2024

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Requests for Startups in 2024

VC Cafe

Most startups equate the process of fundraising to dating – founders have to typically kiss a lot of frogs until the find the right fit. Investors are typically focused on stage, geo and in some cases sector , but there are always exceptions so it’s hard for startup founders to assess who might be interested to embark on their journey. In addition, founders thinking about starting a company can be overwhelmed by choice, as there are so many problems to tackle with technology, but it

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6 Reasons IT Outsourcing Software Development To Eastern Europe is on the Rise in the US: Key Benefits and Trends

The Startup Magazine

Outsourcing software development has become an increasingly popular strategy for US companies, and Eastern Europe is emerging as a prime destination. The primary reason for this shift is the talent pool in countries like Ukraine and Poland, where there are many highly skilled IT professionals. Many firms are drawn to the region for its combination of technical expertise and cost-effectiveness.

Europe 152
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How to Objectively Measure the "Fundability" of Your Startup

This is going to be BIG.

Sorry, you can’t. The decision to fund a company is a combination of a lot of human factors—an assessment of one group of humans by another group of humans, fraught with apples-to-oranges comparisons. Yet, everyone’s got an opinion about how a company measures up, especially the founder. ( If you want mine, I’m doing a little consulting now. ) So, how do you know what truth is?

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19 Entrepreneurs List Their Favorite Technology Innovation

Hearpreneur

Technology innovation is driving advancements in various industries, shaping our world today. From AI and machine learning to biotechnology, technology is revolutionizing our lives. Innovations like blockchain, virtual reality, and cloud computing are transforming business and communication. Entrepreneurs embrace these innovations to unlock possibilities, making them a cornerstone of modern entrepreneurship.

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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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“I will say that a lot of tension arose from Googler’s expectations that the company’s culture had to be exactly the same as what it was when the company was one fifth the size” Former GOOG & MSFT executive (and multiple time founder) Javier Soltero on Career Advice, Big Company Culture, and Startup Hiring Tips

Hunter Walker

I am reluctant to call someone a ‘friend’ unless the relationship has crossed the threshold honoring the depth of commitment behind the designation. By that framework I started out as a ‘fan’ of Javier Soltero way before we became friends. It was his mobile productivity startup Acompli (later acquired by Microsoft) which first caught my attention.

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Are DMs the new Cold Calls?

Duct Tape Marketing

Are DMs the new Cold Calls? written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast with Sean Malone In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interviewed Sean Malone, a leading expert in the sales industry and a pioneer in leveraging direct messaging (DM) as a powerful tool for high-conversion sales. With the shift in consumer behavior and the increasing saturation of traditional sales channels, Sean Malone sheds light on why DMs are quickly becoming

More Trending

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Revisiting the Craft Beer Metaphor for the VC Industry

View from Seed

When we started NextView back in 2012, we often used the metaphor of the beer industry to describe the evolution of the VC business. In a nutshell, the argument was that all industries go from being a cottage industry to one that is industrialized. A few big players emerge that compete on scale and scope, much like AB Inbev in the beer industry and the megafunds in venture.

Merger 343
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Launching A Nonprofit? Here’s What To Include In Your Business Plan 

YoungUpstarts

If you're interested in starting a nonprofit, creating a business plan will help clarify things and lay out the steps needed to reach your objectives. The post Launching A Nonprofit? Here’s What To Include In Your Business Plan appeared first on Young Upstarts.

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What to Expect During the Varta Storytelling Festival in Ann Arbor

Brandanew

We are so excited to welcome everyone to be a part of our Varta storytelling festival at the Ann Arbor District Library on October 13th. This festival has been created with partial support from MAPAAC. Here is what you can expect! South-Asian writers and storytellers from Michigan and out of the state are participating in […] The post What to Expect During the Varta Storytelling Festival in Ann Arbor appeared first on Peerbagh.

Michigan 246
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10 Reasons Why You Need a Great Financial Model (Today!)

Gust

Understanding your startup's metrics is like having a GPS for your business journey. It helps you navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and steer your company towards success. The post 10 Reasons Why You Need a Great Financial Model (Today!) appeared first on Gust.

Metrics 161
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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?

Valuation 186
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Keeping Company Data Safe in a Connected World

The Startup Magazine

Safeguarding company data has become more critical than ever in the modern world. With increasing cyber threats and the expanding use of digital technologies, businesses must implement robust data protection strategies to prevent breaches and ensure the security of sensitive information. This article explores the essential practices and technologies that can help keep company data safe in a connected world.

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Southeast Asia: Resetting Expectations

Lightspeed Venture Partners

The post Southeast Asia: Resetting Expectations appeared first on Lightspeed Venture Partners.

Asia 215
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30 Entrepreneurs Reveal How They Create Space to Think, Strategize and Grow Their Organization

Hearpreneur

Organizational development and creating a conducive environment for strategic planning, and sustainable growth is paramount for introspection and innovation in any organization's success. Understanding the importance of creating such a space helps leaders pave the way for enhanced decision-making, effective strategy formulation, and the continual evolution of their business ventures.

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But There's So Much Content Out There!

This is going to be BIG.

I’m very lucky. I know a lot of really smart, interesting people. That’s why I find myself telling a lot of people that I’d love it if they shared their thoughts more often in public. I don’t much care whether they do it in writing, or a newsletter, a podcast or on LinkedIn—but I feel like I every time I interact with them, I learn something or I’m inspired to think about things in a different way.

Deal Flow 167
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The Top 5 Episodes of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast in 2023

Duct Tape Marketing

The Top 5 Episodes of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast in 2023 written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing 2023 was a year of remarkable growth for the marketing industry. With a rapidly changing landscape, it’s never been a more exciting time to be an entrepreneur. I was able to visit with many phenomenal guests on the show this year.

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Why Large Organizations Struggle With Disruption, and What to Do About It

Steve Blank

Seemingly overnight, disruption has allowed challengers to threaten the dominance of companies and government agencies as many of their existing systems have now been leapfrogged. How an organization reacts to this type of disruption determines whether they adapt or die. I’ve been working with a large organization whose very existence is being challenged by an onslaught of technology (AI, autonomy, quantum, cyberattacks, access to space, et al) from aggressive competitors, both existing and new.

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Firing Clients: A Bold Step Toward Building a Thriving Business

Mike Michalowicz

 Cutting ties with clients is tough. As business owners, we pour so much time, energy, and care into our work that the thought of walking away from any client can feel daunting—almost like we’re failing them. But let me tell you, letting go of certain clients can be one of the bravest, most confidence-boosting decisions you’ll ever make. It’s not just about survival; it’s about thriving.

Demand 144
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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.

Founder 278
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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.

Community 246
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Techstars is evolving and growing

David Cohen

Recently, this post about our evolution came out from Techstars. Of course, as Chairman, I know of, and strongly support, the strategic changes that are happening at Techstars. We are strengthening our ability to invest in more startups and their founders than any other company in the world. And helping founders be successful has always been our goal.

Denver 165
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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).

Israel 184
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The Best Tools for Engaging and Effective Office Presentations

The Startup Magazine

Creating an engaging and effective office presentation is no small feat. In today’s fast-paced, attention-diverting environment, it can be challenging to keep colleagues or clients captivated from start to finish. Often, it’s not just the content that matters but also how it’s delivered and enhanced with the right tools. This blog will explore top tools that make office presentations not only more engaging but also easier to follow and remember.

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The Future of Voice: Our Thoughts On How It Will Transform Conversational AI

Lightspeed Venture Partners

The post The Future of Voice: Our Thoughts On How It Will Transform Conversational AI appeared first on Lightspeed Venture Partners.

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29 Entrepreneurs Explain What They Love About Being an Entrepreneur

Hearpreneur

Being in love is great. Being in love with your business, when you’re an entrepreneur, is even better. Waking up each morning knowing you are getting ready to do exactly what you love is more than most people could ever say about any “job” they have had. Although there are days when tossing in your hat seems like a viable option, remembering how much you love your “job” can quickly snap an entrepreneur out of that mentality.

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Austin Mourns the Loss of Lori Hawkins, Pioneering Tech Journalist and Pillar of the City’s Innovation Story

SiliconHills

When Lori Hawkins joined the Austin American Statesman in 1994 to cover technology, the city looked vastly different from what it does today. Dell was just ten years old at the time. It was the dawn of the information age, an economy built on computers, software, and the commercial Internet.

Austin 144
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How Writing a Book is Good For Business & Why You Shouldn’t Do It Without a Coach

Duct Tape Marketing

How Writing a Book is Good For Business & Why You Shouldn’t Do It Without a Coach written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing   The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast with Leigh Shulman In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interview Argentina-based author Leigh Shulman. A writing mentor with two decades of experience under her belt.

Cloud 76
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How Saboteurs Threaten Innovation–and What to Do About It

Steve Blank

“Only the Paranoid Survive” Andy Grove – Intel CEO 1987-1998 I just had an urgent “can we meet today?” coffee with Rohan, an ex-student. His three-year-old startup had been slapped with a notice of patent infringement from a Fortune 500 company. “My lawyers said defending this suit could cost $500,000 just for discovery, and potentially millions of dollars if it goes to trial.

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Avoid Burnout: Redesigning the Workplace for Employee Well-Being

Mike Michalowicz

The need to prioritize employee well-being has become more critical than ever. Non-stop connectivity, increased workloads, and the challenges posed by remote or hybrid work setups have significantly elevated the risk of burnout among your team. Recognizing and addressing these challenges is not just a responsibility to check off your task list – it’s an essential investment in the success and longevity of any organization.

Employee 158
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How To Know If The Gig Economy Is For You

YoungUpstarts

The gig economy offers many upsides for those who have the moxy to capitalize on a skill and be their own boss. The post How To Know If The Gig Economy Is For You appeared first on Young Upstarts.

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My Goal is to NEVER be on the VC Midas List

Hunter Walker

The best podcasts are conversations which take you places you weren’t necessarily planning to go. My chat recently with Molly O’Shea of Sourcery ( great newsletter, you should subscribe ) covered more than I was expecting! This short clip is pretty self explanatory. I’ll never be on the Forbes Midas List (one of the annual ‘rankings’ of venture capital performance).

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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.

Dilution 127
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The Booming Voice AI Landscape: A VC Perspective

VC Cafe

Voice AI applications will unlock $10B of new software TAM over the next five years Bessemer Venture Partners Remember when talking to machines felt like science fiction? Those of you old enough to remember the ‘Google Duplex’ demo (which turned out to be fake) might recall the feeling of astonishment that tech can sound that natural. Well, that future is now knocking on our door.

Vertical 169
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Streamlining Workflow Efficiency: Innovations and Insights

The Startup Magazine

Key Takeaways Efficient workflows can significantly boost productivity and reduce stress. Adopting innovative tools and technologies is crucial for modern businesses. Both digital and physical workspace adjustments can enhance workflow efficiency. Understanding team dynamics and feedback optimizes process improvements. Understanding the Need for Workflow Efficiency In the dynamic landscape of modern businesses, the pressure to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness is unrelenting.

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Arjun Prakash

Lightspeed Venture Partners

Lightspeed Venture Partners is a multi-stage venture capital firm focused on accelerating disruptive innovations and trends.

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24 Entrepreneurs Explain Why They Started Their Own Business

Hearpreneur

Each business has a story. No matter if the business is a Goliath like Wal-Mart or a local business owned by a couple or family, the business has roots in an idea. For each business owner, the story of their journey can range from monetary needs to the passion for a unique project. Each story is different though the reasons may remain the same. No matter the tale, the background behind each and every business is what fuels each and every brand.