Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 27, 2013

I am super excited to announce that today is a day of lots of new things for my partners & me: A new fund, a new office and a new brand. Santa Monica is the place where the highest concentration of early-stage startups are created if you consider also the contiguous geography of Venice Beach. What’s up with that?

Los Angeles 343

Los Angeles Las Vegas San Francisco Baltimore 343

David Teten

JUNE 22, 2012

HBS Angels of NY and the NAIC have named the finalist women and minority entrepreneurs of the Venture Capital Access Program; check out the press release below. Founded in 1970, NAIC firms deposit in try (early stage/later stage) and private equity (growth/buyout/mezzanine/ distressed/secondary funds).

Programming 128

Programming Accredited Investor Naming New York 128

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 16, 2014

” It’s a standard line I use at our partners meetings. I got three calls from another big name, big check VC. For all the things he’s likely known for, he probably hasn’t yet built a strong relationship as an early stage venture investor (he invests often in later-stage deals where he is very respected).

Silicon Valley 333

Silicon Valley Early Stage Later Stage Technical Review 333

VC Cafe

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

Traditional brands, namely eCommerce/luxury fashion and CPG brands are trying to figure out how to get in the action. It takes a LOT of courage to say no to potential revenue, especially in the very early stages of a startup. Saying “no” can be equally important as saying “yes” to a potential partner or client. .

Technical Review 178

Technical Review South Korea Due Diligence IP 178

David Teten

JUNE 22, 2012

HBS Angels of NY and the NAIC have named the finalist women and minority entrepreneurs of the Venture Capital Access Program; check out the press release below. Founded in 1970, NAIC firms deposit in try (early stage/later stage) and private equity (growth/buyout/mezzanine/ distressed/secondary funds).

Programming 114

Programming Accredited Investor Naming New York 114

Hunter Walker

MARCH 25, 2015

At the time, no one was investing in early stage consumer companies — it wasn’t a “thing” yet. HW: Both you and Kirsten have deep strategy/investment experience but less operational experience, at a time when some might claim early stage VC is tilting towards the hands-on model. EK: It’s a great question.

Naming 48

Naming Technical Review Early Stage Green 48

Up and Running

OCTOBER 13, 2021

From Amazon basing recommendations on past browsing behavior to companies greeting people by name, you’ll see examples of personalization everywhere. A free gift makes people more loyal to your brand and they’ll certainly remember your name. How can you offer them a gift to help meet their needs at this time and alleviate their fears?

Customer 118

Customer Marketing Artificial Inteligence Technical Review 118

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2023

It never hurts to start networking personally with all levels of investors early, but sending out teasers and business plans to every name you can find on the Internet is a waste of your time and theirs. Investors call this the seed stage , where money is required to build a market and a real product. Congratulations!

Angel Investor 313

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 313

Steve Blank

MAY 29, 2011

Your name has come up a lot in that regard. Max and his partners interviewed and analyzed over 650 early-stage Internet startups. Today they released the first Startup Genome Report — a 67 page in-depth analysis on what makes early-stage Internet startups successful. It was signed Max Marmer.

Technical Cofounder 334

Technical Cofounder Early Stage Startup Silicon Valley 334

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

Often if it’s a bigger firm (say 4 partners or more) and it’s a super small investment for their fund size (let’s say $250-500k when they normally invest $5-7 million) they will just require 1 or 2 partners to decide. What happens next feels like a black box to outsiders. ” Some firms are collegiate.

Venture Capital 150

Venture Capital Detroit Early Stage Partner 150

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022

As an advisor to many early-stage entrepreneurs, I caution them to always be prepared for that chance meeting with a famous investor, a potential partner or an industry guru. Quick to name-drop common friends and business links. It’s not smart to believe that your passion and gift of gab will impress anyone.

Due Diligence 321

Due Diligence Founder Angel Investor Affiliate 321

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 23, 2012

I recommend that every early-stage startup find three Advisory Board members. These should all be people who bring credibility and value to your company just by their very association with your company name. Make sure they are willing to check their egos at the door. Let’s talk specifics.

Advisory Board 239

Advisory Board Technical Review Startup Software Review 239

David Teten

APRIL 1, 2021

Dan Kozikowski, Partner and Head of Platform, First Mark Capital , said to me, “Firms should match services to the stage-specific needs of companies. For example, recruiting writ large is useful at all stages of development. Real Ventures , an early-stage, Canadian-based fund, runs a two-day Founder Camp every six months.

Private Equity 78

Private Equity Venture Capital Portfolio Equity 78

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 22, 2015

So that we’re speaking the same language I would define “exclusive” as a period in which your company is prohibited from doing business with certain customers or business partners, which is why many incorrectly assume this is necessarily bad. Why Exclusivity Matters to Your Customers or Business Development Partners.

PR 150

PR Early Stage Software Naming 150

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 16, 2017

It was a “disappearing text app” where the founders told me that they named the company because the idea came from how Tiger Woods got caught cheating on his wife because all of his mistresses had evidence that he cheated because they saved text messages from him. I hear tons of ideas for early-stage apps. I didn’t do that.

IPO 214

IPO Los Angeles Technical Review Silicon Valley 214

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

Make sure your plan answers every relevant question that you could possibly imagine from your business partners, spouse, and potential investors. File a provisional patent, register a trademark, and reserve your company domain names. Forcing yourself to write down a plan is actually the only way to make sure you actually have a plan.

Intellectual Property 281

Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Sweat Equity CTO Hire 281

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 8, 2023

Most entrepreneurs have found by now one or more of the many popular crowdfunding sites , and have the name and contact information for at least one of the big venture capital firms. Early stage research and development won’t excite angels. Look to grants and strategic partners for seed funding.

Venture Capital 265

Venture Capital Accredited Investor Syndicate Syndication 265

YoungUpstarts

DECEMBER 31, 2018

Today, Sferra leads Hillcrest Merchant Partners, a Toronto-based merchant bank and venture capital firm focused on early stage and mid-market growth companies, which he co-founded with fellow managing partner, Mark Attanasio. Are there any specific entrepreneurial trends you are excited about?

Partner 127

Partner Venture Capital United States Canada 127

Up and Running

AUGUST 1, 2018

Namely, you. 3 steps to take as an early stage entrepreneur. Orchestrating your ecosystem involves figuring out what is the “new 20 percent” not only of yours, but those of your partners, and figuring out how to harness—orchestrate—all of these capabilities to capture new sources of value in new ways. Let’s see how.

Early Stage 69

Early Stage Business Model Entrepreneur Social Media 69

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 16, 2013

I’m very excited to be finally be able to announce that this week we’ve added Sam Rosen to our ranks at GRP Partners in the role of entrepreneurs-in-residence – EIR. I became aware of Sam several years ago as I started noticing his name repeated in the comments section of my blog. Come to partner meetings.

San Francisco 372

San Francisco Jordan Angel Investor Partner 372

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 5, 2011

I recommend that every early-stage startup find three Advisory Board members. These should all be people who bring credibility and value to your company just by their very association with your company name. Make sure they are willing to check their egos at the door. Let’s talk specifics.

Advisory Board 239

Advisory Board Technical Review Software Review Startup 239

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 14, 2010

I know that sounds trite but that is exactly how my firm talks about things in partner meetings. It becomes a large part of the conversation in our partners’ meeting afterward. I’m proud to say that most early-stage VCs that I know really do care about making money ethically.

Technical Review 284

Technical Review Due Diligence Entrepreneur Early Stage 284

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 25, 2017

The most pressing advantage for startups, in this, is an increased number of options when it comes to staying alive in the early days of the company. This can even include angel investing, and platforms like AngelList and Crowdfunder have put new vigor – and hope – into early stage startups.

Venture Capital 193

Venture Capital Technical Review Kenya Startup 193

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 14, 2023

In the name of this cause, the company donates time, services, and at least one percent of their sales to hundreds of grassroots environmental groups around the world. The challenge of every business is to create a win-win relationship between business owners, partners, team members, customers, and the community at large.

Early Stage 238

Early Stage Framework Community Customer 238

YoungUpstarts

OCTOBER 28, 2015

by John Vrionis, partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners. If a domain name is critical to a brand and the domain is not empty, the best course may be to find a new name. If someone violates the trademark by using a certain domain name, the startup could make claim in court.

Convertible Security 100

Convertible Security IP Technical Review Software Review 100

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

In an early stage start I believe it’s the CEO’s job to manage these functions. They can’t name the key decision makers at their prospect, they can’t tell me who they’re competing against, etc. For now, if you’re early stage, I’m not convinced.

Technical Review 325

Technical Review Startup Cofounder Due Diligence 325

ConversionXL

MARCH 31, 2021

For example, if organic traffic is a priority for you, include a statement like this: From an SEO perspective, our primary goal in the early stages of this content strategy is to focus on low-volume, high-buyer intent keywords and queries related to specific pain points. This sets the intention for your early-stage priorities.

Audience 127

Audience Non-Compete Distribution Channel 127

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 31, 2012

Make sure your plan answers every relevant question that you could possibly imagine from your business partners, spouse, and potential investors. File a provisional patent, register a trademark, and reserve your company domain names. Forcing yourself to write down a plan is actually the only way to make sure you actually have a plan.

Intellectual Property 260

Intellectual Property Sweat Equity CTO Hire Fractional CTO 260

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 22, 2020

It never hurts to start networking personally with all levels of investors early, but sending out teasers and business plans to every name you can find on the Internet is a waste of your time and theirs. Investors call this the seed stage , where money is required to build a market and a real product. Congratulations!

Angel Investor 370

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 370

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 21, 2010

They want to lock in future clients at an early stage. For a very small fee they can get your Delaware C corp registration, make sure that you have IP protection and ensure you didn’t make an early bumbling mistakes that you’ll pay for dearly in the next 7-10 years of hard work. I also like to work with partners.

Southern California 318

Southern California Silicon Valley IP Stock Options 318

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 21, 2020

In the name of this cause, the company donates time, services, and at least one percent of their sales to hundreds of grassroots environmental groups around the world. The challenge of every business is to create a win-win relationship between business owners, partners, team members, customers, and the community at large.

Early Stage 436

Early Stage Framework Community Customer 436

Gust

JULY 15, 2012

I recommend that every early-stage startup find three Advisory Board members. These should all be people who bring credibility and value to your company just by their very association with your company name. Potential to meet new partners, customers, and friends. Make sure they are willing to check their egos at the door.

Advisory Board 178

Advisory Board Technical Review Startup Software Review 178

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

We back very early stage companies and work alongside executive teams as their build their teams, launch their products, announce their companies and raise their first downstream capital rounds. The biggest change for us in early-stage investing is that we now need to commit earlier. just to name a few!

Pre-Money Valuation 471

Pre-Money Valuation Valuation Venture Capital Early Stage 471

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 12, 2010

One of the biggest mistakes I see early-stage startups making is hiring “seasoned&# sales professionals or hiring people too senior, too early. The problem is that in an early stage business there probably isn’t a perfect fit between your early product and a customer’s needs.

Hiring 346

Hiring Sales Startup Early Stage 346

SoCal CTO

NOVEMBER 11, 2009

She is a go to person for me when I have questions around technology or early stage marketing and branding. Same partner all along: Jorge Alonso, Creative Director. Our name Reality2 stands for Reality2.0. We do a lot of B2B and also have an "Early Stage Branding" practice for technology startups.

Early Stage 150

Early Stage Southern California Los Angeles Marketing 150

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 25, 2023

Pick a name, location, and marketing strategy early. Names and taglines are critical to success. Make sure the name and trademarks you want are available, as well as web site address, social media tags, and any other intellectual property. I can’t emphasize enough how important a name can be.

Intellectual Property 245

Intellectual Property Social Media Angel Investor Metrics 245

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 23, 2019

As an advisor to many early-stage entrepreneurs, I caution them to always be prepared for that chance meeting with a famous investor, a potential partner or an industry guru. Quick to name-drop common friends and business links. It’s not smart to believe that your passion and gift of gab will impress anyone.

Due Diligence 339

Due Diligence Startup Angel Investor Affiliate 339