Startup Whisperer Blog
Small Exits or Big Exits
I really like Will Price’s (CEO of WidgetBox and not to be confused with WidgetBucks) post on his IRR multiplication table. There is a lot of debate around the changing role of venture capital – is it better to make small or bigger bets? Everyone has an opinion on whether you need to shoot for…
Free Investment Deck Available To Startup Whisperer Readers
It’s official – the MoneyTree Report from PricewaterhouseCoopers and the National Venture Capital Association confirms what all of you entrepreneurs already know: it is damn hard to raise money. The recent study shows that Q3 2008 had total VC financings down by 16% from the previous quarter. Heck, Washington isn't even listed in the top…
(Almost) 40-Year-Old Product Review Virgin
I was recently asked by Fortune to do a product review. I admit, next year I’m turning 40 and this is my first widely-public product review. Not review and tell, but you can read about my experience here on CNN Money. You can also see it in the February 2009 Fortune Small Business. I have…
Straight Banker Talk: DeSilva + Philips Media DealMakers Conference 2009
I attended the 7th Annual DeSilva + Philips Media DealMakers Summit last Thurs. It has been awhile since I have attended an investment banking conference. It was a fantastic place to see East Coast-style, New York deal making and more importantly to be in the catbird’s seat on the financial outlook in media for this…
Some Startup Tips On Vator.TV
I was recently interviewed by Bambi Francisco on Vator.TV on my tips for entrepreneurial success. Check out the video clip.
Lessons From A Philanthropic Startup
I spend a bunch of time blogging about entrepreneurs in technology startups but I thought that it would be interesting to highlight some different types of entrepreneurial activities. In this case a social-based technology solution to feed needy children. My good friend, Eirik Olsen, is extremely philanthropic – he founded a Washington State-based charity called…
WidgetBucks Wins Best Newcomer Of The Year
I am really excited to announce that WidgetBucks won "Best Newcomer Of The Year" from OnMedia. I rarely talk about my own startup efforts on this blog but I couldn't resist. My team is very proud of there efforts.
Seattle 2.0 Post: Is Web 1.0 Sexy (Again)?
Is Web 1.0 sexy again? Check out my most recent post on Seattle 2.0. Matt.
What’s New is Old Again
I've been in the online space for awhile and have seen my fair share of different iterations on online advertising: display, search, email; CPM, CPA, CPC; pop-ups, pop-unders; superstitials, interstitials; pre-rolls, mid-rolls, post-rolls; agencies, networks; widgets, sponsorships; takeovers, floaters and more. What has struck me now that I am running a non-traditional ad network is…
Is this the year of the restart?
I might have spoke too soon. I just did a post on Seattle 2.0 on how executives are flocking to big companies or big company restarts. My friend Rob Grady has just left Starbucks. TechFlash just did a post on this. Rob was espresso at Starbucks. He had one of the most appealing jobs at…
The Art Of Writing Things Down: Your Operating Plan
One of my good friends that works at Amazon was talking to me recently about how every group during their annual planning and budgeting cycle doesn't use PowerPoints — they actually write out their operating plans. Heavens to murgatroid! They actually write out their plans! I am sure that we have all relied too much…
10 Technology Predictions From The Startup Whisperer
Here are my 2009 technology predictions. It was getting harder and harder since my post is starting to look a lot like everyone else's posts. I look forward to a better year for the world in 2009. Drum roll please… Video Finally Takes OffOverall consumption of video increases significantly on Web. I have been saying…
