Interviewing a Co-Founder
The success of a startup is highly dependent on the team of people involved. In fact, most investors, both Angels and VCs, place a higher priority on the team then they do on the idea. Why? Well it’s likely that you’re going to pivot your idea away from what you initially expected and into a
Read MoreNavigating the Seattle Startup Ecosystem
Entrepreneurs create their own ecosystem in any city. There are both a good side and a bad side to the ecosystem, individuals, organizations and institutions. If your startup is going to be a success, you need to start networking and you need to do it earlier rather than later. Let’s start with the good side!
Read MoreARGH! What do I do with Conflicting Mentor Feedback!?!
I love it when mentors disagree with other mentors in front of the Founders at Founder Institute! It gives the Founders a chance to see how, or if, the Mentors will deal with the conflicting statements in the moment – or if the mentors just let it pass and let the Founder figure out how
Read MoreB2B Sales Models for Startups
In a past post, I’ve referenced the 13 B2C internet models using Steven Carpenter’s Tech Crunch article, which provides benchmark data for Internet B2C Companies, specifically the benchmark assumptions to get to $10M in revenue for the top 13 consumer internet models. Last week I did the Revenue, Cost and Profit Sessions for the Founder
Read MoreEpic Fail in Fundraising – Financial Assumptions
I took a call a few weeks ago that was a referral from a friend. It was a “great new startup” with some young first-time entrepreneurs. I took the call, but with some hesitation. I try to do these first calls on the phone, not in a coffee or other meeting… here’s why. I’ll avoid
Read MoreFailed Fundraising? You’re Probably Beating Yourself
Note, this was originally Titled “Don’t Focus on the Wrong Thing in Fundraising”. Thanks to Jonathon at FI.co… I was judging a business plan competition this last week for a University. The plans were wildly different, but the prize was material. So each team did well to present their pitch and win the cash and
Read MoreTiming Your Startup
Timing is everything – and with Startups this true as well. I wrote yesterday about Standing in a Graveyard. But there are some markets that you might not think of as Graveyards, even though they were in an earlier startup generation. The Apple Newton, Apple’s first attempt into the tablet market circa 1993, they were
Read MoreIs Your Startup Standing in a Graveyard?
I meet with a lot of entrepreneurs that are myopic about their idea. So myopic that they are likely in for a painful outcome, especially if they are in a tough market. “Standing in a Graveyard” is a phrase I heard Adeo Ressi from Founder Institute use recently. The comment was in response to a
Read MoreDoes this Pitch Make My Idea Look Fat?
At the Founder Institute, everyone pitches their idea every week to the group and the mentors. Just a one minute pitch, then a chance to get some feedback and get scored by the mentor. Early in the semester, the scores are low because the pitches can be really bad. The problem is, if your pitch
Read MoreDo your pitch – then SHUT UP and Listen!
I was able to attend the GeekWire Anniversary event yesterday in Seattle (#GWSummit), great event, great turnout of ~500 people. After the speakers had concluded, I was talking to an acquaintance who suggested I listen to an new Entrepreneurs pitch. I was intrigued because it started with “let me show you” on an iPad… I
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