I’m often approached by people who claim to have invented the next big thing, and ask me how much it’s worth, or complain that they can’t find an investor who will fund it. The honest answer is that ideas and new technologies are worth nothing, outside the context of a specific business plan that m
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These stories submitted by Martinzwilling will be featured BizSugar's homepage
Technology and Inventions Don’t Make a Business
Posted by martinzwilling under StartupsFrom http://blog.startupprofessionals.com 4851 days ago
Investors Deal Harshly With Dysfunctional Teams
Posted by martinzwilling under StartupsFrom http://blog.startupprofessionals.com 4852 days ago
Every investor I know can tell you at least one story about a great startup team that failed, even though it was well-funded and staffed with qualified and smart people. The reason almost always given is that the team didn’t work well together (dysfunctional). What does that really mean?
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Real Entrepreneurs Avoid Multi-Level Marketing
Posted by martinzwilling under StartupsFrom http://blog.startupprofessionals.com 4853 days ago
Many self-proclaimed entrepreneurs send me invitations and accolades to join their favorite Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) or Network Marketing company, but these all sound like “get rich quick” schemes to me. For me, the essence of an entrepreneur is creating something new and innovative, whereas an
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The Renewable Energy Sector is Fundable in 2011
Posted by martinzwilling under StartupsFrom http://blog.startupprofessionals.com 4854 days ago
My picks for favorite startup sectors to improve your fundability in the new year include green, biotech, and renewable energy (also called alternative energy or sustainable energy). In previous articles, I’ve put some definition around the green and biotech investment categories, so I’ll try to do
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Seven Attributes of a Startup Dream Team CFO
Posted by martinzwilling under StartupsFrom http://blog.startupprofessionals.com 4855 days ago
Every investor is looking for the “dream team” of executives to put money on. Often I find that experienced investors scan ahead to the management page of a business plan, even before they read the product description. That’s how important the people are. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) role is u
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Funding a Startup from Advertising is a Vain Dream
Posted by martinzwilling under StartupsFrom http://blog.startupprofessionals.com 4856 days ago
One of the biggest red flags I see in many Internet-related business plans today is advertising as the initial revenue stream, or a key part of it. If challenged, the founder usually cites the Facebook business model (free service to users, revenue from ads), but forgets that Facebook has had sever
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How to Find a Job at the Right Startup for You
Posted by martinzwilling under StartupsFrom http://blog.startupprofessionals.com 4858 days ago
For those of you who want to get in on the ground floor of a new venture, but haven’t yet worked up the nerve to start your own, begin with a job at a startup. But first you should ask yourself if you are prepared for the realities.
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Align Your Startup With Today’s Customer Paradigm
Posted by martinzwilling under StartupsFrom http://blog.startupprofessionals.com 4859 days ago
Every startup needs to understand that the customer paradigm has dramatically shifted over the past two years with pervasive social networks and smartphones. The customer base is no longer a mass audience that can be driven by mass media, but a dynamic network of individual customers who interact w
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Government Grants are Not as Free as You Think
Posted by martinzwilling under StartupsFrom http://blog.startupprofessionals.com 4860 days ago
Now that President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus package has been out for a while, including $50 billion aimed at alternative-energy initiatives, applying for grants has become the rage for high-tech startups. I applaud the initiative, and encourage startups in this direction, but there are cost
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11 New Year’s Resolutions to Work Happy in 2011
Posted by martinzwilling under StartupsFrom http://blog.startupprofessionals.com 4861 days ago
Welcome to the New Year 2011! You’ve probably already made your resolutions, but if not, I suggest a renewed commitment to finding happiness and satisfaction in your work. After all, most of us spend more hours in this role than any other, and life is too short to spend most of your life unhappy.
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