Once the funding process is completed for a start-up, the real work for a VC begins in terms of helping to grow its business. A primary way this is done is via on-going Board meetings in which the VC partner/Board members actively engage in understanding how well (or not) the business is performing. Board meetings…More
We often are asked by entrepreneurs how we find startups to potentially invest in (in essence, our deal flow). The ways in which an entrepreneur might best connect with VCs has been covered by a number of other VCs across the web, but we thought it might be helpful for entrepreneurs to put this question…More
While a growing number of businesses today are starting to use social media in marketing their business, there is always a risk of putting execution before strategy. This is a real danger with social media because too many businesses realize too late that once you begin a social media initiative (such as a Facebook Fan…More
A few months ago our website looked old and stodgy, and might as well have been thrown together by a 10-year-old with an etch-a-sketch. Since we run our office like a bootstrapped startup, the easy route of hiring an expensive custom design consultancy to revamp the website seemed wasteful. For a few design ideas you…More
Over the past year I’ve been working with Thomvest Ventures as a Venture Partner (in addition to my regular consulting and seminar business). One of my responsibilities is to sit in on the pitches from entrepreneurs asking for initial or additional funding. What amazes me is how poorly crafted many of these presentations are. While…More
