Author Archives: Dave Berkus

Your business: Grow it and hold it?

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Dave Berkus

Taking money from professional investors such as angels or VCs usually requires that you agree to seek an exit for those investors in your plan, often targeting five to seven years as the ideal period for growth before a liquidity … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Growth! | 2 Comments

Raise money on good news

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Dave Berkus

The first rule for raising money is to do it on good news – right when sales are increasing at an increasing rate.  Or when a major customer signs a significant deal.  Or when something happens that makes an investor … Continue reading →

Posted in Raising money | Leave a comment

The best advice startups will never follow

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Dave Berkus

Let me tell you a few short hair-raising stories of entrepreneurs who have raised money and regretted it later.  Here are some rules that entrepreneurs almost always ignore to their future peril. Don’t take money from relatives who can’t afford … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignition! Starting up, Raising money | 5 Comments

Entrepreneurs: Take the time to celebrate your exit.

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Dave Berkus

We come to the end of this cycle of insights with a thought about how you might view your successful exit from the company you have spent so much effort to build. You’ve worked hard for years to reach the … Continue reading →

Posted in The liquidity event and beyond | 1 Comment

Angels and VCs: Don’t be greedy even if you can.

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Dave Berkus

Sometimes the end game or sale of the company is not a happy event for the early investors, including the entrepreneur or the founders.  Especially when outside investors, venture capitalists or angels have put in substantial money, and the sales … Continue reading →

Posted in The liquidity event and beyond | 2 Comments

Sell when growth is high, even if cash flow is low.

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Dave Berkus

Dave’s note:  Our guest author this week is John Huston,  founder of the 300+ member Ohio TechAngel Funds and a past Chairman of both the Angel Capital Association and the Angel Resource Institute.    By John Huston There are only two types … Continue reading →

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Turning out the lights is a type of exit.

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Dave Berkus

In my life as an early stage investor, I’ve been closely involved with so many businesses, there were bound to be numerous stories of failures, hopefully from which to learn lessons for all of us as we go forward. Several … Continue reading →

Posted in General, The liquidity event and beyond | 1 Comment

Timing your exit – Don’t ride it over the top.

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Dave Berkus

Dave’s note:  For the second time, we invite Basil Peters, author of “Early Exits,” back as our guest – to provide more of his insight into the “when” to exit by selling your business. In future weeks, we’ll add the … Continue reading →

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Exit timing and price: WHEN to sell? How long does it take?

Posted on September 3, 2015 by Dave Berkus

We are pleased to host Basil Peters, perhaps the best known name in the world of early stage company exits.  His groundbreaking book, “Early Exits” has become a textbook for angel groups and entrepreneurs throughout the world.  His Strategic Exits Corporation … Continue reading →

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Flippers vs Keepers–At times earnings don’t matter

Posted on August 27, 2015 by Dave Berkus

Dave’s note:  We are privileged this week to host a post by Arthur Lipper, a well-respected member of the international financial community since 1954. He has served as advisor to and member of numerous financial exchanges, and was the founder and … Continue reading →

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