entrepreneurship Archives - Page 8 of 19

Asked: What Stops VCs from Investing in Foreign Companies?

Monday, 25 January 2021 by Paul O'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

Published in Insights / Research, Raising Capital, Regional Development, Startups

9 Comments

The Valuation of a Pre Funded Startup

Wednesday, 20 January 2021 by Paul O'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

entrepreneurship funding seed startups valuation

Published in Insights / Research, Startups

35 Comments

The Distinction of Startup CEO

Tuesday, 05 January 2021 by Paul O'Brien

Chief Executive Officer. The responsibilities of a CEO are set by the organization’s board of directors because technically, a CEO is the Chief Executive among many, referring to the fact that companies are largely run by the CxOs of their respective business (CMO, CTO, CIO, etc.). Managing a leadership team and meeting the expectations of stakeholders

ceo descriptions entrepreneurship jobs roles team

Published in Startups

12 Comments

Ideas Are Valuable; Stop Saying They’re Not!

Tuesday, 17 November 2020 by Paul O'Brien

Businesses without ideas are like people with matches trying to light a wet campfire. Striking, striking, and striking again. You have the stuff that's valued (wood, matches) but you can't do anything without a ton of work.

brainstorming entrepreneurship funding ideas ideation intellectual property startups

Published in Insights / Research, Startups

22 Comments

The Emperor’s New Clothes of Entrepreneurship

Tuesday, 10 November 2020 by Paul O'Brien

When you're prepared for loss, failure, isolation, commitment, tenacity, perseverance, and living on nothing, THEN maybe give it a shot; not because someone else says it's easy or that they'll help you. You need to be more prepared for the very likely downside than living on the hopes and dreams perpetuated because a small fraction who try make it work.

entrepreneurs entrepreneurship mental health

Published in Insights / Research, Startups

3 Comments

Maybe Starting with the Problem is the Problem

Tuesday, 06 October 2020 by Paul O'Brien

In a world wherein overwhelmingly most founders and startups fail as a result of a lack of product/market fit, and incubators, University startup programs, and mentors, are flush with “ideas” that genuinely warrant, “that’s already being done,” perhaps the advice to start with the problem (or solution, for that matter), is wrong. Think on it:

entrepreneurship ideas startups

Published in Startups

21 Comments

Why a Competitive Analysis is a First Step as a Founder

Thursday, 17 September 2020 by Paul O'Brien

There is a trick to entrepreneurship, to starting a venture, that no one really ever talks about. Not sure why they don’t talk about it… perhaps because they don’t understand how to do it… perhaps because everyone is selling something… perhaps because they’ve hired help and it sucked… regardless, I’m going to let you in

competitive analysis competitors entrepreneurship marketing startups

Published in Advertising, Featured, Insights / Research, Startups

44 Comments