Category: Startups

Startup Myths and Models: What You Won’t Learn in Business School

by Fred Fuld III

The book, Startup Myths and Models: What You Won’t Learn in Business School, by Rizwan Virk is a great resource for those who are considering launching a startup nd those who have already established their startup.

Virk uses an interesting approach to provide advice to startupers, by listing over 20 myths, including bonus myths, relating to startups, and why those myths are wrong, and provides advice relating to these issues and misconceptions.

Just a few of the myths are:

  • You have to be first to market
  • A great product and a big market are the most important things
  • Talk to as many investors as you can
  • Hire the most experienced people you can find
  • and many more

My two favorite chapters (myths) were There is No Such Thing as Bad Publicity (a very short but important section) and Startups Are Hard Work.

The author includes numerous real life examples and anecdotes to get his points across.

If you have any interest in creating your own startup, or if you are in the beginning or middle stages of your startup, I highly recommend that you read Startup Myths and Models.

 

Target Funding: A Proven System to Get the Money & Resources You Need to Start of Grow Your Business

by Fred Fuld III

The book, Target Funding: A Proven System to Get the Money & Resources You Need to Start of Grow Your Business by Kedma Ough is by far the the most thorough book I have ever read on getting money for startups and small businesses.

As someone who has created a couple of businesses, I know how hard it is to raise money. Target Funding is a complete guide to finding sources of funds, whether it be for an invention, a technology venture, a startup, a small business, and even franchises.

The book goes into great detail on funding if you fit into a special category, such as veterans, people with disabilities, minority, and women.

Startups are not just for young people. If you are over 50, you may be eligible for ROBS, Rollovers for Business Startups. Never heard of them? Then you better check out page 120 in the book.

How about an IDA, an individual development account, for setting aside funds for starting or expanding a business. If you haven’t heard of this, go to page 277.

Ough has done an outstanding job compiling all this information. I highly recommend  Target Funding.

 

Exclusive Interview with Jonathan Nelson – Managing Director at HACK Fund – Speaking About Startups, Raising Money, Cryptocurrency, & Blockchain

by Fred Fuld III

The following informative and fascinating interview was provided by Jonathan Nelson, the founder and CEO of Hackers/Founders, the largest network of tech founders in Silicon Valley and around the world. He is also the managing director at the Hack Fund, and has served on the Board of Advisors for the SEC’s Capital Formation for Small and Emerging Businesses, and has lectured at UC Berkeley and Stanford.

The discussion includes the following:

  • Why so much money is invested in Silicon Valley
  • The half dozen ways for a startup to raise money
  • How a crowdfunding venture capital fund works
  • Blockchain stock certificates
  • The future of cryptocurrencies
  • The cryptocurrency selloff
  • The startup landscape in the next five years
  • The regulation of social media companies
  • Advice for someone who is creating a startup for the first time
  • And much, much more!

To stream the interview, click:

HERE

You can download as an mp3 by right-clicking HERE and choosing “save as.”

More information about Hackers/Founders can be found here:

Hackers/Founders

More information about the Hack Fund can be found here:

The HACK Fund

 

All opinions are those of the interviewee, and do not represent the opinions of this website or the interviewer. Neither this website, nor the interviewer, nor the interviewee are rendering tax, legal, or investment advice in this interview. No investment advice is expressed or implied. All information is provided for education and general information only.

Straight Talk for Startups: 100 Insider Rules for Beating the Odds

by Fred Fuld III

If you are an entrepreneur or startuper, you need to read Straight Talk for Startups: 100 Insider Rules for Beating the Odds. The book is written by Randy Komisar and Jantoon Reigersman, both of whom have had extensive startup and venture capital experience.

I have read several books relating to startups, but here is what I like about this one. Straight Talk for Startups has recommendations and advice that you won’t find in other books about running a startup.

Here are some examples.

  • You need two different business plans, not one
  • Why a part time team member may be better than a full time one
  • Why you should NOT provide free lunches to your employees
  • Avoid venture debt
  • If you are looking to be acquired, choose your acquirer, don’t let acquirers choose you.
  • A small board of directors is better than a big board

The authors even provide a sample board meeting agenda.

The book is a well-written, easy read, with every short chapter, each a couple pages long, representing a rule you should follow. There are actually 101 rules in this book, and I believe the last one, covered in the Epilogue is probably the most important.

Whether you are thinking of starting a startup, have recently started a startup, or you are at the point of bringing your startup to a new level, I highly recommend Straight Talk for Startups.