Governance/Risk Management

Put Your Customers First

Improve the probability of startup success by maintaining maniacal focus on the needs of your customers. A startup may capture disproportionate media attention with aggressive PR, but nothing can replace the power of extremely satisfied customers. Don’t make promises before you are ready for prime time. Customers care about products and services that deliver results and are backed by developer expertise and high-level service.

Communicate your vision in a comprehensive way and add value to what you offer by exceeding customer expectations. Use launch-level media attention to help create awareness, but leverage the inherent value of your product to endear your customers and turn them into self-appointed ambassadors for your brand.

Dealing with “Dead Equity”

“Dead equity” refers to company stock owned by individuals and entities no longer contributing to the company. In general, there are two types of dead equity seen on emerging company cap tables: Departed founders/employees. A co-founder or early employee leaves a company or no longer significantly contributes […]