Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 26, 2020

As an advisor to new hardware entrepreneurs, I often hear the myth that a business plan is no longer required to find an investor, if your idea is good enough. What you don’t realize is these famous investors only deal with entrepreneurs who sold their last company for a $100M dollars or more.

Business Plan 423

Business Plan Product Intellectual Property Elevator Pitch 423

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Many entrepreneurs still dream of “going public,” making billions of dollars, and playing with the big boys. They don’t realize that this option would likely be their worst nightmare, since it costs millions for the road show, usually dilutes your equity to a tiny fraction, and takes away all your entrepreneurial control.

Exit Strategy 239

Exit Strategy IPO Investment Bankers Entrepreneur 239

ReadWriteStart

JUNE 1, 2020

I have often been asked about Startup Funding by entrepreneurs. Here is Startup Funding, a Comprehensive Guide for Entrepreneurs. It is going to cost a lot of money just to get the initial batch of products to test the market and would definitely require external funding. Many myths surround the subject of startup funding.

Startup 150

Startup Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Seed Stage 150

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 7, 2020

I recognize that entrepreneurs tend to substitute vision and passion for formal processes, but using no discipline or process in building something new is a sure way to spend money, rather than see any return and build a self-sustaining business. Technologists building cool new platforms, just because they can, won’t find investor interest.

Entrepreneur 328

Entrepreneur Exit Strategy Metrics Operations 328

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 2, 2013

How do you as an entrepreneur with a new idea get to be one of those choices? That means there are far more entrepreneurs looking for money than there are investors, and entrepreneur entitlement is not a realistic expectation. This requires a visible focus on the company’s revenue model, the costs to get there, and cash on hand.

Angel Investor 269

Angel Investor Cram Down Intellectual Property Venture Capital 269

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 27, 2016

The last thing a new entrepreneur wants to think about for a new startup is how it will end. Yet one of the first things a potential equity investor asks about is your exit strategy. Here are three important reasons for the question: Good investment paybacks normally require an exit event.

Equity 120

Equity Exit Strategy Private Equity Startup 120

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. How much will it cost? Your financials should easily allow you to calculate your customer acquisition costs.

Hockey Stick 164

Hockey Stick Exit Strategy Technical Review Angel Investor 164

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 3, 2021

Based on my own years of experience in startups and big business, and more recently as an angel investor, I often cringe when I see one of you entrepreneurs missing a cue that I have seen work for many before you. A passionate entrepreneur I met a while back had found that a certain algae could be grown cheaply, and could end world hunger.

Exit Strategy 406

Exit Strategy Merger Angel Investor IPO 406

Up and Running

MAY 12, 2020

While many traditional jobs still can’t function remotely, or have difficulty adjusting, many entrepreneurs have found success in starting a business from home. Can I afford the cost of any adjustments that need to be made? Think about an exit strategy. Is there a space I can make “my own” in my home?

Software Review 153

Software Review Exit Strategy Technical Review Business Plan 153

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2023

Some entrepreneurs start polling venture capitalists for that multi-million-dollar investment before they even have a business plan. It won’t work, it costs time and money, and hurts your credibility when you need them later. They are not trying to make money, but simply to recoup their costs over time.

Incubator 305

Incubator Startup Exit Strategy Institutional Investors 305

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 10, 2023

I recognize that entrepreneurs tend to substitute vision and passion for formal processes, but using no discipline or process in building something new is a sure way to spend money, rather than see any return and build a self-sustaining business. Technologists building cool new platforms, just because they can, won’t find investor interest.

Exit Strategy 288

Exit Strategy Metrics Operations Cost 288

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

Hearpreneur

MAY 15, 2020

We asked some entrepreneurs and business owners, why they started their businesses: #1- Make learning to swim more convenient. My struggles lead to all kinds of problems including getting cited by OSHA and TCEQ, skyrocketing insurance costs & lost business opportunities. Each story is different though the reasons may be the same.

Entrepreneur 127

Entrepreneur LLC Los Angeles San Francisco 127

Hearpreneur

OCTOBER 5, 2018

Benjamin Yee is the entrepreneur behind an innovative software, EMERGE App, that makes it easy to manage the process. It’s a user-friendly and affordable app that businesses can utilize to help increase efficiency while reducing overall costs involved. For example, landed costs are a pain for importers. Listen to them.

Software 58

Software Management Entrepreneur Vietnam 58

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 23, 2021

Most aspiring entrepreneurs I know are just waiting for that unique idea to strike them that will kickstart their new venture, put them in control of their lifestyle, achieve financial independence, and maybe even change the world. The return was far greater than the cost of donated shoes.

Startup 399

Startup Exit Strategy Cofounder Equity 399

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 12, 2020

Some entrepreneurs start polling venture capitalists for that multi-million dollar investment before they even have a business plan. It won’t work, it costs time and money, and hurts your credibility when you need them later. They are not trying to make money, but simply to recoup their costs over time.

Incubator 429

Incubator Startup Exit Strategy Institutional Investors 429

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. In the real world, marketing initiatives that go viral cost big money and effort for their innovation and execution.

Exit Strategy 120

Exit Strategy Technical Review Distribution Viral 120

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 19, 2015

According to the latest Kaufman Startup Activity Index , entrepreneurs are making an unprecedented comeback in America, with data showing the largest year-over-year increase in two decades. Thus a record number of entrepreneurs (and employees) are getting rich. Initial Public Offerings (IPO) are back as an exit strategy.

IPO 120

IPO Angel Investor Startup Incubator 120

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. Here is where projections of cost, pricing, volumes and cash flow are critical. How much do you really need for the next 12 to 18 months? Marty Zwilling.

Preferred Stock 304

Preferred Stock Exit Strategy Equity Angel Investor 304

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

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

Financial Summary: Explain your business model, startup costs, revenues, and liabilities to the company. Your funding ask and exit strategy, if applicable. Personnel plan : Costs of employees. Exit strategy : Needed if you’re seeking investment. Target market: Who is your ideal buyer? Be specific.

Business Plan 154

Business Plan Technical Review Forecast Software Review 154

Up and Running

JANUARY 2, 2013

I’ve seen too many entrepreneurs think, “oh, I know my business inside and out – pitching will be a breeze!” I’ve also seen many entrepreneurs crash and burn when delivering their investor pitch – and ramble on and on. How much will it cost? ” Good luck! How will you measure success?

Hockey Stick 164

Hockey Stick Exit Strategy Technical Review Due Diligence 164

Up and Running

AUGUST 28, 2018

Financial summary: Explain your business model, startup costs, revenues, and liabilities to the company. Your funding ask and exit strategy, if applicable. Exit strategy : You only need this if you’re seeking outside investment. When writing your financial plan, make sure to consider startup costs.

Business Plan 72

Business Plan Technical Review Exit Strategy Oregon 72

NZ Entrepreneur

NOVEMBER 14, 2019

For example, startups often do not register their trade marks because they have an exit strategy in mind—an exit strategy that will see their business absorbed into a large organisation with its own trade mark protected house brands already in place. appeared first on NZ Entrepreneur Magazine.

Intellectual Property 45

Intellectual Property IP Software Review New Zealand 45

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. Every entrepreneur needs a professional business plan for their own use, whether they intend to seek investor funding or not.

Intellectual Property 249

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Technical Review Elevator Pitch 249

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2011

Many entrepreneurs still dream of “going public,” making billions of dollars, and playing with the big boys. They don’t realize that this option would likely be their worst nightmare, since it costs millions for the road show, usually dilutes your equity to a tiny fraction, and takes away all your entrepreneurial control.

Exit Strategy 235

Exit Strategy IPO Investment Bankers Entrepreneur 235

Up and Running

JULY 15, 2016

Despite the fact that production costs for certain products are now cheaper in some Southeast Asian countries, China remains the factory of the world. This is clearly the best way for foreign entrepreneurs to retain control of the company and transfer money abroad. For Western entrepreneurs, these rules can cause a headache.

China 60

China Entrepreneur Technical Review Framework 60

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. Here is where projections of cost, pricing, volumes and cash flow are critical. How much do you really need for the next 12 to 18 months? Marty Zwilling.

Startup 337

Startup Preferred Stock Exit Strategy Equity 337

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 15, 2013

Some entrepreneurs start polling venture capitalists for that multi-million dollar investment before they even have a business plan. It won’t work, it costs time and money, and hurts your credibility when you need them later. They are not trying to make money, but simply to recoup their costs over time. Marty Zwilling.

Incubator 256

Incubator Entrepreneur Exit Strategy Institutional Investors 256

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 12, 2021

You should plan an exit strategy, and optimize your activities and timing to get top dollar. I have found that entrepreneurs often don’t appreciate the need for intellectual property or their “secret sauce” when looking for an investor, and are quick to give away the details when selling the business.

Due Diligence 410

Due Diligence Intellectual Property Bankruptcy Exit Strategy 410

Austin Startup

OCTOBER 23, 2019

In his book, Secrets of Sand Hill Road, he explains exactly how VC’s decide where and how much to invest, and how entrepreneurs can get the best possible deal while making the most of their relationships with VC’s. The unit cost fell and this idea of pay as you go. Those two things dramatically changed the business."-

Fractional VPE 49

Fractional VPE Austin Artificial Inteligence Fractional CTO 49

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 26, 2020

Despite the fact that the number of IPOs (Initial Public Offerings) for startups have continued to stay low, I still hear it touted often as the preferred exit strategy. Yet I believe the trend will continue at least flat as entrepreneurs become more aware of other considerations that make the IPO route less and less attractive.

Cost 319

Cost IPO Exit Strategy Initial Public Offering 319

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 13, 2020

For example, every investor I know can tell you about meeting a passionate entrepreneur who is pitching a great technology innovation, but has not done the financial homework on making it a good business. Thus the investor can’t visualize any return on investment (ROI), so the entrepreneur gets no money, and a good opportunity is lost to all.

Liquidity Event 308

Liquidity Event Forecast Exit Strategy Bootstrapping 308

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. Every entrepreneur needs a professional business plan for their own use, whether they intend to seek investor funding or not.

Angel Investor 224

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Technical Review Elevator Pitch 224

Berkonomics

JUNE 22, 2023

Early cell phones were large bricks that required a large carrying case and cost up to a dollar a minute to use. Is there an exit strategy for the investor(s) over time? Building a great business to create wealth for the entrepreneur at exit, means thinking of the exit strategies from the beginning.

Exit Strategy 114

Exit Strategy Technology Revenue Conversion 114

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 media tends to highlight experienced entrepreneurs who succeed with early new venture funding, like Uber’s Garrett Camp , but fail to point out the more common bootstrapping successes.

Bootstrapping 120

Bootstrapping Entrepreneur Startup Exit Strategy 120

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 28, 2018

Some entrepreneurs start polling venture capitalists for that multi-million dollar investment before they even have a business plan. It won’t work, it costs time and money, and hurts your credibility when you need them later. They are not trying to make money, but simply to recoup their costs over time.

Incubator 236

Incubator Exit Strategy Institutional Investors Angel Investor 236