Entrepreneur, Angel Investor
Bucharest
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▼Top 10 reasons NOT to apply to TechStars - A Sack of Seattle
- You like your cubicle - You think 12 month software release cycles are just fine - You aspire to be a middle manager - You'd rather sit in meetings all day than actually do stuff - You don't believe...Expand this post »
- You like your cubicle - You think 12 month software release cycles are just fine - You aspire to be a middle manager - You'd rather sit in meetings all day than actually do stuff - You don't believe...Expand this post »
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Like▼Get Help Starting Up: Win A Free Scholarship To StartupToDo - OnStartups
I've run three startups, and every time it felt more like stumbling around in the dark than confidently striding along a path. Most everyone I meet feels the same way. It's worse the first time around of course. You read blogs and books, you take other business founders out to lunch, and you join entrepreneur support groups (I mean, meet-ups). But still. There's like 1,000 things to do, none ...Expand this post »
I've run three startups, and every time it felt more like stumbling around in the dark than confidently striding along a path. Most everyone I meet feels the same way. It's worse the first time around of course. You read blogs and books, you take other business founders out to lunch, and you join entrepreneur support groups (I mean, meet-ups). But still. There's like 1,000 things to do, none ...Expand this post »
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Like▼Venture Hacks TV - Venture Hacks
venturehacks.tv is our new blog where we collect the best startup advice on video. We’re starting it off strong with an hour of Q&A with Marc Andreessen from Stanford’s ECorner. You can subscribe to VHTV via RSS, Email, or Twitter. Why VHTV? In the last week or so, we’ve noticed an increase in good startup advice on video. There’s TWiVC, GigaOM TV, SLLConf, TechCrunch TV, Stanford’s ECorner, a...Expand this post »
venturehacks.tv is our new blog where we collect the best startup advice on video. We’re starting it off strong with an hour of Q&A with Marc Andreessen from Stanford’s ECorner. You can subscribe to VHTV via RSS, Email, or Twitter. Why VHTV? In the last week or so, we’ve noticed an increase in good startup advice on video. There’s TWiVC, GigaOM TV, SLLConf, TechCrunch TV, Stanford’s ECorner, a...Expand this post »
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Like▼From Hopes and Dreams to The Real Thing - A VC
Companies start out as hopes and dreams and stay there for at least a little while. Even after the product has been launched and users are jumping aboard, the company is still in hopes and dreams mode. But eventually one of three things happens to a company; it goes out of business, it gets sold, or it becomes a real business. And one of the most interesting things to watch and learn from, as...Expand this post »
Companies start out as hopes and dreams and stay there for at least a little while. Even after the product has been launched and users are jumping aboard, the company is still in hopes and dreams mode. But eventually one of three things happens to a company; it goes out of business, it gets sold, or it becomes a real business. And one of the most interesting things to watch and learn from, as...Expand this post »
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Like▼The Lean Startup and its promise - Triblr.com
One of the most recent and very fashionable concepts in the field of online entrepreneurship, especially in such important hubs like Silicon Valley, New York and London, is Lean Startup. Eric Ries is the creator of the Lean Startup methodology and the author of the popular entrepreneurship blog Startup Lessons Learned. He previously co-founded and served as Chief Technology Officer of IMVU. In...Expand this post »
One of the most recent and very fashionable concepts in the field of online entrepreneurship, especially in such important hubs like Silicon Valley, New York and London, is Lean Startup. Eric Ries is the creator of the Lean Startup methodology and the author of the popular entrepreneurship blog Startup Lessons Learned. He previously co-founded and served as Chief Technology Officer of IMVU. In...Expand this post »
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Like▼How To Communicate with your Investors between Board Meetings - Both Sides of the Table
Running the “Agile” Board Most early stage startups having monthly board meetings. I normally recommend 8 meetings per year. It makes no sense to meet in August or December due to travel schedules of most investors. You can do calls if need be. And I often recommend that board meetings be every 5 or 6 weeks rather than 4 to give enough elapsed time for stuff to actually happen between meetings...Expand this post »
Running the “Agile” Board Most early stage startups having monthly board meetings. I normally recommend 8 meetings per year. It makes no sense to meet in August or December due to travel schedules of most investors. You can do calls if need be. And I often recommend that board meetings be every 5 or 6 weeks rather than 4 to give enough elapsed time for stuff to actually happen between meetings...Expand this post »
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Like▼Are you speaking VC? (III) - Triblr.com
Today, I’m presenting the last part of the series of articles about the legal VC terms. Restriction on Sales This term sheet provision states that the company has a right of first refusal on all transfers of common stock, which if not exercised by the company will be transferred to the investors. Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement Refers to the fact that every founder, employer...Expand this post »
Today, I’m presenting the last part of the series of articles about the legal VC terms. Restriction on Sales This term sheet provision states that the company has a right of first refusal on all transfers of common stock, which if not exercised by the company will be transferred to the investors. Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement Refers to the fact that every founder, employer...Expand this post »
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Like▼Raising capital is an emotional process not a rational process - A Sack of Seattle
The other night I spoke about how raising capital is an emotional process. I can't emphasize this enough. The entire process of raising capital -- is an exercise in managing relationships. Investors...Expand this post »
The other night I spoke about how raising capital is an emotional process. I can't emphasize this enough. The entire process of raising capital -- is an exercise in managing relationships. Investors...Expand this post »
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Like▼Are you speaking VC? (II) - Triblr.com
Let’s continue with our second lesson of VC language. Today, we’ll explore some more of the frequently used terms of the VC term sheets. Following the links provided upon each definition, you’ll find broader explanations for the terms. Redemption Rights Rights to force the company to purchase shares (a “put”) and more infrequently the company’s right to force investor to sell their shares (a “...Expand this post »
Let’s continue with our second lesson of VC language. Today, we’ll explore some more of the frequently used terms of the VC term sheets. Following the links provided upon each definition, you’ll find broader explanations for the terms. Redemption Rights Rights to force the company to purchase shares (a “put”) and more infrequently the company’s right to force investor to sell their shares (a “...Expand this post »
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Like▼Are you speaking VC? (I) - Triblr.com
It is a simple, well known rule: in order to have a relationship with someone, no matter the type, one have to understand what one say to each other. Basically, you have to speak the same language....Expand this post »
It is a simple, well known rule: in order to have a relationship with someone, no matter the type, one have to understand what one say to each other. Basically, you have to speak the same language....Expand this post »
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Like▼Startup Lessons Learned: I wish this conference was around five years ago - Venture Hacks
“Startup Lessons Learned Conference #sllconf is going to be the Woodstock for entrepreneurs. If you weren’t there you will say you were.” – Steve Blank Startup Lessons Learned, the best startup conference of the year, is this Friday: I think this is going to be the most actionable startup conference ever and the lead organizer, Eric Ries, has given us a whopping 25% discount for Venture Ha...Expand this post »
“Startup Lessons Learned Conference #sllconf is going to be the Woodstock for entrepreneurs. If you weren’t there you will say you were.” – Steve Blank Startup Lessons Learned, the best startup conference of the year, is this Friday: I think this is going to be the most actionable startup conference ever and the lead organizer, Eric Ries, has given us a whopping 25% discount for Venture Ha...Expand this post »
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Like▼Want to Know the Difference Between a CTO and a VP Engineering? - Both Sides of the Table
I recently did a post for startups on understanding sales people. A few people have asked me to try and define the perfect startup organization chart. I don’t believe that one exists. Every team configuration is different. But I do have more insight into understanding your startup team. This time I thought I’d try and address engineering talent. Often I’m asked by startup CEO’s about how to ...Expand this post »
I recently did a post for startups on understanding sales people. A few people have asked me to try and define the perfect startup organization chart. I don’t believe that one exists. Every team configuration is different. But I do have more insight into understanding your startup team. This time I thought I’d try and address engineering talent. Often I’m asked by startup CEO’s about how to ...Expand this post »
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Like▼How much traction do I need? - Venture Hacks
The top 3 things we look for in the startups that apply to AngelList are initial traction, social proof, and product. The team is also obviously important, but good teams tend to have good traction, social proof, and products. Since I was a child, people have asked me, “How much traction do investors want to see?” My answer is “you tell me.” Find the competitors that investors wish they had in...Expand this post »
The top 3 things we look for in the startups that apply to AngelList are initial traction, social proof, and product. The team is also obviously important, but good teams tend to have good traction, social proof, and products. Since I was a child, people have asked me, “How much traction do investors want to see?” My answer is “you tell me.” Find the competitors that investors wish they had in...Expand this post »
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Like▼Lessons from Richard Branson's "Business Stripped Bare" - Signal vs. Noise
Some interesting excerpts from Derek Sivers’ notes on “Business Stripped Bare” by Richard Branson [Amazon]. I had never been interested in being “in business”. I’ve been interested in creating...Expand this post »
Some interesting excerpts from Derek Sivers’ notes on “Business Stripped Bare” by Richard Branson [Amazon]. I had never been interested in being “in business”. I’ve been interested in creating...Expand this post »
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Like▼Startups built to learn - lean startups - Octav Druta
Consider that a lot of people invest an incredible amount of energy, passion and creativity to create products and services that eventually fail. One of the reasons is that they build their companies according to myths instead of guiding them with facts and knowledge to use those facts well. The trends in the startup landscape change. The way people build startups today is changing, especial...Expand this post »
Consider that a lot of people invest an incredible amount of energy, passion and creativity to create products and services that eventually fail. One of the reasons is that they build their companies according to myths instead of guiding them with facts and knowledge to use those facts well. The trends in the startup landscape change. The way people build startups today is changing, especial...Expand this post »
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Like▼In what kind of world do you live in? - Octav Druta
I wonder how often I switch from one world to another and why. Do you also have this curiosity?
Image credits: Octav Druta
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Like▼The Lean Startup Intensive at Web 2.0 Expo SF (May 3, 2010) - Lessons Learned
I'm discovering the truth of the old saying, "when it rains, it pours." I keep waiting for the tide of interesting people, opportunities, and ideas to ebb - but so far it has done nothing but accelerate. Thank you all so much. Just one year ago, I gave my first big conference talk at the 2009 Web 2.0 Expo in San Francisco. I had no idea what to expect, and the response was truly humbling. So I ...Expand this post »
I'm discovering the truth of the old saying, "when it rains, it pours." I keep waiting for the tide of interesting people, opportunities, and ideas to ebb - but so far it has done nothing but accelerate. Thank you all so much. Just one year ago, I gave my first big conference talk at the 2009 Web 2.0 Expo in San Francisco. I had no idea what to expect, and the response was truly humbling. So I ...Expand this post »
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Like▼This Week in Venture Capital – Episode 2 - Both Sides of the Table
I was on This Week in Venture Capital (TWiVC) again this week with Jason Calacanis. He’s considering making me the permanent co-host so if you enjoy any of this episode or want to see me on the show on a more regular basis please Tweet @jason and let him know (he asked for direct feedback). I’m loving doing the show and I think that Jason and I have pretty good banter and rapport. You can watch...Expand this post »
I was on This Week in Venture Capital (TWiVC) again this week with Jason Calacanis. He’s considering making me the permanent co-host so if you enjoy any of this episode or want to see me on the show on a more regular basis please Tweet @jason and let him know (he asked for direct feedback). I’m loving doing the show and I think that Jason and I have pretty good banter and rapport. You can watch...Expand this post »
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Like▼Sneak preview, KISSmetrics (and more) - Lessons Learned
Hear the CEO of KISSmetrics give a sneak preview of what he'll be presenting at the Startup Lessons Learned conference on April 23 (we're less than a week away!): Conference updates continue to pour in: - Want to see more preview videos? Take a look at our new sneak-preview site, sponsored by KISSmetrics. - We've updated our list of simulcast locations (see below). Thanks to volunte...Expand this post »
Hear the CEO of KISSmetrics give a sneak preview of what he'll be presenting at the Startup Lessons Learned conference on April 23 (we're less than a week away!): Conference updates continue to pour in: - Want to see more preview videos? Take a look at our new sneak-preview site, sponsored by KISSmetrics. - We've updated our list of simulcast locations (see below). Thanks to volunte...Expand this post »
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Like▼How to Focus on the Right Things - Trizle
- See a bear attack on TV. - Go camping. - You instantly fear a bear attack. When you're reminded of X, you focus on X -- despite the probabilities of X actually happening. So, instead of focusing...Expand this post »
- See a bear attack on TV. - Go camping. - You instantly fear a bear attack. When you're reminded of X, you focus on X -- despite the probabilities of X actually happening. So, instead of focusing...Expand this post »
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Like▼Check-Ins are Coupons. Game Mechanics are Bullshit. Show Me The MONEY or Go Home (Loser). - Master of 500 Hats
(shameless plug: May 12 SMASHsummit.com social media marketing conference - get a 20% discount at bottom of this worthless & wildly speculative post) For everyone out there wondering if i'll ever return your phone calls or emails, my apologies... i have a bunch of rather significant not-quite-finished projects on my plate right now, along with the usual deals & events & insanity. Blogging has ...Expand this post »
(shameless plug: May 12 SMASHsummit.com social media marketing conference - get a 20% discount at bottom of this worthless & wildly speculative post) For everyone out there wondering if i'll ever return your phone calls or emails, my apologies... i have a bunch of rather significant not-quite-finished projects on my plate right now, along with the usual deals & events & insanity. Blogging has ...Expand this post »
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Like▼Presentation Hacks - Venture Hacks
Naval here. Adeo Ressi recently invited me to speak at the Silicon Valley Founder Institute. The topic was how to present to investors. [Nivi: There's a lot of new stuff in this presentation — I...Expand this post »
Naval here. Adeo Ressi recently invited me to speak at the Silicon Valley Founder Institute. The topic was how to present to investors. [Nivi: There's a lot of new stuff in this presentation — I...Expand this post »
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Like▼Failing Fast at Standardized Seed Deal Documents - Feld Thoughts
While some people hate the phrase “failing fast”, I find it instructive when it’s used to signify that one isn’t going to pursue a particular path in the context of a larger set of activities. A few...Expand this post »
While some people hate the phrase “failing fast”, I find it instructive when it’s used to signify that one isn’t going to pursue a particular path in the context of a larger set of activities. A few...Expand this post »
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Like▼The Three Second Rule - client k
Think you have 8 seconds
before surfers click away
from your site?
Think again.
The 8 second rule
is now 3 seconds,
according to Compuware.
What does that mean?
Have the essentials
on your site load quickly.
Have your contact information
above the fold
and easily found.
Put the fancy special effects
that load slowly
on their own page.
Speed is the key with websites.
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