Epic Fail Fundraising – Top 10 List
I had a chance to speak at an NWEN event on Monday February 11, 2012. The forum was a Mentor Monday program (#mentormonday) with Chris Dishman from Denali Financial Consulting. Thanks to the Sponsor – Cairncross and Hempelmann for sponsoring Mentor Monday. We discussed the Top 10 list of Epic Fails in Fundraising, here’s the list
Read MoreStartup Legal Formation – a “101 Interview” with Joe Wallin
This is the first in a series of monthly interviews with Joe Wallin, who writes the “Startup Law Blog“. We talked about the Incorporation process and mechanics for startups. LEGAL FORMATION: Dave: Good morning Joe. Thanks for joining me on this conference call. I wanted to introduce the topic that we’ll be working on, on
Read MoreMentor Monday – Venture Ready Financial Models
Looking for downloadable Financial models templates? Go Here Next Monday, February 11th and the second Monday of every Month is Mentor Monday a NWEN program that brings Founder Institute Mentors to an open forum on different topics monthly. This months topic is Venture Ready Financial Models with Chris Dishman of Denali Financial Consulting and your’s
Read MoreIdeation Bootcamp – Week 1 – Big Markets/Problems/Ideas
Joel Espelien & Dave Parker on Big Markets, Problems and Ideas. NWEN and Founder Institute Ideation Bootcamp – Week 1 – Big Idea, Markets and Problems from Dave Parker
Read MoreSpring Semester – Founder Institute Seattle
Time to Start Your Dream Company? Join a group of select peers as we launch our sixth semester in Seattle – Starting March 26th through June 25th. You can apply online here. Apply early and save $50 on the application fee.About the program: Meet 35+ mentors, local tech CEO/Founders with three mentors, every week, on topics
Read MoreThe Value of Trust
“If you trust, you will be disappointed occasionally, but if you mistrust, you will be miserable all the time.” Abraham Lincoln I remember hearing this quote when I was first starting my sales career at US West New Vector Group. We had a very motivational sales manager named Luke Lukrofka talking about the value of
Read MoreComparing Accelerators and Incubators
Which program is right for your startup? The answer to that question depends on a number of factors, including you, your idea and your team. I recently gave a talk at the Northwest Entrepreneur Network University (NWENU) about Accelerators, Incubators and the Startup Ecosystem, specific to Seattle, but the general rules apply as well. NWEN Accelerators & Incubators from
Read MoreHave An Acute Focus On The Problem, Not the Solution
I love engineers and developers! But sometimes they build a solution that is in search of a problem. I recently read a headline on a LinkedIn post that reflected the headline above. I didn’t get a chance to see the author or article (I think it was about QuickBooks or Quicken), but the headline struck
Read MoreSix Reasons Your Startup WON’T Raise Capital
When I talk to new Entrepreneurs there are times when I think I’m only talking to myself. I know I’m speaking English… But they don’t seem to hear. So I’ll write it down… Here are Six Reasons your startup will never raise capital:
Read MoreYour Idea is “Dead Simple”, Really?
Some people seem to think that if they just call their idea “Dead Simple” that it actually makes their idea or product Dead Simple. They’re wrong. Every semester at the Founder Institute starts with a four-week sprint to the Mentor Idea Review. Where each of the Founders get to pitch their idea to a group
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