Funding, the ABCs, post #5 of “Startup Briefs”
It is very important to understand the different types of funding, the different types of funders. Remember that any investment is an investment into YOU, so you had better be well-versed in the terms and conditions of private...
Funding, an overview, post #4 of “Startup Briefs”
Every first-time entrepreneur is excited and intimidated by the concept of fundraising. It’s a world that they don’t know, and it lures them while scaring them. They ask people like me numerous questions: What is my company...
The customer, post #3 of “Startup Briefs”
What is more important than your idea? More important than your startup? More important than you? You got it – your customer. Most first-time entrepreneurs don’t focus early enough on their customers: who they are, what their...
The idea, post #2 of “Startup Briefs”
How do you come up with the next big idea? How do you come up with an idea that is worth risking your time, expertise and talent? Your career? Where do ideas come from anyway? Let’s take a look at a few ways that I have seen...
Startup Briefs
I have always counseled my students to read the first 50 pages of a business book, and the last 50 pages. I advise them to skim, or even skip, the middle ~200 pages. Authors generally write their strongest argument in their first...
Congrats to the Pittsburgh startup community. Oh, and stop congratulating yourself.
Pittsburgh is simply better than it ever was before. Period. This is a guest post by Greg Coticchia, of ENTRA and Entrepreneur in Residence at the Innovation Institute at Pitt. When I look around I see lots of exciting companies:...
What Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Pittsburgh’s Renaissance
In 1970, foreign competition, an outdated manufacturing base and poor labor relations helped to bring about the collapse of the steel industry in the Pittsburgh region. By January 1983, adjusted unemployment rates throughout...
Thoughts on advisors and directors
Recruiting and managing a strong advisory board and board of directors is one of the more challenging tasks facing an early stage entrepreneur. The benefits can be great. But most first time startup leaders don’t understand this...
Thoughts on team
Team. The old VC adage “I’d rather invest in an A+ team with a B+ idea than an B+ team with an A+ idea” is definitely true. Your people are the most important asset in a new venture. I suggest that you to look at three different...
The Importance of Scientists Taking Technology Commercialization Classes
As a graduate student or a postdoctoral research associate we are so focused on getting the experiment done or writing a publication worthy research article that we often forget that there is always a possibility that our...