2024

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If You Don’t Like Sales, Don’t Start a Company

Hunter Walker

As a cofounder you are *always* selling. To customers, to investors, to press, to team members, to potential hires, to partners. Even if you’re the most technical CTO out there, you have to get comfortable with this reality. Being ‘ PLG ‘ doesn’t solve for this. Hiring a recruiter doesn’t solve for this. Having a cofounder who loves selling doesn’t (fully) solve for this.

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How to Handle Competition as a Startup

The Startup Magazine

Facing competition is a major hurdle for startups. Success often hinges on careful strategic planning and adapting to market shifts. Entrepreneurs need to define their market niche and craft effective competitive strategies to counteract competitive pressures. With millions of businesses launching annually, the competitive field is becoming more complex and demanding.

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Using Generative AI to Drive Corporate Impact

TechEmpower

Generative AI is revolutionizing how corporations operate by enhancing efficiency and innovation across various functions. Focusing on generative AI applications in a select few corporate functions can contribute to a significant portion of the technology's overall impact. Key Functions with High Impact Generative AI is revolutionizing sales by enabling dynamic pricing and personalized customer interactions, boosting conversion rates and customer satisfaction.

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Quantum Computing – An Update

Steve Blank

In March 2022 I wrote a description of the Quantum Technology Ecosystem. I thought this would be a good time to check in on the progress of building a quantum computer and explain more of the basics. Just as a reminder, Quantum technologies are used in three very different and distinct markets: Quantum Computing , Quantum Communications and Quantum Sensing and Metrology.

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Building Healthy Innovation Ecosystems for Your Projects

Speaker: Nick Noreña, Innovation Coach and Advisor, Kromatic

Every startup and innovation project exists within an ecosystem that either helps or hurts that project. As innovation managers, we need to keep a pulse of that ecosystem and make sure we're helping those innovation projects we're managing every step of the way. In this webinar, Nick Noreña will walk through an Innovation Ecosystem Model that he and his team at Kromatic have developed to help investors, heads of product, teachers, and executives understand how they can best support innovation in

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Transform Your Business with the Metronomics Framework

Duct Tape Marketing

Transform Your Business with the Metronomics Framework written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast with John Jantsch In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interviewed Shannon Susko, a strategic business coach and author renowned for her innovative Metronomics framework. Her expertise lies in transforming businesses through her unique growth operating system, helping leaders achieve sustainable growth and balance.

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How to choose a domain name that drives business success

NZ Entrepreneur

Starting a website? Congratulations! Youre setting up an invaluable digital space to connect with customers, showcase what you offer, and establish your brand. Your domain name the address for your website is a crucial first step. Its like choosing the perfect business location, only online. Recent data by InternetNZ shows that 80% of New Zealand businesses view websites as their most important digital presence, yet just over half actually have one.

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Advancing Data Democratization in the Age of Generative AI – Opportunities and Challenges

View from Seed

Opportunities 1. Enhanced Data Accessibility through Natural Language Interfaces Data insights are not technical in nature, but historically, the interface to interact and produce data insights is. Generative AI presents the opportunity to leapfrog the technical interface by providing the ability to interface with natural language. Users no longer need to understand SQL to converse and manipulate data.

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AI, EI, Oh!

Rembrandt Communications

Is Your Artificial Intelligence (AI) Content Missing The Human Touch? AI can create content for your business or practice quickly and easily. But be careful! It lacks emotional intelligence, or EI. Emotional Intelligence is all about being aware of emotions and using them in problem solving and daily tasks. (See Psychology Today.) AI draws information from the Internet to create content.

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My 10 asks of the next POTUS

deal architect

For 35 years, I have helped clients make complex technology decisions – and do so objectively and quantitatively. The process involves spreadsheets with evaluation criteria, scores and weights. 90% of weight tends to be related to functionality, architecture, economics, ecosystem.

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The Question Every Entrepreneur Needs to Ask in 2025 (It may be winter, but it’s always smart to weed out what is and isn’t working)

Mike Michalowicz

I want to share a little secret with you that holds the power to completely change how you run your business. Its not some fancy system, a new app, or even a groundbreaking strategy. Its way simpler than that. Ready? Ask your customers what they want. Yeah, yeah, I know. It sounds obvious. But heres the thing: most entrepreneurs dont do it. We think we already know what our customers want.

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“Sanzo is at its best when we serve as a bridge across cultures for both AAPI and non-AAPI.” CEO Sandro Roco on building a beverage startup, what to avoid in influencer deals, & protecting the brand.

Hunter Walker

I’m a Sanzo drinker. I’m also a Sanzo angel investor. The order is important because I fell in love with the product before I even knew about the company, and the hustle of its founder/CEO Sandro Roco. Over the last few years he’s been a diligent company-builder, brand steward, and community leader. Watching the boom/bust cycle of DTC brands that were running on just the sugar high of venture dollars has given me even more appreciation for those who, yes, require investment cap

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Innovating Elder Care: How Startups Are Addressing Abuse in Nursing Homes

The Startup Magazine

As the global population ages, the demand for quality elder care has never been greater. Unfortunately, with this rising need comes an unsettling increase in reports of abuse within nursing homes, including devastating cases of battery injuries. These incidents not only harm the most vulnerable members of society but also highlight significant gaps in traditional caregiving systems.

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Oh, go ahead and ask for $5M for your startup.  

Berkonomics

I cannot tell you how many times I have seen executive summaries of business plans in which the entrepreneur seeks $5,000,000 to build the business. Four reasons you should reconsider. First, few startups can use that much money today with all the virtual services available and increasingly inexpensive methods of development, prototyping and marketing.

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Gordon Bell R.I.P.

Steve Blank

Gordon Bell passed on this month. I was a latecomer in Gordon Bell’s life. But he made a lasting impact on mine. The first time I laid eyes on Gordon Bell was in 1984 outside a restaurant in a Boston suburb when he pulled up in a Porsche. I was the head of Marketing for MIPS Computer , a RISC chip startup. The entire company (all of five of us) were out visiting the east coast to meet Prime Computer who would become our first major customer.

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Hypothesis-Driven Growth: How to Turn Data into Revenue

Duct Tape Marketing

Hypothesis-Driven Growth: How to Turn Data into Revenue written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast with John Jantsch In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interviewed Doug Davidoff, the founder and CEO of Lift Enablement and the author of The Revenue Acceleration Framework. Dough Davidoff brings over 20 years of experience advising small and mid-market companies focused on significant growth.

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Eight accounting tips every Kiwi startup needs to know

NZ Entrepreneur

Launching a startup in New Zealand is exciting, but navigating the accounting side of things can be tricky. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know, from choosing the best business structure to getting professional help. 1. Choose the best business structure for you Choosing the right business structure for your startup is a crucial first step.

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How the pre-seed round made a comeback in 2024

VC Cafe

A founder asked me what makes a $2M round “pre-seed”? especially if the startup already has a product and revenue? And why do we still sometimes hear about pre-seed rounds that look more like a series A in pricing and size? What’s the difference between an angel round and pre-seed round and why do I believe we’ll see more pre-seed rounds taking place in 2024?

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Monday Motivation: Master Self Discipline

Hearpreneur

This motivational video is to help CEOs, entrepreneurs and business owners start the week off inspired to become great.

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[Interview] Pro Tax And Financial Consultant Dennis Domazet Shares Some Essential Tips For Small Business Owners

YoungUpstarts

Dennis Domazet specializes in guiding his clients toward long-term success in a business climate that is often harsh and unforgiving to small business owners. Today, he shares with us some of the most useful insights he’s gathered during his career so far. The post [Interview] Pro Tax And Financial Consultant Dennis Domazet Shares Some Essential Tips For Small Business Owners appeared first on Young Upstarts.

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The Mother of all Disruptions

deal architect

Two Wednesdays ago, I was getting some of my daily steps on the 14th deck of the Celebrity Ascent which had sailed from Barcelona. I greeted “good morning” to a gentleman passing me.

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New VCs Share Insights on Austin’s Growing Investment Landscape

SiliconHills

At an Austin Tech Week panel hosted at Capital Factory on Wednesday morning, emerging Venture Capital fund managers discussed why they’re betting on Austin and shared candid advice for founders seeking early-stage investment.

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“I think viewing your board as an audience to be ‘sold’ to instead of a partner in your journey will orient your board to be less trusting and collaborative.” Five Questions with Nilam Ganenthiran, Former President of Instacart

Hunter Walker

For startups, a good Board is better than no Board, but a bad Board is worse than anything. One component of a good Board is a high value add Independent Board Member, which in my experience, often doesn’t get added early enough (for a variety of reasons). But sometimes the CEO takes the initiative to recruit an absolute gem and that was the case with ResQ , a software startup servicing the hospitality owners and service/repair vendors.

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5 Common Mistakes Startups Make with Their Online Presence

The Startup Magazine

Having a strong online presence is important for startups who are aiming to establish themselves in an already competitive market. Unfortunately, many new businesses struggle to get this right, leading to missed opportunities and, in some cases, damage to the reputation they are trying to build. By avoiding common mistakes, startups can build a great foundation for growth and customer engagement.

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How to increase your valuation by reducing risk       

Berkonomics

Why reduce investor risk? In the creation of a young company, there are five principal risks to be addressed by the entrepreneur. Professional investors will probe these five risk areas and make the decision to invest based upon comfort with each. So, it is important for the entrepreneur to identify, address and mitigate each of these in order to increase valuation and decrease the risk of ultimate loss of the business.

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How To Find Your Customer In the Dept of Defense – The Directory of DoD Program Executive Offices

Steve Blank

Finding a customer for your product in the Department of Defense is hard: Who should you talk to? How do you get their attention? Looking for DoD customers How do you know if they have money to spend on your product? It almost always starts with a Program Executive Office. The Department of Defense (DoD) no longer owns all the technologies, products and services to deter or win a war – e.g.

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Transform Your Leadership: The Power of Thoughtfully Fit

Duct Tape Marketing

Transform Your Leadership: The Power of Thoughtfully Fit written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast with John Jantsch In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interviewed Darcy Luoma, an expert on leadership and personal development. Author of Thoughtfully Fit® and Certified Speaking Professional, Darcy Luoma is a highly sought-after coach and speaker who has worked with over five hundred organizations in forty-eight industries to create

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Thinking about starting your own business?

NZ Entrepreneur

Starting a business can feel intimidating, but the good news is that you don’t need an MBA or years of experience. This guide from JumpStarter is for New Zealanders eager to embark on their entrepreneurial journey. From validating your idea to navigating legal requirements, here’s a breakdown of essential steps to turning dreams into actions: Assessing your business idea First, ensure your business idea has merit.

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Israeli Startups Rebound: Q3 Sees $2.43 Billion Raised Amid Investor Shifts

VC Cafe

The IVC-LeumiTech Israeli Tech Review Q3/2024 full report will be published in October, but the preliminary numbers released today provide a reason for optimism, which is pretty remarkable, given the war. Israeli startups raised $2.43 billion in the third quarter of 2024, across 99 rounds, representing a 32% increase compared to the same period in 2023 (pre war).

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Monday Motivation: The Power of Consistency on Your Journey to Success

Hearpreneur

This motivational video is to help CEOs, entrepreneurs and business owners start the week off inspired to become great. Here are some takeaways from the video: Small consistent steps build an empire Winners do consistently what quitters do occasionally Do you show up on your test days?

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Creating A Clear Brand Vision And Mission: Practical Steps For Startup Founders

YoungUpstarts

Defining a clear brand vision and mission is essential for building a robust and sustainable business, argues Kristin Marquet. The post Creating A Clear Brand Vision And Mission: Practical Steps For Startup Founders appeared first on Young Upstarts.

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Two decades of Deal Architect

deal architect

‘Tis the season for all kinds of corporate and personal, federal and state, annual and quarterly tax returns, and in the midst of all the paperwork I came across the seal on the left and realized Deal Architect is no.

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Jeff Eversmann Gives Advice on Navigating the Startup Journey

SiliconHills

Jeff Eversmann has built a dynamic career that spans Silicon Valley startups, commercial real estate, and private equity. With expertise in technical and financial realms, Jeff has guided companies through transformative growth and strategic challenges. Eversmann co-founded Long View Technology Ventures, investing in 12 tech startups since 2018, supporting innovation in Central Texas.

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Parenting Tips: How to Build a Third Place for Creative Kids

Brandanew

They add to our sense of place, community, economic development, and build creative ideas. Here are our ideas on how to build a third place.

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The Startup’s Guide to Avoiding Customer Delays with Smart ERP Solutions

The Startup Magazine

Delays can make or break a startup. When customers are left waiting for updates, responses, or resolutions, their trust in your business erodes. In the fast-paced startup environment, where every customer counts, delays can quickly spiral into lost opportunities and tarnished reputations. Even a single unsatisfied customer can lead to negative reviews that deter future business.

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The Berkus Method: Valuing an Early-Stage Investment

Berkonomics

How do you value pre-revenue companies? Last time we examined ten different ways to value companies already in revenue, usually beyond the early stage. Now we tackle the more difficult and subjective task of placing a value upon those startups that don’t fit into that mold. For those of us who’ve invested in early-stage companies, especially technology startups, we have confronted a universal problem.

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Secret History – When Kodak Went to War with Polaroid

Steve Blank

This part 2 of the Secret History of Polaroid and Edwin Land. Read part 1 for context. Kodak and Polaroid, the two most famous camera companies of the 20 th century, had a great partnership for 20+ years. Then in an inexplicable turnabout Kodak decided to destroy Polaroid’s business. To this day, every story of why Kodak went to war with Polaroid is wrong.