Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2014

As a startup mentor, I’m always amazed that some entrepreneurs seem to be an immediate hit with investors, while others struggle to get any attention at all. Finally I realized that Venture Capital and Angel investors are actually humans, despite some views to the contrary. Exudes integrity, humility, and stability.

Angel Investor 268

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Early Stage 268

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2013

I’ve noticed that some entrepreneurs seem to have no trouble attracting investors, while others with a great business plan struggle with it. The reality is that angel investors are humans, and personal traits often make or break the relationship, even before the investment is considered. Networked and connected.

Technical Review 273

Technical Review Intellectual Property Angel Investor Elevator Pitch 273

Gust

JULY 23, 2014

Finally, I like to invest in companies where I can really add value from my experience, network, etc., Invested Interests Power Pitches angel investor business David Rose entrepreneur meeting pitch startup' Can you get to break-even somehow, and live to fight another day? And that’s how to get a meeting with David S.

Angel Investor 153

Angel Investor Elevator Pitch Pre-Money Valuation Technical Review 153

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2021

In my experience as an angel investor for new startups, I’m always surprised by how many entrepreneurs are looking for funding without outside advisors. The payback can be a pointer to a winning strategy, introduction to key investors, or a line of credit for your beginning inventory. Bandwidth is a constraint we all feel.

Advisory Board 356

Advisory Board Bandwidth Cofounder Technical Review 356

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2022

I still have to tell some entrepreneurs that even with the best idea, they have to move to Silicon Valley to find the investors they need, or they need to move to the U.S. Also, investors from the super-hubs (Silicon Valley, New York, or Boston), probably won’t assume anyone outside their domain has the savvy and resources to make it happen.

Las Vegas 309

Las Vegas Silicon Valley Arizona Montana 309

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 4, 2019

As an introvert myself, I remember worrying that I could never be comfortable giving a sales pitch, or networking to find clients. Actively expand your business networking activities. Each of these allies will also bring their own network, growing yours, and multiplying your power and growth. It doesn’t work in business.

Entrepreneur 261

Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Angel Investor Incubator 261

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 1, 2021

Here are the key considerations from my perspective: Dealing with known or trusted investors and advisors. If you are approaching a recognized venture capital group, or even an accredited angel investor, a non-disclosure agreement is counter-productive. Build trust first. Discussions with potential strategic partners.

Non-disclosure Agreement 399

Non-disclosure Agreement Technical Review Due Diligence Angel Investor 399

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 8, 2012

As an Angel investor, I quickly learned that luck has very little to do with it, and I now look for some personal characteristics and leadership styles that separate the potential winners from the losers. These differences are the reason that investors say that they invest in people, rather than ideas.

Technical Review 332

Technical Review Entrepreneur Kentucky Due Diligence 332

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 11, 2020

As an angel investor, you can bet I wasn’t convinced he would ever start his next proposal. Plan to learn from what doesn’t work, but never give up. Based on my experience, most startup failures occur simply because the founder gives up too soon, without exploring creative alternatives.

Entrepreneur 329

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Stealth Angel Investor 329

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Every new startup I know dreams of being funded by an angel investor. Investors routinely go to candidate web sites to get a feel for the tone and scope of the company, as well as its maturity and offerings. Reserve the company name on social networks to protect it. Build an investor presentation and summary.

Intellectual Property 249

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Technical Review Elevator Pitch 249

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 25, 2020

As an angel investor, I quickly learned that luck has very little to do with it, and I now look for some personal characteristics and leadership styles that separate the potential winners from the losers. These differences are the reason that investors say that they invest in people, rather than ideas.

Technical Review 308

Technical Review Kentucky Due Diligence Japan 308

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 13, 2020

As a startup mentor, I’m always amazed that some entrepreneurs seem to be an immediate hit with investors, while others struggle to get any attention at all. Finally I realized that venture capital and angel investors are actually humans, despite some views to the contrary. Exudes integrity, humility, and stability.

Intellectual Property 316

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Early Stage Venture Capital 316

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 22, 2021

Most entrepreneurs have learned that it’s almost always quicker and easier to get cash from someone you know, rather than angel investors or professional investors (VCs). In fact, most investors “require” that you already have some investment from friends and family before they will even step up to the plate.

Technical Review 338

Technical Review Elevator Pitch Due Diligence Angel Investor 338

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 7, 2013

I still have to tell some entrepreneurs that even with the best idea, they have to move to Silicon Valley to find the investors they need, or they need to move to the U.S. Also, investors from the super-hubs (Silicon Valley, New York, or Boston), won’t assume anyone outside their domain has the savvy and resources to make it happen.

Silicon Valley 256

Silicon Valley Las Vegas Phoenix Montana 256

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 3, 2023

As an angel investor, I quickly learned that luck has very little to do with it, and I now look for some personal characteristics and leadership styles that separate the potential winners from the losers. These differences are the reason that investors say that they invest in people, rather than ideas.

Technical Review 269

Technical Review Kentucky Due Diligence Japan 269

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 4, 2013

As an Angel investor, I quickly learned that luck has very little to do with it, and I now look for some personal characteristics and leadership styles that separate the potential winners from the losers. These differences are the reason that investors say that they invest in people, rather than ideas.

Technical Review 278

Technical Review Entrepreneur Kentucky Due Diligence 278

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 9, 2019

I still have to tell some entrepreneurs that even with the best idea, they have to move to Silicon Valley to find the investors they need, or they need to move to the U.S. Also, investors from the super-hubs (Silicon Valley, New York, or Boston), probably won’t assume anyone outside their domain has the savvy and resources to make it happen.

Las Vegas 243

Las Vegas Silicon Valley Arizona Montana 243

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 15, 2022

As a startup mentor, I’m always amazed that some entrepreneurs seem to be an immediate hit with investors, while others struggle to get any attention at all. Finally I realized that venture capital and angel investors are actually humans, despite some views to the contrary. Exudes integrity, humility, and stability.

Intellectual Property 278

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Early Stage Venture Capital 278

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 29, 2022

In that environment, you need to look broadly and work effectively on all the available sources of capital, including friends and family, angel investors, and strategic partners. Status: network, connections, and personal brand. In the business world, your ability to raise money is often paramount to your success.

Silicon Valley 325

Silicon Valley Angel Investor Technical Review Boston 325

View from Seed

AUGUST 13, 2014

We at NextView Ventures invest exclusively in a startup’s seed-stage round , meaning that many if not most of our deals are made alongside individual angel investors. These angels, however, come in many different shapes and sizes. It can also help founders better approach angels in the first place. The Super Angel.

Angel Investor 334

Angel Investor Syndicate Syndication Early Stage 334

Steve Blank

JANUARY 17, 2023

Accelerators provide these teams with technical and business expertise and connect them to a network of other founders and advisors. The culmination of this bootcamp is a “demo day” where all startups in the cohort have a few minutes to pitch their companies to venture capitalists and angel investors. (In

Technical Cofounder 368

Technical Cofounder Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 368

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 3, 2013

Most entrepreneurs have learned that it’s almost always quicker and easier to get cash from someone you know, rather than Angel investors or professional investors (VCs). In fact, most investors “require” that you already have some investment from friends and family before they will even step up to the plate.

Technical Review 273

Technical Review Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Due Diligence 273

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

Funding for pre-revenue startups used to be the domain of angel investors, but they have moved up-stage. Without revenue, your investors are largely limited to friends, family and fools. This is traction that will impress investors, and get you customers. Register some intellectual property. Become a visible expert.

Intellectual Property 281

Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Sweat Equity CTO Hire 281

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 19, 2014

Most entrepreneurs have learned that it’s almost always quicker and easier to get cash from someone you know, rather than Angel investors or professional investors (VCs). In fact, most investors “require” that you already have some investment from friends and family before they will even step up to the plate.

Technical Review 266

Technical Review Elevator Pitch Due Diligence Startup 266

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 25, 2012

Angel investors. If you are looking for $25,000 to $1 million, the next step is to tap into a local angel network. Networking is key here, and you need to find an angel who understands your industry and shares your passion. If you don't know any “high net worth” individuals, use your advisors to find them.

Technical Review 257

Technical Review Bootstrapping Venture Capital Incubator 257

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 31, 2012

Funding for pre-revenue startups used to be the domain of angel investors, but they have moved up-stage. Without revenue, your investors are largely limited to friends, family and fools. This is traction that will impress investors, and get you customers. Register some intellectual property. Become a visible expert.

Intellectual Property 260

Intellectual Property Sweat Equity CTO Hire Fractional CTO 260

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 16, 2013

I was a proud angel investor in Jody’s company, EcoMom. His first seed investor came from an intro Jody provided him. He used the 500Startups platform to uber network in the Bay Area where he was living. They collected each other’s information and Sam immediately built a relationship with Jody.

San Francisco 372

San Francisco Jordan Angel Investor Partner 372

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 20, 2011

Most entrepreneurs have learned that it’s almost always quicker and easier to get cash from someone you know, rather than angel investors or professional investors (VCs). In fact, most investors “require” that you already have some investment from friends and family before they will even step up to the plate.

Early Stage 247

Early Stage Technical Review Elevator Pitch Due Diligence 247

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 17, 2011

Funding for pre-revenue startups used to be the domain of angel investors, but they have moved up-stage. Without revenue, your investors are largely limited to friends, family and fools. This is traction that will impress investors, and get you customers. Register some intellectual property. Become a visible expert.

Intellectual Property 253

Intellectual Property Sweat Equity CTO Hire Fractional CTO 253

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 15, 2023

Here are the key considerations from my perspective: Dealing with known or trusted investors and advisors. If you are approaching a recognized venture capital group, or even an accredited angel investor, a non-disclosure agreement is counter-productive. Build trust first. Discussions with potential strategic partners.

Non-disclosure Agreement 254

Non-disclosure Agreement Technical Review Due Diligence Angel Investor 254

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 22, 2020

As a long-time advisor to entrepreneurs, and a former angel myself, I still find startups confused about the definition of an angel investor, and how and when to attract one. Here are some key points to consider in finding one for you: Look for accredited angels and groups rather than individuals.

Angel Investor 322

Angel Investor Valuation Syndicate Syndication 322

YoungUpstarts

NOVEMBER 29, 2011

Or how about an angel investor scouring for a technology startup to invest in? ” Historically, there have been two types of business networking sites – one aimed at recruiters and another aimed at entrepreneurs. A startup looking for investment, mentorship, or specific talent to help grow your company?

Finder 232

Finder Entrepreneur Accredited Investor Silicon Valley 232

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. The challenge is to find the right Angel for you, and for your situation. Angel investors are people too. New England Investment Network.

Angel Investor 270

Angel Investor North America Rhode Island Accredited Investor 270

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 2, 2014

Too many entrepreneurs tell me they are looking for an investor, and can’t differentiate between venture capital (VC) investors versus accredited Angel investors. Angel investors wish for the same return, but may accept a 5X deal. How good are your connections in the investor community?

Angel Investor 266

Angel Investor Entrepreneur Venture Capital IRR 266

Gust

APRIL 27, 2014

Unless you are bootstrapping everything, you need to have a clear plan on what networking and documents are required to get to friends and family, Angel investors, and institutional investors. Otherwise you will find yourself a year later being no closer to a product that you were yesterday, with no idea why.

Startup 187

Startup Institutional Investors Angel Investor Bootstrapping 187

The Startup Magazine

JUNE 13, 2024

You can take loans, seek funds from angel investors, or raise money through crowdfunding—collecting donations from friends, family, or strangers. 4 Connect With Fellow Entrepreneurs Expanding your professional network can do more good than you think. But if bootstrapping isn’t a choice, explore fundraising options.

United States 141

United States Bootstrapping Social Media Angel Investor 141

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 1, 2011

He is also an active angel investor in companies like Klout and Meetup. After AltaVista, Mike spent a year doing business development for USA Networks ( now IAC – Interactive Corp ). Now, he ‘outsources’ his investments through John Frankel of Frankel Asset Management.

Semantic 302

Semantic Acquisition Valuation Angel Investor 302