Thoughts on Tech Startups and Venture Capital
Hiring is an essential and really difficult component of company building that often gets neglected in early-stage startups. That’s because hiring is not as glamorous as building product, acquiring customers or doing sales. Yet hiring is absolutely essential because it is the people you hire who build products, drive marketing and sales, and generally get…
A few weeks ago Cheddar interviewed me on the floor of New York Stock Exchange about 2048 Ventures Fund 1. We discussed our investment strategy, LPs as well as my general outlook on earliest stage venture. Also a few weeks ago I was interviewed by Keith Cline on the Venture Fizz podcast. We got into…
Read more Cheddar and Venture Fizz Interviews with Alex Iskold of 2048 Ventures
Metrics or KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are essential for driving and understanding growth of an early-stage startup. What isn’t measured can’t be improved, and startups that aren’t growing are not likely to survive. We have written extensively about these topics before: Intro to Startup Metrics Funnels for Startups Whats is the Magic Moment for your…
Read more How to set up a KPI Dashboard for your Pre-seed and Seed Stage Startup
The public markets are continuing to go down, and the whispers of upcoming recession are on Twitter, on Bloomberg, and in the private conversations. The experts are predicting the recession sometime between now, and the end of 2020. While I am no expert on Macroeconomics, I do know that it is prudent to plan ahead.…
Read more 10 things you can do to prepare for potential slowdown in 2019
I joined Techstars in 2013 and ran my first program in Spring of 2014. This summer 2018 program was my 8th program and it will be my last. We were lucky to work with an amazing group of founders for this summer session, Techstars Class 142. After 8 programs I know exactly what makes for a…
Read more Meet 10 Startups from Techstars NYC Summer 2018 Program
When I was running my second company, I was out of shape. I didn’t take care of myself, nor did I understand the importance of self-care. To start with, I had been a smoker since I was 15. Although I had quit around 30, it had left a mark on my body. I didn’t exercise…
Read more Self-care: 8 Tips for Founders to take care of themselves
After 5 amazing years at Techstars, the time has come for me to move on to my next adventure. This current program, Techstars NYC Summer 2018, will be my last program as a Managing Director. THANK YOU, FOUNDERS! These past 5 years at Techstars have been, without a doubt, the most transformative, and life changing…
How many of you know Facebook? Okay, It is not a trick question – all of you, of course. But how many of you remember Friendster? Friendster was the early social network that gained initial popularity, but then fizzled out. The waves of many first technologies go the same way. In 70’s and 80’s people…
You’ve probably have heard that convertible debt (SAFEs and Convertible Notes) are a lot less favorable to founders compared to equity. If you don’t know why read Mark Suster’s post. With equity, it is clear how much of the company you sold. With convertible debt what exactly do you owe to the investor is to be…
I joined Techstars in 2013 and ran my first program in Spring of 2014. It has been an amazing journey, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with incredible group of companies during my 7th program this winter. Huge shout out to KJ Singh and Jill Canning who built Techstars NYC…
Read more Meet 12 Startups from Techstars NYC Winter 2018 Program
