Startups Archives - Page 13 of 36

Pitching VCs from Far Far Away

Monday, 04 May 2020 by Paul O'Brien

Later this year, the Mandalorian returns to the small screen for Season 2 of one of the hottest reasons everyone has flocked to Disney+ While anxiously awaiting a show near the top of my Must See TV, my family and I spent the weekend binge watching Star Wars while I toiled away on a major

Published in Advertising, PR, Startups

6 Comments

Startups: Avoid Competition (don’t neglect it)

Sunday, 03 May 2020 by Paul O'Brien

Years ago, Peter Thiel provocatively proclaimed in the Wall Street Journal that “Competition Is for Losers” and I recall loving the headline not for the negative connotation implied, but for the play on words that you’re going to lose if you set out to compete. “The airlines compete with each other, but Google stands alone.

competition entrepreneurship monopoly new business startup

Published in Startups

33 Comments

How VCs Make Money: the 2 and 20

Tuesday, 31 March 2020 by Paul O'Brien

In downturns in the economy, it’s then that Venture Capital Funds really come to the forefront of our startup communities because it’s then that entrepreneurship shifts from a buyers market to a sellers market. Buyers vs. Seller. Some time ago, I got a little bit of s*** for suggesting that founders think of Venture Capitalists

business models vc vcs venture capital venture capital firms venture capital investing venture capitalists

Published in Insights / Research, Startups

19 Comments

The Mental Health Burden of Entrepreneurship

Monday, 16 December 2019 by Paul O'Brien

In 1985, management scholar Manfred Kets de Vries wrote in Harvard Business Review, “Entrepreneurs seem to be achievement oriented, like to take responsibility for decisions, and dislike repetitive, routine work. Creative entrepreneurs possess high levels of energy and great degrees of perseverance and imagination, which, combined with willingness to take moderate, calculated risks enable them

depression entrepreneur entrepreneurship founders health mental health

Published in Insights / Research, Startups

34 Comments

I’m Thankful for Cofounders

Monday, 25 November 2019 by Paul O'Brien

It’s a marriage. I’m a bit surprised by how many entrepreneurs start something merely hoping to have a business, solve a problem, or accomplish something. I can’t recall when I’ve ever seen that work, substantially. Launching a startup is like having a child, and finding committed cofounders is a marriage. The difference is that you

cofounders entrepreneurship founders partners startup

Published in Startups

20 Comments

Startups, It’s About Returns to Investors

Wednesday, 20 November 2019 by Paul O'Brien

I’ve had a particularly interesting week in Austin; through some events and lots of coffees, I’ve meet with a ton of founders, perhaps more than ever in 3 days alone. Interesting why? Easily half, argued with me that startup investors are seeking revenue and don’t require an exit. At least, that’s what they’re being told.

angel investment angels financing fund raising funding venture capital

Published in Startups

21 Comments

Start Up with the Exit in Mind

Thursday, 14 November 2019 by Paul O'Brien

EVERY founder should plan with the exit in mind. Whether that’s getting acquired, merely successful, going public, or otherwise, most startups struggle to bring on board resources and capital because they never think through and communicate what the FUTURE means for everyone. I don’t care if you want to get acquired or stay private, what

acquisition culture entrepreneurship exit strategy funding marketing

Published in Startups

8 Comments