View from Seed

DECEMBER 6, 2018

Five years ago, as the mania around seed fundings was accelerating, Founders were very eager to announce their seed round to the world. It marks the beginning of the journey with hard work & the real business success to be accomplished ahead, but a milestone nonetheless. And seed VCs, especially as new firms were being established, were eager to encourage their portfolio startups to plant that flag in the ground publicly.

Seed Stage 201

Seed Stage Stealth Seed Capital Later Stage 201

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 16, 2018

I still know some entrepreneurs who boast of simply following their gut instincts, rather than listen to anyone or any data, to make strategic decisions. We’ve all worked with autocratic leaders in large companies who seem to thrive in this mode. They all forget or ignore the high-profile failures that have resulted from some single-handed business decisions.

Merger 276

Merger Analytics Open Source America 276

Feld Thoughts

DECEMBER 14, 2018

In the world of entrepreneurship, there are endless things to do. Tasks, to do lists, new initiatives, new projects, and P1s. Leaders spend a lot of time planning, especially in the context of “we have to grow more, do more, and get bigger.” Lately, I’ve been suggesting to a few of the CEOs who I work with to make a “2019 Won’t Do List.” While this is a high-level list of things not to do, it can be on multiple dimensions.

Acquisition 145

Acquisition IPO Metrics Finance 145

crowdSPRING Blog

DECEMBER 13, 2018

This is the most comprehensive guide online to creating a strong brand identity for your business or organization in 2019. A brand identity is the most effective way any organization (startups, small businesses, agencies, nonprofits, or others) can gain a competitive edge in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Both new and existing businesses and organization can benefit from reading this guide.

Marketing 162

Marketing Charlotte Naming Design 162

Speaker: Nick Noreña, Innovation Coach and Advisor, Kromatic

Every startup and innovation project exists within an ecosystem that either helps or hurts that project. As innovation managers, we need to keep a pulse of that ecosystem and make sure we're helping those innovation projects we're managing every step of the way. In this webinar, Nick Noreña will walk through an Innovation Ecosystem Model that he and his team at Kromatic have developed to help investors, heads of product, teachers, and executives understand how they can best support innovation in

Startup

YoungUpstarts

DECEMBER 29, 2018

Thanks to the Internet, businesses have successfully learned to sell products and services online. Being connected through technology has brought about a new consumer market: a digital one. Still, there’s a lot to navigate when it comes to optimizing sales in a digital marketplace. Everyone has a website these days, and some online markets are overly saturated.

eCommerce 138

eCommerce Software Review Technical Review Social Media 138

Haystack

DECEMBER 29, 2018

It’s that time of year, time to look back and reflect on the most significant storylines in the tech, startup, and VC world. A comprehensive post on this topic could be 5,000+ words, but we do not do such things here. We kept detailed notes month by month and today, I tried to organize them by key sections, what you’ll see below. There’s a good chance I’ve missed something — if you feel that way, by all means, please share your point of view on Twitter (or email) an

Technical Review 165

Technical Review Venture Capital Russia China 165

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 24, 2018

Most aspiring entrepreneurs are convinced that their idea and passion are so great that failure is not a possibility. They relate quickly to one of the big successes out there today, including Facebook, Airbnb, or Snap, and can give you a dozen reasons that they are in the same category. It’s a good way to get some inspiration, but not an accurate representation of reality.

Angel Investor 249

Angel Investor Cofounder Finance Operations 249

The Startup Magazine

DECEMBER 22, 2018

Anytime you create something, you’ll want to protect it in the best way possible. Unfortunately, far too many people lose out on the valuable work they’ve created or thought of. They simply didn’t take the proper steps to protect its intellectual property. Source: Pixabay. According to the legal team over at FightingForYou.com , “Just like you’d protect your team with safety rules that prevent personal injuries on the job, you’ll also want to have similar procedures in place to protect your crea

Intellectual Property 107

Intellectual Property Non-disclosure Agreement Software Review Non-Compete 107

YFS Magazine

DECEMBER 17, 2018

There are thousands of WordPress themes on the market today. Here are 6 quick and dirty tips that’ll help you pick the right one for your website.

Marketing 103

Marketing Web Development Web Design 103

YoungUpstarts

DECEMBER 24, 2018

Emotional intelligence is one’s ability to recognize and understand their emotions and skills that they can use to manage and improve relationships with themselves and others. Emotional intelligence at the workplace, on the other hand, can be used to perform work duties but also exercise self-management, self-control, provide effective leadership and emotional support to co-workers.

Leadership 190

Leadership Employee Hiring Management 190

Hearpreneur

DECEMBER 5, 2018

Being in love is great. Being in love with your business, when you’re an entrepreneur, is even better. Waking up each morning knowing you are getting to do exactly what you love is more than most people could ever say about any “job” they have had. Although there are days when tossing in your hat seems like a viable option, remembering how much you love your “job” can quickly snap an entrepreneur out of that mentality.

Entrepreneur 117

Entrepreneur Jordan LLC Finance 117

Version One Ventures

DECEMBER 18, 2018

2018 was a big year for Version One, and it’s hard to believe another year is drawing to a close. We invested in seven new companies and participated in many follow-on rounds. Of the new investments, one is in encryption, one is in security, one is in consumer hardware, one is in bio/healthcare, and three are in crypto/blockchain. We spent a lot of time in bio/healthcare and crypto/blockchain in 2018 and will continue the trend in 2019….

Technical Review 123

Technical Review North America Seattle Deal Flow 123

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 7, 2018

Despite the ease of communication through social media, new tools, the popularity of fearless independence and #MeToo, I still see many business organizations that are less than productive due to fear. Yet in my work as an advisor to senior executives, I find that many fail to see reality in their own organizations, and have no idea whether they are part of the problem or the solution.

Management 239

Management Technical Review Social Media Hiring 239

The Startup Magazine

DECEMBER 18, 2018

High-tech electronic data tools have revolutionized the way businesses operate nowadays. It is now possible for companies to run effectively and become profitable. Startup businesses can benefit from the new tools in gaining root in the market. Considering the technology saves on time and money, it would be wise for startups to adopt it. Look for reputable firms such as Telstar Instruments in CA to help you get the best solutions for your business.

Global 95

Global Technical Review Software Review Retention 95

Feld Thoughts

DECEMBER 1, 2018

I turned 53 today. Each year on my birthday I write a letter to myself reflecting on the previous year and pondering the coming year. I also go for a run – this year for 53 minutes. The past few years, I’ve started publishing them on this blog – if you are interested in what I’ve written in the past, take a look at @bfeld v52.0 and @bfeld v51.0.

Leadership 98

Leadership Technical Review Video Email 98

YoungUpstarts

DECEMBER 2, 2018

Current college students belong to Generation Z and you can’t deny that they all in some way possess entrepreneurial sense. For millennials, stories of start-ups that began with two undergraduates having big dreams that they never knew could be achieved and then established a corporation worth millions of dollars is an awe of business life. Young people nowadays are seeking alternatives to the high education or consider that self-education is much better for achieving their future plans.

Cost 185

Cost Technical Review Social Media PR 185

Hearpreneur

DECEMBER 12, 2018

The idea of exactly what your business is going to usually come first. Secondly, most often, is giving a title to your idea. What exactly is going to be the name of your business? Some people turn to their childhood for inspiration or a beloved family pet. It could be a made up word you dream of one night and feel it has the right ring to it. Even still there are some people who study foreign words for the perfect meaning behind their chosen business.

Naming 106

Naming Texas Entrepreneur Search 106

Up and Running

DECEMBER 27, 2018

You had a great idea for an invention, and after spending months brainstorming, filing, (waiting) and discussing the details with your patent attorney, your patent is granted. Filing for a patent isn’t cheap, so it makes sense that if you went to the trouble of protecting your idea, the next step is to figure out how to profit from it. According to Forbes , in 2014, 95 percent of the 2.1 million active patents weren’t licensed or commercialized: they didn’t generate any money.

Intellectual Property 93

Intellectual Property Technical Review Due Diligence Cofounder 93

Duct Tape Marketing

DECEMBER 19, 2018

The Top Four Marketing Trends for 2019 written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing. Marketing Podcast with John Jantsch on 2019 Marketing Trends. ‘Tis the season for end of year lists and content that’s looking to trends in the New Year. Rather than run through all of the ins and outs of what I see coming up on the marketing horizon, I’ve decided to focus on what I see as the four most important marketing trends for 2019.

Marketing 75

Marketing Technical Review Software Review Retention 75

The Startup Magazine

DECEMBER 18, 2018

No matter what type of business you have, it is always a good idea to have a website that promotes your products and services online. After all, many people now spend a lot of time interacting and searching for new information on the web. Nowadays, websites are easy to build. There are a lot of tools and even firms that can help you with your web development and maintenance needs.

Social Media 91

Social Media Marketing Algorithm Web Development 91

Transformify

DECEMBER 20, 2018

Via Codigo , a nonprofit organisation teaching high skilled web development and soft skills program at juvenile detention centers is pleased to announce it’s goals for 2019. Thanks to key alliances with the Forge Foundation and the global recruitment platform Transformify , teenagers that go through their program, will broaden their job opportunities at an international level by applying to remote jobs.

Peru 64

Peru Non-Compete Web Development Switzerland 64

YoungUpstarts

DECEMBER 31, 2018

No one plans to get sued. But sometimes, the unexpected happens. There are a lot of reasons for this and the response to a lawsuit is going to depend upon the nature of the claim made against your business. As a business owner, it is your responsibility to do everything within your means to limit your risks. In order to keep the business running smoothly and have a legal contact, business owner should interview attorneys.

Portland 168

Portland Software Review Security Community 168

Hearpreneur

DECEMBER 14, 2018

Every new year brings with it a new form of excitement and anticipation. The reason is that every new year brings about a “newness” for lack of a better term when we are able to start fresh and erase those things that we did bad or things we have been thinking about doing. For us at CEO Blog Nation, we get it. So that’s why we are excited about 2019 because there will be more and more entrepreneurs and businesses.

Entrepreneur 86

Entrepreneur Germany Leadership Partner 86

deal architect

DECEMBER 7, 2018

Ask about who has had a successful platform strategy, and most people will point to Salesforce. I beg to disagree – compared to revenues Apple has generated for its partners and itself from its iOS store and Amazon with its.

Partner 268

Partner Revenue Offshore Software 268

Duct Tape Marketing

DECEMBER 4, 2018

Why It’s Time to Embrace a Real CRM Tool for Your Business written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing. Using a spreadsheet or index cards to manage your clients may make sense when you’re first starting out: there aren’t that many to keep track of, and the clients you do have don’t have a long history with your business. However, as time goes on, your client list grows, your track record with existing clients becomes longer and more complex, and you need a better way to manage thes

Seattle 69

Seattle Technical Review Pennsylvania Conversion 69

The Startup Magazine

DECEMBER 14, 2018

Today, there are few things so challenging and exciting as running your own business. But, with a great idea, it also come a great responsibility. Today, markets are very competitive and there are thousands of experienced business players who can overcome you by using their knowledge and work experience. You’ve managed to run your startup business, and now you’re wondering: How To Start A Business And Be Competitive?

Technology 93

Technology Startup Internet Technical Support 93

Transformify

DECEMBER 5, 2018

Trust is crucial for the success of your startup, perhaps even more powerful than marketing or sales. With no track record of success, many startup entrepreneurs find it challenging to compete with established companies. Even if you started your endeavor with noble intentions, prospective clients and customers will most likely have some doubt to overcome before doing business with you.

Customer 65

Customer Startup Reputation Technical Review 65

YoungUpstarts

DECEMBER 21, 2018

by Aditya Narula, head of customer success at Kabbage. Establishing a strong social media presence can mean big business for your small business. But if you don’t have dedicated resources to devote to it, or you don’t have much time to spare, you might find it tough to gain traction. Use these nine social media tips to boost business and grow your brand. 1.

Social Media 159

Social Media Small Business Media Software Review 159

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 26, 2018

Currently there is no professional certification, or standardized testing, as there is for accountants and lawyers, to see if you are ready to tackle the rigors of starting a new business. In fact, some pundits argue that the best entrepreneurs, including Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, actually dropped out of school early to start their businesses, implying a negative relationship to training.

Entrepreneur 260

Entrepreneur Business Model Finance Product Development 260

Steve Blank

DECEMBER 20, 2018

Five years ago we brought evidence-based entrepreneurship to Life Sciences – teaching the first Lean Lean Launchpad class at UCSF, then the NIH and Imperial College. But it’s been awhile since I was in a room made up entirely of Life Science entrepreneurs. So I was excited to visit IndieBio, a life science accelerator in San Francisco. Think of IndieBio as “Y-Combinator for Life Sciences with a wet lab ” and you get what they are trying to do.

Lean 252

Lean San Francisco Programming Video 252

Duct Tape Marketing

DECEMBER 5, 2018

Managing an Expanding Business, With Your Mission Guiding the Way written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing. Marketing Podcast with Matt Scanlon. Podcast Transcript. This week on the Duct Tape Marketing podcast, I sit down with Matt Scanlon, owner of The Hill KC in Kansas City. Formerly known as CrossFit Memorial Hill, the business began as a CrossFit gym.

Kansas City 60

Kansas City Kansas Management Technical Review 60

The Startup Magazine

DECEMBER 20, 2018

Foreign exchange, or forex, is a great investment instrument to consider today. The forex market is more volatile than the stock market, and the fact that you can bank profits on both long and short trades makes it appealing to many. Source: Pexels. Before you can start trading foreign currency pairs , however, the most important first step to take is choosing the right broker.

Securities and Exchange Commission 91

Securities and Exchange Commission Software Review Stock Security 91

deal architect

DECEMBER 4, 2018

As an analyst, I tend to be a bit dry and focus on product details and vendor economics. As an author, I become as Led Zeppelin says a “traveler in both time and space”. In writing SAP Nation 3.0, I.

Product 220

Product 220

YoungUpstarts

DECEMBER 19, 2018

Technology has made everything easier for anyone that wants to purchase anything online. You do not need to leave your chair to buy anything from clothes, property, or even heavy machinery for your business, etc. Nowadays everything is on sale online, and many people find it easier to buy from the comfort of their desks. Online auctions are popular because one can bid on any item within your price range.

Technical Review 159

Technical Review Due Diligence Finance Matching 159

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 31, 2018

In this age of constant market evolution and new technology, there is no such thing as a static business that is self-sustaining. The traditional approach of implementing stable and repeatable processes, so that your business can run itself, no longer works. Just ask former big brand companies, like Blockbuster, Kodak, Lehman Brothers, and Sears, what happened to them.

Merger 249

Merger Acquisition IP Audio 249

SoCal CTO

DECEMBER 3, 2018

The LA CTO Forum recently conducted a survey to find out what our Chief Technology Officer (CTO) members saw as their biggest challenges heading into 2019. We received over 250 responses that provides a pretty good insight into the top CTO challenges. The rating scale was 1-5 with: Not a challenge A small challenge Somewhat a challenge Definitely a challenge Keeps me up at night We provide both an Average and a Scaled Rating that gives much higher weight to 4s and 5s and discounts 1s and 2s.

Technology 208

Technology 208