Founders and Fundraising
What Are The Two Killer Fundraising Mistakes You Have To Avoid?
I’ve worked with a lot of startup CEO’s, and I see the same two killer fundraising mistakes made over and over again. One of them will kill you before you get started, and the mistake will kill you when you’re raising money. What are these killer mistakes, and, more importantly, how can you avoid them?…
Read MoreWhat You Learn From How Non Technical CEOs Succeed
“Don’t try and be something that you’re not,” that was the advice I gave to myself when I started my company. Even though I have a BSEE and a few patents, I’d been on the “dark side”, as my wife calls the business side of a technology company, for years. I wasn’t going to be…
Read MoreHow Much Should You Share With An Investor Before Getting A Term Sheet?
You’re in a meeting with an investor, and the investor asks you to provide sensitive information like your customer list before you sign a term sheet. Or you’re in a technical diligence meeting and things don’t feel right. What should you do? The good news is that most investors are not out to steal your…
Read MoreHow Do You Raise Money In 30 Days Or Less?
I always recommend that you give yourself six months minimum, preferably one year, to raise money. However, sometimes you’re not so lucky. For example deals can fall through at the last minute, or maybe you had no choice but to wait. Whatever the situation, I’ll tell you what to do in this short video if…
Read MoreHow You Know You Have What It Takes To Succeed As CEO
You usually have a lot of self doubt when you’re a startup CEO. I certainly did. So wouldn’t it be nice to know if you have what it takes to be a successful startup CEO? I’ll give you my take on what I look for in the people I work with in this short video.…
Read MoreWhat Are Your Responsibilities As CEO?
“What are you doing?” Tina, our controller, asked me. I was in the front lobby of our office, and I had a scissors in my hands. “I’m cutting the ends of the plants, so they look nice. I want everything to look perfect when the investors get here tomorrow.” Cutting the plants so there were…
Read MoreHow Much Help Should You Really Expect From Your Investors?
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when you’re raising money is expecting your investors to do too much. In fact, expecting too much can cost you investors if you’re not careful. So what should you really expect from your investors? I’ll give you my take in this short video. Do You Want…
Read MoreWhat You Shouldn’t Expect As A Successful Startup CEO?
You may have dreams of instant success, fame, and celebrity when you think about your expectations as an entrepreneur. The reality is much different. I’ll explain exactly what you should expect if you are a successful entrepreneur in this short video. Do You Want To Grow Your Business? Maybe I Can Help. Click Here.
Read MoreWhen Should You Sell Some Of Your Company Stock?
“I have a dilemma,” “Oscar”, the CEO of a startup that I’m working with said to me Friday. “Right now, my percentage ownership is around 70% of the company. I’d like to take some money off the table, so my family is financially set. “The problem is that I will likely drop below 50% ownership…
Read MoreHow Much Ego Do You Need To Succeed As CEO?
Anyone that starts a company and says they don’t have an ego is lying. You have to have an ego to start a company because what makes you think you will be the one company that makes it? However, is there a point where you can have too much ego as a startup CEO? And…
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