PinnedIt’s never as easy as it looks.I lost $50,000, more or less, on a business started in my 20s. Hurt a lot. I’m now 4d-*ahem* and finding peace with success. Lessons learned along the way: 1. Always have income. Never quit a job or engagement until you’re confident of success. That bullshit some claim about focus…Success2 min readSuccess2 min read
Feb 28Developing Austin’s Startup EcosystemRegional culture, history, and infrastructure are the qualities of a region of the world that drives innovation, jobs, and economic development because technology is ultimately about people and their potential. A really wonderful article about Austin in The New Yorker sparked a series of wonderful discussions of the past and…Austin15 min readAustin15 min read
Feb 16The Most Pressing Issues About the Internet Aren’t Likely What You ExpectPrivacy, fake news, Twitter, security, my data being sold, Facebook monetizing you, addiction to screens, social media bullying, the Prince of Nigeria having money for you, and cryptocurrency being a boon or a threat… The world is incredibly distracted by distinct issues that concern us, causing us to overlook what…Privacy4 min readPrivacy4 min read
Jan 17I’m Afraid VCs Will Take OverHow do startup founders protect their company from investors in the shareholders’ agreement? Should they? Protect from what?? Seriously, think about it for a moment. The startup community is flooded with people who ‘don’t want VC,’ think, ‘investors will take over,’ and fear the influence or control of investors. This…Funding3 min readFunding3 min read
Dec 23, 2022’Twas the Night of a Startup’Twas the night of our launch, and all through our Slack, Not a bug was concerning, nothing our Git tracked; Email and PR ready, to push with great care, In hopes that investors would soon also be there; The team was nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of funding danc’d in their heads, My…Christmas3 min readChristmas3 min read
Dec 5, 2022Houston Media & Technology in Innovation with IonHouston is a city that has a wealth of local media in every language and on every platform; so rich in culture and diversity in this city, that we’re excited to celebrate more innovation in media as we grow with Houston. Today, Ion, located in Ion District, the namesake building…Houston6 min readHouston6 min read
Dec 5, 2022Startup Valuations May Vary, Here’s Why and What You Need to KnowBusinesses are valued based on a multiple of earnings and profit. The variation stems from a few things associated with what that multiple might be (since earnings and profit are evident) Investor opinion about the capabilities of the executive team Investor awareness of competition, threats, and opportunities Investor knowledge about…Startup5 min readStartup5 min read
Nov 23, 2022Venture Capital in the Center Corridor of the United States; Synergies between the Midwest and TexasIn the run-up to SXSW 2023, we’re revisiting the most impactful conversation we had during SXSW 2022. Without fail, this meeting of the minds in Austin continues to create meaningful relationships, partnerships, and collaborations every year. …Funding32 min readFunding32 min read
Nov 15, 2022Funding AfricaWhether the cryptocurrency boom and interests from FinTech, unparalleled potential and opportunity, or globalization driving the attention, 2022 is coming to a close with increasing focus on the African continent and what we all might do to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in a part of the world accomplishing incredible changes…Investing8 min readInvesting8 min read
Oct 24, 2022A Startup Pitch is NOT a Sales Pitch!More than half the pitches I heard this past week went like this, and I want to share this to stress how significantly you should understand how this is NOT a good pitch if you need investors: 1. This is our solution 2. This is how it works and all our…Startup Lessons2 min readStartup Lessons2 min read