I spent the go-go days of the late 90’s in a rare Internet startup for the era. Due to groundwork laid before I arrived, we were profitable. We declined most of the VC we were offered, watched our overhead, and grew methodically. We were misfits of the so-called “new economy,” and we sold for 30x […]
When asked about “traction,” entrepreneurs assume it’s in reference to revenue. Revenue seems to have eclipsed other metrics as an overall indicator of how well the business is doing. I think the rise of revenue has something to do with blowback from the late 90s, when we suspended traditional financial indicators for our so-called new […]
https://basisstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logo_1-e1578591258457.jpg00Paolo DiVincenzohttps://basisstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logo_1-e1578591258457.jpgPaolo DiVincenzo2018-10-16 14:22:592019-01-04 15:48:106 Metrics that are More Important to Your Startup than Revenue
Venture capital can create opportunities that would be nearly impossible without it. But it also takes options off the table. It is important to consider whether objectives are aligned before assuming you need or want VC. There is a very important difference between VCs and entrepreneurs that is the root of potential misalignment. VCs are […]
https://basisstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logo_1-e1578591258457.jpg00Paolo DiVincenzohttps://basisstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logo_1-e1578591258457.jpgPaolo DiVincenzo2018-10-01 14:18:012019-01-04 15:48:38Before You Adopt the VC Playbook, Make Sure You’re Playing the Same Game
In business school I had a new venture class in the school’s basement. During a group project, while we were devising overwrought strategies based on theory and not much else, the professor said, “I think it’s time for you to get out of the basement.” Maybe he meant it literally, but I’ve used the expression […]
https://basisstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logo_1-e1578591258457.jpg00Paolo DiVincenzohttps://basisstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logo_1-e1578591258457.jpgPaolo DiVincenzo2018-09-17 14:02:202019-01-04 15:49:09Get Out of the Basement Early, but Don’t Stray Too Far
Another day, another announcement of a successful exit — terms not disclosed. Then a flurry of congratulatory messages. Then rumors that maybe the exit wasn’t as successful as people initially thought. It’s a pattern, and it’s not helpful to entrepreneurs. Why does this happen? No standard measure of “successful.” At its most generous, successful can just mean […]
4 Startup Tenets that Won’t Survive a Downturn
/in General /by Paolo DiVincenzoI spent the go-go days of the late 90’s in a rare Internet startup for the era. Due to groundwork laid before I arrived, we were profitable. We declined most of the VC we were offered, watched our overhead, and grew methodically. We were misfits of the so-called “new economy,” and we sold for 30x […]
6 Metrics that are More Important to Your Startup than Revenue
/in General /by Paolo DiVincenzoWhen asked about “traction,” entrepreneurs assume it’s in reference to revenue. Revenue seems to have eclipsed other metrics as an overall indicator of how well the business is doing. I think the rise of revenue has something to do with blowback from the late 90s, when we suspended traditional financial indicators for our so-called new […]
Before You Adopt the VC Playbook, Make Sure You’re Playing the Same Game
/in General /by Paolo DiVincenzoVenture capital can create opportunities that would be nearly impossible without it. But it also takes options off the table. It is important to consider whether objectives are aligned before assuming you need or want VC. There is a very important difference between VCs and entrepreneurs that is the root of potential misalignment. VCs are […]
Get Out of the Basement Early, but Don’t Stray Too Far
/in General /by Paolo DiVincenzoIn business school I had a new venture class in the school’s basement. During a group project, while we were devising overwrought strategies based on theory and not much else, the professor said, “I think it’s time for you to get out of the basement.” Maybe he meant it literally, but I’ve used the expression […]
Your “Successful Exit” Might Be Harming Entrepreneurship
/0 Comments/in General /by Paolo DiVincenzoAnother day, another announcement of a successful exit — terms not disclosed. Then a flurry of congratulatory messages. Then rumors that maybe the exit wasn’t as successful as people initially thought. It’s a pattern, and it’s not helpful to entrepreneurs. Why does this happen? No standard measure of “successful.” At its most generous, successful can just mean […]