Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2022

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. Self-funding or bootstrapping is still the most common and safest approach for startups Keep your day job until revenue starts to flow. Set expectations accordingly.

Intellectual Property 261

Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator Bootstrapping 261

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 13, 2012

There is so much written these days about how to attract investors that most entrepreneurs “assume” they need funding, and don’t even consider a plan for “bootstrapping,” or self-financing their startup. In fact, most of the rich entrepreneurs you know actively turned away early equity proposals. Need to spread the risk.

Sweat Equity 239

Sweat Equity Technical Review Bootstrapping Equity 239

YoungUpstarts

OCTOBER 21, 2012

The title of the book by Jonathan Moules, “ The Rebel Entrepreneur: Rewriting the Business Rulebook “, initially seemed like a form of tautology. Isn’t every entrepreneur a rebel by nature? Bootstrap, bootstrap, bootstrap. Funding is for fools. His advice? Don’t innovate, imitate.

Technical Review 184

Technical Review Entrepreneur Bootstrapping Sales 184

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 11, 2022

Obviously, these companies still need money to get started, or finance growth, just like a for-profit company. For a nonprofit, bootstrapping is self-funding from donations and fund-raising. Some nonprofit entrepreneurs think they can skip the whole plan, rather than just the sections on valuation, equity offered, and exit strategy.

Angel Investor 327

Angel Investor Equity Technical Review Exit Strategy 327

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. Self-funding or bootstrapping is still the most common and safest approach for startups Keep your day job until revenue starts to flow. Set expectations accordingly.

Intellectual Property 219

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 219

ReadWriteStart

JUNE 1, 2020

I have often been asked about Startup Funding by entrepreneurs. Here is Startup Funding, a Comprehensive Guide for Entrepreneurs. Bootstrapping. I always recommend that you start with bootstrapping. Bootstrapping is when you put your own money or borrow from friends and family to set up your business. Seed stage.

Startup 150

Startup Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Seed Stage 150

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. Self-funding or bootstrapping is still the most common and safest approach for startups Keep your day job until real revenue flows. Solicit funds from friends and family.

Entrepreneur 120

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 120

ReadWriteStart

JUNE 16, 2011

Zendesk is heavily financed by Benchmark and Charles River and has 10,000 customers. They charge $9, $29 and $59 per agent per month and I am eager to see bootstrapped, scrappy Freshdesk morph their pricing structure to aggressively compete with them. As an entrepreneur CEO, she ran three companies: DAIS, Intarka and Uuma.

India 123

India Bootstrapping Non-Compete Entrepreneur 123

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 3, 2011

Obviously, these companies still need money to get started, or finance growth, just like a for-profit company. For a non-profit, bootstrapping is self-funding from donations and fund-raising. Some non-profit entrepreneurs think they can skip the whole plan, rather than just the sections on valuation, equity offered, and exit strategy.

Angel Investor 238

Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy Equity 238

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. Self-funding or bootstrapping is still the most common and safest approach for startups Keep your day job until revenue starts to flow. Set expectations accordingly.

Product Development 177

Product Development Cost Developer Product 177

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 8, 2019

Obviously, these companies still need money to get started, or finance growth, just like a for-profit company. For a nonprofit, bootstrapping is self-funding from donations and fund-raising. Some nonprofit entrepreneurs think they can skip the whole plan, rather than just the sections on valuation, equity offered, and exit strategy.

Equity 235

Equity Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy 235

Tim Keane

MARCH 9, 2011

How should I finance my new venture? It’s a deceptively simple question:  what is the optimal way to finance a new startup? But, what constitutes success for the parties involved – investors, entrepreneurs, employees, and customers – can vary dramatically. Can you bootstrap your way to positive cash flow?

Finance 83

Finance Bootstrapping Startup Equity 83

ReadWriteStart

SEPTEMBER 16, 2010

An entrepreneur should pick this one up ASAP. This is an open opportunity for an entrepreneur to build a custom solution. Sequoia has financed them. I pointed Zubair to a couple of case studies of bootstrapping using services to get more of his core product built; in parallel, I will help him pursue institutional funding.

Cloud 117

Cloud Fractional CTO Entrepreneur Bandwidth 117

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

Obviously, these companies still need money to get started, or finance growth, just like a for-profit company. For a non-profit, bootstrapping is self-funding from donations and fund-raising. Some non-profit entrepreneurs think they can skip the whole plan, rather than just the sections on valuation, equity offered, and exit strategy.

Angel Investor 218

Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy Equity 218

The Startup Magazine

JUNE 13, 2024

A Master of Business Administration, or MBA, is considered the golden ticket for aspiring entrepreneurs. This program offers in-depth knowledge across all aspects of business management, including finance and strategic planning. Bootstrapping is one option through which you can raise money for your venture.

United States 140

United States Bootstrapping Social Media Angel Investor 140

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 13, 2013

Obviously, these companies still need money to get started, or finance growth, just like a for-profit company. For a non-profit, bootstrapping is self-funding from donations and fund-raising. Some non-profit entrepreneurs think they can skip the whole plan, rather than just the sections on valuation, equity offered, and exit strategy.

Equity 207

Equity Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy 207

Steve Blank

NOVEMBER 5, 2009

Unfortunately in early stage startups the drive for financing hijacks the corporate DNA and becomes the raison d’etre of the company. The Traditional VC Pitch Entrepreneurs who pursue the traditional product development model don’t have customer data to answer these questions. How many are there? Is there a profitable business model?

Customer Development 270

Customer Development Developer Customer Silicon Valley 270

YoungUpstarts

MAY 28, 2014

Fundraising is arguably the most important issue for any entrepreneur. Unless you’re a serial entrepreneur who has started and sold companies in the past. In other words, you have done wonders while “bootstrapping.” Advice For The Young At Heart Asif Khan Funding fundraising startup startup financing'

Security 200

Security Incubator Technical Review Bootstrapping 200

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. Self-funding or bootstrapping is still the most common and safest approach for startups Keep your day job until real revenue flows. Solicit funds from friends and family.

Intellectual Property 134

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 134

Up and Running

JANUARY 8, 2018

With the range of financing options out there and free online tools available, pretty much anyone with a great idea and a solid head for business can take the first steps into entrepreneurship. There are a lot of different tasks that entrepreneurs need to attend to when building a business, particularly at the beginning.

Entrepreneur 177

Entrepreneur Algorithm Hiring Web Development 177

YoungUpstarts

JULY 21, 2019

Small businesses and young entrepreneurs are in a difficult position in the market. Capital can be hard to come by when you’re a starting young entrepreneur. If you haven’t been able to save up for your capital, consider bootstrapping your business. Find an entrepreneur with the same values and goals as you.

Software Review 191

Software Review Entrepreneur Cost Cofounder 191

Hearpreneur

JUNE 14, 2017

We asked some entrepreneurs and business owners, why they started their businesses: #1 – Fell in Love. We’ve continued bootstrapping since then — today we are a $2.5 My advice for people making the switch from full-time worker to entrepreneur is to know your strengths. 9 – Always Wanted to be an Entrepreneur.

Entrepreneur 129

Entrepreneur South Africa PR Thailand 129

Hearpreneur

JANUARY 25, 2023

We asked entrepreneurs and business owners about the companies they’re starting in 2023 and here are the responses. #1- This presents a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to launch their own businesses and capitalize on the latest technology. Thanks to Michelle Wintersteen, MKW Creative Co. ! #3- Thanks to Dakota McDaniels, Pluto ! #27-

Software Review 127

Software Review Technical Review Artificial Inteligence Entrepreneur 127

ReadWriteStart

SEPTEMBER 10, 2010

During this week's roundtable we discussed an area that deserves a serious look from entrepreneurs: Rural BPO. Today, I invited entrepreneurs to come up with ideas, apply the 1M/1M methodology to it, and come discuss with me at these roundtables. I call it drip-financing. In 1M/1M, our preferred financing strategy is customers.

Cloud 115

Cloud Silicon Valley Incubator Bootstrapping 115

The Startup Magazine

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024

For new entrepreneurs , the startup phase is one of the most challenging yet exciting stages of launching a business. Consider Funding Your Startup As mentioned previously, financing your startup is another viable funding method.

Security 158

Security Angel Investor Startup Bootstrapping 158

ReadWriteStart

NOVEMBER 3, 2011

I know that many, many entrepreneurs are feeling dejected because of investor rejections. Having turned down all overtures for investment, Zoho continues merrily on in its bootstrapping path. Parallel6 is already clocking over $1 million in revenue and is looking to enhance its customer acquisition and also raise some financing.

North Carolina 116

North Carolina San Diego Entrepreneur Balance Sheet 116

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 8, 2020

As an advisor to entrepreneurs, I often hear the desire to run their own company, to avoid having someone else telling them how to run the business. I have to explain that if you really want to exercise total control of a new venture, they you need to do it without external investors, bootstrapping your way with your own resources.

Bootstrapping 313

Bootstrapping Employee Metrics Demand 313

Hearpreneur

MARCH 21, 2021

We asked some entrepreneurs and business owners, why they started their businesses: #1- To do it for myself. 2- To help entrepreneurs become financially independent. From that acquisition, I knew I needed to let out the entrepreneur spirit that was trapped in me. Each story is different though the reasons may be the same.

Entrepreneur 154

Entrepreneur Technical Review Acquisition Software Review 154

ReadWriteStart

OCTOBER 7, 2010

Before I do, however, I want to talk about a thumb rule that I'd like to propose to entrepreneurs about raising money. Sub-$2 million pre-money, it is better to bootstrap. That is debt financing that converts into equity at the Series A valuation once the price for that is set. (I I encouraged Todd to keep building.

Valuation 119

Valuation Silicon Valley Pre-Money Valuation Bootstrapping 119

A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks

APRIL 25, 2011

Sign up for AppSumo 's daily deals specifically for web geeks & entrepreneurs. Does this technique make sense for you? Let’s continue this in the comments.

Java 311

Java Software Review Technical Review Salary 311

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 15, 2014

Based on the Startup Environment Index from the Kauffman Foundation and LegalZoom a while back, personal money, or bootstrapping, continues to be the primary startup funding source. Eighty percent of new entrepreneurs use this approach, with only six percent using investor funding. Entrepreneurs need to start small and pivot quickly.

Bootstrapping 276

Bootstrapping Entrepreneur Startup Burn Rate 276

ReadWriteStart

SEPTEMBER 3, 2010

It's now been about three years since I joined the fray as an entrepreneur and tech blogger. While foreign entrepreneurs wait for the Startup Visa to become a reality so they can go launch their startups in the US, France has quietly had a similar program in place for some time. billion online in the first quarter of this year.

France 163

France Technical Review Incubator Early Stage 163

A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks

OCTOBER 31, 2011

Today it would be near-impossible to bootstrap Smart Bear on those keywords. You’re not seeking the One True Path, but rather any path that isn’t so circuitous that your finances or resolve runs dry before you reach the end. Sign up for AppSumo 's daily deals specifically for web geeks & entrepreneurs.

Customer 279

Customer Software Review SEM Technical Review 279

ReadWriteStart

DECEMBER 9, 2010

During this week's roundtable we had a group of entrepreneurs from the Pune Open Coffee Club gather at the offices of Persistent Systems to participate in the roundtable together. First, there are two primary aspects that have to be managed: inventory financing and customer acquisition costs. Suresh is a 1M/1M premium member.

Silicon Valley 117

Silicon Valley Malaysia India China 117

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 6, 2010

Obviously, these companies still need money to get started, or finance growth, just like a for-profit company. For a non-profit, bootstrapping is self-funding from donations and fund-raising. Some non-profit entrepreneurs think they can skip the whole plan, rather than just the sections on valuation, equity offered, and exit strategy.

Angel Investor 143

Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy Equity 143

Hearpreneur

DECEMBER 25, 2022

Here are the various ways entrepreneurs and business owners stay motivated in business. #1- Taking breaks as an entrepreneur is important because it is so easy to get swept up in the work that you forget to enjoy everything you have created. As a single mom and an entrepreneur, days are full and there’s a lot to juggle.

Entrepreneur 97

Entrepreneur Technical Review Bootstrapping Community 97

ReadWriteStart

SEPTEMBER 23, 2010

At today's roundtable, we had three niche e-commerce entrepreneurs and two e-commerce infrastructure entrepreneurs. I will work with him on his inventory financing strategy. Good news: Indrajit is a solo entrepreneur, so he doesn't have a large overhead to support. I will describe their businesses briefly, below.

India 114

India Silicon Valley Incubator Bootstrapping 114