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Recently one of my favorite startup CEOs, Sam Aparicio of Ringio, took me to task for one of my numerous Mr Cranky rants (See: Taking Issue With Mr Cranky’s Thoughts on DC Startups and Is DC the New New York). I’m happy he did because: My rants are designed to evoke... Read More
How does a startup entrepreneur develop the best investor pitch? Well one way is to have the best idea, with the best company and the best team to execute the bests plan ever and to not need any money. That plan would get 100% of the funding it didn't need. Since... Read More
Leading a startup to success requires perseverance and passion. Yet when does insanity manifest itself as perseverance? When does passion blur one's vision? When is the traction you’re not achieving attributed to devotion to an unworthy cause? How many no’s must you hear before you recognize that your personal vision... Read More
What a joyous celebration by Serena Williams upon winning the Olympic gold medal in women’s singles tennis in London. There she was, at a loss for words, standing center court at the All England Club. Less than a month earlier, Serena had earned .4 million dollars and her 5th Wimbledon... Read More
If you’ve ever seen the movies Cool Hand Luke or One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest then you can relate to how I feel sometimes when I step into the crap-spewing-fan, cheered-on quietly by the silent masses, content to keep their heads down in their foxholes while this dope sticks... Read More
Creating a startup is often compared to building an airplane in real-time while in flight. It isn’t easy. There’s so many things that can go wrong. So many different ways to make it work or sink that ship. In my experience there are 3 critical attributes common in great companies that... Read More
Pitching to raise capital involves walking a difficult tight-rope between being too humble and small and being bombastic in attempt to seem bigger than you are. Difficult, because there are a few common techniques used by CEOs to portray success that walk along the edge of dishonesty. Here are five common... Read More
You're an entrepreneurial startup CEO problem-solving machine. You take on and dispose of issues faster than Kim Kardashian goes through husbands. As soon as you sniff a problems it's disappeared faster than a politician's promise after election day. Which can be a good thing or.... at times could be the problem in itself.How... Read More
Many of DCs most influential Women in Tech are highly visible. Most of us know the fabulous and tireless tech advocate women like Cooley’s Katherine Ferguson, Speakerbox’s Lisa Throckmortan and Tech Cocktail’s Jen Consalvo. Yet there’s a number of ladies who are building great enterprises while contributing to the growth... Read More
There’s really no one definitive characteristic of a person that is predictor of a successful entrepreneur. There are many characteristics that successful entrepreneurs share. Here’s some of the types of people I’ve met in 30 years of entrepreneurship. Do you identify with any of them? Type Description 1. Tinkerer If it ain’t broke; break it.... Read More
If you’re part of the busy, overbooked DC Tech Scene, you’re working long hours, you’re up early, you’re out most evenings at networking events, you’re not devoting enough time to your mate, your kids, your mom or your dog. Well it’s time for us to introduce each other to the... Read More
At SXSW I ran into a bright, creative entrepreneur from New Orleans, Jason Nicosia @JasonNicosia1. In talking to Jason, I realized that DC isn’t the only city where entrepreneurs are building a strong startup community. Jason’s a member of New Orleans Accelerator, Launchpad Ignition class of 2012.So here’s his concept. ... Read More
As of 3PM 3/27 there are only 23 seats left for the inaugural Entrepreneurs on the Potomac Event. Preference will be given to Angel Investors, Venture Capitalists and Mentors and yet there are still seats open for Startup Entrepreneurs. What’s the deal? The event... Read More
Featuring Cupid's Cup finalists: 10G Systems ● Food Safety AdministrationReed Street Productions ● Route One Apparel ● VisisonicsFriday, March 30, 2012Adele H. Stamp Student UnionUniversity of Maryland12-2 pm – BB&T Business Invitational, Colony Ballroom2-4 pm – Cupid’s Cup Business Competition, Hoff Theater Five startups pitchfor ,000 in prizesDon’t miss one of... Read More
Startup America is running a competition where states compete for honors to determine which is king of startups! To help your state, register your company here. If your company isn’t registered with Startup America you’re missing out on great promotional opportunities as well as free and reduced priced products and... Read More
The private organization Startup America Partnership is celebrating its 1 year anniversary on January 31st. The beginning of the year was spent developing grass roots organizations who will champion and organize the regional startup eco-systems.Some groups like Startup Tennessee and Startup Iowa jumped on the program and began effectively advancing... Read More
Fortify.vc isn’t your standard Venture Capital firm, least ways not the type of firm we’ve become use to in the DC region. There’s just something different about the firm’s partners Jonathon Perrelli and Adam Fazackerley. They talk different, they’re approachable and pragmatic, where others often seem distant and theoretical. The... Read More
