Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2023

Some entrepreneurs start polling venture capitalists for that multi-million-dollar investment before they even have a business plan. Every entrepreneur needs help and support along the way, from developing the initial idea, to selling off the successful business (exit strategy). Early or embryonic stage.

Incubator 305

Incubator Startup Exit Strategy Institutional Investors 305

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 18, 2023

Once an entrepreneur, always an entrepreneur. Although many won’t admit it, true entrepreneurs can’t wait to exit their current startup, and build a new and better one with their next great idea. For these reasons, I always look for an overt exit strategy in every startup I might consider for an angel investment.

Exit Strategy 248

Exit Strategy Valuation Acquisition Metrics 248

Up and Running

AUGUST 18, 2014

In comparison to traditional business ventures, startups are expected to grow rapidly, at a rate of between 5% and 7% per week in their initial stage – Paul Graham, co-founder of Y Combinator. The term startup is also associated with a business that is typically technology oriented and has high growth potential.

Small Business 154

Small Business Exit Strategy Cofounder Angel Investor 154

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 14, 2023

If you sold your last startup for $800 million, you probably already know how to build a business, and even conservative investors won’t worry about the quality of your next business plan. Most investors tend to think of startups without a plan as expensive hobbies. I hope not. Marty Zwilling

Silicon Valley 257

Silicon Valley Exit Strategy Startup Business Plan 257

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Many entrepreneurs still dream of “going public,” making billions of dollars, and playing with the big boys. Even though the Initial Public Offering (IPO) alternative for a successful startup seems to be coming back into vogue, it is relatively rare. Consider the recent example of Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg.

Exit Strategy 239

Exit Strategy IPO Investment Bankers Entrepreneur 239

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 19, 2012

If you startup is your dream, why would you want to think about an exit? There are two very real and practical reasons why you need to plan an exit: Outside investors want to collect their return. Entrepreneurs love the art of the start. I don’t recommend this approach to startups these days.

Exit Strategy 241

Exit Strategy Initial Public Offering IPO Startup 241

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 9, 2021

Once an entrepreneur, always an entrepreneur. Although many won’t admit it, true entrepreneurs can’t wait to exit their current startup, and build a new and better one with their next great idea. For these reasons, I always look for an overt exit strategy in every startup I might consider for an angel investment.

Exit Strategy 434

Exit Strategy Valuation Acquisition Metrics 434

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 26, 2018

Despite the fact that the number of IPOs (Initial Public Offerings) for startups have continued to stay low, I still hear it touted often as the preferred exit strategy. Concerns over valuations being reset to a new normal, and a soft exit market, are seen as key drivers. Analysts want escalating profits.

Exit Strategy 128

Exit Strategy IPO Initial Public Offering SEC 128

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 23, 2021

Most aspiring entrepreneurs I know are just waiting for that unique idea to strike them that will kickstart their new venture, put them in control of their lifestyle, achieve financial independence, and maybe even change the world. Timing is critical for every startup. What do you see as your legacy and exit strategy?

Startup 399

Startup Exit Strategy Cofounder Equity 399

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 12, 2020

Some entrepreneurs start polling venture capitalists for that multi-million dollar investment before they even have a business plan. Every entrepreneur needs help and support along the way, from developing the initial idea, to selling off the successful business (exit strategy). Early or embryonic stage.

Incubator 429

Incubator Startup Exit Strategy Institutional Investors 429

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 7, 2013

Based on the final report for 2012 from Thomson Reuters and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), it may appear that IPOs are back as a viable startup exit strategy. Angels are also moving up-stage, leaving a bigger and bigger black hole for new startups.

Venture Capital 252

Venture Capital IPO Elevator Pitch Initial Public Offering 252

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 7, 2020

As a startup investor, I often see business proposals looking for funding that really look like expensive hobbies looking for donations. I still see entrepreneurs who spend money and time for months on a new business idea without any separation of personal and business funds, and any formal accounting system for their new business.

Entrepreneur 328

Entrepreneur Exit Strategy Metrics Operations 328

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 3, 2021

Based on my own years of experience in startups and big business, and more recently as an angel investor, I often cringe when I see one of you entrepreneurs missing a cue that I have seen work for many before you. I find that good entrepreneurs always find ways to keep their project moving forward, in good times and in bad.

Exit Strategy 406

Exit Strategy Merger Angel Investor IPO 406

Up and Running

MARCH 14, 2018

I’ve raised close to $1 million from angel investors for my previous technology startups. I’ve seen too many entrepreneurs think, “Oh, I know my business inside and out—pitching will be a breeze!” I’ve seen many entrepreneurs crash and burn when delivering their investor pitch—and ramble on and on. Your exit strategy.

Hockey Stick 164

Hockey Stick Exit Strategy Technical Review Angel Investor 164

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 4, 2020

One of the big questions that every entrepreneur struggles with is how much funding they should request from investors in the first round. This is all about setting a credible current value on your startup -- not future value. How much equity ownership are you willing to offer? Are you flexible on the terms of the investment?

Startup 337

Startup Preferred Stock Exit Strategy Equity 337

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 15, 2015

Some non-profit entrepreneurs think they can skip the whole plan, rather than just the sections on valuation, equity offered, and exit strategy. A non-profit is still a business, maybe even tougher than for-profit to run successfully, so the best angel is a great entrepreneur at the helm for fund-raising, as well as operations.

Angel Investor 120

Angel Investor Equity Technical Review Exit Strategy 120

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. contributes more than $25 billion to fund 70,000 startups every year. Their realm fits between crowdfunding and venture capital sources.

Venture Capital 265

Venture Capital Accredited Investor Syndicate Syndication 265

YoungUpstarts

MAY 6, 2019

by Arsalan Sajid, startup community manager at Cloudways. Life is not a box of chocolates and startups are not always easy to start. There is a complete process that governs the startup lifecycle including inception to exit. These people exist and they are called ‘Serial entrepreneurs.’. How are they doing it?

Startup 113

Startup Technical Cofounder Merger Early Stage 113

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 10, 2023

As a startup investor, I often see business proposals looking for funding that really look like expensive hobbies looking for donations. I still see entrepreneurs who spend money and time for months on a new business idea without any separation of personal and business funds, and any formal accounting system for their new business.

Exit Strategy 288

Exit Strategy Metrics Operations Cost 288

Austin Startup

OCTOBER 23, 2019

Austin Startup Week , spanning from September 22–26, flourished with learning opportunities and thought-provoking discussions that left us wanting more. From tips on international expansion strategies to using XR as a musical instrument, these sessions at Capital Factory showcased some amazing innovation in Austin’s startup community.

Fractional VPE 49

Fractional VPE Austin Artificial Inteligence Fractional CTO 49

mashable.com

MARCH 20, 2014

Want to Work for a Startup? In startups especially, job interviews are just as much for the interviewee as they are for the interviewer. Thats why I asked 10 entrepreneurs from the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) what questions they would pose for an interviewer at a startup. 10 Questions to Ask Your Interviewer.

Technical Review 103

Technical Review Software Review Exit Strategy San Francisco 103

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 7, 2022

One of the big questions that every entrepreneur struggles with is how much funding they should request from investors in the first round. This is all about setting a credible current value on your startup -- not future value. How much equity ownership are you willing to offer? Are you flexible on the terms of the investment?

Preferred Stock 304

Preferred Stock Exit Strategy Equity Angel Investor 304

NZ Entrepreneur

NOVEMBER 14, 2019

IP steps for startups should be the same as for large multinationals, but within their budget. On the flip-side, the brand may play an important role in the value of the startup eg, TradeMe, Xero and 42 Below. Startups cannot afford to have such speed bumps. Startups cannot always afford a full suite of IP protection.

Intellectual Property 45

Intellectual Property IP Software Review New Zealand 45

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. The business plan should address all key questions, including valuation, funding needed, use of funds and exit strategy. Simplicity is preferred at this stage.

Angel Investor 120

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Accredited Investor Angel Groups 120

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

According to the Angel Capital Association: Angels (private money) invest in 55,000 startups each year versus 1,500 companies by VC (venture capital) funding. Entrepreneurs need to find a way to get traction (sales) without funding. However, entrepreneurs still need to approach angel investors offline for larger amounts of capital.

Angel Investor 159

Angel Investor Technical Review Software Review Accredited Investor 159

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2011

Many entrepreneurs still dream of “going public,” making billions of dollars, and playing with the big boys. Even though the Initial Public Offering (IPO) alternative for a successful startup seems to be coming back into vogue, it is still extremely rare. companies made the IPO transition in 2009, out of thousands of startups.

Exit Strategy 235

Exit Strategy IPO Investment Bankers Entrepreneur 235

SoCal CTO

APRIL 8, 2010

If I Launched a Startup - The Startup Lawyer , March 17, 2010 Great advice on initial steps of setting up a Startup. If I Launched a Startup - The Startup Lawyer , March 17, 2010 Great advice on initial steps of setting up a Startup. There are MANY of them. You might be surprised why this is the case.

Software Review 150

Software Review Startup PR Exit Strategy 150

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 31, 2021

If you sold your last startup for $800 million, you probably already know how to build a business, and even conservative investors won’t worry about the quality of your next business plan. Most investors tend to think of startups without a plan as expensive hobbies. I hope not. Marty Zwilling.

Silicon Valley 342

Silicon Valley Exit Strategy Business Plan Restful 342

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 5, 2016

In my experience as an advisor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I often encounter the myth that an initial startup requires investors. Outside funding is not a startup entitlement. Outside funding is not a startup entitlement. Flaws in a business plan are often masked by money, but ultimately will kill any startup.

Bootstrapping 120

Bootstrapping Entrepreneur Startup Exit Strategy 120

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 25, 2020

The last thing a new entrepreneur wants to think about for a new startup is how it will end. Yet one of the first things a potential equity investor asks about is your exit strategy. Here are three important reasons for the question: Good investment paybacks normally require an exit event.

Exit Strategy 376

Exit Strategy Startup Private Equity Equity 376

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 14, 2016

What every entrepreneur is asking me these days, is “How do I get to be a unicorn?” Based on some good estimates of how many new ventures have been started in the last five years, the statistical odds of any individual startup making it to this level are less than one in a million. Credible yet flexible exit strategy.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Valuation Merger Exit Strategy 120

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 8, 2012

By way of a definition, a business or startup incubator is a company, university, or other organization which provides resources to nurture young companies, helping them to survive and grow during the startup period when they are most vulnerable. A few are still trying to make money doing it, but it is hard to make money off startups.

Incubator 215

Incubator Entrepreneur New York City Silicon Valley 215

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 27, 2021

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. contributes more than $25 billion to fund 70,000 startups every year. Their realm fits between crowdfunding and venture capital sources.

Search 317

Search Accredited Investor Angel Investor Venture Capital 317

Gust

SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

Since this is my inaugural post here, I decided it would fit the occasion to list the five things I value most in an startup investment proposal. Startup experience. I want to see people on the team who have been through a startup. I want somebody who knows what it feels like to work in a startup. Respect for the exit.

Technical Review 70

Technical Review Software Review Angel Investor Exit Strategy 70

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 13, 2019

No investor likes searching every page for key data, like executive credentials, or exit strategy. Investors hear from too many entrepreneurs that envision a great business opportunity, but don’t have any written business plan at all. This is a failing strategy as well. Include table of contents. It won’t work.

Business Plan 242

Business Plan Entrepreneur Exit Strategy Audience 242

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

Some nonprofit entrepreneurs think they can skip the whole plan, rather than just the sections on valuation, equity offered, and exit strategy. A nonprofit is still a business, maybe even tougher than for-profit to run successfully, so the best angel is a great entrepreneur at the helm for fund-raising, as well as operations.

Angel Investor 132

Angel Investor Equity Technical Review Exit Strategy 132

YoungUpstarts

SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

A self-professed digital nomad and the founder of a software startup that provides order, purchase and inventory management, Benjamin has found an enviable match for his wanderlust with a business that allows him to work online, anywhere and anytime. We speak to Benjamin about entrepreneurship and building a startup.

South America 113

South America Software Review Thailand Vietnam 113