Category: Insights / Research

How Funding Startups is Like Betting on Horses

Monday, 09 August 2021 by SEO'Brien

Last week, a bit of a controversial, but thought-provoking, perspective about Venture Capital caught the attention of a lot of my readers and followers. There has been a horrific rash of *VC Bad* propaganda and misinformation lately, sparking my thought that people are being misled about the what Venture Capital is and does. That, entrepreneurs are frustrated

Published in Industry, Insights / Research, Startups

13 Comments

Business is Personal

Wednesday, 07 July 2021 by SEO'Brien

I found myself at Hewlett-Packard, some 15 years ago, as desktop and laptop computers still dominated our lives and the iPhone was merely a sparkle in Apple’s eye. With my PDA in hand, and Microsoft Zune spinning tunes, HP’s marketing team released a brand campaign designed to reposition the company and remind consumers that the

entrepreneurship people team

Published in Industry, Insights / Research

5 Comments

An Internet Bill of Rights

Tuesday, 25 May 2021 by SEO'Brien

In 2018, some, in the U.S. Congress, proposed an Internet Bill of Rights that though well intentioned, was essentially a set of regulations proposed to adhere companies to obligations with regard to data, security, and privacy. At the time, I thought little of it; the notion didn’t get a tremendous amount of attention, but nagging

bill of rights data internet online privacy rights security Social Media

Published in Industry, Insights / Research

6 Comments

Opportunity. What is causing so many people to move to Austin? Not (just) Tech, nor Startups, it’s Opportunity

Monday, 12 April 2021 by SEO'Brien

Opportunity Education Technology Entrepreneurs Infrastructure Resulting in Opportunity. You know that licking of your lips and grasping at air that one does when trying to put in to words a dream. How you think through, as you’re talking with someone, something you just can’t quite simplify. What I’m thinking about is not a dream but

austin jobs relocation texas

Published in Industry, Insights / Research

25 Comments

Asked: What Stops VCs from Investing in Foreign Companies?

Monday, 25 January 2021 by SEO'Brien

Nothing, it happens all the time. Yet, the question is common, frequently asked; begging a question its own – what are startups struggling with that they think that foreign investors won’t invest? Start with this appreciation: investing in startups is the riskiest use of capital, in the world. Gambling at a casino is more likely

entrepreneurship foreign funding global investors U.S.venture capital worldwide

Published in Insights / Research, Startups

4 Comments

The Valuation of a Pre Funded Startup

Wednesday, 20 January 2021 by SEO'Brien

Startups all, struggle with a question of what’s called, “valuation.” What is the company worth? To put together a pitch deck, negotiate terms with investors, or just to share with potential team members and advisors what you’re doing, people will want to know what it’s worth now. Before you take money from a venture capital