Most startups first create a feature. If they are smart, it will be a unique feature that fits a demonstrable customer need in the market and they can have many customers adopt their technology. If the company is really good, they will transform this feature into a product. If that works, they might get to create a series of related …
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Rescue of Angel Financing Imminent
by Dan Rosen, Joe Wallin and William Carleton
As we have previously blogged, Senator Dodd’s financial reform bill has posed a grave threat to angel investment and startup communities nationwide by virtue of two provisions in the bill that would have upended Regulation D. These “reforms” were ostensibly to address the problem of unscrupulous brokers, dealers, and promoters who have …
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Save Angel Investing Amendment to Senator Dodds Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010
(With thanks to Bill Carleton and Joe Wallin)
High-growth startups are a cornerstone of our economy. Studies have shown that these startups account for much of the job growth in the US and are critical for America’s competitiveness. Angels who finance these companies often become actively involved and help the companies thrive. Angel investment in startups provides the primary and …
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Taking Money from Entrepreneurs Pockets
In a previous posting/rant, I talked about Angel Groups that gouge entrepreneurs (http://blog.drosenassoc.com/?p=13). Some charge over $10,000 for the right to present and that steams me. However, I have not directed my wrath at another group that gouges entrepreneurs even more brokers and small investment bankers. Note to entrepreneurs: Do Not Use a Broker (or small investment …
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Senator Dodds attack on Angel Investing
Senator Dodd decided to take on an overhaul of banking regulations. In his massive 1300+ page bill (http://banking.senate.gov/public/_files/ChairmansMark31510AYO10306_xmlFinancialReformLegislationBill.pdf), he has slipped in an attack on angel investing. It would impose burdensome and unnecessary new legal and regulatory requirements on startup companies raising angel financing. A recent post by Joe Wallin and Bill Carlton on TechFlash (http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2010/03/congress_attack_on_angel_financing.html) …
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Different Sorts of Energy Companies
There are many types of “green” companies or companies that help save energy. I have two contrasting companies in my portfolio that illustrate this well.
The first is Virticus (www.virticus.com), whose products and services allow owners of lighting solutions to reduce energy and maintenance costs by 30-50%. They sell to parking lot owners (e.g. shopping centers) and cities …
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Modumetal and other category creating companies
I’m often asked about what I look for in startup companies. There really are two answers to this question.
On one hand, for most of my investments I seek a good solid company, with a great management team that can build a good revenue stream in an uncrowded market, which can be acquired at a good premium.
But the ones …
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Startup Company Boards
Startup companies need good boards. But they often don’t have them.
There are many reasons. First, there really aren’t that many experienced people willing to serve on a startup company boards. And those that are experienced, skilled, and bring a lot of value, generally want to be compensated, which startups can’t really afford.
VCs will serve on boards, but generally …
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Professional Angels: the new early stage VCs
As Ive blogged before, the market conditions are driving early-stage investment capital back to basics. VCs have always fostered great entrepreneurs with great ideas. But the model has changed profoundly and permanently (see my earlier blog: Why the VC Investment Model is Broken).
So how do great entrepreneurs build their business in 2009? Professional Angels.
Most professional angels are …
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Angel Investing in the Current Economic Environment
I recently was interviewed about the impact of the current economic environment on Angel Investing. Since these are questions Im asked frequently, here is the post. Reporter: Are angels less willing to part with their money now? e.g. Angel investment was down 26% in 2008…what do you see so far in 2009? Dan: There are two different categories …
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