Since Foursquare’s launch at SXSW back in 2009 I have successfully avoided using the application – at least until a few weeks ago. We are working on a project that necessitated my use of the app and I decided to double down for two weeks and use the app prolifically. Here are my stats: 194 [...]
Entrepreneurs Take Over Washington DC
I am excited to be among entrepreneurs from all over the country converging on our capitol to discuss strategies for accelerating the development of local startup ecosystems. This afternoon we are hunkered down in the Startup America offices in the Case Foundation just off of K Street working on our presentations. Tomorrow we head over [...]
The Birth of the Dallas Startup Eco-System
Have you ever wondered what it would take to build a startup ecosystem in your community? You might be surprised at how easy it is to build a robust community of entrepreneurs in a relatively short period of time. My story covers the years between 2005 and 2012: Several months ago I met Derek Holt, [...]
Is there a Series A Crunch?
There is a LOT of discussion about a so-called “Series A crunch“: startups who receive seed or angel investment not being able to raise their first institutional round of financing. I would argue there really ISN’T a Series A Crunch, but instead a proliferation of seed and angel deals and this is a GOOD thing. [...]
Don’t cold call Bill Gurley, ever. . .
Did you just cold call Bill Gurley from Benchmark? Shame on you. NEVER cold call a VC. That is so 1999. It is 2012 – have you heard of Google? Raising venture capital seems like a black box to most entrepreneurs, but it is actually pretty easy once you understand the rules. First, never cold [...]
When should you raise money?
Earlier this week I was on a panel at MobCon with Michael Gorman (managing partner at Split Rock Partners) called, “Investing in Mobile Companies” and one of the early questions was about WHEN an entrepreneur should raise outside capital. Michael put me on the spot and asked my opinion. To be honest, I have had [...]
The StartupMuse is Back!
Just a quick programming note – I am going start writing about entrepreneurship on the StartupMuse once again. Expect one or two posts a week. If you have any particular topics or questions you’d like me to write about please feel free to reach out to me directly at amuse@startupmuse.com.
The StartupMuse is on hiatus. . .
When I started this blog back in 2007 I was excited about the prospect of sharing my experiences as an entrepreneur. I wrote posts once or twice a day. Fast forward to 2012 and the reality is that I simply don’t have the time to write about entrepreneurship because I am actively involved with my [...]
Is kiteboarding is the new golf?
Two or three years ago I began doing business with a fellow entrepreneur named Philip McNamara. Philip told me about his passion – kiteboarding. I didn’t really think much about it until earlier this year when I was in the Florida Keys and I took a lesson. Afterward I mentioned to Philip that I had [...]
Turning 40 Update. . .
As I am fond of saying, I turned 39 a year ago – i.e. I am now 40. Back in August I wrote about turning 40 and unknowingly set about changing my life. You can have all of the success in the world, but if you don’t have your health you really don’t have anything. [...]
