Remove Operations Remove Revenue Remove Salary
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What Happens When Startups Turn from Their Innovation Stage to Operational Excellence?

Both Sides of the Table

Nearly every successful tech startup I’ve observed over the past 20 years has gone through a similar growth pattern: Innovate, systematize then scale operations. Sam & Rahul have worked closely together on “innovate & operate” since the earliest days of MakeSpace. and we were met with weak demand, slow growth and high costs.

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Should Startups Focus on Profitability or Not?

Both Sides of the Table

If you hire 6 sales reps in January at $120,000 / year salary then you’ve taken on an extra $60,000 per month in costs yet these sales people might not close new business for 4-6 months. They have have raised $2-3 million, built a product that has some amount of market traction and got to annualized revenues of around $1 million.

Startup 418
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5 Ways To Conserve Investor Cash And Ensure Survival

Startup Professionals Musings

Deferred payments start with stretching the payables period but, more importantly, include giving employee equity in lieu of a higher salaries and negotiating vendor deferred payments out of future revenues. Waiting until you have something to sell before bringing on a sales and operations staff.

Burn Rate 310
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Startup Runway Length Depends on Your Burn Rate

Startup Professionals Musings

Pay people with equity or future revenue. When I was interviewed for my first startup CEO job, I was expecting a $150,000 salary, but instead was offered an opportunity to contribute $50,000 to the business, and work for equity only. Another one to avoid cash burn for software development is a contract for percent of future revenue.

Burn Rate 232
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High Burn Rates Result in Short Startup Runways

Startup Professionals Musings

Pay people with equity or future revenue. When I was interviewed for my first startup CEO job, I was expecting a $150,000 salary, but instead was offered an opportunity to contribute $50,000 to the business, and work for equity only. Another one to avoid cash burn for software development is a contract for percent of future revenue.

Burn Rate 231
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Investors Measure Entrepreneurs By Cashflow Mileage

Startup Professionals Musings

Deferred payments start with stretching the payables period but, more importantly, include giving employee equity in lieu of a higher salaries and negotiating vendor deferred payments out of future revenues. Waiting until you have something to sell before bringing on a sales and operations staff.

Burn Rate 262
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5 Keys To A Viable Spending Rate And Cash Management

Startup Professionals Musings

Deferred payments start with stretching the payables period but, more importantly, include giving employee equity in lieu of a higher salaries and negotiating vendor deferred payments out of future revenues. Waiting until you have something to sell before bringing on a sales and operations staff.

Burn Rate 258