A Farewell to Startup Business Plans
I was taught that I have to create a full business plan, ideally 50-100 pages, with a fully developed product and strategy before I can…
I was taught that I have to create a full business plan, ideally 50-100 pages, with a fully developed product and strategy before I can…
I am leaving a large company as an IT exec to join a friend’s startup as the startup’s initial CTO. Do you have any advice…
Your rollup post was timely. We just received an acquisition offer. We have some other projects we think are higher value and this product is…
My largest investor asked to me look at doing a “roll up” strategy in my space, buying out smaller players. Do these strategies make sense?…
Do you think the GameStop market surge represents a new chapter in investing, as the masses finally can compete with the big Wall Street funds?…
One of my ex-employees just started a new company to compete with my startup. My lawyer said I could not insert a noncompete in his…
I built my early stage startup with a few close friends who come from big company backgrounds. They are brilliant and successful, but are plodding,…
My co-founder and I gave up 75% to our Series A investor for just $1 million. Now that the company is taking off and needs…
Innovative entrepreneurship drives the global economy, yet it is under attack. Silicon Valley’s success has drawn the wrath of populist outrage. We were never going…
I am an undergraduate computer science student and was inspired by the recent webinar with Tim Connors when he said we should give some of…
My co-founder is handling the diligence process with our acquirer and I am not comfortable with how loose he is being with some of the…
I have worked crazy hours for a tech startup for the last two years, starting as the third employee. I have made sacrifices to make…
We are setting up a bonus plan for my startup and making it cash only, as my employees do not want stock. Do you have…
I am looking to raise some money from insiders in a Series A-1 deal to see if we can get traction for a pivot we…
I have an IP holding company which owns all my patents and licenses them to my startup. I am deep in diligence with a potential…
My co-founder and I each own 50% and we are deadlocked on everything. We have no investors or anyone else involved. What should we do?…
A large company in our space says they want to acquire my startup and wants to do diligence on us. This company has a reputation…
Instead of answering a specific question this week, I wanted to summarize a common discussion I am having lately with many companies: remaining steady in…
I got stock at my startup on Friday, which I am exercising this weekend, but to my understanding nothing can he exercised until funding comes…
I am negotiating to buy a small company that will not provide any guarantees that it validly owns the IP I am buying or that…
One of my primary responsibilities is to gather monthly reports on our portfolio companies…. The founding partners are a close group of six serial entrepreneurs…
I finally fired my head of engineering, who was dragging us down. Now, the company is aligned, energetic, flying through development, and, well fun… as…
We live in a world where selfishness often reigns, so it is worth reflecting one critical factor that makes entrepreneurship work: the everyday willingness of…
My company is negotiating a deal with a Chinese company. I hear that it is difficult to enforce contracts in China against Chinese companies. How…
How hard should I fight with my potential investor for the best valuation? I am inclined to take the term sheet offered, but my friend…
My business and team are based in South America. We have no U.S. sales or operations but are looking to raise money from U.S. VCs.…
I was told by an advisor that I should never start a company with a friend or my husband because no investor will invest. Is…
I am an angel investor in a company that is looking at doing a down round “pay to play.” How can I protect myself from…
I just got a term sheet for a Series A financing. The VC accepted the valuation I proposed, which was aggressive, but added a 2x…
David, help! Delaware says I owe almost $100,000 in corporation franchise taxes. I just started the company last year and I don’t know what is…
One of the startups I am working with is looking at taking money from a strategic investor. What are some of the pros and cons…
Silicon Valley has a long history of biases in whose startups get funded… Rich white male tech entrepreneurs who can access the generational wealth of…
I am curious about the best recommendations about how to build a board. My last board, foolishly was a group of well intended friends. However,…
When startups receive (hopefully) lots of customer feedback and suggestions on product improvements/features they wish to add, how do you go about deciding which suggestion/feedback…
Is a SAFE the same as a convertible when raising funds? Many first time founders typically raise their first few funds either way, so I…