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- My dad said: “Never take on a business partner.”
- Should you include your sweat equity in a business plan?
- What is your biggest error in company planning?
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Category Archives: Ignition! Starting up
Startups: What are your odds for success?
Well, the numbers don’t lie, even if there are several sources of these statistics. Starting a company is HARD – in so many ways. And risky too. I read several years ago, that the average startup restaurant lasts only about … Continue reading
Posted in Ignition! Starting up
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Do you think you are flexible and coachable?
As an early stage investor, the first test for me is whether “my” entrepreneur is flexible in both the plan and execution of his or her vision (since from experience almost everything about a business plan changes over time), and … Continue reading
After 20 years: Updating the Berkus Method of valuation
Well, it had to happen. Originally created in the mid 1990’s to help with the imprecise problem of how to value early stage companies, especially those in technology, I developed what soon became known as “The Berkus Method” when published … Continue reading
Posted in Ignition! Starting up, Raising money
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The best advice startups will never follow
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
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Don’t get hung up on valuation.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked away from deals where the entrepreneur insists on a start-up premoney valuation that is so high, no angel could expect to make a return upon the investment, even with a reasonable … Continue reading
Posted in Ignition! Starting up, Raising money
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The Rule of Thirds
It is rare when one person starts a company, supplies all the funding, and shares no management tasks or equity with others, and still grows the company to any significant size, worthy of a multi-million dollar opportunity to cash out … Continue reading
Huge opportunities do NOT command amazing pre-money valuations.
Dave’s note: Popular Bill Payne returns this week with a thoughtful take on valuations. By Bill Payne One entrepreneur has a company which appears to be scalable to a $30 million exit value in five to eight years, and a … Continue reading
Posted in Ignition! Starting up, Raising money
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Craft your roadmap. Plan your trip.
By JJ Richa J.J. Richa is a successful entrepreneur and technologist giving back to the entrepreneurial community in many ways, including his weekly Internet TV program on entrepreneurism, and participation in several mentoring programs. Business planning is a crucial part … Continue reading
Posted in Growth!, Ignition! Starting up, Positioning
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How many innovations are carefully planned?
Most innovations come from responding to a customer’s needs, or finding a niche where products need improvement or extension. It is rare to innovate using a blank sheet of paper in a room with bare walls and no other contributors. … Continue reading
Posted in Growth!, Ignition! Starting up
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Burn the bridges behind.
By Frank Peters I became an entrepreneur because I had to. My life in Corporate America wasn’t going so well. I never got fired, but I did quit one job the day before I was to be let go. I … Continue reading
Posted in Ignition! Starting up
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