I guess you could say I’m a little fanatical about building businesses. But even beyond the art and science of launching companies, I’m completely dedicated to the brave entrepreneurs who are largely willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. So as we gear up for another year of Invest Southwest’s Venture Madness competition, I’m […]
Before Beacon Biomedical decided to enter the Venture Madness competition, they were looking for the smartest next move for their business. When the angel investors they’d been meeting with suggested they talk to the Arizona Commerce Authority about the competition, the Beacon leadership team realized this might just be the thing. “After looking the application […]
When it comes to confidence, a rosy outlook among VC’s can be clouded. And that will cast a shadow on the future of start-ups everywhere. Here are some of the symptoms to recognize, and treatments to keep the VC community healthy and fit. Relevance fatigue. This happens when a mediocre or underdeveloped startup idea is […]
Like any business, for a startup to succeed, it must first get the culture right. Find the right people to do the right things. Appreciate, respect, and give credit to those responsible for successes. Build a culture that will attract, retain and inspire employees. Work satisfaction among employees is critical to progress. Here are five […]
You have 60 seconds to make an impression. That is about 200 words. Open with a hook that piques interest and close with a request—ask for something. Write out your story and then hone it for the most powerful pitch you can create. To make sure you cover all the bases, Dave Bittner, Invest Southwest […]
To start your startup, we are looking for growth! You found a problem and solved it (plus, you have identified and validated the audience looking for this improvement). So now it’s time to scale. It is important to get traction for your idea. To do this, develop a business model that attracts users who want […]
When starting the path of a startup, it is important to ensure protection of your people, your product, your presence and your process. Invest the time to take security measures for your efforts whether on your own or with counsel from a lawyer. Here are four areas to safeguard and preserve. Protect Your Self (and […]
Many entrepreneurs fail to consider what investment bankers can do to help them raise money. Let’s look at investment bankers — who they are, what they do, and how they differ from a VC or an angel — and key reasons that hiring an investment banker can be one of the smartest decisions an entrepreneur […]
Successful entrepreneurs are admired for high performance. They amplify the best within themselves. They challenge themselves in new ways. In these efforts, underlying principles guide them. Give them focus. Here are six principles for high performance that many successful entrepreneurs exhibit. Let’s take a look at how you can apply these principles. Ponder them daily, […]
Take your startup idea to the next level—a startup company—by getting paying customers. <click to tweet> Whether you are hoping to pre-sell your product or if you are ready to make a sale, here are three sources that may lead to your first customer. Network. Tap existing relationships—friends, family, former colleagues. Here you will find […]