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NextView’s Early Stage Startup Guide: Product

View from Seed

Welcome to the first installment of the NextView Ventures Early Stage Startup Guides. Every stage of building a company comes with a certain set of challenges, and we have written a lot of content around the earliest set of challenges. The first guide we are releasing is around product. How to Hire the First PM.

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Startup Sales – Why Hiring Seasoned Reps May Not Work

Both Sides of the Table

Even if you don’t have “direct&# sales I would tell you that “everything is a sale&# including fund raising, hiring, getting press and doing business development. One of the biggest mistakes I see early-stage startups making is hiring “seasoned&# sales professionals or hiring people too senior, too early.

Hiring 346
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How to Configure Your Startup Team

Both Sides of the Table

I am fond of quoting that about 70% of my investment decision of an early-stage company is the team. Without strong PMs you build crappy products that nobody needs or that real people can’t use. Don’t hire a homogenous team. Don’t hire “relationship management” sales people too early.

Cofounder 388
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Extremely Valuable Tips for Creating a Financial Forecast During the Early Stages of an Entrepreneurial Journey

Up and Running

Things like product development, materials and packaging, performance-based bonuses, and more. Clearly, hiring new team members is an expense, and running promotions means increased marketing expenses, and depending on the nature of the special, selling products at a reduced rate. Communication (telephone, internet).

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Accelerator Spotlight: Caesar Sustainability

View from Seed

RH: What’s your favorite thing about being an early-stage founder? One hour I’m deep into product development, the next I’m thinking about our hiring needs and recruiting, to the next on a sales call. And your least? CC: Being a founder is a rollercoaster ride. . My favorite part is how many different hats I wear.

DC 156
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Vulture Capital: Why Early Stage VC Could Kill Your Startup

The Startup Magazine

While the rewards may be a boon to their company in the short term, the consequences of accepting outside funding too early can be debilitating. There’s a reason why I refer to early-stage VC funding as vulture capital, and to be honest it’s pretty accurate. Focus on Product Development First.

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How to Survive Four Common Worst Case Scenarios

Startup Professionals Musings

There are unknowns at every turn, leading product development, attracting customers, managing cash, and dealing with human resources and office politics. The proactive solution is to hire sparingly, and spend the time and effort needed to hire existing experts in all cases. Stretch” goals in early-stage are not advised.