YoungUpstarts

MAY 24, 2019

by Bruce Cleveland, Founding Partner at Wildcat Venture Partners and author of “ Traversing the Traction Gap “ As we continue our exploration of the Traction Gap Framework® – a step-by-step approach that startup teams can use to go from ideation to preparing to scale – I will walk you through the principles.

Framework 113

Framework Architecture Cleveland Early Stage 113

SoCal CTO

JANUARY 2, 2013

I've had several Startup CTO Consulting sessions recently where it became apparent that the Founder needed help with the business and product as much or more than the technology. Then we discussed how they could go about finding this startup business advisor. Then you search for the people who were in marketing there early on.

Startup 259

Startup Early Stage Incubator Los Angeles 259

The Startup Magazine

OCTOBER 22, 2021

In preparing to write his acclaimed book David and Goliath , Malcolm Gladwell recalls an encounter with a software programming legend named Vivek Ranadivé. How is the company culture, in its early stages, set up to process a setback ? Likewise, how does the team grapple with an undesirable outcome?

Early Stage 139

Early Stage Technical Review Software Review Algorithm 139

YoungUpstarts

MAY 1, 2020

Given that mindset, it’s only natural that most entrepreneurs jump at the first chance they get to secure early-stage startup funding. However, strategy — not speed — is often the name of the game. When you’re in the meeting, tell them about your startup and ask, “Is there anyone you think I should talk to?”.

Early Stage 165

Early Stage Security Angel Investor Lead Investor 165

Steve Blank

OCTOBER 10, 2011

I presented to 1,000’s of entrepreneurs, talked to 17 startups, gave 12 lectures, had 9 interviews, chatted with 8 VC’s, sat on 4 panels, talked policy with 2 government ministers, 2 members of parliament, 1 head of a public pension fund and was in 1 TV-documentary. Nokia as “He Who Must Not Be Named”.

Finland 331

Finland Naming Russia Government 331

techcrunch.com

AUGUST 12, 2012

Zachary Bogue And Matt Ocko Launch Data Collective, An Early Stage Fund For Big Data Startups. Zachary Bogue And Matt Ocko Launch Data Collective, An Early Stage Fund For Big Data Startups. The fund views its portfolio startups as fulfilling one of the three layers of the “Big Data stack”: 1.

Early Stage 70

Early Stage San Francisco Los Angeles Southern California 70

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 14, 2017

Nearly every successful tech startup I’ve observed over the past 20 years has gone through a similar growth pattern: Innovate, systematize then scale operations. Innovate In the early years of a startup there is a lot of kinetic energy of enthusiastic innovators looking to launch a product that changes how an industry works.

Operations 286

Operations New York City Technical Review Startup 286

ReadWriteStart

MARCH 8, 2021

Every startup entrepreneur wants to see their company grow. But none of that can happen if you have an impediment to growth – an invisible (or perhaps visible) force keeping your startup from creating the momentum it needs to keep growing. . In the early stages of your business’s development, you’re going to notice dead weight.

Startup 127

Startup Retention Acquisition Agile 127

ReadWriteStart

MARCH 3, 2021

Still, you need to find some way to pull your company out of this early-stage quicksand. First, we need to address the core challenges of developing effective early-stage growth strategies for new businesses. What are the best tactics to accomplish these goals? Core Challenges to Overcome in Growth Strategies.

Early Stage 125

Early Stage PPC Retention Churn Rate 125

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 16, 2023

The name “investment bank” somehow always sounded like a place where I could deposit my investments, and maybe even earn a little interest. None normally work for or provide funds for early-stage startups. None normally work for or provide funds for early-stage startups. Very confusing.

Early Stage 182

Early Stage Silicon Valley Private Equity Initial Public Offering 182

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 8, 2010

Most technology startups seem to be founded by three types of people: product managers, engineers or biz dev types (MBAs and the like). Very few of them are started, in my experience, by sales people and very few early stage companies really understand sales. More on that later. Journeymen - Journeymen (Journeywomen!)

Early Stage 350

Early Stage Startup Sales Campaign 350

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 23, 2012

Every startup faces a myriad of challenges that are well beyond the scope of any founder, so you need a few guiding lights to illuminate the road ahead. I recommend that every early-stage startup find three Advisory Board members. Once your company is past the startup stage, you do need a board of directors.

Advisory Board 239

Advisory Board Technical Review Startup Software Review 239

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 25, 2017

Almost synonymous with this startup-focused era, the once indomitable VC investor sector is changing and adapting to deal with the changing nature of entrepreneurship. Startups, naturally, need to be aware of how these changes affect the current investment environment and how they can be leveraged to their advantage.

Venture Capital 193

Venture Capital Technical Review Kenya Startup 193

Steve Blank

MAY 29, 2011

Your name has come up a lot in that regard. He set up Blackbox.vc, a seed accelerator for technology startups (and one of the tour stops for entrepreneurs from around the world.) They went to work gathering deep knowledege of what makes successful Internet startups. Startup Genome Report. It was signed Max Marmer.

Technical Cofounder 334

Technical Cofounder Early Stage Startup Silicon Valley 334

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 3, 2014

Most technology startups seem to be funded by product people or business people. Nor do they exist in the investors of early-stage companies. My first startup was no different. This is why I tell startups that most seasoned sales execs aren’t right for startups. Sales people often blame the product.

Sales 382

Sales Startup Technical Review Matching 382

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

It’s very common for startup companies to have COO’s. But … Startups don’t need – shouldn’t have – COOs. I have this conversation with every startup that comes to see me and has a CEO & a COO. I think usually a COO title at a startup is an ego thing. CEO’s run things.

Technical Review 325

Technical Review Startup Cofounder Due Diligence 325

NZ Entrepreneur

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

It is our startup sector which will drive this innovative progress. Startup founders are our ambitious problem solvers. To generate growth in a startup, it is almost always necessary to raise external capital to run the necessary. In order to understand startup governance, you need to understand risk and reward.

Technical Review 88

Technical Review Software Review New Zealand Due Diligence 88

YoungUpstarts

SEPTEMBER 3, 2015

Whether you are in the process of creating a whole new website for your startup, or just tinkering with the old website you have, it is very important to give it a professional and inviting look. At the very least you can upload a placeholder website with the bare minimum information about you and your startup, and some contact details.

Startup 100

Startup Social Media Early Stage Naming 100

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 5, 2011

Every startup faces a myriad of challenges that are well beyond the scope of any founder, so you need a few guiding lights to illuminate the road ahead. I recommend that every early-stage startup find three Advisory Board members. Once your company is past the startup stage, you do need a board of directors.

Advisory Board 239

Advisory Board Technical Review Software Review Startup 239

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 12, 2010

If you’re interested in recruiting sales people, I wrote on the topic of startup sales people: who to hire & when – understanding the roles of Journeymen, Mavericks & Superstars. Evangelical sales – Understanding startup sales people and process. Reminds me of Eats, Shoots & Leaves. You learn by asking.

Hiring 346

Hiring Sales Startup Early Stage 346

SoCal CTO

AUGUST 4, 2011

Almost every day I'm talking to early stage startup founders (see Free Startup CTO Consulting Sessions ) about what they plan to do. SEO for Startups )? What are your key Startup Metrics ? Where do you stand on your brand, name, logo, positioning? Who are the other stakeholders involved? Commenting?

Developer 396

Developer Founder Viral Oauth 396

SoCal CTO

AUGUST 4, 2011

Almost every day I'm talking to early stage startup founders (see Free Startup CTO Consulting Sessions ) about what they plan to do. SEO for Startups )? What are your key Startup Metrics ? Where do you stand on your brand, name, logo, positioning? Who are the other stakeholders involved? Commenting?

Developer 384

Developer Founder Viral Oauth 384

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 31, 2012

Funding for pre-revenue startups used to be the domain of angel investors, but they have moved up-stage. File a provisional patent, register a trademark, and reserve your company domain names. Real customers give you real feedback, rather than just tell you what you want to hear. Register some intellectual property.

Intellectual Property 260

Intellectual Property Sweat Equity CTO Hire Fractional CTO 260

Up and Running

JULY 28, 2022

Register your business name. The name of your business identifies your enterprise, which makes it easy for people to notice and understand your business. After you pick a good business name, it’s advisable to register that name to certify and protect it. Obtain the right business permits and licenses.

Small Business 167

Small Business Intellectual Property Cofounder Software Review 167

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 22, 2020

Luckily, not all investors are looking for the same thing, so it pays to know what type of investors are most interested in what your startup brings to the table. The key is understanding how potential investors see you, and especially how they view the maturity stage of your startup. Congratulations!

Angel Investor 370

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 370

Gust

DECEMBER 22, 2011

So you’ve chosen a name for your startup, product, or both. Tech startups are at the other extreme. The gulf has widened with the proliferation of social Internet / user-generated content and mobile application startups. Most of our early-stage startup clients fit this description.

Intellectual Property 149

Intellectual Property Technical Review Software Review IP 149

Gust

JULY 15, 2012

Every startup faces a myriad of challenges that are well beyond the scope of any founder, so you need a few guiding lights to illuminate the road ahead. I recommend that every early-stage startup find three Advisory Board members. Once your company is past the startup stage, you do need a board of directors.

Advisory Board 178

Advisory Board Technical Review Startup Software Review 178

Hearpreneur

DECEMBER 13, 2023

#5- Offering photography and website packages Photo Credit: Nathan Darma I am a professional photographer/content creator and have realized that a commonality among my primary clientele is that a lot of them are early-stage startups/small businesses that have yet to dedicate time and resources to developing their own website for their business.

Entrepreneur 113

Entrepreneur Algorithm Technical Review Artificial Inteligence 113

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 21, 2010

If you’re a startup and you don’t have a close relationship with a few law firms you’re really missing one of the most important relationships that any entrepreneur can have. I write about some of the lessons in my post on Startup Mistakes. They want to lock in future clients at an early stage.

Southern California 318

Southern California Silicon Valley IP Stock Options 318

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 17, 2011

Funding for pre-revenue startups used to be the domain of angel investors, but they have moved up-stage. File a provisional patent, register a trademark, and reserve your company domain names. Real customers give you real feedback, rather than just tell you what you want to hear. Register some intellectual property.

Intellectual Property 253

Intellectual Property Sweat Equity CTO Hire Fractional CTO 253

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 16, 2014

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). They have some of the best names in the Valley.

Silicon Valley 333

Silicon Valley Early Stage Later Stage Technical Review 333

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2023

Luckily, not all investors are looking for the same thing, so it pays to know what type of investors are most interested in what your startup brings to the table. The key is understanding how potential investors see you, and especially how they view the maturity stage of your startup. Congratulations!

Angel Investor 313

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 313

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. Don’t jeopardize the future of your startup, and your chosen lifestyle, by assuming you can wing it.

Due Diligence 339

Due Diligence Startup Angel Investor Affiliate 339

The Next Web

DECEMBER 4, 2013

If you’re running a startup, working for one, or just considering turning an idea into a company, calling your work life “busy” is a severe understatement. Here are five essential, efficient ways to eliminate guesswork and make your startup a success on social media. Startup Example: Zappos. Startup Example: Cloudera.

Social Media 158

Social Media Media Viral Startup 158

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 27, 2013

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. Perhaps the biggest piece of new news is that after 17 years of operations we’ve changed our name from GRP Partners to Upfront Ventures. Startup Advice'

Los Angeles 343

Los Angeles Las Vegas San Francisco Baltimore 343

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 11, 2016

Angel investors are still the lifeblood of early-stage startups, despite the surge of activity in crowdfunding and an increasing early interest from venture capitalists. Most viable startups are set up as C-corporations or Limited Liability Corporations, either of which can be done quickly and cheaply by the entrepreneur.

Angel Investor 120

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Accredited Investor Angel Groups 120

Austin Startup

JULY 8, 2017

I can’t tell you how many times I run into first-time founders who’ve been fed absolute nonsense from ‘advisors’ ‘mentors’ or similarly named people about their ‘secrets’ for managing legal spend. Past “startup” territory. A few real truths on startup legal spend. See: Startups Need Specialist Lawyers. Solo Lawyers Don’t.

Startup 48

Startup Salary Early Stage Software 48