“I’m going to give the first 1,000 customers a free X [whatever] to start using and spread the word. Since it is free, of course they’ll use it – why wouldn’t they?” Well, there are probably a million reasons why. This over-simplified statement, especially as
Convertible Notes: Is the Reward Worth the Risk?
Here in 2014 convertible notes seem to be all the rage in the startup funding arena. The commonly given reasons for using notes versus a straight equity funding arrangement are: faster to close, cheaper to close, and it pushes back the valuation discussion. There are other advantages to notes but these are the most common reasons […]
angel, Business, Funding, Fundraising, Investing, StartupIs Your Startup Revolutionary or Evolutionary?
Is your startup idea revolutionary or evolutionary? An evolutionary startup is one that is looking to enter an existing market, but the intent is to position the product or solution in a way that is “better, faster, cheaper” (or some combination of these) than the existing solution that exist. Alternately, a revolutionary startup is one that is looking […]
Angels, Business, Founder, Investing, Startup, VCStartups: Know Your Numbers
Sure, we all know – when you are a founder of a start-up putting together financial projections, the numbers are largely guesstimates. Young ventures don’t have the business history needed to properly predict, budget, and forecast revenue and expense numbers. That doesn’t mean the founder(s) shouldn’t go through the exercise though.
Business, Finance, Investing, startupsHonest Feedback: You Need It Even If You Don’t Want It
Honest feedback is very valuable. In reality though – while we might not admit it – we’d rather hear validation of our idea than a criticism even if that criticism is the honest feedback. I’ve found that a lot of start-up investors like hearing pitches and consuming information. In fact it seems like some start-up […]
angel, Business, Investing, Start-up, venture