VC Cafe

MARCH 16, 2025

Mention that you do “Consumer tech” as a startup founder and you’d be limiting your funding options to one third of the venture capital funds (in Israel that figure is probably closer to 10%). Until now, consumer tech was perceived as a risky binary investment.

Technical Review 78

Technical Review B2C Generative AI IPO 78

Steve Blank

APRIL 3, 2018

That) takes focus, diligence, discipline, flexibility and perseverance. But what I’ve noticed is that it’s rare that the smartest technical innovator is the most successful entrepreneur. Being a domain expert in a technology field rarely makes you competent in commerce. Now I have a different perception. Lessons Learned.

Technical Review 335

Technical Review Entrepreneur Artificial Inteligence Cofounder 335

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 11, 2014

There’s an article making the rounds in tech circles titled “ Growth Hacking is Bull ” written by Muhammad Saleem. ” He advocates for people who test all channels, use quantitative methods and commit to growth as one’s “true north.” I’d like to make the case that the article is wrong.

Technical Review 384

Technical Review Hockey Stick SEM Channel 384

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 13, 2022

In these days of global competition via multiple channels, you need continuous marketing to find more customers. Acknowledge every customer feedback and review. Don’t let that one negative stand out as the only review submitted. Obviously, you need to promote these events via multiple digital and traditional marketing channels.

Technical Review 355

Technical Review Social Media Channel Flash 355

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 17, 2013

The main thrust of the post is that with YouTube taking a 45% of revenue and talent taking 70% of the remaining revenue, YouTube Networks didn’t have sustainable businesses unless they invested heavily in technology as a tool to increase margin and provide defensibility. That is the definition of Disruptive Technology.

Video 339

Video Technical Review Distribution Aggregator 339

Hearpreneur

NOVEMBER 2, 2022

Technology disruption is happening at a rapid pace all around us. We asked our entrepreneurs what changes do they expect due to technology shortly, and this is what they have to say. #1- I also expect to see more technology to assist with personalized experiences at trade shows, both in person and virtually, shortly.

Technical Review 126

Technical Review Software Review Artificial Inteligence Technology 126

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 11, 2020

Amidst the outbreak, governments across the region, such as Singapore have been promoting the use of digital finance as a means to minimise physical contact and stamp the spread of the virus, channelling more monetary support for the growth of e-payments and digital financial solutions.

Asia 290

Asia Technical Review Technology Singapore 290

A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks

NOVEMBER 29, 2014

This is due to the very definition of “average” — you’ll spend half your time before the half-way point, and half after. The general rule is called the Lindy Effect : For certain non-perishable things (like technology, companies, and ideas), the expected lifespan increases according to the length of its current age.

Software Review 300

Software Review Technical Review Startup Channel 300

YoungUpstarts

DECEMBER 12, 2020

The social distancing needs and huge traffic online has led companies to upgrade their online selling channels to meet the digital demand. Businesses can operate in two ways, the traditional brick-and-mortar store and the online business, which has gained popularity due to the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic. Benefits of having a CMS.

Technical Review 246

Technical Review Architecture Software Review Demand 246

YoungUpstarts

NOVEMBER 5, 2020

Access to the appropriate IT software and equipment should be a necessity when working from home, but due to the rushed nature of many remote working schemes, for many this was not an initial focus. However, channels of seamless communication, between both customers and colleagues, can be easily set up by an IT support team.

Technical Review 246

Technical Review Software Review Security Agile 246

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 13, 2019

Unit costs are important, but don’t forget about the cash flow hit, extra storage costs, and the probability of obsolete inventory due to necessary updates or pivots. It’s no secret that some people are more productive than others, due to skills, training, or commitment. Use multiple small orders at first.

Technical Review 306

Technical Review Metrics Social Media Channel 306

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 9, 2023

Most technical entrepreneurs focus hard on building an innovative product, but forget that an elegant solution doesn’t automatically translate into a successful business. Businesses require an equally elegant business model, with the right price, messaging and delivery channel to the right target customers to keep the dream alive and growing.

Technical Review 220

Technical Review Advisory Board Software Review Business Model 220

The Startup Magazine

OCTOBER 30, 2022

Modern technologies may be a real blessing for small companies lacking resources and having to promptly produce tangible outputs. In this article, we will analyse the top 5 technological challenges your startup will face in 2023. . Due to this effect, we would advise exploring some popular paid products right from the start.

Technical Review 158

Technical Review Technology Software Review Startup 158

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 26, 2023

Every one of you business owners I know periodically introduces new products and services to sustain growth, fight off competitors, or take advantage of new technologies. Target audience may be limited or new due to price. This may require you selling exclusivity, doing channel development, or alliances with new partners.

Product 354

Product Technical Review Artificial Inteligence Dividend 354

TechEmpower

JULY 24, 2023

At TechEmpower, we frequently talk to startup founders, CEOs, product leaders, and other innovators about their next big tech initiative. After all, that’s what tech innovation is all about. What channels will you use (e.g., Do you have a custom algorithm or other technology? But there are some common elements too.

Developer 520

Developer Technical Review CTO Hire Fractional CTO 520

Steve Blank

OCTOBER 24, 2017

A version of this article is in the Harvard Business Review. Technology cycles have become a treadmill, and for startups to survive they need to be on a continuous innovation cycle. 20th Century Tech Liquidity = Initial Public Offering. Technology Cycles Measured in Years. This seems to be occurring more and more.

Founder 281

Founder Technical Review CTO Hire IPO 281

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 21, 2020

Many of the entrepreneurs I advise or invest with spend considerable time on the Internet, keeping up with technology, customers, and competitors, but very few feel the need for an early personal presence. Consistently review and respond to relevant online feedback. Reach out to friends and supporters for positive mentions.

Product 319

Product Technical Review Entrepreneur Reputation 319

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 6, 2014

Reviewing financial & operational performance. By now you have many smart people around your board but probably people who don’t totally understand the nuances of your employees, customers, sales reps, marketing messages, technology challenges, competitors and strategic choices. Mentorship. As You Start to Mature.

Technical Review 325

Technical Review Early Stage Software Review Los Angeles 325

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 25, 2021

Every entrepreneur with a new technology tells me that his innovation will be industry-disrupting, meaning that it will render the existing technology obsolete, and create a new market. Pick a technology that somehow seems inferior to the major incumbents. So why would any investor ever believe any of these claims?

Non-Compete 394

Non-Compete Technical Review Forecast Social Media 394

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 24, 2022

As I recently watched an episode of “ Shark Tank ,” I realized that the shark investors focus on your responses to these questions is also a credibility test on your business savvy, as it leads to other relevant questions on margins, channels, and your understanding of key customer forces. Outside partners and channel impacts are complex.

Acquisition 250

Acquisition Cost Customer Sales Cycle 250

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 12, 2014

If you’re a technology startup you need to excel at product, of course. While many tech startups do this intuitively (say, SnapChat thinking it would be much better if our photos out partying disappeared) it still happens. It’s worth a quick read. My argument is pretty simple. Look at Viddy & SocialCast.

SEM 379

SEM Viral Marketing Widget 379

YoungUpstarts

DECEMBER 19, 2020

It’s also ideal if you can find a virtual call center program that works across multiple communication channels, like social media. Investing more now could save you from money spent on technical support and maintenance later. When you’re choosing a live call or chat platform, you need to keep your technicians in mind.

Seattle 264

Seattle Technical Review Technical Support Software Review 264

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 14, 2021

As a logical and data-driven business advisor, I have long focused on facts, technology, and quantifiable pain in guiding entrepreneurs. They depend on their favorite social channels and peers on social media to make emotional decisions for them, rather than rely on any kind of “cost-benefit” analysis.

Customer 432

Customer Social Media Dividend Technical Review 432

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 18, 2020

NewVoiceMedia’s 2018 “Serial Switchers” report also reveals that businesses lose around $75 billion due to poor customer support, indicating that weakness in this sector of your business may lead to significant losses. The advancement of information technology has made it affordable even for small businesses to get sophisticated software.

Customer 231

Customer Technical Review Software Review Startup 231

Steve Blank

MARCH 12, 2014

Therefore we needed them to think and learn about two parts of a startup; 1) ideation - how to create new ideas and 2) customer development – how do they test the validity of their idea (is it the right product, customer, channel, pricing, etc.).

Lean 335

Lean Customer Development Startup Silicon Valley 335

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 4, 2022

Then, hopefully, come customers, distribution channels, and going public or merging with an attractive buy-out candidate. Technical semantics and jargon. Sometimes an entrepreneur or executive tries to communicate without full disclosure, perhaps to minimize impact, or due to company policy. Information withheld.

Semantic 342

Semantic Technical Review Retention Distribution 342

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2021

Unless you have a co-founder or two with the business skills to complement your technical ones, you need a friendly Advisory Board. Starting a new business is all about establishing relationships with investors, suppliers, channels, and future customers. The cost of a co-founder is usually fifty percent of your equity.

Advisory Board 356

Advisory Board Bandwidth Cofounder Technical Review 356

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 14, 2022

You can review all the specifics of this approach in the classic book by Nathan Furr and Paul Ahlstrom, appropriately titled “ Nail It then Scale It: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Creating and Managing Breakthrough Innovation ,” but I will net it out here. Nail the solution. Nail the business model.

Angel Investor 359

Angel Investor Technical Review Incubator Business Model 359

TechEmpower

JULY 31, 2023

Proving your Business Model Works - Build, Define, and Review But how do you prove your numbers? Look at different customer acquisition channels, how they are converting, and the expected lifetime value of customers acquired through those channels. Apply costs to each channel. Don’t worry about scaling just yet.

Metrics 260

Metrics Startup Retention Acquisition 260

Steve Blank

JUNE 27, 2017

This article originally appeared in the Harvard Business Review. As more and more companies face disruption from globalization, new technology, and startups that have more capital than the incumbents, the continuing cry from Wall Street investors is, “Why can’t companies be as innovative as startups?”. to stifle competition.).

Startup 306

Startup New York City Valuation Distribution 306

View from Seed

JANUARY 27, 2021

You are a “digital native” with a strong interest in new technology and have hands-on proficiency with many online tools for managing social media interactions, event production, and project management. You are actively engaged in the NYC or Boston tech ecosystem. All applications will be reviewed confidentially. How To Apply .

Operations 227

Operations Hiring Seed Stage Software Review 227

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 16, 2022

I will summarize these here, with my insights, for your review and implementation: Physical health. It is your responsibility to facilitate regular communication between team members and all constituents via all channels, including social media, email, and video. Spiritual connections.

Technical Review 353

Technical Review Cofounder Employee Global 353

ReadWriteStart

JUNE 19, 2021

There are few technologies in the world today that can make a Trillion-dollar impact on the global economy. Also, it can open up numerous business models and revenue channels that were earlier inaccessible for want of a suitable hardware and software solution. IoT (Internet of Things) is one of them. Source: Mckinsey.

Technical Review 215

Technical Review Software Review Cloud Vertical 215

Steve Blank

MARCH 15, 2017

To do that we will create end-user demand and drive it into the sales channel, educate the channel and customers about why our products are superior, and help Engineering understand customer needs and desires. Drive that demand into our sales channels. Educate our sales channel(s). That was it. It didn’t take more.

Startup 329

Startup PR Public Relations Channel 329

YoungUpstarts

OCTOBER 15, 2018

They strategize and have a plan for their social media channels. Roles and responsibilities of team members and other parties that will manage your social media channels. Each social media channel has its own unique qualities, and the audience on one will have different expectations than the audience on another.

Social Media 210

Social Media Media Technical Review Channel 210

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 6, 2021

Words alone, like “improved efficiency”, “paradigm shift,” and “breakthrough technology” won’t convince people to follow you. For example, early adopters may be easily sold, but new technology product success really hinges on adoption by certain demographics, perhaps more influenced by celebrities or mommy bloggers.

Metrics 387

Metrics Technical Review Leadership Framework 387

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 11, 2023

For example, the development of reusable rocket technology by SpaceX and Amazon, who could not match NASA supplier budgets, has opened huge new opportunities in space travel and exploration. I encourage you to be proactive, even with constraints, in exploring variations on your base technology that can expand the market.

Technical Review 277

Technical Review Partner Matching Channel 277