Funding a Startup
Elevator Speech Part 1: The Market Story
Can you describe your business in 60 seconds? In grad-level venture contests, and in startup groups and the startup eco-system, they call it “the elevator speech.” It’s a formal event in many business plan competitions,…
10 Good Reasons Not to Seek Investors for Your Startup
Sure, maybe you need the money. Maybe that’s what your business plan says. But seriously: Do you really want to have investors involved in your dream startup? I’ve said it before: bootstrapping is underrated. I get…
Is Crowdfunding Still a Good Way to Gain Investment?
The rise of crowdfunding was an abrupt and noisy one. The major platforms that allow people to invest small amounts in speculative projects, the likes of Kickstarter and Indiegogo, seemed to pop up overnight, with…
Angel Investment vs. Bootstrap: Startup Sweet Spot
Successful angel investment is a win-win for both sides, the startup founders and the investors. And I mean win-win right at the beginning, at the time of the investment, not the obvious win-win later when…
10 Things Angel Investors Ask About Startups
Recently the angel investment group I’m a member of (Willamette Angel Conference) finished our eighth year of choosing a startup to invest in. Our investment runs $100K to $500K, roughly. It’s announced every year on the…
6 Places to Find the Right Investor for Your Startup
One of the biggest myths I have found in the entrepreneur community is that every startup needs one or more outside investors for credibility and success, and perhaps is even entitled to at least one….
4 Major Benefits (and 3 Drawbacks) to Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is here to stay. Absolutely every regulator in the world is now trying to get in on the crowdfunding game, especially since the JOBS Act recently went into effect. It’s made it easier for…
How to Get a Small Business Startup Loan the Easy Way
There’s an old Chinese proverb that goes like this: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. The same reasoning applies to new business startup loans, but…
Bootstrapping is Much More Fun Than Investors
If you really want to start a business your way without a boss or professional investor hovering over you, then just fund it yourself or through friends and family, and grow it organically. It’s more…
4 Ways to Support Your Small Business with Personal Funds
It’s getting tougher for small businesses to find startup capital. Big banks want nothing to do with unproven upstarts—it’s all about “validation.” Conflicting laws make it difficult to raise money from small investors without forgoing…
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