Both Sides of the Table

MAY 15, 2010

It’s always fun chatting with Jason because he’s knowledgeable about the market, quick on topics and pushes me to talk more about VC / entrepreneur issues. We’re staring to get the hang of how to divide the show up into talking about deals but also talking about issues for entrepreneurs during funding.

Stealth 285

Stealth SEC Advertising Accredited Investor 285

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 16, 2017

Entrepreneurs who require funding for their startup have long counted on self-accredited high net worth individuals (“angels”) to fill their needs, after friends and family, and before they qualify for institutional investments (“VCs”). Thus investing in startups should always be approached as a low odds game.

Angel Investor 190

Angel Investor Accredited Investor IRR Angel Groups 190

David Teten

MAY 9, 2012

I am very happy to announce today a new program I’ve been working on designed to support women and diverse entrepreneurs, particularly those in the technology sector. VCAP© Addresses the Gap between Venture Capital and Funding for Women and Diverse Entrepreneurs. According to the U.S.

Venture Capital 154

Venture Capital Programming Accredited Investor New York 154

ReadWriteStart

APRIL 26, 2011

It's still not the accepted or the obvious choice for funding your startup, however. But news that the Austin, Texas-based MicroVentures has successfully raised its first $150,000 for three startups via its crowdfunding platform suggests that these alternatives might be viable after all. It also allows them to invest smaller amounts.

Software Review 122

Software Review Accredited Investor Due Diligence Burn Rate 122

Scott Edward Walker

FEBRUARY 1, 2014

My law firm recently entered into a new partnership with This Week in Startups and sponsored their live fireside chat last month in San Francisco with authors Nick Bilton and Brad Stone. Prior to the event, I conducted a legal workshop entitled “The 5 Biggest Legal Mistakes That Startups Make,” which I have uploaded below.

Software Review 111

Software Review Delaware Accredited Investor Due Diligence 111

Scott Edward Walker

FEBRUARY 1, 2014

My law firm recently entered into a new partnership with This Week in Startups and sponsored their live fireside chat last month in San Francisco with authors Nick Bilton and Brad Stone. Prior to the event, I conducted a legal workshop entitled “The 5 Biggest Legal Mistakes That Startups Make,” which I have uploaded below.

Software Review 111

Software Review Delaware Accredited Investor Due Diligence 111

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2015

Entrepreneurs who require funding for their startup have long counted on self-accredited high net worth individuals (“angels”) to fill their needs, after friends and family, and before they qualify for institutional investments (“VCs”). Thus investing in startups should always be approached as a low odds game.

Angel Investor 120

Angel Investor Angel Groups Accredited Investor IRR 120

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2016

Whether you are talking to peers, competitors or investors, you as an active entrepreneur will be judged on your familiarity with today’s startup and funding jargon. In that context, I offer you my latest collection of popular investor-to-entrepreneur terms and concepts. Could your startup be the next one?

Software Review 120

Software Review Sweat Equity Accredited Investor Angel Investor 120

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 21, 2015

Even if you ignore all the hype around crowdfunding, there can be no doubt that it is a real alternative for entrepreneurs to achieve visibility and funding today. In fact, perhaps the most important model, equity crowdfunding for non-accredited investors, is still not legal in the U.S., Startup equity model. In the U.S.,

Accredited Investor 120

Accredited Investor SEC Equity Europe 120

Scott Edward Walker

JUNE 30, 2011

Introduction I’ve been helping entrepreneurs raise capital as a securities lawyer for 17+ years, and there are certain fundamental legal mistakes that I’ve seen entrepreneurs make over and over again. Accordingly, I thought it would be helpful to share three basic tips for entrepreneurs in connection with raising capital.

Securities and Exchange Commission 76

Securities and Exchange Commission Accredited Investor Private Placement Finder 76

Gust

NOVEMBER 8, 2012

As a business lawyer working with startups in technology and digital media every day, I’m fortunate to have a front-row seat as entrepreneurs create value out of thin air. Granted most startups will never become another Apple or Google. misses an opportunity. Intellectual Property.

Silicon Valley 187

Silicon Valley San Francisco Intellectual Property Accredited Investor 187

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 10, 2016

Every startup founder loves to prompt for questions from investors and potential key team members about their vision, and the huge opportunity that can be had with their disruptive technology. Early stage burn rates over $50K per month, or a runway of less than six months may indicate an inefficient or desperate startup.

Sweat Equity 120

Sweat Equity Burn Rate Technical Review Intellectual Property 120

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 30, 2017

One of the most common complaints I hear from new business owners and startups is about the pain and difficulty raising capital. Based on my experience with startups, I’m a strong believer that there are far better alternatives available, if you think outside the box. Prepare properly for meeting and closing with investors.

Technical Review 220

Technical Review Accredited Investor Due Diligence Equity 220

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. These are all accredited investors who risk their own money. These are all accredited investors who risk their own money.

Angel Investor 120

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Accredited Investor Angel Groups 120

Feld Thoughts

MAY 9, 2011

This afternoon in Boulder I’ll be on a panel as part of the White House Startup America Roundtable. More recently, I’ve focused my energy on the Startup Visa movement and the Startup America Partnership. Tax Policy : Incent people to invest in startups.

Government 143

Government Technical Review Intellectual Property Accredited Investor 143

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 10, 2010

If your startup is looking for an angel investor, it makes sense to present your plan to flocks of angels, and assume that at least one will swoop down and scoop you up. One of the most common questions I get is “How do I find angel investors?” Tags: entrepreneur startup angel investors flock of angels.

Angel Investor 120

Angel Investor North America South America Accredited Investor 120

Agile VC

OCTOBER 23, 2012

The same is not true for venture capital of course, since the underlying startups VCs invest in aren’t publicly selling their equity. Startup outcomes are a power law distribution rather than a standard distribution. Even if you’re top decile for your vintage year (e.g.

LP 176

LP Accredited Investor Carried Interest Distribution 176

Gust

OCTOBER 20, 2011

Individual accredited investors in typical angel deals put personal capital at risk for an equity share of growth-oriented, start-up companies. These angel investors generally invest $25,000 to $100,000 in a round totaling $250,000 to $1,000,000. The range of the data is from a low pre-money valuation of $0.8

Valuation 146

Valuation Pre-Money Valuation Intellectual Property Technical Review 146

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2022

If your startup is looking for an angel investor, it makes sense to present your plan to flocks of angels, and assume that at least one will swoop down and scoop you up. This is another very popular website for raising equity or debt investments for startups. In addition, they serve as a jobs available site for 24,000 startups.

North America 337

North America Accredited Investor Angel Investor Angel Groups 337

Gust

FEBRUARY 22, 2014

There are literally hundreds of platforms currently operating that connect investors and startups, and there have been at least a hundred others that have come and gone. Setting up a clean, effective web site that lists companies seeking funding and provides accounts for investors to interact with them is not rocket science.

Kazakhstan 107

Kazakhstan Belarus Accredited Investor Portugal 107

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 20, 2021

I often recommend business networking as the most effective way for a startup founder to find investors, advisors, and even key executive candidates. Here are a few of the “do’s”: Post your profile on LinkedIn and Twitter, and join in startup discussions. Join and actively participate in local business organizations.

Accredited Investor 357

Accredited Investor Elevator Pitch Entrepreneur SEC 357

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 26, 2020

As an advisor to many entrepreneurs, I still hear frequently the irrational exuberance that crowdfunding is the quick alternative for startups that are passed over by overly demanding angels or venture capital investors. Startups need to build a large passionate group of fans before the campaign.

Accredited Investor 378

Accredited Investor SEC Campaign Equity 378

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 24, 2014

If your startup is looking for an Angel investor, it makes sense to present your plan to flocks of Angels, and assume that at least one will swoop down and scoop you up. More than 200,000 startups have already used the platform to connect with 45,000 investors. Or does it? Keiretsu Forum. New England Investment Network.

North America 289

North America Rhode Island Accredited Investor Angel Investor 289

Gust

SEPTEMBER 27, 2014

To begin with, it is important to understand some basic facts about the world of entrepreneurial finance: There are many more entrepreneurs than there are investors, with the result that only one company out of every 400 that seeks venture funding actually receives it.

Angel Groups 159

Angel Groups Elevator Pitch Software Review Deal Flow 159

Up and Running

NOVEMBER 26, 2018

Startups have to deal with starting costs and ongoing businesses have to finance growth and working capital. Are you a startup or ongoing business? For example, many ongoing businesses have access to standard business loans from a traditional bank that would not be available to startups. Myth #3: Business plans sell investors.

SBA 161

SBA Venture Capital Angel Investor Technical Review 161

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 25, 2020

With the advent and growth of crowdfunding over the past few years, many entrepreneurs have predicted the demise of those demanding angel investment groups and venture capital organizations. Have you ever wondered what professional startup investors think about all this? Lack of checks and balances on startup valuations.

Equity 411

Equity Angel Groups Accredited Investor Due Diligence 411

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 27, 2023

Most aspiring entrepreneurs look to their alma mater, or any university, as a source of classes that can help them, but neglect to think outside the box or take advantage of all the other resources to be found there. Access to entrepreneurs-in-residence, business mentors. Visibility to startup job opportunities and career guidance.

Arizona 276

Arizona Intellectual Property Accredited Investor Entrepreneur 276

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 12, 2013

Many entrepreneurs I know don’t realize that the language they learned in the corporate world, or even their recent MBA class, won’t get them ahead in the startup world today. Even if you have heard some of the new terms, but can’t explain how, when, and why they are relevant to your startup, you may be in jeopardy.

Entrepreneur 274

Entrepreneur Accredited Investor Silicon Valley Angel Investor 274

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 28, 2013

I often recommend business networking as the most effective way for a startup founder to find investors, advisors, and even key executive candidates. Here are a few of the “do’s”: Post your profile on LinkedIn and Twitter, and join in startup discussions. etiquette entrepreneur startup founder business networking'

Networking 250

Networking Entrepreneur Accredited Investor Elevator Pitch 250

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 27, 2012

I often recommend business networking as the most effective way for a startup founder to find investors, advisors, and even key executive candidates. Business groups like TiE-The Indus Entrepreneurs and EO-Entrepreneurs Organization are places to meet people you can help, as well as people who can help you.

Networking 242

Networking Accredited Investor Elevator Pitch Entrepreneur 242

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 16, 2012

If you are new to the entrepreneurial world of startups, you are likely confused by the terminology of seed-stage, lean startups, micro-VCs, and Super Angels. Don’t be embarrassed, since even professional investors are often confused these days by the new terms, as well as old terms used with new meanings. Early-stage startup.

Early Stage 253

Early Stage Finance Seed Stage Entrepreneur 253

Gust

JULY 19, 2012

It’s going to be very crowded, very noisy, and probably not very lucrative for the funders (although it will likely put quite a bit of cash into new startups.) 4) Accredited Investor funding portals, which may or may not register under the JOBS Act, but will restrict themselves to the exempt, upper part of the market.

Accredited Investor 144

Accredited Investor SEC Equity Early Stage 144

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 1, 2013

Investing in entrepreneurs and startups is a fun but different world from investing in conventional stocks, bonds, and commodities. First of all, it’s more of an investment in people than in a business, since the startup is usually an idea barely half-baked when they need your money. Fund an entrepreneur you know and trust.

Accredited Investor 219

Accredited Investor Liquidity Event SEC Stock 219

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 24, 2012

Reuters TV Interview by Rhonda Schaffler Investing in entrepreneurs and startups is a fun but different world from investing in conventional stocks, bonds, and commodities. First of all, it’s more of an investment in people than in a business, since the startup is usually an idea barely half-baked when they need your money.

Portfolio 228

Portfolio Accredited Investor Liquidity Event SEC 228

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 2, 2011

Although every startup is unique, there are certain common avoidable mistakes that can lead to legal complications which jeopardize the long-term success of the business. Many startups delay incorporation until the first formal round of financing, which is too late. Trouble with the IRS over founders stock value.

Non-Compete 246

Non-Compete Accredited Investor Entrepreneur Cofounder 246

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 11, 2021

Although every startup is unique, there are certain common avoidable mistakes that can lead to legal complications which jeopardize the long-term success of the business. Many startups delay incorporation until the first formal round of financing, which is too late. Trouble with the IRS over Founders stock value.

Cost 363

Cost Non-Compete Accredited Investor Cofounder 363

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 20, 2013

If your startup is looking for an Angel investor, it makes sense to present your plan to flocks of Angels, and assume that at least one will swoop down and scoop you up. It boasts more than 1,000 member-managed groups and VCs, with 40,000 investors, and over 1,800 startups funded in the last 12 months. Or does it?

Angel Investor 270

Angel Investor North America Rhode Island Accredited Investor 270