Up and Running

MARCH 14, 2018

I’ve seen too many entrepreneurs think, “Oh, I know my business inside and out—pitching will be a breeze!” I’ve seen many entrepreneurs crash and burn when delivering their investor pitch—and ramble on and on. Your revenue or business model. Your exit strategy. Don’t wing it. How will you make money

Hockey Stick 164

Hockey Stick Exit Strategy Technical Review Angel Investor 164

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 8, 2023

Most entrepreneurs have found by now one or more of the many popular crowdfunding sites , and have the name and contact information for at least one of the big venture capital firms. Each has met legal securities minimums for net worth and professionalism, to reduce the risk to entrepreneurs. Most share expertise as well as money.

Accredited Investor 265

Accredited Investor Venture Capital Syndicate Syndication 265

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 14, 2023

Based on my experience as an investor and mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley and elsewhere, one of the quickest ways to kill your credibility and your startup is to offer a poorly written business plan, or none at all. An entrepreneur who can’t manage a plan, probably won’t be able to manage the new business.

Silicon Valley 257

Silicon Valley Exit Strategy Startup Business Plan 257

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 7, 2013

Based on the final report for 2012 from Thomson Reuters and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), it may appear that IPOs are back as a viable startup exit strategy. The market and venture capitalists are looking for business, but with a continuing focus on proven business models. Line up a winning team.

Venture Capital 252

Venture Capital IPO Elevator Pitch Initial Public Offering 252

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 10, 2023

As a startup investor, I often see business proposals looking for funding that really look like expensive hobbies looking for donations. Each of these requires some ongoing effort, so I expect at least a rudimentary process associated with each: Record of spending and business assets. Managing to specific goals, priorities, and a plan.

Exit Strategy 288

Exit Strategy Metrics Operations Cost 288

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

You still start the process with a business plan, but then you look for a philanthropist rather than an investor. Some nonprofit entrepreneurs think they can skip the whole plan, rather than just the sections on valuation, equity offered, and exit strategy. That’s a higher calling. Marty Zwilling.

Angel Investor 132

Angel Investor Equity Technical Review Exit Strategy 132

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

Write your business plan and develop your business model with this in mind so you can avoid these issues. . You can choose from a few different types of business plans depending on your needs. If you’re seeking investment, you need a traditional business plan. Your funding ask and exit strategy, if applicable.

Business Plan 154

Business Plan Technical Review Forecast Software Review 154

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 7, 2022

One of the big questions that every entrepreneur struggles with is how much funding they should request from investors in the first round. If your financial model projects a negative cash flow in this period of $400,000, you should buffer this amount by 25 percent, and ask for $500,000. Be prepared to explain your business model.

Preferred Stock 304

Preferred Stock Exit Strategy Equity Angel Investor 304

Hearpreneur

MAY 15, 2020

No matter the tale, the background behind each and every business is what fuels each and brand. We asked some entrepreneurs and business owners, why they started their businesses: #1- Make learning to swim more convenient. Today I am a full-time entrepreneur, my business is growing, and I couldn’t be happier!

Entrepreneur 127

Entrepreneur LLC Los Angeles San Francisco 127

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 11, 2016

As an active angel investor myself, I understand how the process works, and I see the disappointment in the eyes of entrepreneurs who approach angel groups for funding and often get turned away for not being timely or prepared in the minds of potential investors. Come with a product built and a proven business model.

Angel Investor 120

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Accredited Investor Angel Groups 120

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 13, 2013

You still start the process with a business plan, but then you look for a philanthropist rather than an investor. Some non-profit entrepreneurs think they can skip the whole plan, rather than just the sections on valuation, equity offered, and exit strategy. That’s a higher calling. Marty Zwilling.

Equity 207

Equity Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy 207

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 27, 2021

Most entrepreneurs have found by now one or more of the many popular crowdfunding sites , and have the name and contact information for at least one of the big venture capital firms. Each has met legal securities minimums for net worth and professionalism, to reduce the risk to entrepreneurs. Most share expertise as well as money.

Search 317

Search Accredited Investor Angel Investor Venture Capital 317

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 31, 2021

Based on my experience as an investor and mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley and elsewhere, one of the quickest ways to kill your credibility and your startup is to offer a poorly written business plan, or none at all. An entrepreneur who can’t manage a plan, probably won’t be able to manage the new business.

Silicon Valley 342

Silicon Valley Exit Strategy Business Plan Restful 342

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

You still start the process with a business plan, but then you look for a philanthropist rather than an investor. Some non-profit entrepreneurs think they can skip the whole plan, rather than just the sections on valuation, equity offered, and exit strategy. That’s a higher calling. Marty Zwilling.

Angel Investor 218

Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy Equity 218

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 3, 2011

You still start the process with a business plan, but then you look for a philanthropist rather than an investor. Some non-profit entrepreneurs think they can skip the whole plan, rather than just the sections on valuation, equity offered, and exit strategy. That’s a higher calling. Marty Zwilling.

Angel Investor 238

Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy Equity 238

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 28, 2015

Too many entrepreneurs look for that one magic bullet -- an exciting new technology, perhaps, or their own determination to make the world a better place -- to override any shortcomings in their startup model. Yet, magic bullets are not sufficient to assure business success. Product distribution or service delivery.

Exit Strategy 120

Exit Strategy Technical Review Distribution Viral 120

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 15, 2015

You still start the process with a business plan, but then you look for a philanthropist rather than an investor. Some non-profit entrepreneurs think they can skip the whole plan, rather than just the sections on valuation, equity offered, and exit strategy. That’s a higher calling. Marty Zwilling.

Angel Investor 120

Angel Investor Equity Technical Review Exit Strategy 120

Up and Running

MAY 15, 2018

Innovative products and business models are the foundations of a promising startup. Funding is crucial for improving technology, hiring the right people, and launching a comprehensive marketing strategy to get a foothold in the market. Creating a scalable business model. Sure, it should be unique.

SBA 84

SBA Angel Investor Technical Review Startup 84

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2011

A conundrum for many frustrated entrepreneurs is that they need money from investors to design and build a prototype product, yet most angel investors expect to see at least a prototype before they invest. They must amplify your “elevator pitch” to investors, as well as key points from the business plan and the financial model.

Intellectual Property 249

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Technical Review Elevator Pitch 249

NZ Entrepreneur

NOVEMBER 14, 2019

One of the main (and early) steps is to make a considered decision about what IP means to your business and what IP tools will be used to support your business model. Not doing so can cause big problems later for your business. appeared first on NZ Entrepreneur Magazine. Make IP decisions and do so early.

Intellectual Property 45

Intellectual Property IP Software Review New Zealand 45

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 4, 2020

One of the big questions that every entrepreneur struggles with is how much funding they should request from investors in the first round. If your financial model projects a negative cash flow in this period of $400,000, you should buffer this amount by 25 percent, and ask for $500,000. Be prepared to explain your business model.

Startup 337

Startup Preferred Stock Exit Strategy Equity 337

Up and Running

MAY 4, 2015

Tips from entrepreneurs who successfully pitched their businesses for funding. In it, you’ll cover the problem your business solves and how you’ll solve it, but you can include other important details like what your competitive advantage is and why your team is the best for the job. Describe your revenue model.

Technical Review 60

Technical Review Entrepreneur Software Review Houston 60

The Startup Magazine

JANUARY 28, 2019

One of the most significant hurdles that many aspiring entrepreneurs must face involves raising capital to launch their business. With some business models, it may take many months or even a few years until the company can break even or turn a profit on a regular basis. Small Business Loans.

Entrepreneur 108

Entrepreneur Venture Capital Small Business Administration Exit Strategy 108

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2010

A conundrum for many frustrated entrepreneurs is that they need money from investors to design and build a prototype product, yet most angel investors expect to see at least a prototype before they invest. They must amplify your “elevator pitch” to investors, as well as key points from the business plan and the financial model.

Angel Investor 224

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Technical Review Elevator Pitch 224

Up and Running

AUGUST 28, 2018

Financial summary: Explain your business model, startup costs, revenues, and liabilities to the company. Now is the time to lay out what you’ll do to attract patients and set up a viable business model with healthy financials. Your funding ask and exit strategy, if applicable. Be specific. Financial plan.

Business Plan 72

Business Plan Technical Review Exit Strategy Oregon 72

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 8, 2016

As a startup advisor and investor, I find that more and more entrepreneurs avoid using the term “profit” in pitching their new venture. My view is that the purpose of every business is to make a profit, as fuel for growth, sustainability, and social impact. Without profit there is no business.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Exit Strategy 120

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 6, 2010

You still start the process with a business plan, but then you look for a philanthropist rather than an investor. Some non-profit entrepreneurs think they can skip the whole plan, rather than just the sections on valuation, equity offered, and exit strategy. That’s a higher calling. Marty Zwilling.

Angel Investor 143

Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy Equity 143

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 5, 2016

In my experience as an advisor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I often encounter the myth that an initial startup requires investors. The reality is that over 80 percent of new businesses will never attract venture capital or Angel funding, according to experts , and there are many good reasons for skipping that painful and distracting process.

Bootstrapping 120

Bootstrapping Entrepreneur Startup Exit Strategy 120

Reid Hoffman

JULY 23, 2020

Recently, my fellow Greylock investor Saam Motamedi and I examined the question of how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected venture investing, and what entrepreneurs should do in response. This week, I’d like to turn to the question of how current market conditions affect the approach entrepreneurs should take towards their exit strategy.

IPO 36

IPO Exit Strategy Acquisition Technical Review 36

YoungUpstarts

SEPTEMBER 9, 2019

But if you’re someone whom just has a dream of launching a social media agency, a business to consumer service, or virtually any other underwhelming by comparison business model, it’s been proven that undercutting your competitors is a tried and true model. No Exit Strategy.

Exit Strategy 174

Exit Strategy Startup Bootstrapping Social Media 174

YoungUpstarts

DECEMBER 3, 2015

The fourth is called an entrepreneur. The greatest exhilaration and reward in being an entrepreneur is clearly seeing things that others cannot see, and instinctively knowing how to accomplish your vision. This may be the most critical trait of any successful entrepreneur. Cultivate resiliency. Get used to it.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Advisory Board Equity Exit Strategy 100

Up and Running

JUNE 16, 2014

Starups.co, a company founded with the intention of connecting entrepreneurs and investors, advises business owners on what will attract an investors attention. Make no mistake, you will need to have a business model or a business plan that shows just where you sit in relation to your competitors. Traction. “No

Exit Strategy 91

Exit Strategy Advisory Board Business Plan Portfolio 91

Up and Running

JULY 2, 2014

Picking the right attorney in your startup is as important as picking the right business partner. You can’t underestimate the importance of selecting an attorney who “gets” your business model, your market opportunity, and most importantly, your fundraising and exit strategy. ownership and never dilute.

Technical Review 118

Technical Review Angel Investor Due Diligence Dilution 118

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2018

As an occasional angel investor, I always ask for a business pitch to get me in the mood. I’m still amazed at how many technical entrepreneurs don’t have a business pitch, and offer me their product pitch or product spec instead. This implies high odds of a scalable business, simply needing an investment to lead to success.

Product 145

Product Intellectual Property Liquidity Event Valuation 145

Steve Blank

SEPTEMBER 14, 2009

One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is misunderstanding the role of venture capital investors. There’s lots of lore, emotion, and misconceptions of what VC’s do or don’t do for entrepreneurs. In this time, building a successful business meant building a company that had paying customers quarter after quarter.

Silicon Valley 236

Silicon Valley IPO Technical Review Venture Capital 236

Hearpreneur

JUNE 24, 2022

A best practice when choosing a business name is that it should make it clear to people what you do while also leaving you plenty of room to maneuver and make changes to your business model or niche positioning over time. My first consideration was having an exit strategy in mind, as it makes sense to leave a legacy.

Naming 127

Naming Entrepreneur South America Social Media 127

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 28, 2016

As a startup investor, I often see business proposals looking for funding that really look like expensive hobbies looking for donations. Each of these requires some ongoing effort, so I expect at least a rudimentary process associated with each: Record of spending and business assets. Managing to specific goals, priorities, and a plan.

Exit Strategy 155

Exit Strategy Metrics Operations Cost 155