Startup Lessons Learned

SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

What does your Chief Technology Officer do all day? Often times, it seems like people are thinking its synonymous with "that guy who gets paid to sit in the corner and think technical deep thoughts" or "that guy who gets to swoop in a rearrange my project at the last minute on a whim." But along the way, something strange happened.

CTO 168

CTO Fractional CTO CTO Hire Technical Review 168

VC Cafe

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

It’s only been a bit over a month since the start of 2025 past year has witnessed seismic shifts in technology, from breakthroughs in generative AI to emerging solutions in climate tech and healthcare. This is an extension of the previous list with new sources and startup requests. You can find the 2024 RFS list here.

Software Review 78

Software Review Technical Review Startup Software Engineering 78

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. Do you have a custom algorithm or other technology? If you launched tomorrow, how many users would you forecast? Wireframes?

Developer 520

Developer Technical Review CTO Hire Fractional CTO 520

YoungUpstarts

MARCH 17, 2013

Backed by rigorous research, Christensen’s premise is that well-managed companies that watch competitors, listen to customers, and invest heavily in new technologies can still lose market dominance. Contrary to popular belief, a disruptive technology or innovation isn’t the latest, most cutting-edge or radical invention.

Technical Review 171

Technical Review Forecast Technology Demand 171

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

TechEmpower

MARCH 4, 2024

Focusing on generative AI applications in a select few corporate functions can contribute to a significant portion of the technology's overall impact. This technological integration into software engineering not only enhances the productivity of development teams but also ensures that IT infrastructures are robust and reliable.

Generative AI 297

Generative AI CTO Hire Fractional CTO Software Review 297

OnlyOnce

NOVEMBER 28, 2012

The Value of Paying Down Technical Debt. Our Engineering team has a great term called Technical Debt, which is the accumulation of coding shortcuts and operational inefficiencies over the years in the name of getting product out the door faster that weighs on the company’s code base like debt weighs on a balance sheet.

Technical Review 94

Technical Review Software Review Balance Sheet Engineer 94

Hearpreneur

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022

When an entrepreneur can forecast his next moves, even his/her employees become part of the moves the business makes. We asked entrepreneurs and business owners where they forecast their business will be in the next five years. #1- 8- Becoming one of the most reputable tech platforms. Thanks to Adit Jain, Leena AI ! #8-

Forecast 133

Forecast Artificial Inteligence Entrepreneur Technical Review 133

Startup Lessons Learned

NOVEMBER 13, 2008

Hes a new employee, and he was not properly trained in TDD So far, this isnt much different from the kind of analysis any competent operations team would conduct for a site outage. What started as a technical problem actually turned out to be a human and process problem. So-and-so made a mistake why did his mistake get checked in?

Software Review 167

Software Review Technical Review San Francisco Continuous Deployment 167

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 31, 2010

I would work through my sales deals pipelines by doing pipeline reviews. You could often tell when a sales person couldn’t defend having the deal be listed as an A deal (and thus have a high forecast percentage) by having them walk you through each deal. I wrote a bit about how to better manage journalist relations in this post.

Sales 286

Sales PR Forecast Technical Review 286

YoungUpstarts

JULY 10, 2017

A change in revenue recognition means a change in the due diligence process, specifically accounting diligence, modeling, quality of earnings and cost of integration. This will help appropriately predict future forecasts, making it important for companies to understand how revenue will be determined under the new standard.

Revenue 124

Revenue Technical Review Software Review Due Diligence 124

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.

Management 322

Management Entrepreneur Forecast Stock Options 322

Up and Running

JULY 6, 2016

Often, a business plan introduces a new technology that requires some explaining. On one hand, as a reader of business plans for investors, I see way too many business plans that ask a reader to wade neck-deep through technology to get to the business. Establish technology as a differentiator, when it is.

Technical Review 72

Technical Review Software Review Business Plan Development Team Review 72

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 3, 2014

Most technology startups seem to be funded by product people or business people. They are the lifeblood of many companies yet they are different than the traditional technology startup DNA so the ways that you hire, motivate, compensate and assess performance of these individuals will be different. My first startup was no different.

Sales 382

Sales Startup Technical Review Matching 382

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 1, 2009

Consumer spending is 70% of the economy and will continue to be stretched – We can look all we want at tech innovation, VC funding cycles and hot M&A deals, but ultimately growth and therefore investment must be underpinned by revenue. The IMF just raised its global growth forecast from 2.5%

Technical Review 269

Technical Review Stock Hawaii Early Stage 269

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. How to build a great forecast.

Technical Review 325

Technical Review Early Stage Software Review Los Angeles 325

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.

Forecast 304

Forecast Stock Options Technical Review Metrics 304

Steve Blank

MAY 17, 2022

The Department of Defense has thought that Artificial Intelligence is such a foundational set of technologies that they started a dedicated organization- the JAIC – to enable and implement artificial intelligence across the Department. These technologies will transform businesses and government agencies. AI in National Security.

Artificial Inteligence 425

Artificial Inteligence Software Review Algorithm Technical Review 425

YoungUpstarts

NOVEMBER 27, 2019

To keep up with all the upcoming innovations coming our way, let’s dive into the top 5 technologies to look forward to in 2020. IoT Technology. These devices shall be embedded with a kind of sensor, software, or technology to connect and exchange data. How is IoT Technology changing the World? What is IoT?

Technical Review 147

Technical Review Technology Artificial Inteligence Search 147

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 30, 2024

Include detailed financial forecasts and potential challenges along with mitigation plans. Leveraging Technology for International Expansion Technology is essential to facilitating global corporate expansion. A study by Harvard Business Review emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology in global business strategies.

Technical Review 159

Technical Review Intellectual Property Due Diligence Global 159

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 27, 2014

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.

Startup 283

Startup Forecast Stock Options Technical Review 283

The Startup Magazine

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023

The Power of Liquidity Forecasting Imagine having a magic crystal ball that tells you about future expenses. Liquidity forecasting isn’t magical, but it’s close enough. This includes efficient invoicing, diligent debt collection, and monitoring expenditures. It’s about predicting your future financial needs.

Framework 158

Framework Technical Review Software Review Forecast 158

A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks

JULY 12, 2010

Listening to first-time entrepreneurs talk about their competitive advantages is as predictably invalid as the local weatherman's 10-day forecast. Between this blog and reviewing applications to Capital Factory I see hundreds of pitches a year. This is part 1 of the series: 5 Lessons from 150 startup pitches.

Intellectual Property 319

Intellectual Property Bootstrapping Software Review Open Source 319

ReadWriteStart

APRIL 8, 2023

It becomes even more interesting in the world of emerging technologies and the IoT. In fact, the small brand is likely to become a rising industry star due to the established trust, convenient delivery times, and various payment options available in the marketplace. These new technologies will become an integral part of most e-shops.

eCommerce 185

eCommerce Technical Review Software Review Analytics 185

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 5, 2011

Most technology startups seem to be funded by product people or business people. They are the lifeblood of many companies yet they are different than the traditional technology startup DNA so the ways that you hire, motivate, compensate and assess performance of these individuals will be different. My first startup was no different.

Sales 316

Sales Technical Review Matching Hiring 316

The Startup Magazine

DECEMBER 25, 2023

It also involves conducting thorough due diligence, analyzing financial statements, and monitoring investments closely to ensure they perform as expected. The most successful fund managers incorporate technology into their investment strategies in several ways.

Artificial Inteligence 147

Artificial Inteligence Technical Review Management Due Diligence 147

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 27, 2020

While much future forecasting looks to digital disruption , we shouldn’t think that the only fields that can be subject to disruption are those that are essentially technology-based, such as cloud services and data management. Disruption can occur in digital and analog fields alike.

Entrepreneur 246

Entrepreneur Technical Review Startup LLC 246

Hearpreneur

MAY 3, 2023

Technology innovation is driving advancements in various industries, shaping our world today. From AI and machine learning to biotechnology, technology is revolutionizing our lives. We asked some entrepreneurs what has been their favorite technology innovation and here is what they have to say. #1-

Technical Review 127

Technical Review Technology Artificial Inteligence Software Review 127

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 12, 2010

This is probably because many founders are product or technology people. As they become more senior they take on management responsibilities such as planning, forecasting, pipeline reviews, coaching staff, etc. If this is you I think it’s really important to get over this hurdle.

Hiring 346

Hiring Sales Startup Early Stage 346

Hunter Walker

JULY 22, 2014

I don’t believe the forecast you show me. Ok, so far I’ve told you the forecast I’m looking at during fundraising is a lie and the one you’re using during initial iteration is a trap. So when is the right time for a startup to build a forecast that actually starts measuring the health of the company?

Forecast 112

Forecast Early Stage Seed Stage Startup 112

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 14, 2010

Fortunately I was mostly a technology consultant, which meant that I coded computers, designed databases and planned system integration projects. One of our core tasks was “market analysis,&# which consistent of: market sizing, market forecasts, competitive analysis and then instructing customers on which direction to take.

Investment Bankers 415

Investment Bankers Mobile Software Review Japan 415

Up and Running

NOVEMBER 12, 2021

According to research, 82% of businesses fail due to poor cash flow management. Maintain a cash flow forecast and consistently review your cash flow statements to ensure that you know what your position is at all times. When trying to be responsible with your finances, the last thing you want is a missed due date.

Technical Review 132

Technical Review Software Review Forecast Cloud 132

The Startup Magazine

JULY 24, 2024

Regularly reviewing performance metrics can help identify areas for improvement. Amazon charges fees for storage and fulfillment, but many sellers find these costs worthwhile due to the increased sales volume and customer satisfaction. Amazon provides various tools to help sellers keep track of inventory levels and forecast demand.

Cost 167

Cost Technical Review Software Review Stock 167

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 21, 2017

An article from the Saturday Evening Post in 1900 forecasted the “home of the twentieth century”. Along with due diligence for glowing reviews, users should be aware of the security concerns that arise with turning your home into a smart home , giving hackers different avenues to breach.

Software Review 124

Software Review Technical Review Due Diligence Mobile 124

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 8, 2010

Most technology startups seem to be founded by three types of people: product managers, engineers or biz dev types (MBAs and the like). You need to do weekly calls, regular customer calls with your team, review their pipelines with them, find out when they’re BS’ing you, produce weekly forecasts, etc.

Early Stage 350

Early Stage Startup Sales Campaign 350

YoungUpstarts

SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

Suppliers also have machinery and technology issues to contend with as they create customized products. Aside from communicating with suppliers as much as possible, many companies are also employing some advanced technology solutions to supply chain planning. trillion in profits due to cost-saving and increased revenues.

Management 145

Management Los Angeles Forecast San Francisco 145

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 27, 2016

As an angel investor, I’ve learned to believe in this approach, since I have seen great ideas go astray, due to poor execution and I have seen apparently marginal ideas make millions, managed by a savvy entrepreneur. An entrepreneur needs a depth of business experience on the team, as well as technical expertise.

Technical Review 134

Technical Review Intellectual Property Due Diligence Angel Investor 134