Articles in Startups/Funding
Should Your SaaS Startup Be Free…Forever?
I had a quick conversation today with a new startup targeting businesses with a Service-as-a-Service product offering. Their startup solves a big need for my business. However, this company is not charging for their service. For anyone. Ever. As a business owner and former founder of two SaaS-based startups, I was shocked.
Inspirational Roundup
Everyone hits a difficult point in their startup. It may be that you are trying to bootstrap your idea in your spare time. Or perhaps you are battling a difficult issue and need to get it resolved and move on. Whatever the case, there is some great advice being written up regarding these issues. Here is a short list of my recent favorites.
Dealing With The Valley of Death: Love Your Idea First
In a recent discussion with a friend and fellow entrepreneur, we discussed how startup founders need persistence. Persistence is usually the trait most associated with successful businesses that struggled through difficult times and came out ahead. After further discussion, we realized it takes more than just persistence – it takes a love of your idea above all else.
FREE eBook: Cloud Computing For Startups
Cloud computing has been a popular topic lately, including the discussion of various cloud computing solutions such as Amazon AWS, Google App Engine, and Salesforce.com. Many of the discussions revolve around the enterprise world, but few are talking about what this means for startups.
Start Strong, Finish Strong, Launch Strong
“Finish strong” is a common phrase and something that people try to use to encourage us. People often say that most of the effort of any startup goes into finishing it. That last 20% that requires 80% of our total effort to make the startup complete. While this is true, it takes a combination of a strong start, a strong finish, and a strong launch to make your startup a success.
How to Deepen Your Network and Grow Your Startup
Chris Brogan has a great list of tips for expanding your business network over the coming year. In fact, many of his ideas are about what not to do, such as stop networking at clubs where it is loud and unproductive and limiting time answering the phone. Other ideas take more time and focus.
Grow Big, Stay Small
I have worked with quite a few startups, each of varying sizes. The thing that I’ve noticed consistently with each startup: they moved and adapted to change faster when they were smaller. While this is simple to understand, it tends to be forgotten as the startup grows their business.
Competition Always Exists – Why You?
It isn’t just about your idea. Your idea may be killer. You may have a great heart and want to really solve someone’s problems. But no matter what you think, you have competition.
What To Do When You Have a Bad Development Team
I recently heard two stories about bad development teams. They are both full of heartache and woe, but they both provide some valuable insight for the business owner about to embark on their first software venture.
Feel Like a Fraud? You’re Not Alone!
Jason Cohen posted an article about his battle with feeling like a fraud. During a discussion with a friend, he mentioned that he sometimes wondered if the company he was building was built by an unqualified guy (himself). This is what he had to say.