Founders and Fundraising
Fix Founder Problems Before They Happen
Over 50% of all founder relationships end up failing. It’s true. And a failed co-founder relationship can kill your startup. So, wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to fix founder problems before they happen? That’s what today’s video is all about. I’ll explain: The five steps you can take to fix founder…
Read MoreThe Correct Mindset For Meeting Investors
If your thought process going into an investor meeting was to be raising money, then you’re dead wrong. For every 100 startups VCs or angel investors meet with, they invest in one startup. Just one. That’s it. That’s why you need to get the most out of every meeting you have with investors. And that’s…
Read MoreWhat Are The 19 Wishes Every Founder Needs Granted?
Dear Genie in a bottle, I’m going to start a new company. Yes Genie. I know I’m crazy. And I know I only get nineteen wishes. Do you want to grow your business? Maybe I can help. Click here. Genie, I’m really going to need you at your best. So with these nineteen wishes, please…
Read MoreCreating A Startup Board Is A Waste
You’re likely to get advice telling you that having a board of advisors will help you get funded. However that advice, however well intended, is wrong. In fact, having a board of advisors could potentially hurt your chances of getting funded. That’s what today’s video is all about. I’ll explain: Why you don’t need a…
Read MoreThe Ten Things Startup CEOs Need For Success
I’ve built several businesses from zero to over $100 million, and I’ve worked with a lot of CEOs to help them grow their businesses too. Over and over again, the successful CEOs I’ve worked with have been able to master the same set of ten core skills. That’s what today’s video is all about. I’ll…
Read MoreYou’re Not Raising Enough Funding
You’re not raising enough startup funding Not raising enough startup funding is one of the most common self inflicted wounds you can give yourself raising startup funding It’s a flawed thought process that raising less money is easier, but that’s not necessarily true. That’s what today’s video is all about. I’ll explain: The fatal mistake…
Read MoreHow To Turn Your Pitch Deck Into Your Business Plan
I remember the first business plan I wrote like it was yesterday. I had just joined Maxim Integrated Products, and my boss, the late Ziya Boyacigiller, asked me to develop a plan for Maxim’s Voltage Reference business. [Do you want to grow your business? Maybe I can help. Click here.] So I set about developing…
Read MoreHow Many People Should You Bring To A Pitch Meeting?
We walked into the big conference room. On one side of the room sat a team of six executives from the company that was going to pitch us this Monday afternoon. We sat on the other side of the table with our backs pointing toward a beautiful view of the Bay Bridge. [Do you want to…
Read MoreWhy Equity Dilution Is Good For Startups
When I started my company, I was obsessed with retaining every percent of equity I could. And I remember telling my mentor and advisor, Dave, about my equity-retention philosophy. Dave looked at me and laughed. Then he said something I’ll always remember, “Brett, dilution is good.” I was shocked. However, Dave was right. In today’s…
Read MoreWhat Is The Hardest Part Of Starting Your Company?
I was scared. I should have been thrilled, but I was scared. Do you want to grow your business? Maybe I can help. Click here. It was Sunday night, and Monday I would officially begin my journey as an EIR (Entrepreneur in Residence) at a Venture Capital fund based in San Francisco. It was an…
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