generalist chat products – AI companion products hat specialise in content that mainstream models aren’t good at (or don’t allow), like fictional role plays or erotica.

Artificial Inteligence 177

Artificial Inteligence Technical Review Software Review Generative AI 177

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 5, 2019

And without mitigating that, many middle-class retirees could exhaust their 401(k)s and be left with only Social Security and a little equity in their homes. Procrastination is an obstacle for many when it comes to estate planning, and it’s important to differentiate between a will, which goes through probate, and a trust.

Indianapolis 113

Indianapolis LLC Portfolio Technical Review 113

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 20, 2023

These advisors need a stake in your success, like a monthly stipend, or an equity share of the business. Client cost differentials of less than twenty percent are usually not enough to incent change. This is not a place for friends and family. Highlight the competitive edge you bring to the market.

Marketing 290

Marketing Leadership Differentiation Equity 290

The Startup Magazine

JUNE 14, 2019

If you have been self-employed, you probably have had episodes where you cannot clearly differentiate between work and personal finances or time. You, consequently, need to ensure that the money you have put into your trading pursuit is recorded either as a loan to the startup or as equity. 1. Set obvious parameters.

Balance Sheet 128

Balance Sheet Limited Liability Company Bootstrapping Startup 128

David Teten

JANUARY 9, 2018

He looked at his resume, and asked just one question: “ What’s your edge? ” My friend got the job because his answer was differentiated, credible, and backed up by a history of investing success. It is unexciting and hard to prove, but in fact “We execute better” is a critical differentiator. THE UNSAID STANDARD ADVANTAGES.

Venture Capital 60

Venture Capital Private Equity Silicon Valley Differentiation 60

David Teten

JANUARY 9, 2018

He looked at his resume, and asked just one question: “ What’s your edge? ” My friend got the job because his answer was differentiated, credible, and backed up by a history of investing success. It is unexciting and hard to prove, but in fact “We execute better” is a critical differentiator. THE UNSAID STANDARD ADVANTAGES.

Venture Capital 60

Venture Capital Private Equity Silicon Valley Differentiation 60

Austin Startup

MAY 11, 2017

645 Ventures 645 Ventures makes deeply-researched investments in institutional Seed to Series A rounds for exceptional companies who demonstrate stellar early results in the areas of market validation, product differentiation, team strength, and brand narrative. These sectors generally leverage the Internet or software in a fundamental way.

Private Equity 48

Private Equity Venture Capital Technical Review Seed Stage 48

ConversionXL

JANUARY 18, 2022

It’s your reputation and ultimate differentiating factor. Once you decide your brand strategy, you should stay the course to build brand equity. Every touchpoint is an opportunity to build or subtract brand equity from your brand. Do they inspire behaviors that will help you differentiate? Image source.

Marketing 128

Marketing Campaign Software Review Tulsa 128

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 4, 2012

All private equity groups go about due diligence in their own way, but there are a few key areas of focus that entrepreneurs should always expect: Team strength and health. This is where they find out if your team is all behind you, your customers are truly excited, your product is ready to ship, and there aren’t any skeletons in the closet.

Technical Review 237

Technical Review Due Diligence Intellectual Property Private Equity 237

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 1, 2021

Customers are looking for a differentiator today. Make sure your hiring practices include diversity, inclusion, and equity. From his experience as a consultant with major brands, and as a Top 50 Keynote Speaker in the World, Simon outlines six key steps in moving your company to this new reality. Practice your agility.

Agile 321

Agile Differentiation Lead Generation Social Media 321

crowdSPRING Blog

APRIL 25, 2019

For companies eager to join memorable concepts with their businesses, symbols can create brand equity. As David Asker wrote in Managing Brand Equity : When products and services are difficult to differentiate, a symbol can be the central element of brand equity, the key to differentiating characteristics of the brand.

Design 88

Design Technical Review Due Diligence Phoenix 88

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 22, 2010

All private equity groups go about due diligence in their own way, but there are a few key areas of focus that entrepreneurs should always expect: Team strength and health. This is where they find out if your team is all behind you, your customers are truly excited, your product is ready to ship, and there aren’t any ghosts in the closet.

Technical Review 225

Technical Review Due Diligence Intellectual Property Private Equity 225

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 16, 2020

Just because you want to start a business doesn’t mean you are entitled to outside equity, loans, or crowdfunding. Pay attention to competitors, and differentiate your offering. Think first about where you have a natural advantage , or a unique insight or critical purpose. Keep the initial scope within bootstrapping limits.

Intellectual Property 313

Intellectual Property Small Business Administration Bootstrapping Differentiation 313

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 27, 2013

You may know how much to pay in cash or equity for your new VP Engineering. He sets goals for MRR (monthly recurring revenue) to differentiate from one-time revenue, license revenue, services revenue and other. Always seek input. You may have an opinion on your market-entry strategy for Europe.

Advisory Board 365

Advisory Board CTO Hire Fractional CTO Los Angeles 365

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 23, 2015

He wants a chance at changing life’s circumstances with building equity value that might free him and his family from the rat-race of 529 accounts, property taxes, summer-school tuitions and even spending some cash on aging parents. We looked at the IP and realized it was highly differentiated / hard to replicate.

Technical Review 150

Technical Review Liquidation Preference Silicon Valley IP 150

Gust

NOVEMBER 1, 2012

Or “ FundingUniverse.com ” needing to change to “ Lendio.com ” when they pivoted from equity to debt. Similarly, “ stickybits.com ” is perfect for a QR code tagging site, but doesn’t work nearly as well as “ turntable.fm ” once it turns into a collaborative music-playing site.

Naming 138

Naming Differentiation Equity Developer 138

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 19, 2018

Of course, the average beginning amount per startup is low, and usually in the form of a convertible loan, rather than an equity investment. The vehicle of choice is most often a convertible note, which is really a loan with a specified duration and interest, with an option to convert it to equity when professional investors come in later.

Elevator Pitch 215

Elevator Pitch Equity Revenue Differentiation 215

Gust

NOVEMBER 14, 2011

All private equity groups go about due diligence in their own way, but there are a few key areas of focus that entrepreneurs should always expect: • Team strength and health. For small teams, every team member will likely be interviewed. . Sustainable competitive advantage. Business and financial status.

Technical Review 152

Technical Review Due Diligence Intellectual Property Private Equity 152

Duct Tape Marketing

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

2:48] Has design been a key differentiator for Typeform? [3:23] 8:26] What do you feel is your core differentiator? [10:50] John Jantsch (01:11): So that's a lot in the CMOs job, particularly diversity, equity, inclusion. You know, how do you feel like, you know, what do you feel like is your core differentiator?

Marketing 75

Marketing Differentiation B2C PR 75

ConversionXL

JANUARY 18, 2022

Your brand is how you differentiate, build awareness , and sear your solution into customers’ minds so they think of you when that time comes. Can you capture more brand equity by executing marketing tactics in new or better ways? A few successful brands differentiate themselves with a brand moat. Which are they neglecting?

Marketing 109

Marketing Social Media Non-Compete Audience 109

ReadWriteStart

JULY 15, 2022

Millennials are uncompromising in the virtues of equality, equity, and inclusion. You’ll find your entire workforce will gain emotional intelligence when embracing the mind of the millennial with respect to equality and inclusion regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or any other differentiation.

Startup 140

Startup Employee Technical Review Retention 140

Hearpreneur

JANUARY 1, 2023

Thanks to Corey Philip, Acumen Equity Advisors ! #7- Reassess all the differentials based on demand, always prioritizing products and services with greater profitability and better cash generation. 7- Minimize experimentation. Photo Credit: Will Yang. Thanks to Liam Wilson, Lottery ‘n Go ! #13-

Entrepreneur 96

Entrepreneur Software Review Technical Review Revenue 96

YoungUpstarts

OCTOBER 9, 2019

Your valuable brand equity takes time to accrue and it shouldn’t be squandered lightly and without good reason. Emphasize aspects of your business that will differentiate you from the pack. by Katie Lundin of crowdspring. Rebranding isn’t a band-aid and is not a one-size-fits-all solution. So, why rebrand your company?

Reputation 124

Reputation Audience Naming Design 124

YoungUpstarts

APRIL 5, 2018

Hedge funds today are better known for investing in distressed companies before turning them around or investing private equity in businesses that others cannot invest in. Long-short equity funds invest specifically in this way, hence their name. Methods of Financial Hedging.

Private Equity 145

Private Equity Equity Valuation Differentiation 145

The Equity Kicker

MARCH 26, 2018

The focus should be on the outcomes they want and their answers will tell you what features you need to build and where the opportunities for differentiation lie. Before you start you will probably have a gut feel for the answers customers will give you to these questions. An example from Photobox.

Customer 75

Customer Framework Differentiation Customer Development 75

Hearpreneur

JULY 2, 2016

I believe people can bring their unique gifts to the world and differentiate themselves through their approach, experiences, and innovative products and strategies. However, to differentiate yourself in business, you have to look for opportunities where people are not looking. First of all I don’t believe in competition.

Phoenix 87

Phoenix Entrepreneur China Differentiation 87

Up and Running

MARCH 5, 2020

To be successful, cannabis brands must find ways to differentiate themselves to consumers. . The common consumer is traveling across state lines and experimenting with many types of brands and forms of ingestion, so being able to build brand equity early on during the consumers’ education process is key to building long term loyalty. .

Customer 96

Customer Differentiation Equity Audience 96

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 24, 2013

That leads to switching costs, sunk costs, brand equity, and a host of other considerations, commonly called “barriers to entry.” A key is your differential advantage from alternatives. Small differentials and more competitors give customers higher leverage. Utility of alternative solutions. Bargaining power of suppliers.

Framework 200

Framework Startup Differentiation Equity 200