Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 16, 2022

Every young entrepreneur needs an experienced partner for credibility with investors, and as a trusted cohort for strategy and growth discussions. Often the Boomer is more willing to work for equity, and easily convinced to step aside when revenues reach that next threshold. Manage customer service. Member of the Advisory Board.

Advisory Board 368

Advisory Board Dividend Angel Investor Cofounder 368

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

The market was down considerably with public valuations down 53–79% across the four sectors we were reviewing (it is since down even further). ==> Aside, we also have a NEW LA-based partner I’m thrilled to announce: Nick Kim. To that end I’m really excited to share that Nick Kim has joined Upfront as a Partner based out of our LA offices.

Technical Review 416

Technical Review Pre-Money Valuation San Francisco Valuation 416

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 28, 2020

Investors and partners now look only for a framework of your business essentials, within the context of your opportunity, solution, and financials. Building a minimum viable product, with customer validation. Early customer feedback will position your solution, and help you make pivots before critical time and money are lost.

Intellectual Property 404

Intellectual Property Startup Angel Groups Social Media 404

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 30, 2020

I suggest looking for painful problems to solve, rather than “easier to use” or “nice to have” solutions, for customers with money. Customers line up to believe and buy from people who are viewed as leaders or experts relative to a specific solution. Get support from credible industry groups and partners.

Merger 386

Merger Software Review Acquisition Social Media 386

The Startup Magazine

JANUARY 21, 2025

Advancements in technology can streamline processes and enhance customer experience, setting businesses apart from their competitors. Investing in technology can create a more efficient and user-friendly service, ultimately contributing to positive customer feedback.

Technical Review 143

Technical Review Government Operations Demand 143

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 9, 2013

My partner Steven Dietz is an expert on cars (and auto startups having funded DealerTrack , TrueCar , Digital Airstrike , Uparts and others) and I called him and he said, “Decline everything. Your 2am coding session is more important than their 2am cocktails on the redeye back from Japan where they have no customers. Sell stuff.

Software Review 398

Software Review Technical Review China Mexico 398

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2020

Every young entrepreneur needs an experienced partner for credibility with investors, and as a trusted cohort for strategy and growth discussions. Often the Boomer is more willing to work for equity, and easily convinced to step aside when revenues reach that next threshold. Manage customer service. Member of the Advisory Board.

Advisory Board 312

Advisory Board Startup Dividend Angel Investor 312

The Startup Magazine

APRIL 15, 2022

One of the main barriers to sales is the customer checkout experience. In this Macropay review , let’s have a look at the most common online shopping check-out issues that customers face and how to address them. Cart abandonment is a major reason for revenue churn among online retailers. Understanding the Problem.

Technical Review 167

Technical Review Customer Startup Conversion 167

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2020

As a long-time mentor to entrepreneurs, here is my collection of smart risks that investors and I look for in new startups: Focus on a tough customer problem rather than a fun technology. Investors hate technology solutions looking for a problem, due to the high risk of no customers. Find a strategic partner to accelerate growth.

Management 322

Management Entrepreneur Forecast Stock Options 322

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 26, 2023

Often, despite your passion and expectation, customers don’t immediately see the value and need that you see, and you have no idea why the initiative is stuck , and what could be the real customer issue or fix. Customers won’t buy what they can’t find or don’t understand. Customers need supporting approvals to fully benefit.

Product 354

Product Technical Review Artificial Inteligence Dividend 354

The Startup Magazine

MARCH 19, 2025

based digital marketing agency serving over 70,000 customers, offers relief through its integrated approach to online marketing. We increased our revenue by 20% last year. Our call volume has increased, and the number of leads leading to new customers has increased as well.” Hibu, a U.S.-based

Rhode Island 83

Rhode Island Ohio Web Development Social Media 83

Steve Blank

JANUARY 17, 2023

Venture studios create startups by incubating their own ideas or ideas from their partners. The studio’s internal team builds the minimal viable product, then validates an idea by finding product/market fit and early customers. In return for the lower risk, a venture studio typically takes a larger percentage of equity.

Technical Cofounder 368

Technical Cofounder Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 368

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 2, 2022

As a long-time mentor to entrepreneurs, here is my collection of smart risks that investors and I look for in new startups: Focus on a tough customer problem rather than a fun technology. Investors hate technology solutions looking for a problem, due to the high risk of no customers. Find a strategic partner to accelerate growth.

Forecast 304

Forecast Stock Options Technical Review Metrics 304

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 17, 2018

A firm like ours has almost 100 different investments across all the various partners so we get to see some businesses very intimately. " Revenue doesn't pay your bills, GM does  —  @msuster 2/ Founders obsess with revenue as a vanity metric. Some even grow "bad" revenue just to show growth.

Founder 242

Founder Dilution Software Review Later Stage 242

The Startup Magazine

NOVEMBER 1, 2021

This is where a company will reward one or several affiliates for every customer or visitor brought by the affiliate’s own marketing efforts. To grow your brand and increase revenue, here are some handy tips on how to optimise your affiliate marketing strategy. Establish a Robust Affiliate Network.

Affiliate 197

Affiliate Marketing Technical Review Software Review 197

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2023

Most business professionals I know have been conditioned to think of inflation as highly negative, driving up their costs, and reducing customer buying. I see it as an opportunity to find new ways to attract customers , make long-needed changes to improve productivity, and lower your own costs of doing business.

Technical Review 239

Technical Review Revenue Social Media Cost 239

The Startup Magazine

JUNE 5, 2024

Optimize Facility Operations Efficient facility operations are crucial for a successful self-storage business, directly influencing customer satisfaction and profitability. Leveraging data analytics provides operators with valuable insights into customer behavior, demand patterns, and occupancy rates.

Security 147

Security Technical Review Operations Revenue 147

Steve Blank

JUNE 27, 2017

Its employees and investors don’t depend on an existing revenue stream. If they select a business model that targets industry incumbents, they don’t have to worry about upsetting existing customers, partners or distribution channels. Every Airbnb rental is a lost night of revenue for hotels that hate it.

Startup 306

Startup New York City Valuation Distribution 306

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 22, 2019

They do it because engaged customers become loyal advocates and buyers. It’s a dynamic customer environment out there. Motivate people, including your customers, to do something to improve your marketing today. Partner with others to create unique solutions that might benefit your brand, product, or solution.

Technical Review 245

Technical Review Social Media Startup Partner 245

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 17, 2018

According to most investors I know, traction is some clear evidence that the “dogs are eating the dog food” – usually meaning that you have at least one customer paying full price for your solution. Another term often mentioned is “momentum,” or growing visibility and advocacy within your customer set.

Advisory Board 199

Advisory Board Technical Review Metrics Business Model 199

View from Seed

JUNE 13, 2019

The company launched in 2011 and then was acquired by PetSmart for over $3 billion in 2017 (PetSmart itself owned by PE firm BC Partners), but Chewy is now preparing for life as a standalone public company. revenue business still growing >50% YoY? Embedded Growth From Existing Customers. In other words, for every $1.00

Leadership 214

Leadership .Net Revenue Aggregator 214

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 7, 2020

In the short term you need customers to find you at any price, and in the longer term you need revenue, profit, and return loyalty. Get outside the company regularly to get feedback on future customer needs, emerging technologies, and the views of influencers and experts in the field.

Technical Review 312

Technical Review Due Diligence Merger Social Media 312

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2020

Of course, most of you expect that raising money will be difficult, as well as staving off competitors, and handling that occasional toxic customer. The norm for entrepreneurs is to be optimistic on revenue projections, and miserly on funding needs. Cheaper in the beginning can be more costly in the long run.

Entrepreneur 306

Entrepreneur Due Diligence Startup Acquisition 306

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023

Investors and partners now look only for a framework of your business essentials, within the context of your opportunity, solution, and financials. Building a minimum viable product, with customer validation. Early customer feedback will position your solution, and help you make pivots before critical time and money are lost.

Intellectual Property 261

Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Angel Groups Social Media 261

TechEmpower

JULY 31, 2023

How does it meet customers’ needs? One way to approach that last question is to use this simple model: Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) How will your business reach prospects? Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) How much money will your business generate from each converted customer? What does the business do?

Metrics 260

Metrics Startup Retention Acquisition 260

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 12, 2018

I should also say a huge thank you to my partner Greg Bettinelli, as Ring was amongst the first deals he ever funded and along with GOAT, thredUP and some of the other great deals he’s led for us?—?his Having recurring revenue allows you to keep the original purchase price down, which in turn increases sales.

Security 247

Security Los Angeles Silicon Valley Video 247

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 18, 2023

If the company has been around for more than a couple of years, and still has no product or revenue flow, there better be a good explanation. Is there a real customer willing to give a testimonial? Don’t be sidetracked by potential customers in the middle of a free trial, or friends of the founder.

Sweat Equity 207

Sweat Equity Burn Rate Technical Review Intellectual Property 207

ConversionXL

MARCH 17, 2021

To do this we partnered with the RevGenius community to get a better understanding the challenges mature companies faced. Many customers think about the solution or service as a fancy add-on, but not as a part of operational processes. The next step in our research was talking to customers of our company Fullfunnel.io

B2B 150

B2B Sales Cycle Belgium IP 150

Duct Tape Marketing

NOVEMBER 8, 2023

Key Takeaway: In the world of customer experience, mishaps are inevitable. However, by approaching customer recovery with style, empathy, and exceptional ownership, businesses can turn these situations into opportunities to create raving fans. 15:10 What are the best strategies for fixing a poor customer experience? [17:56]

Customer 94

Customer Technical Review Employee Artificial Inteligence 94

ConversionXL

OCTOBER 4, 2021

In this post, you’ll learn how to overcome the challenges and reap the rewards to collect subscribers, users, and loyal customers. . We’ll look at where email fits in the customer journey and walk you through how to create a strategy that fits your customer lifecycle. Customer journeys are rarely linear. Consideration.

Email 136

Email Customer Marketing Software Review 136

YoungUpstarts

OCTOBER 9, 2020

by Karen Hayward, Chief Outsiders Managing Partner and CMO, and author of “ Stop Random Acts of Marketing: Deliberate & Practical Growth Strategies for Mid-Market CEOs “ Middle market companies are ambitious to grow, and they need the right marketing strategy that can guide the whole enterprise to new heights.

Developer 214

Developer San Francisco Technical Review Sales 214

VC Cafe

FEBRUARY 27, 2024

especially if the startup already has a product and revenue? To reduce the impact of dilution, the expectation is that startup valuation should more or less double between the pre-seed to the seed, and seed to series A (ideally backed by reasonable traction/ revenue multiples). who’s talking to customers?)

Valuation 186

Valuation Software Review Generative AI Technical Review 186

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 13, 2024

Expanding a business through exports can open up new opportunities for growth and increase revenue. Exporting allows you to reach new customers, diversify your market, and enhance your brand’s reputation. For example, colors, sizes, and features that appeal to customers in one country may not have the same effect in another.

Distribution 167

Distribution Technical Review PPC Channel 167

The Startup Magazine

OCTOBER 24, 2024

Furniture stores encounter obstacles such as inventory management and ensuring top-notch customer service. Enhancing Customer Experience Creating a great customer experience goes beyond offering high-quality products in the world of retail. Efficiency and organization are vital in the fast-paced world of retail today.

Operations 167

Operations Software Forecast Software Improvement 167

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 11, 2016

We help founders through difficult moments, we help coach, we act as sparring partners, we help them resolve conflicts when they’re fighting with co-founders and we help them deal with adversity as well as successes. The role of VC is sparring partner. It has grown recurring revenue by more than 500% and deal-size by 276%.

Venture Capital 150

Venture Capital Fractional CTO Cofounder Early Stage 150

Up and Running

OCTOBER 30, 2020

Once your business is up and running and as new customers buy your products, referrals will start rolling in organically. Think about it — your customers will likely showcase your products to their friends and family, and your brand name will come up in conversations and recommendations. Take the company iWader as an example.

eCommerce 152

eCommerce Sales Software Review Canada 152

ReadWriteStart

FEBRUARY 22, 2022

So, creating cutting-edge opportunities for the customers following the R&D path improves brand recognition, loyalty, and credibility. As the logical consequence, the effect of R&D investment on products or services is their ultimate improvement and perfect tailoring to the customers’ demand. Attract top talents.

Offshore 140

Offshore Demand Germany Global 140