What Do You Need To Do Before Raising Any Money?
The world of fundraising has changed from what it once was. Gone are the days when you could raise money based only on an idea. In this short video, I’ll tell you the one thing absolutely, positively have to do before you raise any money. Do You Want To Grow Your Business? Maybe I…
What Shouldn’t You Put In Your Pitch Deck?
“We need to show them (potential investors) how everything functions at the transistor level,” our VP Engineering, “John”, said to me. “I don’t know,” I said. “From what I’ve seen as an EIR, that will go over the heads of investors.” Then, I continued, “But, if you want to do it that way, then go…
What Traits Do Your Worst Employees Share?
“You need to meet your revenue numbers,” I said to our VP Sales, “Tommy”. Tommy had been on the job for about one month and already things were going sideways. “Well, okay,” Tommy responded. That’s not exactly the awe-inspiring response you want from your sales lead. Tommy didn’t seem to care. It was as if…
Why You Need A Pitch Deck Even If You’re Not Raising Money
You may not realize it yet, but having a well thought out pitch deck is a critical tool for you to have as a startup CEO. Yes, you need a pitch deck to raise money, but a pitch deck is even important for you to have if you never intend to raise money. I’ll explain…
How Do You Plan So Mistakes Don’t Kill Your Startup?
Let’s be honest. You’re going to have mistakes happen in your business. It might be mistakes you and your team make. Or it might be mistakes your vendors make. But you’re going to have to deal with things not going to plan. I’ll walk you through how you can survive things not going to plan…
Why You’re The Most Important Person In Your Company
“The engine that makes an Analog IC company go is a great VP Engineering or CTO,” I said to Dave, the VC partner I was working with when I was incubating my startup as an EIR (Entrepreneur in Residence) at a VC fund in San Francisco. Then I continued, “Without a great VP Engineering we…
What Are The Five Rules You Need To Determine Your Startup Salaries?
“Sounds a little rich to me,” one of my investors, “Raul”, said to me when he asked me what I was going to pay myself as CEO. We had just closed $12M in Series A funding, and the salary I suggested paying myself was the median for a Series A CEO with that level of…
Where Should You Raise Money For Your Startup?
Where Should You Raise Money For Your Startup? Video By Brett Fox Should you or shouldn’t you raise money for your startup? And where should you raise the money from? I’ll walk you through my simple thought process in this short video. Do You Want To Grow Your Business? Maybe I Can Help. Click…
How Should You Think About Compensation After A Round Of Funding?
“It is sacrosanct,” one of our investors said to me. I told him that we would perform a layoff in preparation for the next round of funding. There really was no way around performing a layoff. We were only going to close $10M, and we needed the money to last at least 18 months. …
Should You Sell Your Company Or Take An Investment?
“I’m sorry Brett, but we’re not going forward with the investment,” “Robbie” said to me. The week before Robbie and the other members of the investment syndicate had signed the term sheet. And now they were pulling out of the deal. I spent the next hour on the phone convincing Robbie to stay in the…