A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks

DECEMBER 12, 2011

On the other hand, if during the interview she asks how often you do performance reviews, that means she doesn’t understand the startup culture. You’re not just hiring any old programmer or salesman, you’re hiring employee #1. Right, so it doesn’t matter with your first few employees either. Or therapy.

Hiring 282

Hiring Employee Ruby Java 282

Steve Blank

JANUARY 17, 2023

This post previously appeared in the Harvard Business Review. Venture Studios are an “idea factory” with their own employees searching for product/market fit and a repeatable and scalable business model. But these look for founders who have a technical or business model insight and a team. Carlos stirred his coffee.

Technical Cofounder 368

Technical Cofounder Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 368

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 15, 2020

Investors, partners, team members, and customers implicitly value or devalue a startup based on the leader’s physical presence, emotional identity, social skills, intellectual agility, moral values, and past performance in the domain. I have paraphrased his key points here as follows: Leader personal impact. Focus on talent and people growth.

Valuation 311

Valuation Technical Review Due Diligence Leadership 311

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 1, 2021

Professional investors and advisors, on the other hand, usually refuse to sign these agreements today due to the risk of litigation and administrative workload, and will walk away. Discussions with potential strategic partners. Most often, the best potential partners are already in a business complementary to yours.

Non-disclosure Agreement 399

Non-disclosure Agreement Technical Review Due Diligence Angel Investor 399

Steve Blank

APRIL 11, 2013

The previous post described how China built its science and technology infrastructure. This post is about the how the Chinese government engineered technology clusters. Of all the Chinese government programs, the Torch Program is the one program that kick-started Chinese high-tech innovation and startups. Innovation Clusters.

Programming 287

Programming Technical Review SBIR China 287

YoungUpstarts

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

That should involve hiring dedicated staff to manage vendor risks, perform due diligence when taking on new vendors, document the vendor relationship, and even put together the necessary contractual language to, for example, obtain a certain level of data security, or put other measures in place to mitigate risk.

Software Review 264

Software Review Technical Review Due Diligence Management 264

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

Many times they also pick up product and tech, too. Often times you find the CEO who really just likes to do product or tech. Similarly I talk to CEOs who can’t do a sales pipeline review with me. I once did due diligence on a potential investment where the CEO was projecting $9 million in sales for his next 12 months.

Technical Review 325

Technical Review Startup Cofounder Due Diligence 325

YoungUpstarts

OCTOBER 24, 2017

Here are a few tips to ensure that you and your partners start out on the right foot. A CPA provides input on tax structure and metrics, and assists with due diligence related to your industry. Think about your employee and ownership hats. Has your prospective business partner invested in or run a business before?

Partner 208

Partner Technical Review Intellectual Property Due Diligence 208

The Startup Magazine

JANUARY 5, 2025

Invest in Employee Development Your team is one of your most valuable assets. Investing in employee development is not only going to boost their morale but also enhance their skills and productivity at the same time. Leverage Technology for Growth Technology is a powerful tool for driving efficiency and innovation.

Software Review 147

Software Review Technical Review Retention Campaign 147

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 5, 2011

Seattle should be the envy of any non Silicon Valley tech community in the country. It really wouldn’t take much to turn a great technology ecosystem into a truly electric one. I know it’s not single-handed as he has both fantastic partners at Foundry Group and many other community leaders.

Seattle 317

Seattle Silicon Valley Technical Review Los Angeles 317

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 16, 2010

The VC industry grew dramatically as a result of the Internet bubble - Before the Internet bubble the people who invested in VC funds (called LPs or Limited Partners) put about $50 billion into the industry and by 2001 this had grown precipitously to around $250 billion. Partners leave the industry. Team must be purely technical.

LP 311

LP Technical Review Early Stage Silicon Valley 311

Steve Blank

NOVEMBER 1, 2011

Every potential early-stage Venture Capitalist should take a year and do it before he or she makes partner. Over time Venture firms realized that the partners in the firms needs a variety of skills: People skills (ability to recognize patterns of success in individuals and teams). we have a partner-track associates program.

Venture Capital 334

Venture Capital Early Stage Technical Review Startup 334

View from Seed

JULY 31, 2014

Two weeks ago, my partners and I here at NextView Ventures announced our second fund. And since we will continue to look proactively at new seed-stage tech startups over the next few years, the question becomes: What, then, will these companies look like? Step-Function Ad Tech.

Seed Stage 272

Seed Stage B2C Technical Review Disintermediation 272

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 6, 2014

The functions of an early-stage board are pretty obvious and well understood: Providing introductions to customers, biz dev partners, recruits, the press, other investors, etc. Offering a sparring-partner function on strategic decisions. Reviewing financial & operational performance. Mentorship. We realized we needed help.

Technical Review 325

Technical Review Early Stage Software Review Los Angeles 325

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 7, 2020

In my experience, even in startups, longer-term strategy often gets pushed off the agenda due to current challenges. By being proactive, and empowering and rewarding your frontline employees for improving processes, you will enhance your business productivity and growth in both the short term as well as the long term.

Technical Review 312

Technical Review Due Diligence Merger Social Media 312

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 16, 2022

They couldn’t possibly understand the new social media culture, new technologies, or have the determination to beat their younger counterparts in the market. In fact, they are well-qualified overall, having worked with high technology and computers for at least 20 years, are highly educated, and highly motivated.

Advisory Board 368

Advisory Board Dividend Angel Investor Cofounder 368

TechEmpower

DECEMBER 11, 2023

Given this diversity, it's important to be selective in the development services company with whom you choose to partner. Are specific technologies or platforms involved in your project? Do they have experience with the technologies involved in your project? What are the employees and contractors' skills?

Software Developers 297

Software Developers Software Development Software Review Software 297

The Startup Magazine

MARCH 14, 2022

And with the technology available these days, it is convenient to invest in emerging startups. Of late, with the advent of new technology and the spread of the internet to nearly all corners of the country, Indians have taken up a new kind of shop! Some sectors where they have left their indelible mark are – Health tech.

Technical Review 167

Technical Review Due Diligence India Startup 167

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2022

As a potential investor, I always think of the high rate of failure of disruptive technologies, due to the longer learning curve of customers, infrastructure change consistently required, and higher marketing costs. Before you act, shut up and listen to employees, customers, and futurists.

Technical Review 252

Technical Review Silicon Valley Software Review Metrics 252

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 15, 2023

Professional investors and advisors, on the other hand, usually refuse to sign these agreements today due to the risk of litigation and administrative workload, and will walk away. Discussions with potential strategic partners. Most often, the best potential partners are already in a business complementary to yours.

Non-disclosure Agreement 254

Non-disclosure Agreement Technical Review Due Diligence Angel Investor 254

The Startup Magazine

DECEMBER 4, 2024

Use Contracts to Your Advantage Whether you’re hiring employees, working with vendors, or entering into agreements with partners, contracts are essential. For instance, non-disclosure agreements ( NDAs ) can protect confidential business information, and service agreements can clarify terms of service with clients or partners.

Intellectual Property 119

Intellectual Property Non-disclosure Agreement Entrepreneur Limited Liability Company 119

VC Cafe

MARCH 31, 2025

Michael later served as a group partner, managing director, and CEO of YC. So I thought it’s a good time to share the video where lists are the key learnings from YC on how to start a technical startup: Start with a strong technical co-founding team: You need two to four co-founders with at least 50% engineering background.

Cofounder 88

Cofounder Silicon Valley Technical Review PR 88

YoungUpstarts

DECEMBER 29, 2020

With the continuous advances in technology, it’s easier than ever for businesses to get work done remotely. Since so many organizations have spent time working in a remote environment due to Covid-19, we’ve quickly learned what works for this unique situation and which areas need improvement. This greatly narrowed the talent pool.

Technical Review 275

Technical Review Cofounder Leadership Employee 275

YoungUpstarts

JUNE 27, 2017

Even so, it’s difficult (and perhaps impossible) to operate a small business or startup and not negotiate agreements with employees, vendors, customers, and others. You’re probably most comfortable with your own employees and team – and you probably already know that how they perform is influenced by their perception.

Partner 171

Partner Employee Non-Compete IP 171

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2020

They couldn’t possibly understand the new social media culture, new technologies, or have the determination to beat their younger counterparts in the market. In fact, they are well-qualified overall, having worked with high technology and computers for at least 20 years, are highly educated, and highly motivated.

Advisory Board 312

Advisory Board Startup Dividend Angel Investor 312

The Startup Magazine

DECEMBER 12, 2024

Clear, effective business documentation creates clarity in the minds of employees, stakeholders, and external partners and eventually builds trust for seamless operation. This is especially true for businesses that rely heavily on technology and outsourced services, such as those utilizing Managed Service Providers (MSPs).

Technical Review 158

Technical Review Software Review Operations Technology 158

View from Seed

JANUARY 27, 2021

Today, we have invested in over 100 high-growth companies, some of which have grown to be household names with thousands of employees making a huge impact in the everyday lives of everyday people. . 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 Boston 227

ReadWriteStart

DECEMBER 16, 2020

All of these businesses had to roll back their remote work policies and call employees back on-premises. Although there are many collaboration tools (like Slack and Trello) available, they do have a learning curve that can be hard for non-technical folks. Unhealthy Employee Morale. Technical Challenges.

Technical Review 200

Technical Review Startup Belgium Software Review 200

Austin Startup

NOVEMBER 20, 2020

By: Kasheef Wyzard and Michelle Ferguson Image: Dream Corps TECH Black Engineer Educators Let’s face it?—?we Big Tech has shattered boundaries and made the previously impossible a new reality?—?but To date, Dream Corps TECH has placed 75 students, including partnerships with multiple Fortune 50 companies!

Technical Review 93

Technical Review Texas Equity Programming 93

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 8, 2021

The process must be employee friendly, as well as customer friendly, and have feedback mechanisms to correct poor results. If service employees are not happy, the process isn’t working yet. Leaders have found that keeping everyone on top of changes in technology, competition, and customer demands is critical to success.

Technical Review 385

Technical Review Salary Metrics Matching 385

Steve Blank

NOVEMBER 1, 2017

This article first appeared on the Harvard Business Review blog. He sold off slower-growth, low-tech, and nonindustrial businesses — financial services, media, entertainment, plastics, and appliances. In 2015 Trian Partners, an activist investor, bought $2.5 Jeff Immelt ran GE for 16 years. of the company.

Institutional Investors 271

Institutional Investors Dividend Stock Technical Review 271

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 12, 2011

Chris Dixon is one of my favorite people in tech and writes one of the few blogs I read religiously. If you don’t read it and you care about tech & entrepreneurship, you should. If you like the quick summary notes, please check out Adam’s blog on tech, entrepreneurship & VC as a thank you.

Technical Review 281

Technical Review Artificial Inteligence Cofounder API 281

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 20, 2015

As an advisor to startups, I often get asked what to look for in an ideal co-founder or business partner. After some reflection, I now realize these attributes are necessary but not sufficient to be an ideal business partner. Together they can attract investors, employees and even customers. Shared vision, values and culture.

Partner 120

Partner Technical Review Due Diligence Startup 120

Steve Blank

APRIL 16, 2020

Sheltering in place during the Covid-19 pandemic, my coffees with current and ex-students (entrepreneurs, as well as employees early in their careers) have gone virtual. If you’re interested in learning more about a career in Life Sciences, start reading: Medgadget – medical technology blog. MobiHealth News.

Software Review 335

Software Review Technical Review eCommerce Salary 335

YoungUpstarts

MAY 8, 2014

You can pour your heart and soul (and life savings) into a venture, do all your due diligence, toil 80- and 90-hour weeks, and just when you’re on the verge of a breakthrough, a dark horse competitor sweeps in and decimates your market share. Or a partner defects with your top client. Treating technology as a magic bullet.

Technical Review 254

Technical Review Entrepreneur Florida Cofounder 254

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2020

No matter how talented you are, it doesn’t matter unless managers can see those talents and think of you as an invaluable employee, or a game-changing manager, or the person whose name is synonymous with success. Use the idea to kick-start your relationships with co-founders, investors, customers and business partners.

Startup 331

Startup Technical Review Social Network Reputation 331

Version One Ventures

JANUARY 4, 2021

Manny Medina of Outreach was named to Comparably’s Top 50 list for Best CEOs in 2020 as rated by employees. . For a second consecutive year , Jobber was named one of the fastest-growing companies in North America on Deloitte’s 2020 Technology Fast 500. . Zenput was named a Great Place to Work !

Portfolio 148

Portfolio Technical Review Securities and Exchange Commission North America 148