Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2019

According to a well-researched Motly Fool report, the challenge is very real, since around half of all businesses fail in the first five years. The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than early projections and product development.

Finance 320

Finance Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 320

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 13, 2013

What options do they have available to them, since they can’t sell a share of the company (no equity investment)? There is no discussion of equity, or return on investment. Government grants. equity funding investor non-profit philanthropist' Individual and institutional donations. That’s a higher calling.

Equity 207

Equity Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy 207

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 11, 2020

Taking on equity investors to fund your company is much like getting married – it is a long-term relationship that has to work at all levels. Investor due diligence on a startup is not a mysterious black art, but is nothing more than a final integrity check on all aspects of your business model, team, product, customers, and plan.

Technical Review 310

Technical Review Due Diligence Term Sheet Offshore 310

The Startup Magazine

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

The process of getting venture capital funding may be difficult, but it pays off in a cash infusion for your business which may be able to make the difference between failure and success. Dan Lok explains what venture capital funding is and how to secure it for your business. Venture capital is a type of private equity.

Venture Capital 144

Venture Capital Technical Review Software Review Security 144

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2019

According to my experience and a this Motley Fool article, the challenge is very real, with around half of all new businesses no longer existing after five years. The hottest new way of funding startups is to use online sites, like Kickstarter , to request donations, pre-order, get a reward, or even give equity.

Intellectual Property 219

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 219

This is going to be BIG.

JUNE 17, 2024

For example, being familiar with fundraising lingo and the finer points of SAFEs vs equity, etc. Having some revenue or no revenue isn’t a big sway either way—but having notoriously difficult to get revenue, such as a school district, government agency, or hospital, will score you a lot of points. Then, there are nuances.

Technical Review 166

Technical Review Cofounder Startup Equity 166

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2018

This process costs money, which professional investors are not willing to contribute, since their interest is in scaling a proven product and business model into a growth business. Acquiring seed-stage funding is admittedly tough, but a source that I find often overlooked is government grant funding, accessible in the U.S.

Early Stage 225

Early Stage SBIR Technical Review Seed Stage 225

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 14, 2014

The problem is that professional investors (Angels and Venture Capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than the more risky research and development efforts. Apply for contests and business grants. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. Join a startup incubator.

Entrepreneur 283

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 283

ReadWriteStart

JUNE 1, 2020

In very few specific cases, depending on the nature of the business, the business model might demand a considerable gestation period or extensive research and development. For these businesses, it is imperative to get funding from the start without which the company cannot be set up. Government programs.

Startup 150

Startup Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Seed Stage 150

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2017

The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capitalists) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than the more risky research and development efforts. Apply for contests and business grants. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity.

Product Development 177

Product Development Cost Developer Product 177

Steve Blank

OCTOBER 30, 2012

The class teaches founders how to dramatically reduce their failure rate through the combination of business model design, customer development and agile development using the Startup Owners Manual. It doesn’t take equity and just has a small fee that varies by city ($140 to $299), to cover event operations and expenses.

Startup 335

Startup Lean Incubator Business Model 335

Steve Blank

OCTOBER 7, 2011

I presented to 1,000’s of entrepreneurs, talked to 17 startups, gave 12 lectures, had 9 interviews, chatted with 8 VC’s, sat on 4 panels, talked policy with 2 government ministers, 2 members of parliament, 1 head of a public pension fund and was in 1 TV-documentary. a government that’s trying to help, but gets in the way.

Finland 329

Finland Venture Capital Government Russia 329

NZ Entrepreneur

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

experiments to build a product, find customers, test business models and hire amazing people. Underpinning this growth is good governance. In order to understand startup governance, you need to understand risk and reward. Creating this value is anchored in finding a repeatable, scalable business model.

Technical Review 95

Technical Review Software Review New Zealand Due Diligence 95

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 19, 2013

The problem is that professional investors (Angels and Venture Capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than the more risky research and development efforts. Apply for contests and business grants. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. Join a startup incubator.

Intellectual Property 309

Intellectual Property Technical Review Venture Capital Startup 309

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 12, 2018

According to a recent Motly Fool report, the challenge is very real, since around half of all businesses fail in the first five years. The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than early projections and product development.

Intellectual Property 134

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 134

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

Angel investors and venture capitalists don’t make equity investments in nonprofit good causes. What options do they have available to them, since they can’t sell a share of the company (no equity investment)? There is no discussion of equity, or return on investment. Government grants.

Angel Investor 132

Angel Investor Equity Technical Review Exit Strategy 132

Steve Blank

OCTOBER 10, 2011

I presented to 1,000’s of entrepreneurs, talked to 17 startups, gave 12 lectures, had 9 interviews, chatted with 8 VC’s, sat on 4 panels, talked policy with 2 government ministers, 2 members of parliament, 1 head of a public pension fund and was in 1 TV-documentary. Toxic Business Press and Contradictory Government Incentives.

Finland 332

Finland Naming Russia Government 332

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

Taking on equity investors to fund your company is much like getting married – it is a long-term relationship that has to work at all levels. Investor due diligence on a startup is not a mysterious black art, but is nothing more than a final integrity check on all aspects of your business model, team, product, customers, and plan.

Technical Review 257

Technical Review Due Diligence Term Sheet Offshore 257

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 8, 2021

This usually means not taking money from equity investors, since investors want fast growth, high profits, and an exit event, to allow investments to be recouped. Of course, even lifestyle entrepreneurs want to be happy, and want their business to be “successful.” Business model to maintain lifestyle is the primary driver.

Entrepreneur 371

Entrepreneur Equity Dilution LLC 371

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 21, 2023

For example, professional investors put great priority on your previous experience in building a business, and they expect to own a portion of the business equity and control for the funds they do provide. Trade equity or services for startup help. Request a small business grant. Your business is yours alone.

Equity 266

Equity Startup Small Business Administration SBA 266

David Teten

JANUARY 19, 2021

From traditional equity VC, Flexible VC borrows the option to pursue and reap the rewards of an outsized exit. Flexible VC 101: Equity Meets Revenue Share. Equity Ownership. Yes, typically preferred equity. On average, founders own just 43% of equity by Series B , declining thereafter. Flexible VC 102: Variations.

Cofounder 78

Cofounder Technical Review Equity Dividend 78

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 15, 2015

Angel investors and venture capitalists don’t make equity investments in non-profits. What options do they have available to them, since they can’t sell a share of the company (no equity investment)? There is no discussion of equity, or return on investment. Government grants. Individual and institutional philanthropy.

Angel Investor 120

Angel Investor Equity Technical Review Exit Strategy 120

The Startup Magazine

JANUARY 26, 2021

Global Sources, once listed in Bermuda and now owned by the private equity giant Blackstone, has been active in Hong Kong since the 1970s and focuses on trade in and out of the former British colony. Founded in New York City in 2012, Kinnek bases its business model on quality over quantity. Kinnek is the newcomer.

B2B 124

B2B Saudi Arabia Global United Kingdom 124

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2015

The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than the more risky research and development efforts. In general, banks won’t give you a loan until the business is cash-flow positive, but there are notable exceptions.

Entrepreneur 120

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 120

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 2, 2023

Angel investors and venture capitalists are looking for startups with real products and a proven business model, ready to scale. Yet I still get too many business plans that clearly are looking for money to do research and development (R&D) on a new and unproven technology. They believe in you above all else.

Angel Investor 256

Angel Investor Early Stage Incubator Government 256

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

What options do they have available to them, since they can’t sell a share of the company (no equity investment)? There is no discussion of equity, or return on investment. Government grants. Individual and institutional donations. For a non-profit, bootstrapping is self-funding from donations and fund-raising.

Angel Investor 218

Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy Equity 218

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 29, 2020

For example, professional investors put great priority on your previous experience in building a business, and they expect to own a portion of the business equity and control for the funds they do provide. Trade equity or services for startup help. Request a small business grant. Your business is yours alone.

Equity 436

Equity Small Business Administration SBA Syndicate 436

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2023

Government grants and industry partners are you best bet here, but Angel investors might give you $250,000 to $1 million, if you have the right business case and credentials. At this point, most Angel investors and a few early-stage VCs will be happy to talk, assuming you have the business model validated, and a large opportunity.

Angel Investor 313

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Investment Bankers Private Equity 313

genylabs.typepad.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2011

Intuit Future of Small Business Resources. Emergent Research works with corporate, government and non-profit clients. Working for Equity Instead of Cash. has an article on service firms waiving their fees and instead taking equity in their clients. I am very picky about the companies I am willing to take equity from.

Equity 40

Equity Technical Review San Jose Stock 40

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 26, 2021

Of course, you can find these elements embodied in many of the business plan templates and tools out there, such as the Business Model Canvas. The business proposals I see often target multiple unrelated segments, such as consumers, enterprises, and government. Provide initial and long-term sources of revenue.

Intellectual Property 332

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Business Model Channel 332

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 3, 2011

What options do they have available to them, since they can’t sell a share of the company (no equity investment)? There is no discussion of equity, or return on investment. Government grants. Individual and institutional donations. For a non-profit, bootstrapping is self-funding from donations and fund-raising.

Angel Investor 238

Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy Equity 238

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 27, 2016

Taking on equity investors to fund your company is much like getting married – it is a long-term relationship that has to work at all levels. Investor due diligence on a startup is not a mysterious black art, but is nothing more than a final integrity check on all aspects of your business model, team, product, customers, and plan.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Due Diligence Term Sheet Offshore 120

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2021

Angel investors and venture capitalists are looking for startups with real products and a proven business model, ready to scale. Yet I still get too many business plans that clearly are looking for money to do research and development (R&D) on a new and unproven technology. They believe in you above all else.

Early Stage 412

Early Stage Angel Investor Incubator Government 412

Steve Blank

APRIL 14, 2013

business models. The Chinese government must be laughing hysterically over U.S. When the Chinese government censors (run by their propaganda department ) shutdown access to yet another U.S. Most of their parents still tell them to work for the government or a big company. Of course “copy” is too strong a word.

China 328

China Silicon Valley Non-Compete Intellectual Property 328

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 12, 2021

In my experience as a business advisor and occasional investor, many of you won’t make it that far, succumbing to the high costs of getting those first customers, funding an initial inventory, and building an operational support process. Actively seek out government and local incentives.

Dilution 404

Dilution Incubator Bootstrapping Government 404

Steve Blank

JUNE 12, 2020

And the trick is we use the same Lean LaunchPad / I-Corps curriculum — and kept the same class structure – experiential, hands-on, driven this time by a mission -model not a business model. Few consider opportunities to make the world safer with the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community or other government agencies.

Oakland 314

Oakland Asia Lean Video 314

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 14, 2023

That leads to switching costs, sunk costs, brand equity, and a host of other considerations, commonly called “barriers to entry.” A few years after Porter, Andrew Grove is credited with postulating a sixth force in the marketplace – government, pressure groups, and the public. Utility of alternative solutions.

Differentiation 220

Differentiation Framework Equity Business Plan 220