BLOG STARTUPS, VENTURE AND THE TECH BUSINESS
July 12 2009
by Todd Hixon
What the financial crisis means for entrepreneurs. Part 1: The Problem
The 2008 financial crisis had, at first, relatively mild impact on entrepreneurs. Ground zero for the crisis was the credit markets, but thankfully, start-ups seldom use credit. The economy began to slow but had substantial momentum through the end of 2008. The venture funds that fund start-ups had capital commitments that have been honored in ...
July 11 2009
by John Backus
Sell-To or Sell-Through?
Not a week goes by in our weekly investment committee meetings when one of us doesn’t ask the question, about a business we are evaluating, “Are they successful at selling through, or just selling to?”. The distinction may sound inconsequential. But I suggest that it is critical. “Sell-to” means you are good at selling your ...
July 11 2009
by John Backus
Can we Balance the Budget by Taxing the Rich?
144,000 people in the State of California pay half of all of the income taxes collected in a state with 38M people. That is a startling statistic. .37% of the population paying 50% of income taxes. And income taxes are almost half of California’s revenue. Underlying that statistic is the unspoken “problem” which is behind ...
July 8 2009
by Thanasis Delistathis
New technology is not going to bring healthcare costs down
We are all used to thinking that newer technology makes things more efficient. Computers have really increased productivity while reducing costs in a huge array of business systems. That logic is being used in Washington these days to justify how we can reduce costs while also expanding coverage in the raging debate of healthcare reform. ...
July 3 2009
by Stephen Marcus
If pink is the new black, is seed financing the new pink?
About two weeks ago one of my friends called me for some advice on raising a seed round for his startup. There’s nothing about that call that’s unusual. It was the subsequent calls by five other entrepreneurs looking for a seed round in less than a week that perked my ears up. Is this the ...
July 3 2009
by John Backus
Do Good Entrepreneurs Become Good CEOs? The 10X Challenge
My partner Scott Johnson wrote a thought provoking piece on what makes a good CEO. I wanted to share my thoughts on the “Moments of Truth” that an entrepreneur must navigate successfully to become a great CEO of a thriving business. Every entrepreneur who is fortunate enough to start a business which grows quickly faces ...
June 30 2009
by Scott Johnson
What makes a great early stage CEO?
About eight years ago I asked Charlie Lax (Grandbanks Capital), who is a very successful venture investor and colorful guy, “what is the primary thing you look for in a company.” He responded that assuming the company passes the standard screens (strong technology, large market, customers thirsting for it) the thing that makes him reach ...
June 27 2009
by John Backus
Digital Media Conference Highlights 6/25/09
I attended the Digital Media Conference in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia last week (June 25, 2009) and wanted to share a few sound bites and highlights – in no particular order.Overall the conference was well attended from start to finish. The panelists were generally top executives from many large and well-respected companies, along with a good ...
June 24 2009
by John Backus
The Death of Newspapers: 5 Opportunities for Entrepreneurs
Declining circulation and declining advertising dollars in a down economy are accelerating the inevitable – the death of the local newspaper. Now I’m not saying that every newspaper will die, nor will they all fade away tomorrow. But when it looks like the New York Times may have to pay money to a buyer of ...
June 24 2009
by John Backus
Health Insurance is not Health Care
A recent article in the Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/19/AR2009061903583.html) and an investment we recently made in a new company, Qliance (www.qliance.com) prompted this post.Did you ever wonder why you have health insurance for ordinary everyday stuff? Like an annual physical. A flu shot. A vision test. Having your teeth cleaned twice a year. I did. Why? ...
