John Mullins Knihy

Veteran venture capitalist Randy Komisar and finance executive Jantoon Reigersman share no-nonsense, counterintuitive guidelines to help anyone build a successful startup.Over the course of their careers, Randy Komisar and Jantoon Reigersman continue to see startups crash and burn because they forget the timeless lessons of entrepreneurship.But, as Komisar and Reigersman show, you can beat the odds if you quickly learn what insiders know about what it takes to build a healthy foundation for a thriving venture. In Straight Talk for Startups they walk budding entrepreneurs through 100 essential rulesfrom pitching your idea to selecting investors to managing your board to deciding how and when to achieve liquidity. Culled from their own decades of experience, as well as the experiences of their many successful colleagues and friends, the rules are organized under broad topics, from "Mastering the Fundamentals" and "Selecting the Right Investors," to "The Ideal Fundraise," "Building and Managing Effective Boards," and "Achieving Liquidity"

Give your business the chance to succeed. The New Business Road Test defines the starting point for any entrepreneur, providing a clear roadmap for assessing business ideas. It serves as a vital resource for those unsure about their concepts and what steps to take next. The book emphasizes that value isn't created solely through spreadsheets or presentations; rather, a solid business plan is essential for transitioning from idea to sustainable business. Entrepreneurs, even those already funded, can enhance their business models and presentations to investors. Understanding that their ventures are always a 'work in progress' is crucial. New entrepreneurs are encouraged to utilize this guide before launching their ideas. Most new businesses fail due to pursuing fundamentally flawed opportunities, regardless of talent or resources. This updated edition helps readers road test their ideas, ensuring they build on winning concepts. It equips them to invest time and money wisely and to pitch confidently to investors and customers. No aspiring entrepreneur should leave their job or approach investors without first engaging with this essential resource.

Who needs investors? More than two generations ago, the venture capital community VCs, business angels, incubators and others convinced the entrepreneurial world that writing business plans and raising venture capital constituted the twin centerpieces of entrepreneurial endeavor.