Dave Berkus

Dave Berkus is a noted speaker, author and early stage private equity investor. He is acknowledged as one of the most active angel investors in the country, having made and actively participated in over 87 technology investments during the past decade. He currently manages two angel VC funds (Berkus Technology Ventures, LLC and Kodiak Ventures, L.P.) Dave is past Chairman of the Tech Coast Angels, one of the largest angel networks in the United States. Dave is author of “Basic Berkonomics,” “Berkonomics,” “Advanced Berkonomics,” “Extending the Runway,” and the Small Business Success Collection. Find out more at Berkus.com or contact Dave at dberkus@berkus.com

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Group of business people sharing ideas. Mature businessman giving guidance to young trainee and teaching analyze data.

Can Your Lawyer Destroy a Good Business Deal?

Over the years in business and as a member of over forty boards, I have received good advice from corporate attorneys and on occasion bad advice as well.  There is a line that should be…

Business man fired, unemployed box and dismissal from job in office for stress, depression and fear of mistake, failure and problem. Sad employee leaving company, economy crisis quit and bad worker.

Why We Should Fire Fast, Not Last

Here is one that takes a real leap for a younger manager or CEO to believe.  After hiring someone with all the attendant enthusiasm followed by the training and learning curve, if an employee shows…

start up business owners smiling together

What Are the Odds of Your Startup Success?

Well, the numbers don’t lie, even if there are several sources of these statistics.  Starting a company is HARD – in so many ways.  And risky too. Let’s delve into the true chances of your…

envisioning your business

How to Stress Test Your Business Vision

You’re at the ignition stage of your newest business venture.  Of course, you have a vision for what you will do to change the world.  Let’s see how to stress test your business vision and…

raising money for growth

How to Raise Money for Growth (& Get Some Sleep)

The subject of raising money is critical to many businesses and a passing option to others, depending upon the capital efficiency of the enterprise.  Some businesses require very little capital and the founder can self-finance…

a brave knight and a fearsome dragon

Should You Battle the Dragon or Just Avoid the Encounter?

Frustrated by a competitor that wins when you should have? Sometimes a competitor is just too entrenched, too strong, too well equipped to directly face in battle.  At least that is the conventional wisdom.  Yet,…

5 Tricks to Find Yourself on Social Media

There is so much information being shot at us daily via social media streams to monitor and control which pertains to our business. Not only do we have to process it all, but we have…

Sometimes Your Gut Is the Best You’ve Got

Years ago, I led a deal and invested in a company that looked like it had lots of promise to disrupt the women’s clothing industry with special algorithms and an online store.  But something had…

Go Ahead, Revert to “Old School” Marketing – If You Dare…

“Broadcast the message and they will come!”  “Segment my broadcast and I will have better response.”  Both of these time–honored methods of reaching our customers have worked for as long as there was print and…

5-of-steve-jobs-s-biggest-mistakes

Steve Jobs’ “Aha” Moment!

There is a process to innovation that can be summed up with four words: “Whoa. Wow! Hmmm. Yes!” Credit Dr. Mark Goulston with this. He states, that’s exactly how Steve Jobs described his “aha moment.” …