Tag Archives: VC

Startups VCs are dying to invest in

Posted on July 21, 2009 by Simeon Simeonov

VCs have a big problem. Many entrepreneurs just don’t want to solve big problems anymore. After hearing the fifth socially-responsible-Twitter-client-running-on-fuel-cell-powered-unlocked-iPhones pitch this week, it’s understandable how VCs want to take August off. So, in the interest of helping everyone, I’m … Continue reading →

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Comparing term sheets

Posted on July 15, 2009 by Simeon Simeonov

Jeff Bussgang did a guest post on PEHub on the topic of how entrepreneurs should look at and compare competing term sheets. Jeff correctly points out that the pre-money valuation of the company is not what entrepreneurs should focus on … Continue reading →

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The responsibility of an entrepreneur: when to shut down early?

Posted on March 2, 2009 by Simeon Simeonov

Jason Calacanis has written a lengthy post with a lot of good advice for entrepreneurs who are facing the potential failure of their business. It has good tips for extending the runway and making do with less. It also has … Continue reading →

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Founder Dilution

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Simeon Simeonov

Founders often ask me, “If I own X% after my first investment round, how much will I be diluted through financings until exit?”. There are rules of thumb but there is no good data about what happens to common stock. … Continue reading →

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For the MIT 100K Participants: Executive Summaries

Posted on February 11, 2009 by Simeon Simeonov

I was invited to speak tonight at the MIT 100K Web/IT track mixer but, unfortunately, I’m sick (which wouldn’t have necessarily prevented me from going) and have lost my voice (which would have made going to the event pointless). So, … Continue reading →

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The Anti-Patterns of Bootstrapping

Posted on December 6, 2008 by Simeon Simeonov

The three most common bootstrapping mistakes I’ve observed: Setting the wrong bootstrapping objectives. Prototype? First paying customer? CFBE? I often meet with startups that are bootstrapping to a particular objective with the expectation that it will allow them to achieve … Continue reading →

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Startup #5 & Future Forward Tidbits

Posted on November 19, 2008 by Simeon Simeonov

My blog rank is in the drain. I have been busy creating a new startup company, the fifth I’ve done at Polaris and the second (after Plinky) I’ve co-founded since I shifted roles to spending 100% of my time on … Continue reading →

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Attributing Entrepreneurial Success

Posted on September 12, 2008 by Simeon Simeonov

I’m flying back to Boston after a crazy week of Plinking, TC50ing, CTIAing and thinking about starting a new company in the mobile space. My brain is jacked up and exhausted at the same time. So much to process… Living … Continue reading →

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The Easy Road To Incremental Innovation

Posted on September 3, 2008 by Simeon Simeonov

I was chatting with Hank Williams today about startups and the evolving venture capital landscape and he pointed me to Judy Estrin‘s upcoming book “Closing The Innovation Gap.” I guess I just added another title to my ever-growing, impossible-to-catch-up-with reading … Continue reading →

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Eureka Moments

Posted on August 5, 2008 by Simeon Simeonov

My partner Alan Spoon pointed me to this New Yorker article on the neurophysiology of Eureka moments. Only the abstract is available online so you’d have to find the full article the old-fashioned way. Serendipity and depth of insight are … Continue reading →

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