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early stage companies Tagged Articles
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Four Types of Highly Effective Business Plans
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| Business plans are not just for start-ups raising capital. Writing a business plan-- or more accurately, the process of strategic planning, using the business plan as a framework-- has many applications for both early stage companies just starting out, as well as for mature firms who are seeking to grow, improve, or diversify their businesses. In this article, we talk about four powerful types of business plans: the Feasibility Plan, Operating Plan, Expansion Plan, and Joint Venture Plan, and we delve into the key characteristics and uses of each. |
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A Mental Model For VC Investments
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| A reader asked me the other day if – in the words of Charlie Munger – I have a “mental model” for investing in early stage companies. I do, but I’d rather give examples of the two best approaches I’ve heard of from other people. |
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Board Meeting Rules
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| Following are some board meeting rules that were recently presented to me and my fellow board members by a CEO at one of his first board meetings at a newly funded early stage company. I thought they were brilliant. Feel free to pass them out at your next board meeting. |
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Whats The Best Corporate Structure For An Early Stage Company
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| I got the following question from a reader a week ago. |
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Venture Capital & Recessions
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| Lots of talk in the venture business, as everywhere else, about the impact of recessions on the business. In general, recession vintage venture funds have been among the better-performing funds. Here are some related points:
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Hey, What if the Founder Gets Hit By a Bus? Nada
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| One of the questions investors in early-stage companies -- both private and public -- often ask is this: What if the founder gets hit by a bus? It is, of course, an investor's way of saying, "How much of this company's continuing success requires this man/women at the helm?" |
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Brokers, Dealers, Private Lenders, and Venture Capital
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| A broker is defined as anyone who makes securities transactions for others. (The exception to this is a bank.) A dealer is defined as someone who buys and sells securities for their own account, through a broker or otherwise.
Most entrepreneurs are looking for start-up capital and for someone else to raise capital for them on a straight commission, with no up-front fees. Only registered broker dealers, and Bona Fide employees, can legally solicit/sell securities for a company on straight commission, with no up-front fees. They always charge an up-front retainer, sometimes called due-diligence fees, before commencing. This fluctuates depending on the complexity of the transactions. Most brokers/dealers avoid startup and early stage companies. A Bona Fide employee cannot be paid commission from the sale of securities. |
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Who Are Angel Investors
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| Entrepreneurs often talk about needing angel investor money to launch their companies. When asked about their financing plan, they are heard to say, "I am going to raise $500K from angels." When asked what their strategy for approaching angels is and who they are going to approach, they often go silent and have a blank look on their faces. |
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What is it like to start your own business?
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| Working for a company in management is hard work, but starting your own business is hardwork PLUS! |
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