Party Round? When Startups Should And Shouldn’t Take It
Party rounds, or mass syndication, is when a startup raises from multiple investors, none of which individually has a large enough stake, instead of having the traditional notion of a lead and follow investors....
What Is The Right Valuation? 4 Core Principles For Entrepreneurs
Deciding on the right valuation is both an art and a science (and some would say black magic). Common sense dictates that something’s value is whatever someone else is willing to pay. While that...
Smart City: How Startups Can Succeed
Self-driving cars that talk to roads and to each other, ensuring fast, safe and convenient transportation.
Energy generation and distribution that respond to a city’s dynamic needs.
Water delivered through dynamic pricing, taking into account the...
Mental Health Startups: Where Are The Exits?
The mental health space is maturing as startups are starting to hit growth stage. There are also significant efforts from both The Establishment (providers / payors / pharma) and Big Tech, case in point...
AI Startups + Fundraising = What Are The Metrics?
What do I need to show in order to raise my next round? All entrepreneurs face that question at some point and it may be the single piece of advice they most ask. This...
Why Are Startups Taking Longer Than Ever To Go Public?
Technology startups since the past decade are staying private for much longer. During the dot-com boom (and bust) of the 2000s, many software and internet companies were going public as early as four years...
Having A Hard Time Reconnecting With A VC? 5 Practical Tips
Many previous articles have talked about how to connect with investors, including how VCs can suck but you can minimize the pain, doing your own diligence on them, and working with smaller versus larger...
Startups And The Series A1 Trap
Hit the magical $1M ARR a year after your A but not so sure if you should be raising a B? And at the current burn your cash is going to last for 6...
Pitch right down the middle
Ideas are only as good as their pitches, and pros are the masters of pitch selection to improve business proposals.
Three of the best in the business -- Evan Wyk, Brant Pinvidic and Brian Cristiano...
Investing in Future Startup Entrepreneurs? Focus Instead on a Killer Marketing Plan
“Ideas are a dime a dozen. People who implement them are priceless.” -- Mary Kay Ash
Isn’t this one of the greatest quotes you’ve heard lately, and so true!
These days, everyone is hoping to become...
15 Years Of Trying To Be Carbon-Neutral: Practical Uses Of Technology For Individuals
I am the product of both developing and developed countries -- my adult career in Silicon Valley has shaped a fundamental belief that tech can do tremendous good if we apply it correctly. I...
Startups And Impact Investors – Good or Bad?
Value = Valuation. Valuation -> Profits. Profits!= Profiteering.
Are you a startup wondering about this sequence? Then you may want to consider working with impact investors. There are benefits and pitfalls in doing so, before...
Is an Idea Worth Billions?
It’s 2019, and we live in the most convenient time known to man. Hungry? Press a button and your favorite food arrives at your door in less than 30 minutes. Need a ride? A...
Hipster Data
From an unprofitable company to data mogul
If you live in a big city, you might have noticed the arrival of weird new vehicles: electric
scooters.
If you’re over 40, you might have been annoyed by all...
Startups, VCs and Tranched Rounds? Yes Sometimes, No Mostly
Tranched rounds is the idea that an investor will commit to a total financing and give out portions as the entrepreneur achieves certain milestones. A tranche is ultimately a negotiation and there isn’t a...
Food Automation: A Tidal Wave Of Startups
In the US there are more food outlets than ever before, which is to be expected given increased prosperity and population growth. But what is even more significant is restaurants are growing at twice...
How Do VCs Find And Fund Your Startup? – 4 Major Paths Of Deal...
Following up from the last article “VCs Suck? Here Are 5 Practical Ways For Entrepreneurs To Minimize The Pain,” this post is focused on the other perspective. VCs get flooded with business proposals, as...
Blockchain Start-Ups In New York City Are The Secret You Never Read About
NYC needs more start-up culture reporting
I think blockchain has gotten a bad reputation in the NYC financial community. It is a mistake.
I have worked on Wall Street for over 20 years, but I cover...
Startups and Corporations: What can they learn from each other?
Start-ups can be very compelling in their steadfast conviction that the things they do are special. Unfortunately, in most cases, their eager spirit alone won’t secure their survival. Can the values espoused by fledgling...
Would You Have Invested? 7 Lessons In How Venture Capitalists Decide
Hindsight is 20/20 -- once a company has succeeded its success almost seems pre-ordained. But when it is just starting that is hardly the case, in fact, chances are if you poll even experts...
