EE Times
"If anyone clings to the image of tech whiz kids who drop out of college to make fortunes, it's time to let it go.
Research released Thursday (May 1) shows that most U.S.-born founders of technology startups are well educated, experienced, and middle-aged before they make the leap from employee to entrepreneur."
""This is what you'd expect, but the dot-com days destroyed our perceptions of reality," said Vivek Wadhwa, the study's lead author and a fellow at Harvard Law School."
Matt’s Homepage | MattMaroon.com
"there’s been a lot of talk about the Xobni/Microsoft rumors floating around. I thought I’d weigh in on it a bit because a lot of people apparently don’t understand the interplay between venture funding and acquisitions."
Written by Shannon Clark | CenterNetworks
"Although I am an entrepreneur, for the past two weeks I have also been active press as I covered parts of Ad:Tech San Francisco and Web 2.0 Expo also here in San Francisco. Having done this for the past two weeks as well as a few earlier conferences, I have learned a few lessons and would encourage all entrepreneurs to spend some time working as a member of the press."
The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs
"Facebook is a Ponzi scheme. A handful of VCs have created the illusion of an actual market by funding apps companies and then doing deals with each other -- passing cash back and forth among to make it look as if money is being made."
Virtual Worlds Management the leading virtual worlds trade media company, has announced findings from a comprehensive study of accountable transactions showing that venture capital and media firms have invested more than $184 million dollars in 23 virtual worlds related companies during the first quarter of 2008. $184,180,000 was invested in 23 virtual worlds-related companies throughout the first quarter with participation from many more VC firms and angel investors.
Virtual Worlds News has the analysis here: http://www.virtualworldsnews.com/2008/04/virtual-world-8.html
Special thanks to Jeff Saunders for this contribution.
Melissa Chang | 16th letter
"the number one characteristic that seems to be common in all entrepreneurs is their adaptability - their willingness to change plans and go in a different direction when needed."
Published on San Francisco online (http://www.sanfranmag.com)
Paul Kedrosky | Infectious Greed
"Today ... there is a new report out ... at the Kauffman Foundation on precisely this question: The age (and education) of U.S. tech entrepreneurs. What is the distribution? How is it changing?"
Be sure to read the series of three posts (1, 2 and 3) about age and the entrepreneur by Fred Wilson.
Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk
"Entrepreneurship has changed to become more appealing to a wider range of people. Here’s a list of the old and new ways of thinking when it comes to starting your own business:"
Penelope Trunk is a columnist at the Boston Globe. She has launched three startups and endured an IPO, a merger and a bankruptcy.
By Edward Iwata, USA TODAY
"The report found that the highest "entrepreneurial activity rates" were in the District of Columbia and nine states: Idaho, Arizona, Tennessee, Louisiana, Wyoming, Vermont, Montana, Georgia and California.
The 10 states with the lowest activity were West Virginia, Alabama, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Hawaii, Washington and Virginia."
Leading Blog: A Leadership Blog @ LeadershipNow
"These titles do not necessarily represent popularity in terms of numbers of books sold. In a few cases they did not get the recognition they deserved. But all of the titles selected will contain ideas relevant and compelling to leaders at all levels and contexts.
The authors all addressed the question, “How can I create the environment and perform in a way that leads to consistently successful outcomes?” But more than that, they deal with the real success of a leader: the creating of a leadership economy if you will—a place where leaders are developed at all levels and in all areas of life. These books will help you on your journey. "
By Jeff Nolan, NewsGator - SandHill.com | Opinion
"With all the venture capital moving around in the Silicon Valley, where is the real innovation?
"The latest venture capital numbers are in and guess what? Software startups drew another $1.3 billion in investment during first quarter. (Jeff Nolan wonders), “Where is “'The New New Thing'?”"
The Jeff Pulver Blog
During the past ten years, what I look for in a startup has changed.
These days I no longer actively look for an opportunity to participate in the “A” round or “B” round of a startup, although I still do that from time to time. My recent investments in both Seesmic and twitter are a reflection of this.
During the past couple of years, my core focus has shifted from making investments in companies and their mission to making investments in people and their vision. And I focus on what I consider "early-early stage" opportunities.
by Vikas Mittal, Matthew Sarkees, and Feisal Murshed
"Don’t just dump customers that cost you money. Use this framework to decide how best to fix or end the relationships."
. The data come from a special tabulation by the Bureau of the Census produced for the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration."
"One of the most difficult aspects of creating a new product is deciding which features are necessary for launch. Leaving out features can make you uncomfortable. However, there's a point where you should be more scared of adding features than leaving them out."
"Wondering how much your private company is worth? (Or your stock options in your private company?) Curious where your company ranks in the pantheon of digital market values? Wondering which companies might be next in line for a blockbuster IPO? Then you've come to the right place."
