VC Cafe

FEBRUARY 27, 2024

In smaller funds, ticket sizes tend to be lower, so pre-seed is the only stage where micro funds are able to secure their minimum equity targets. Therefore, software startups (it depends of course) need less money than ever before to build an MVP and get to first customers. who’s talking to customers?)

Valuation 186

Valuation Software Review Generative AI Technical Review 186

View from Seed

MAY 24, 2021

You are a native of NYC tech with a strong network. You have 4-6 years of professional experience as a technology operator, founder, or investor in New York. You have unbounded curiosity for emerging trends, a love for experimentation, and you’re always eager to dive into new products and technologies before others do.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Software Review Seed Stage Cofounder 120

SoCal CTO

NOVEMBER 1, 2010

And do I fit as a Part-Time CTO , Technology Advisor , CTO Founder , Acting CTO ? Understand where they were in terms of being able to pay or was this equity-only (sweat equity only). And he was still in the process of raising additional capital, so it was equity only. There are cases where I will do equity-only deals.

Technical Cofounder 241

Technical Cofounder CTO Hire Equity Sweat Equity 241

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 16, 2022

They couldn’t possibly understand the new social media culture, new technologies, or have the determination to beat their younger counterparts in the market. In fact, they are well-qualified overall, having worked with high technology and computers for at least 20 years, are highly educated, and highly motivated.

Advisory Board 368

Advisory Board Dividend Angel Investor Cofounder 368

View from Seed

JANUARY 27, 2021

We are looking to bring on board a versatile new team member to support the varied internal operations of the firm as well as collaborate with the partners on our external programs and communications with the broader entrepreneurial community. You are actively engaged in the NYC or Boston tech ecosystem. What Will The Job Be Like.

Operations 227

Operations Hiring Seed Stage Software Review 227

Board Effect

OCTOBER 27, 2021

Regulations are in a constant state of evolution, globalization is on the rise, and technology is disrupting every industry. With so many important decisions to make, nonprofit board members must establish a code of ethics. We’ll explain what a code of conduct for your board members is and why it’s crucial to have one.

Software Review 90

Software Review Technical Review United States Equity 90

YoungUpstarts

OCTOBER 18, 2017

Businesses are well-versed in leveraging technology in customer-facing activities. A recent Harvard Business Review (HBR) report , created in partnership with Scout RFP , highlighted this lag and its possible ramifications. With the right technology, procurement can have a staggering impact on the company’s bottom line.

Technical Review 124

Technical Review Finance Software Review Due Diligence 124

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 11, 2022

There were startups and a software industry but barely. SEEING THINGS FROM THE VC SIDE OF THE TABLE While I was a VC in 2007 & 2008 those were dead years because the market again evaporated due the the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). There was no money train. It was 1991. We still loved every moment. The tide has gone out.

Valuation 466

Valuation San Francisco Ratchet Liquidation Preference 466

David Teten

SEPTEMBER 23, 2017

Private equity and venture capital investors are copying our sisters in the hedge fund and mutual fund world: we’re trying to automate more of our job. VCs tout themselves as frontier technology investors, but most are using the same infrastructure tools they have used for the past 20+ years: Excel and recent college grads searching Google.

Private Equity 60

Private Equity Venture Capital Equity Technical Review 60

ReadWriteStart

AUGUST 28, 2012

But when it comes to core technical skills, more and more entrepreneurs are opting to partner with technical co-founders rather than hiring someone for an in-house position. How Innovative Is Your Technology? If you want to start a tech company, you must understand the space. You Need To Know Tech Basics.

Technical Review 131

Technical Review Cofounder Founder Software Review 131

David Teten

APRIL 1, 2021

I’ve recently advised a number of emerging private equity and VC funds who are wrestling with the question: What are the highest impact steps they can take to support their portfolio companies? . Almost every private equity and venture capital investor now advertises that they have a platform to support their portfolio companies.

Private Equity 78

Private Equity Venture Capital Portfolio Equity 78

David Teten

MARCH 14, 2018

My Partners at HOF Capital are younger than I am, which means that we have a half-century horizon for the franchise we are building. – Templatize the entrepreneurial process , by providing checklists, standardized agreements and other reusable code. So we think about scaling a lot.

Private Equity 60

Private Equity Venture Capital Equity Cofounder 60

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2020

They couldn’t possibly understand the new social media culture, new technologies, or have the determination to beat their younger counterparts in the market. In fact, they are well-qualified overall, having worked with high technology and computers for at least 20 years, are highly educated, and highly motivated.

Advisory Board 312

Advisory Board Startup Dividend Angel Investor 312

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 20, 2019

The move to specific tools and software programs increases speed and accuracy of processes. Expectations indicate that the FinTech industry will extend its tech integration significantly over the next four years. Finance companies now consider mobile oriented tech as part of the core work-flow. Human Resources Management.

Technical Review 127

Technical Review Software Review Private Equity Cofounder 127

David Teten

DECEMBER 12, 2017

(written by Philipp von dem Knesebeck , Managing Partner, Blue Future Partners (bluefp.com, @bluefutureteam ), and David Teten ). VCs are at the forefront of technological disruption, funding many of the latest cutting edge productivity tools. But what tools are they using themselves to automate their own processes?

Early Stage 60

Early Stage Technical Review Software Review Venture Capital 60

Board Effect

APRIL 15, 2024

The profound impact of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is a centerpiece of the stewardship of these organizations; sustained and effective social response and problem solving requires diverse and inclusive governance. Mission-driven organizations strive to serve their communities and constituents with integrity and purpose.

Ireland 83

Ireland Ohio Government Equity 83

David Teten

AUGUST 19, 2019

This structure offers some of the benefits of traditional equity VC, without some of the negatives of equity VC. I’ve been a traditional equity VC for 8 years, and I’m now researching new business models in venture capital. In 2019 we partnered with several revenue-based lending providers, effectively creating a marketplace. “.

Revenue 60

Revenue Technical Review Software Review Equity 60

Steve Blank

APRIL 11, 2013

The previous post described how China built its science and technology infrastructure. This post is about the how the Chinese government engineered technology clusters. Of all the Chinese government programs, the Torch Program is the one program that kick-started Chinese high-tech innovation and startups. Innovation Clusters.

Programming 283

Programming Technical Review SBIR China 283

The Equity Kicker

SEPTEMBER 24, 2014

I wrote the post below for Crowdcube , one of the UK’s leading equity crowdfuding sites. Both of these schemes use the tax code to make it more attractive for high-net-worth individuals to invest in startups. Forward Partners and Crowdcube are both attacking elements of these problems.

Early Stage 119

Early Stage Development Team Review Technical Review Software Review 119

ReadWriteStart

AUGUST 28, 2012

But when it comes to core technical skills, more and more entrepreneurs are opting to partner with technical co-founders rather than hiring someone for an in-house position. How Innovative Is Your Technology? If you want to start a tech company, you must understand the space. Laura Roeder , LKR 2.

Technical Review 79

Technical Review Cofounder Founder Software Review 79

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 7, 2016

For IBM, the Personal Computer was a paradigm shift from their big business legacy, built with new technologies for totally new markets, and battleships turn very slowly. Partnering with outside entrepreneurial efforts is discouraged. The burn rate was extremely high, with no one working for equity or deferred compensation.

Technical Review 214

Technical Review Entrepreneur Silicon Valley Burn Rate 214

Austin Startup

MAY 7, 2017

The Forrest Four-Cast: May 7, 2017 The strength of the Central Texas technology / startup scene helps SXSW thrive as an epicenter of innovation. It’s the best place to sharpen your skills and discover important trends, making you better at what you do and igniting your love of code. At the Austin Convention Center. $99-$3895

Technical Review 75

Technical Review Austin North America Software Review 75

David Teten

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

Blue Future Partners, a venture capital fund of funds, recently interviewed me on ESG in venture capital. Here’s what I said: In your career in tech and VC, how has your focus on ESG responsibility changed over time? Numerous thoughtful people are worried about how technological disruption will destroy jobs.

Venture Capital 60

Venture Capital Partner Technical Review Cofounder 60

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

Angels invest in one out of every forty deals they review (2.5%) versus the one out of 400 by VC’s (0.25%). They are professionals with full-time jobs, who often don’t have time for due diligence (and may not even know how to do it) and often make decisions through trusted referrals or based on gut feelings (more on gut feelings later).

Angel Investor 159

Angel Investor Technical Review Software Review Accredited Investor 159

David Teten

OCTOBER 1, 2015

You’ve got a great idea and domain expertise, but limited money and insufficient technology resources. Should you co-found your company with a software development shop? Not surprisingly, the list above also is ranked from least to most equity stake in an investment for the investor, relative to the cash they invest.

Software Developers 60

Software Developers Software Development Software Review Technical Cofounder 60

SoCal CTO

MARCH 3, 2011

Many of the founders of these companies are surprised to learn that I'm willing to review what they are doing (maybe an hour) and get on the phone for an hour with them and provide free advice. Who might be partners? What's you believe is your biggest technology risk, if any? What Is This? Who are the main competitors?

Fractional CTO 264

Fractional CTO CTO Hire NDA Technical Review 264

SoCal CTO

MARCH 3, 2011

Many of the founders of these companies are surprised to learn that I'm willing to review what they are doing (maybe an hour) and get on the phone for an hour with them and provide free advice. Who might be partners? What's you believe is your biggest technology risk, if any? What Is This? Who are the main competitors?

Fractional CTO 259

Fractional CTO CTO Hire NDA Technical Review 259

Board Effect

FEBRUARY 14, 2024

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) values are inextricably bound to the missions of most nonprofit organizations. The goals of those policies are to produce a more diverse and inclusive environment at the organization and for the communities they serve, as well as for their donors, vendors and partners.

Metrics 52

Metrics Equity Software Review Leadership 52

David Teten

MARCH 18, 2021

A typical VC thesis: “we invest in tech startups in Europe at an early stage” However, our experience shows that in many cases: . “Tech” means B2B Saas/Fintech or Consumer apps. Technical” Companies (i.e. any mention of a focus on tech companies). Technical founders . Occurrences.

Technical Review 78

Technical Review Cofounder Venture Capital Deal Flow 78

SoCal CTO

DECEMBER 1, 2010

I continue to collect great content that is the intersection of startups, products, online and technology. The United States is now a debtor nation to China and that the bill is about to come due. Five Reasons You Haven’t Launched - Software By Rob , November 10, 2010 Photo by stevendepolo. But I don’t think so.

Technical Review 175

Technical Review Technology Product CTO Hire 175

Steve Blank

APRIL 11, 2013

The previous post described how China built its science and technology infrastructure. This post is about the how the Chinese government engineered technology clusters. Of all the Chinese government programs, the Torch Program is the one program that kick-started Chinese high-tech innovation and startups. Innovation Clusters.

Programming 175

Programming Technical Review SBIR China 175

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 20, 2016

If your team has a depth of expertise in software, that won’t help you get funding for a new hardware solution. Even if your product is a technological marvel, I look for balanced strength on the team in finance, marketing and operations. Investors are wary of “equal partners,” who may jeopardize a timely decision.

Sweat Equity 152

Sweat Equity Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Software Review 152

Board Effect

JUNE 25, 2023

Donors, volunteers, and partners support nonprofits because of their missions. However, they don’t necessarily have the experience or technical skills to track and report the ways their organization is setting and working toward ESG goals and commitments. Also, leaders may not yet see the importance of ESG reporting.

Securities and Exchange Commission 52

Securities and Exchange Commission Technical Review Metrics Government 52

YoungUpstarts

OCTOBER 28, 2015

by John Vrionis, partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners. Law firms that focus on emerging technology companies understand their legal issues from multiple perspectives and offer excellent advice. They also need to decide whether to structure terms as an equity deal or a convertible security deal. Convertible Securities.

Convertible Security 100

Convertible Security IP Technical Review Software Review 100

Austin Startup

NOVEMBER 13, 2019

On October 15, Capital Factory hosted the Latinx in Tech Summit, where over 100 founders, investors, executives, and aspiring entrepreneurs from across the city gathered together for an inspiring and insightful afternoon. I've never been around this many Latinx in tech. As we head to 2020, Latinx will be the MAJORITY in the US.

Technical Review 51

Technical Review Cofounder Dallas LLC 51

techcrunch.com

SEPTEMBER 2, 2012

Convertible Equity, A Better Alternative To Convertible Debt? As a refresher, a convertible note is a loan that automatically converts into equity upon the closing of a Series A round of financing. Second, the debt note requires a fixed due date (or “maturity date”) for repayment of the total amount borrowed, plus interest.

Equity 87

Equity San Francisco Technical Review Angel Investor 87

Rob Go

DECEMBER 28, 2011

It got me thinking about this past year, specifically around consumer tech in Boston. So I thought I’d jot down some of the highlights I have seen from my vantage point in this 2011 Boston Consumer Web Year in Review. Zipcar: Ok, not exactly consumer web/software, but a great consumer tech company nonetheless.

Technical Review 54

Technical Review Boston Software Review IPO 54