Blog
‘Team’ doesn’t matter. Here’s what does.
If you speak to many investors about what’s important, a common response is ‘team’. It’s all about teams, apparently. At best, this is a half-truth – and here’s why. At early stage, most investors are shooting in a dark room. They can take a guess at what might work, but that only gets them so […]
What the Wizard of Oz taught me about the Minimum Viable Product
It’s not what you do that counts, it’s what customers think you do. If you’ve seen the Wizard of Oz, you’ll likely remember the bit where the Wizard’s curtain is pulled back to reveal the fact he’s doing everything manually. The impression created is, however, totally different. Startups can learn a lot from this approach. […]
Roadmapitis – the virulent disease that could kill your startup
Over the years, I’ve seen many startups with a case of Roadmapitis. This can be deadly, if not treated in time. Patients usually present with some of the following symptoms: A delusional belief that the tasks on their roadmap are a valid plan for the firm. Fuzzy eyesight, which stops them reading between the lines […]
Why you shouldn’t raise money
The picture sums up the problem with so many web businesses that raise money, particularly when they raise too much, too early. The issue is pretty simple – until you know what to do with the resources you obtain, there’s very little to be gained by raising them. I often say that giving money to […]
Investing in boring businesses
Boring is the new interesting. I’m often asked what I’m looking for when I invest, and usually I prefer boring businesses. Whilst it may be very exciting that “everyone’s talking about” a firm that allows you to send a self-deleting picture of your reproductive organs to someone, it doesn’t make an investment case. I’m not […]
Sweat equity example
Often, a growing business needs expertise much more than money. Below, Andy Harper of WhoArtNow.co.uk explains how sweat equity investment worked in his particular case. The relationship started off as consultancy, and then developed to investment. The slightly formal style is explained by the fact this reference was originally drafted for accountants, not humans. We […]
