Blog
Why VCs Want Experienced CEOs: The Leadership Factor
Why do venture capitalists focus so much on the management of startup companies? Why do VCs want experienced CEOs over great ideas and marketability, even? It’s the leadership factor. I recently wrote a blog touching on the topic of how choosing the wrong CEO can lead to a funding roadblock. I’m going to give some examples from my own investment experience that illustrate why VCs want...
Startups Need an Effective Competitive Strategy
Does your startup have a competitive advantage? Does your strategy call for particular actions to achieve a specific position in your marketplace? To understand what this means and how you can develop what investors consider a competitive advantage, you need an effective competitive strategy. Why a Competitive Advantage Matters to Investors The underlying premise of almost all high technology...
The Greatest Roadblock to Startup Funding: What Investors Won’t Tell You
In my fifty years of experience working with hundreds of startups, I can safely say there’s one roadblock to startup funding that outweighs all others—and most companies will never know the real reason they did not get funded. So, what is this roadblock, and why is it such a secret? Inexperienced Leadership is a Roadblock to Startup Funding Most venture capitalists have worked with...
The Opportunities in AI for Startups and Investors
There’s no question that there are massive opportunities in AI for startups and investors. However, I think the real question is: Are there too many opportunities? Below I’ll cover where I believe those opportunities will come from. Investment Opportunities in AI According to Experts Recently, there was an interesting article on the Crunchbase website in which author Dimitry Smirnoff looked at...
Potential Sources of Funding for Your Startup
When you’re seeking to raise money for your startup company, you need to target the right investors. Remember, not all investors are interested in the same kinds of projects. Some invest more significant amounts, some smaller amounts. There are those that prefer to invest at early stages, some at later stages. Others invest in complicated technology, and some keep it simple. Finding funding for...
The Venture Capital Cycle and Where We Are Now
In a recent Wall Street Journal Pro article, Mark Vartabedian writes that venture capital startup activity has slowed to a “trickle.” He says there were more than 54,000 venture-backed U.S. startups at the end of 2023. This was compared to only 12,522 at the end of 2010. He quotes Guru Chahal of Lightspeed Venture Partners, saying, ‘Many ideas got backed at the height of the market that, in...
Developing a Competitive Positioning Strategy
In my last blog I covered the types of competition in startups. Because understanding competition is essential to developing a competitive positioning strategy, I highly recommend you read that blog first. This post is part two of the series, and it will cover competitive analysis, and competitive dynamics so your startup is prepared to develop a competitive positioning strategy. What is...
Competition in Startup Companies: An Explainer
Why an In-Depth Understanding of Competition in Startup Companies is Necessary Competitive strategy is one of the most important aspects of creating a successful startup company, but in my experience, it is probably the least understood. Many startup companies, founders, and CEOs have a superficial understanding of what competition is. They need to know how to think about it, how to analyze...
How to Manage Startups in Difficult Times
Use this time to tighten up your pitch deck. Make sure it addresses all the questions investors want answered. Ensure that it sends clear and compelling messages. Also be sure you have a pitch deck that is effective for your first contact with potential investors—for requesting a meeting for example.
Potential Challenges Affecting Startups in 2024
In normal times, I would say there’s always a sliver of venture capital available for startups, which already absorb a very small portion of total venture capital investment. But these may be unique times. Therefore, there can be unique factors affecting startups in 2024.
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