Each week we scour the web for insightful articles to share with the Founder Institute network.
This week's top articles include 4 things investors need to know about your startup; 10 important startup metrics; why entrepreneurs must have thick skin and soft hearts; and more.
Check out our must read articles for the week of December 29 - January 4:
| 4 Things Investors Need to Know About Your Startup | |
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Angels, venture capitalists, private equity firms and mutual funds all evaluate investments on the same four basic criteria. At the various stages of a company's evolution from brilliant-insight baby to billion-dollar behemoth, those investors will weigh your attributes differently. When you pitch your company for funding, focus on these four topics: |
| Your Startup's 10 Most Important Metrics | |
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Here are the ten metrics I’ve found to be most useful in board meetings. They answer the questions of how should a startup founder might measuring the business at the highest level. You should have many more metrics than these, but I’ve highlighted the ones that I recommend presenting to your board and reviewing each week. |
| Can-Do vs. Can't-Do Culture | |
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Lately, it has become in vogue to write articles, comments and tweets about everything that’s wrong with young technology companies. Hardly a day goes by where I don’t find something in my Twitter feed crowing about how a startup that has hit a bump in the road is ”fu&%@d,” or what an “as*h%le” a successful founder is, or what an utterly idiotic idea somebody’s company is. |
| 7 Reasons Entrepreneurs Must Have Thick Skin and Soft Hearts | |
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You will find when you have developed thick skin and a strong heart the word “procrastination” is no longer a part of your vocabulary. You will not only be unafraid to do uncomfortable things anymore, you will actually be excited to do them. Nobody puts off something they are excited about. So go do what you don’t want to do, go after what you want, and take every shot that you have to in order to give yourself a chance to achieve your goals and live the life you truly want. |
| 10 Signs You're Not Cut Out to Be an Entrepreneur | |
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About half of Americans dream of opening their own businesses, according to a recent survey by the UPS Store, but with 50% of small businesses failing within the first five years, how do you know if you're an entrepreneur ... or a "wanna-preneur"? Before you take the leap, Steenerson suggests taking an honest inventory of your skill set. He offers these ten clues that you're not cut out to launch a business: |
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