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The Resource Center has all the info you'll need From content to user feedback, the resource center has the information you need for every level of the entrepreneurial process.
When pitching a potential investor, it is important to understand not only what they want to hear, but more importantly what they don't. Avoid these typical mistakes that many entrepreneurs make when seeking funding from angels and venture capitalists.
A veteran media industry executive, Ron Bloom is the visionary CEO and business leader behind the founding of PodShow. Ron is ultimately responsible for PodShow's business units, team building, operations, financing and hyper-growth. Bloom was the chief strategist in securing PodShow's elite private investors, including venture firms Kleiner Perkins, Sequoia Capital and Sherpalo Ventures. Bloom is often referenced as the author of the media industry's "5/50" rule and Fart's Law of consumer technology adoption. Ron Bloom is a former Chairman and Chief Executive Office of THINK New Ideas, a company he founded with PodShow co founder Adam Curry. He helped to build the Company to over 500 employees working out of 8 offices in the US and abroad, driving revenues from a start-up to approaching $100 million in less than three years. He led the company through venture rounds, an IPO, multiple acquisitions, a private placement of public equity, and, eventually the sale of the company for an estimated 350 million dollars. Prior to joining THINK New Ideas, Bloom again partnered with Adam Curry, acting as President and Chief Operating Officer of On Ramp helping it to become one of FORTUNE Magazine's "Top 25 Emerging Technology Companies of 1995. In recent years, he has worked with a range of companies, helping to develop technologies for the cable industry as well as helping to launch a company that provides technology solutions for Homeland Security. In his first career, Ron Bloom was a celebrated song writer and recording artist, having collaborated on several Top 10 hits, including Into the Night, which was a hit single twice. His musical talents and artistic perspective have helped to shape PodShow's products, marketing, services and talent relationships.
VCs increasingly are leaving the industry to become entrepreneurs, yet despite their experience with funding startups, many of them are realizing just how challenging it can be to launch a successful business. The insights gained in entrepreneurship, in turn, provide them with a perspective on what it means to be on the andquot;other sideandquot; of the funding table.
Matt McCall posts about Sequoia Capital and how this VC firm describes the elements of sustainability they seek within the ventures they fund, such as clarity of purpose, large markets with rich customers, and focus.
The process venture capitalists go through to decide which entrepreneurial ventures to fund can be something of a mystery. Chicago-based VC, Matt McCall, provides a description of the qualities he looks for in the CEOs he backs, including resourcefulness, relentless determination, and creative thought.
Entrepreneurs pursuing venture funding will find useful information in this article. Guy Kawasaki offers insight into the venture capitalist mindset. His Venture Capital Aptitude Test could be used by the entrepreneur as a list of qualities for which to seek in a venture capitalist partner.
Mohanjit Jolly, Managing Director of Garage Technology Ventures, moderates a discussion between five VCs and Angel investors. The panel addresses key issues related to the funding process, including valuation, business plans, funder presentations, and strategies for accessing VCs.
In making their investment decisions, venture capitalists should bet on the product or process in a company over the management team, according to research from the University of Chicago School of Business. The researchers studied 49 venture-backed companies and found surprising stability of the firms' business models compared to management teams.
This comprehensive guide to federal research and development grants is designed for entrepreneurs, and includes information about the SBIR/STTR programs as well as general grant proposal information. This guide is made available for public use with support from the Kauffman Foundation.
Bradmer Pharmaceuticals, an American biotech company, chose to use the Toronto Venture Exchange's Capital Pool Company Program to raise cash in the public markets. The author shares his experience making the decision to list in the CPC program and his lessons learned.
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