Both Sides of the Table

MAY 30, 2015

I’m so tired of seeing young entrepreneurs get screwed by their angel investors on convertible notes and I know I can’t convince you not to do it so I’d like to offer one simple bit of advice to help you avoid getting screwed (at least on one part of your note). It’s the silent screwing that stings.

entrepreneurs 381

entrepreneurs VC advice finance 381

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 23, 2015

For some aspiring to be tech entrepreneurs, I often suggest a two-step process, as I argued in this post that “ The First Startup Founder You Need to Invest in Is You.” But I also have advice for the 15% that really do want to be a startup CEO. Of course I’m not suggesting people shouldn’t start a company.

advice 334

advice peer-to-peer VC board 334

Entrepreneurs' Organization

DECEMBER 30, 2020

Heidi Zak , Elon Musk, Oprah, Warren Buffet, Kendra Scott , Sara Blakely and Bill Gates—entrepreneurs may appear quite diverse, but they typically share a few key qualities. What makes an entrepreneur? The adage couldn’t be more true than in the context of successful entrepreneurs. A passion for connection.

entrepreneurs 236

entrepreneurs peer-to-peer creativity networking 236

Entrepreneurs' Organization

MAY 28, 2021

After 25 years of self-employment, I felt ready to make the shift from freelancer to entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs, however, usually call themselves founders or CEOs. Saying you’re an entrepreneur means committing to all the aspects of running a business. You’re in charge of operations, sales, marketing and finance.

entrepreneurs 306

entrepreneurs strategy sustainability finance 306

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 31, 2011

One of the most common questions that entrepreneurs who meet me for the first time like to ask is, “Do you miss being an entrepreneur? I thought I’d talk a bit about the differences I’ve experienced between being an entrepreneur & a VC – you know, from “both sides of the table.&#. On Being an Entrepreneur.

entrepreneurs 384

entrepreneurs startup VC real estate 384

Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative

JUNE 7, 2019

As an independent woman with a go-getter attitude, she shared insights with us into her life as an entrepreneur and what it was like getting YHS off the ground, as well as her advice for other young entrepreneurs in Latin America and the Caribbean. Obstacles and Lessons Learned as an Entrepreneur .

entrepreneurs 214

entrepreneurs advice peer-to-peer sustainability 214

Entrepreneurs' Organization

DECEMBER 18, 2017

Knowing how to maintain and grow income is an important question given that profit margin is one of the top concerns for entrepreneurs. Even so, should an entrepreneur manage his or her own finances and investments or hire a professional? Q: What are the benefits of having a financial advisor?

advice 130

advice entrepreneurs consulting finance 130

Entrepreneurs' Organization

OCTOBER 8, 2020

Rosenfarb , a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) and a certified public accountant who helps entrepreneurs increase cash flow, sell their companies successfully, manage their wealth and create predictable passive income. The best investment for entrepreneurs is always going to be in themselves.

real estate 235

real estate entrepreneurs investing investment 235

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 25, 2011

Yesterday I saw a Tweet from Chris Sacca fly by that prompted me to want to write a blog post helping entrepreneurs understand why they should push back against VCs asking for “super pro-rata” rights. They might own 8% of your company after the first funding but demand up to 33-50% of your next round of financing.

entrepreneurs 310

entrepreneurs VC financing finance 310

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 24, 2015

It will make follow-on financings much harder and people will have to consider whether or not to do inside rounds. These are all normal things but in this big run since 2009 we’ve all gotten used to nearly 100% follow-on financing rates, valuations only moving up, deals clearly the convertible note caps and low mortality rates.

financing 344

financing finance ventures real estate 344

Entrepreneurs' Organization

JULY 6, 2020

Like the downturns in 2008 and 2001, this has been a very trying time for entrepreneurs running startups. Many entrepreneurs are reliant on outside funding, whether angel investors, venture capitalists or strategic investors , to keep the venture going. I interviewed a number of prominent VC’s and entrepreneurs for my recent book.

peer-to-peer 321

peer-to-peer startup advice entrepreneurs 321

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 7, 2014

This is something I think entrepreneurs don’t totally understand and it’s worthwhile they do. 5 million was always the classic definition of an A-round between the late nineties (crazy financings aside) and say 2007. Whom you take advice from really matters. Why the latter? and there''s always a but].

VC 399

VC advice financing finance 399

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

At an accelerator … Me: Raising convertible notes as a seed round is one of the biggest disservices our industry has done to entrepreneurs since 2001-2003 when there were “full ratchets” and “multiple liquidation preferences” – the most hostile terms anybody found in term sheets 10 years ago. Your A round?

venture capital 417

venture capital capital ventures financing 417

Entrepreneurs' Organization

JUNE 19, 2024

Yet, as most seasoned entrepreneurs will attest, the reality is far more complex and challenging, particularly when you decide to bootstrap your business. Instead, it began with 15 years of hands-on learning in capital markets, working closely with entrepreneurs, investors, and bankers. The early years were grueling.

financing 255

financing finance entrepreneurship mentorship 255

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 15, 2010

This sometimes frustrates entrepreneurs who just want to “get back to running the business.&# But if you understand it you’ll see that it is perfectly rational and it should also influence how you form relationships with investors. For this reason I tell entrepreneurs the following: Meet your potential investors early.

investing 411

investing investment VC advice 411

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

If you do a capped note it’s bad for the entrepreneur. But Paul Graham really did have a point in his “ high resolution fundraising ” post – that there is a problem – particularly in angel financing – with herding cats. I recently wrote about my views that startups rounds should be priced.

financing 294

financing finance pitching VC 294

Entrepreneurs' Organization

MARCH 22, 2018

It’s what being an entrepreneur is about. I’ve made monthly peer-mentoring sessions of 10 to 12 other entrepreneurs an integral part of my ongoing education. Even if peers’ specific niches or industries differ, issues in financing, markets, technology, human resources and management often overlap.

peer-to-peer 152

peer-to-peer mentorship entrepreneurs accelerator 152

American Entrepreneurship

MAY 29, 2024

Update of Article dated July 7, 2019 Entrepreneurs too often work alone, missing opportunities to accelerate their pathway to success When starting or growing a new business the small business owner or entrepreneur should keep in mind that they are entering a lifelong pursuit of professional and personal growth.

advice 98

advice construction board entrepreneurs 98

Entrepreneurs' Organization

OCTOBER 2, 2020

Devin Salinas joined the Entrepreneurs’ Organization in early 2020. What is your advice during this time of uncertainty? . Seek professional advice. For more insights and inspiration from today’s leading entrepreneurs, check out EO on Inc. Financial success is built on a foundation of discipline and consistency.

advice 264

advice financing finance communities 264

This is going to be BIG.

APRIL 11, 2016

Over the weekend, Rent the Runway held an event for its Project Entrepreneur initiative, which brought together over 100 female entrepreneurs looking to get education and advice on how to take their businesses to the next step. I'm not your finance bro. Two of the female founders were white and two were of color.

pitching 285

pitching financing finance entrepreneurship 285

Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative

MARCH 31, 2020

Can you expand on where you got your passion for personal finance management? I put my ambitions of becoming an entrepreneur on pause for a couple of years until finally walking away from the corporate world in March 2014. This entire journey helped me to uncover my love for personal finance and I wanted to help others do the same.

entrepreneurship 245

entrepreneurship financing finance education 245

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 11, 2013

” We explained what we felt the core values of a firm of the future needed to uphold: Provide real operational insights to entrepreneurs (the days of being “money men” are gone). Give direct feedback to entrepreneurs on their businesses or if we’re not investing why it’s not a fit for us. Startup Advice'

ventures 324

ventures VC strategy advice 324

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 15, 2013

The one word the best entrepreneurs never accept. I’ve been pitched by hundreds of entrepreneurs who never actually asked me whether I would invest. Hold interviews with tech people, marking people, ops people, finance people – whatever. It’s a skill you’re going to need as an entrepreneur.

advice 416

advice entrepreneurs entrepreneurship leadership 416

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 4, 2013

Because entrepreneurs often went to lawyers at their earliest stages to get their company registration done. Entrepreneurial lawyers like Don Lee , Dave Young or Ted Wang are good at sussing out which entrepreneurs are high potential. I asked for intro’s from entrepreneur friends. Real life entrepreneurs are messier.

advice 361

advice VC pitching entrepreneurs 361

Source Link

NOVEMBER 8, 2021

Today marks the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week, an annual initiative that shines a light not only on the value entrepreneurs bring to our communities and global economy, but also the importance of building infrastructures that make it easier for them to start and scale their businesses. Entrepreneurs new “home” in Central Florida.

entrepreneurial ecosystem 240

entrepreneurial ecosystem entrepreneurship collaboration communities 240

American Entrepreneurship

JUNE 10, 2024

Timely financial advice is critical for a company to sustain operations when revenue growth stalls Whether through the loss of key accounts or business slumps tied to economic downturns, small business owners need to take actions that will keep their businesses going until new customers are found or the economy recovers.

advice 98

advice entrepreneurship sustainability financing 98

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 22, 2012

And so do entrepreneurs who are quick to pivot to new businesses or to sell in an acquihire. It encourages a bit too much FOMO (fear of missing out) and over-valuation in companies and a desire to do huge financing rounds to be perceived as the “knock-out winner.” Some entrepreneurs can make a dent in a smaller world.

startup 390

startup VC venture capital entrepreneurs 390

Berkonomics

JANUARY 20, 2022

Dave’s note: This is a reprint of a 2015 insight that seems to have struck a chord with investors and entrepreneurs. None of this advice has changed… Let me tell you a few short hair–raising stories of entrepreneurs who have raised money and regretted it later. The problem, of course, comes if the business fails.

advice 127

advice startup entrepreneurs investing 127

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 4, 2013

Because entrepreneurs often went to lawyers at their earliest stages to get their company registration done. Entrepreneurial lawyers like Don Lee , Dave Young or Ted Wang are good at sussing out which entrepreneurs are high potential. I asked for intro’s from entrepreneur friends. Real life entrepreneurs are messier.

VC 347

VC advice pitching entrepreneurs 347

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 22, 2011

This was an audience of mostly first-time entrepreneurs. It is great for entrepreneurs and great for VCs. So here is what I have been telling entrepreneurs privately for the past 6 months. What a bubble means for each entrepreneur. Or worse yet they may never get financed. I believe that. source: Capital IQ.

real estate 309

real estate entrepreneurs financing finance 309

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 27, 2013

And I am often approached by entrepreneurs in cities which don’t have a vibrant VC community. They often ask whether they have to move to SF, NY or LA to get financed. But as I always tell entrepreneurs, “ Better That You Deal with The Elephant in the Room. “ Startup Advice' I travel the country a lot.

VC 365

VC board communities pitching 365

Entrepreneurs' Organization

JULY 15, 2020

As entrepreneurs, we face challenges throughout our careers, but we don’t spend a lot of time planning what we’ll do during and after a global pandemic. The best advice for business owners I can give: Listen to your heart. Under these circumstances, entrepreneurs become focused, intentional and highly creative.

opportunity 250

opportunity health education leadership 250

American Entrepreneurship

JANUARY 21, 2025

Two prominent entrepreneurs share their views on starting a business plus 10 tips every first-time founder should have. First-time entrepreneurs may find the startup adventure daunting without having the right guidance and perspective. Did you mismanage your finances? Was the product-market fit wrong?

founder 98

founder peer-to-peer entrepreneurship strategy 98

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 15, 2012

We live in an era where the press espouses the entrepreneurs who have five startups. You’ll be on the other side of the financing discussions (a board member, rather than the CEO). . So I’m going to follow Brad’s advice. I’m not one who has subscribed to the “superman founder” narrative.

board 294

board startup founder peer-to-peer founder 294

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 27, 2013

Last year I wrote a blog post on entrepreneurs with a chip on their shoulders. A chip on one’s shoulder as in, “F**k the system, it’s broken and I want to fix it” is exactly the energy I look for in entrepreneurs. My point … We’ve all been there – every entrepreneur. Startup Advice'

energy 371

energy entrepreneurs advice startup 371

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 1, 2011

years ago you’d remember RIP Good Times from Sequoia, which still strikes me as having been prudent advice in late 2008. I hope to offer experiences from being an entrepreneur and being a VC.&#. I still have to get sales, operations, finance, HR & corp dev right to win. I agreed to finance a company today.

advice 391

advice VC financing finance 391

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 22, 2014

I had an enjoyable conversation this morning with a young team straight out of college this morning and they were calling to ask advice on how to approach fund raising (angels vs. VCs, how to select a VC, etc.) Most entrepreneurs I encounter seem to make their decisions more on perceived brand, past successes and ability to intro.

VC 364

VC advice board leadership 364