Introduction Ever wondered why some startups zoom from zero to hero while others sputter along? I’ve been on both sides – building companies that took off like rockets and others that just… didn’t. After investing in startups and watching hundreds more from the sidelines, I’ve
Introduction I still remember my first day in Silicon Alley. The energy was electric, quite different from what I’d experienced in Silicon Valley. The hustle and bustle of New York City provided a unique backdrop to the digital innovation happening in lofts and co-working spaces
Ever swing for the fences only to strike out? Or maybe you’ve hit that rare home run that makes all the failures worth it? That’s the Babe Ruth Effect in a nutshell. I’ve lived it as a founder and now see it play out daily
Introduction Ever wonder why some companies have both an advisory board and a board of directors? You’re not alone! As someone who built startups before jumping into angel investing, I’ve sat on both sides of the table. Let me tell you—these two bodies are as
Introduction Have you ever wandered through an IKEA store, marveling at the clever furniture designs and affordable prices? Behind this global furniture empire stands a fascinating man with humble beginnings. Ingvar Kamprad started with almost nothing but built one of the world’s largest companies. His
Every morning when Phil Connors wakes up in Punxsutawney, it’s February 2nd. Again. And again. As a startup founder who’s now on the other side of the table as an angel investor, I’ve realized that this classic comedy contains surprising wisdom for entrepreneurs and business
Have you ever wondered how some people turn simple ideas into billion-dollar companies? Kunal Shah’s journey from a philosophy student to one of India’s most successful entrepreneurs shows us that success often comes from unexpected places. His story isn’t just about making money – it’s
The entrepreneurial journey rarely follows a straight path. For Tope Awotona, founder of Calendly, the road to success was paved with failed startups, personal financial risks, and unwavering determination. Born in Nigeria and later immigrating to the United States, Awotona transformed a personal frustration into
Introduction Remember when Google announced Stadia in 2019? The tech world buzzed with excitement. Cloud gaming seemed like the future—play anywhere, on any device, without expensive hardware. As someone who’s launched startups and now invests in them, I watched Stadia with particular interest. Here was
The story of Quiznos is fascinating – a once-thriving sandwich chain that pioneered toasted subs but ultimately crumbled under the weight of its own business model. As someone who’s been a part of the startup ecosystem for a long time, I’ve watched this saga unfold
I’ve been on both sides of the table—building startups from scratch and later investing in promising ventures. One question that consistently arises is the distinction between business development and sales. Though often used interchangeably, these functions serve fundamentally different purposes in an organization’s growth strategy.
Introduction I remember the first time I drove down Sand Hill Road. The buildings were… unremarkable. Low-slung office parks nestled among California oaks. Nothing screamed “this is where billions in venture capital flow from!” Yet this unassuming stretch of pavement has changed our world more
Introduction The Internet of Things isn’t just growing—it’s exploding in ways most people haven’t even considered yet. Let me take you on a journey through what I believe are the most promising startup opportunities in the connected world today. Table of Contents Introduction: Why IoT
Introduction The fitness industry stands at a fascinating crossroads. Technology, changing consumer behaviors, and a growing emphasis on holistic health have created the perfect environment for innovation. Having founded three fitness startups and invested in dozens more, I’ve witnessed firsthand how nimble entrepreneurs can disrupt
The world’s most precious resource offers endless opportunities for innovation and impact. As someone who’s built and funded multiple startups in the water space, I can tell you – water is not just essential for life, it’s essential for business growth too. Water: The Blue
Beauty tech is revolutionizing how we approach skincare, makeup, and personal care through innovative technology integration. From AI-powered skin analysis to custom formulation devices, this rapidly growing industry sits at the intersection of beauty and technology, creating personalized experiences that were unimaginable just a decade
Introduction The digital marketing landscape is constantly shifting. As someone who’s built a marketing startup and now invests in the next generation of founders, I’ve witnessed firsthand how quickly opportunities emerge. The most successful entrepreneurs don’t just follow trends—they anticipate market gaps before others see
Introduction I’ve been in the startup trenches for over 15 years before transitioning to angel investing, and if there’s one industry that consistently presents massive opportunities, it’s logistics. The global supply chain is a $9.6 trillion industry, yet it remains plagued by inefficiencies, manual processes,
The healthcare technology sector continues to evolve rapidly, creating numerous opportunities for innovative startups. Here are 25 promising health tech startup ideas that address real market needs while leveraging current technology trends. 1. AI-Powered Mental Health Monitoring Platform Problem: Traditional mental health tracking relies heavily
It’s 2019, and I am the cofounder at a startup. Our app has just hit 1 million downloads on Google Play and we were on top of the world. We were still not generating enough cash to hire a team and couldn’t raise venture funding.