Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 17, 2020

Every entrepreneur I know has their favorite excuse for a previous failure – an investor backed out, the economy took a downturn, or a supplier delivered bad quality. In that spirit, I offer my perspective on ten common startup failure sources that rarely get admitted by entrepreneurs: Choose to skip the written business plan.

Intellectual Property 436

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Viral Distribution 436

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 14, 2014

My first advice for new entrepreneurs is to pick a domain that doesn’t have the sky-high up-front development costs, like online web sites and smart phone apps. This source is a major focus these days, due to government initiatives to incent research and development on alternative energy and other technologies. Are you ready to start?

Entrepreneur 283

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 283

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2019

My first advice for new entrepreneurs is to pick a domain, such as online web sites and smart phone apps, that doesn’t have the sky-high up-front development costs. This source is a major focus these days, due to government initiatives to incent research and development on alternative energy and other technologies. Marty Zwilling.

Finance 320

Finance Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 320

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 27, 2014

In my experience, consummate entrepreneurs tend come up with more startup ideas than they can ever implement, and some of the ideas may not even make business sense. But how does any entrepreneur know which ideas to implement, and which ones are best left behind? Check for intellectual property barriers in your way.

Technical Review 267

Technical Review Due Diligence Entrepreneur Intellectual Property 267

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 27, 2016

For a software startup, a patent can be the intellectual property providing the key competitive advantage, or it can be an expensive non-defensible bureaucratic nightmare -- or both. Copyright intellectual property protection is already given automatically and immediately without the need to register the copyright with a government.

Software Review 120

Software Review Intellectual Property Software Technical Review 120

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2019

My first advice for new entrepreneurs is to pick a domain that doesn’t have the sky-high up-front development costs, like online web sites and smart phone apps. This source is a major focus these days, due to government initiatives to incent research and development on alternative energy and other technologies. Are you ready to start?

Intellectual Property 219

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 219

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 11, 2022

After many years of working with angel investors seriously trying to find new ventures worthy of their hard-earned money, I find their frustration often exceeds that of entrepreneurs sincerely looking for financial help. For seed stage funding, entrepreneurs should be looking to friends and family, crowd funding, and relevant institutions.

Due Diligence 271

Due Diligence Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Preferred Stock 271

Feld Thoughts

MAY 9, 2011

Over the past few years, I’ve spent some time thinking about how the government can help entrepreneurship. It started with my role as the co-chairman of the Colorado Governors Innovation Council which was my first involvement in any formal way with any government initiative. Necessity will drive efficiency.

Government 143

Government Technical Review Intellectual Property Accredited Investor 143

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 24, 2018

In my experience, consummate entrepreneurs tend come up with more startup ideas than they can ever implement, and some of the ideas may not even make business sense. But how does any entrepreneur know which ideas to implement, and which ones are best left behind? Check for intellectual property barriers in your way.

Technical Review 208

Technical Review Due Diligence Intellectual Property Internet 208

Up and Running

MARCH 12, 2019

For a lot of non-technical founders—that is, entrepreneurs with a business idea but without technical expertise— sourcing software development talent is critical. The last thing you want is to have simply handed your idea and your intellectual property over to a potential competitor. It’s a valid concern. Start with a contract.

IP 80

IP Software Developers Software Development Intellectual Property 80

Up and Running

JULY 5, 2021

Most small businesses, growing startups , and individual entrepreneurs do not have ready access to legal counsel. And hiring an intellectual property attorney may seem like a budget dealbreaker. Entrepreneurs are often DIYers by nature. Approaching the trademark registration process can be daunting. Hiring an attorney.

Hiring 133

Hiring Intellectual Property United States Search 133

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2015

My first advice for new entrepreneurs is to pick a domain, such as online web sites and smart phone apps, that doesn’t have the sky-high up-front development costs. This source is a major focus these days, due to government initiatives to incent research and development on alternative energy and other technologies. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 120

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 120

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2014

The bad news is that patent trolls (non-producing companies that make their money from licensing patents) can squeeze the lifeblood out of unsuspecting entrepreneurs, as exemplified by the recent mess around Lodsys suing small Apple IOS developers. They know that these entrepreneurs don’t have the skill or resources to defend themselves.

Software Review 250

Software Review Software Technical Review Intellectual Property 250

Steve Blank

DECEMBER 10, 2009

Early on in my career I took a “we’re moving too fast to deal with lawyers” attitude to patents and Intellectual Property (IP.) At one of my entrepreneurship classes at Stanford, Dan Dorosin , of Fenwick & West LLP guest lectures about startups and Intellectual Property. Intellectual Property.

Intellectual Property 219

Intellectual Property IP Software Review Non-disclosure Agreement 219

Up and Running

NOVEMBER 19, 2015

Nearly all businesses, whether they are small or large, are comprised of intellectual property (IP) and trade secrets, which can serve as the foundation for commercial success. The World Intellectual Property Organization defines IP as, “creations of the mind,” which, depending on the business, can take many forms.

Intellectual Property 60

Intellectual Property Business Plan IP Early Stage 60

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2017

My first advice for new entrepreneurs is to pick a domain that doesn’t have the sky-high up-front development costs, like online web sites and smart phone apps. This source is a major focus these days, due to government initiatives to incent research and development on alternative energy and other technologies. Are you ready to start?

Product Development 177

Product Development Cost Developer Product 177

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 19, 2013

My first advice for new entrepreneurs is to pick a domain that doesn’t have the sky-high up-front development costs, like online web sites and smart phone apps. This source is a major focus these days, due to government initiatives to incent research and development on alternative energy and other technologies. Are you ready to start?

Intellectual Property 309

Intellectual Property Technical Review Venture Capital Startup 309

YoungUpstarts

JULY 5, 2020

Over the years, Canada has been a choice location for entrepreneurs and businesses across the different facets of endeavors and industries. Entrepreneur Visa. In addition to Canada’s stable economy, other perks include its proximity to the United States and its similar business ethics and culture with the U.S, Investor Visa.

Canada 264

Canada North America Intellectual Property Asia 264

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 12, 2018

My first advice for new entrepreneurs is to pick a domain, such as online web sites and smart phone apps, that doesn’t have the sky-high up-front development costs. This source is a major focus these days, due to government initiatives to incent research and development on alternative energy and other technologies. Marty Zwilling.

Intellectual Property 134

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 134

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 29, 2019

As a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I challenge them to think beyond what I call linear extensions to a current trend, such as another “easier-to-use” app for smartphones, a new dating site for pets, or another niche social network. Great social entrepreneurs are rare. Why doesn’t this product or service already exist?

Intellectual Property 317

Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Bootstrapping Salary 317

Steve Blank

APRIL 14, 2013

Intellectual property protection is great on paper and “limited” in practice. Eventually, China’s innovation-driven economy needs intellectual property rights and anti-trust laws that are enforced. The Chinese government must be laughing hysterically over U.S. web site, they create another 100,000 VPN users.

China 324

China Silicon Valley Non-Compete Intellectual Property 324

YoungUpstarts

MAY 22, 2016

Taking appropriate action for intellectual property protection. Failing to take appropriate steps to protect your intellectual property can leave you vulnerable and without any legal standing should another business take your unique idea. Developing a startup is an incredibly exciting time for any business entrepreneur.

Intellectual Property 124

Intellectual Property Startup Cofounder Technical Review 124

Gust

OCTOBER 19, 2014

The bad news is that patent trolls (non-producing companies that make their money from licensing patents) can squeeze the lifeblood out of unsuspecting entrepreneurs, as exemplified by the recent mess around Lodsys suing small Apple IOS developers. They know that these entrepreneurs don’t have the skill or resources to defend themselves.

Software Review 173

Software Review Software Technical Review Intellectual Property 173

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2023

On the other hand, if you are a new entrepreneur, still in the idea stage, professional investors will only tell you to come back later when you have traction (customers and revenue). This is the exit stage for the entrepreneur, and for all earlier investors. My invention and prototype works, but I need funding to continue.”

Angel Investor 313

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 313

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 11, 2016

In my experience, consummate entrepreneurs tend come up with more startup ideas than they can ever implement, and some of the ideas may not even make business sense. But how does any entrepreneur know which ideas to implement, and which ones are best left behind? Check for intellectual property barriers in your way.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Due Diligence Intellectual Property Internet 120

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 3, 2016

Every entrepreneur I know has their favorite excuse for a previous failure – an investor backed out, the economy took a downturn, or a supplier delivered bad quality. In that spirit, I offer my perspective on ten common startup failure sources that rarely get admitted by entrepreneurs: Choose to skip the written business plan.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Startup Angel Investor Viral 120

Steve Blank

APRIL 14, 2013

Intellectual property protection is great on paper and “limited” in practice. Eventually, China’s innovation-driven economy needs intellectual property rights and anti-trust laws that are enforced. The Chinese government must be laughing hysterically over U.S. web site, they create another 100,000 VPN users.

China 216

China Silicon Valley Non-Compete Intellectual Property 216

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 14, 2010

Bockerstette, Main Street Venture Fund As I outlined last week, trophy angel investors are always looking for trophy entrepreneurs. In many areas, not enough entrepreneurs meet the criteria, so it’s still a buyer’s market. We see many entrepreneurs who grossly over value their company when attempting to obtain outside investment.

Intellectual Property 265

Intellectual Property Balance Sheet Phoenix Arizona 265

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 1, 2015

Every entrepreneur I know has their favorite excuse for a previous failure – an investor backed out, the economy took a downturn, or a supplier delivered bad quality. In that spirit, I offer my perspective on ten common startup failure sources that rarely get admitted by entrepreneurs: Choose to skip the written business plan.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Viral Distribution 120

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 14, 2020

After many years of working with angel investors seriously trying to find new ventures worthy of their hard-earned money, I find their frustration often exceeds that of entrepreneurs sincerely looking for financial help. For seed stage funding, entrepreneurs should be looking to friends and family, crowd funding, and relevant institutions.

Due Diligence 308

Due Diligence Intellectual Property Preferred Stock Seed Stage 308

Austin Startup

FEBRUARY 7, 2019

Knowbella Tech is an open science collaboration company that uses blockchain to deliver free tools, services, grants, and intellectual properties (IP) to researchers, particularly the underserved in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Helix will have liquidity at 366 days on a tightly regulated security token exchange.

Intellectual Property 48

Intellectual Property Technical Review Malta Startup 48

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 22, 2020

On the other hand, if you are a new entrepreneur, still in the idea stage, professional investors will only tell you to come back later when you have traction (customers and revenue). This is the exit stage for the entrepreneur, and for all earlier investors. My invention and prototype works, but I need funding to continue.”

Angel Investor 370

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 370

The Startup Magazine

MARCH 10, 2018

Thus, as with many other expensive aspects of starting a business, many entrepreneurs like you are turning to software. Because this typically consists of filing straightforward paperwork with your local government, you probably shouldn’t use a lawyer unless you are trying to divide equity upon formation.

Software Review 70

Software Review Technical Review Artificial Inteligence Software 70

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 12, 2019

Most entrepreneurs are quick to assert to potential investors that their product or solution will kill the competition, but unfortunately your opinion alone is not enough to convince most experienced investors. Past leadership success is definitely a competitive advantage. Promote any inside relationships or customer base.

Intellectual Property 215

Intellectual Property Agile Differentiation Government 215

YoungUpstarts

MAY 21, 2016

Not only must an entrepreneur have insight, diligence and tenacity to initiate an enterprise, he or she must also consider the common challenges that occur in operating a company on a day-to-day basis. Many new entrepreneurs seek financing from private banks that often aggressively seek out new business in the local community.

Intellectual Property 100

Intellectual Property United Kingdom Entrepreneur Finance 100

YoungUpstarts

OCTOBER 28, 2015

This past summer, the Lightspeed Summer Fellowships program invited selected guests to provide aspiring entrepreneurs a perspective into all aspects of starting a new company. The program provides entrepreneurs the resources and mentoring they need to build their companies and develop their skills. ” Intellectual Property.

Convertible Security 100

Convertible Security IP Technical Review Software Review 100

NZ Entrepreneur

MARCH 12, 2019

One of the questions we’re often asked is, “What Government funding is available for startups in New Zealand?” ” shortly followed by, “I wonder if there’s any funding for startups from the Government?” ” Unfortunately, like so many questions in life, the answer is, “It depends.”

Government 66

Government New Zealand Incubator Intellectual Property 66