Examining the Thiel Fellowship: Is It Worthwhile?
The Thiel Fellowship is looking for its next batch of 24 college students to pay $100,000 to drop out of college. But has the model been a success? Read more
Financing a Small Business
Recent Financing a Small Business Articles
Tesla & Fisker: The Game of Favorites
For two companies with remarkable similarities, how is it that Tesla basks in the sun while Fisker's Battleship is sunk? Read more
Be Worthy of Your Customers' Attention
Make sure that your product or service is worthy of receiving your customers' attention. Here's how to do it. Read more
Grab Your Customer's Attention (& Keep It)
Before you can help customers solve their problems, you have to prove that you deserve their attention. Here's how to craft a compelling unique value proposi... Read more
Private Equity 101: New Platforms vs. Add-Ons
Understanding the difference between a new "platform" and "add-on" investments is key to any business owners talking to private equity groups (PEGs). Read more
How to Sell Your Business (& the Land It's On)
When small business sellers own their buildings and land, they need to plan properly in order to successfully sell each. Read more
The Best Place to Find Venture Investment
Inc. 5000 companies are better suited than VCs or angel investors to provide money and the skill necessary for establishing your start-up. Read more
Fisker Automotive: It's No Fun To Be a GOP Talking Point
This year's brutal election season turned Fisker Automotive into a political football. Here's how the car company coped. Read more
Deeper Look: Tesla's Big Loan Fumble
Tesla and Fisker each faced a cash crunch with huge ramifications. Can electric automobile start-ups actually make it? Read more
Beware the VC Fad Factor
An annual ranking of top start-ups suggests VC funding and success go hand in hand. That's one huge mistake you don't want to make. Read more
Overlooked Financing Option for Your Business
If you need to cash to build your company but aren't keen on draining your personal savings or giving up equity to venture capitalists, there may be another ... Read more
More Trouble Ahead for Small Business Loans
A struggling lender's sale could further tighten small firms' access to capital. Read more
3 Secrets to the Lean Start-up
If a small company is disciplined enough not to waste from the get go, it can set itself up to beat the odds and flourish later. Read more
Richard Branson's Student-Debt Plan
At a time when student-loan debt is crippling the American Dream, the British mogul has a big idea on how entrepreneurship can fix it. Read more
Will Raising Money be Child's Play for a Toy Start-up?
Sproutel makes toys that help children deal with chronic illness. Will investors play along? Read more
Entrepreneur Ben Lerer: 'I Realized I Had Been Going to Work the Wrong Way' 
When his father, Ken Lerer, sold The Huffington Post, Ben Lerer realized it's not all about the exit. Watch video
What Private Equity Sharks Can Teach You
You can learn to be a better entrepreneur by studying the analytic process of the PE portfolio manager. No, really. Read more
Is Your Company Suffering From Short-Term-itis?
Managing partner of Satori Capital Sunny Vanderbeck says an overemphasis on short-term results can cause relationships with key stakeholders to erode in a bu... Read more
How to Identify Your Target Customers
The clock is ticking on our 20-minute business model. Today's task: Describing potential customers for the new business - in five minutes or less. Read more
Fundraising Saga of a Desperate Entrepreneur - Part 4
In this last part of founder and CEO of HappyFamily Shazi Visram's launch story she talks about becoming profitable without private equity funding. Read more
Steve Case: IPOs Are Good for You
The founder of AOL makes a good case for why an IPO is often the best exit strategy for a company's founder. But Case has his reasons, and they may not be yo... Read more
Sometimes, You Need Millions of Dollars to Grow a Start-up
In 2009, in order to build her organic baby food company, Shazi Visram raised $11 million--fast. Last year, HappyFamily Brands's sales hit $35 million. Watch video
Start-ups to SEC: Move Faster on Crowdfunding
CircleUp, AngelList, and other start-ups presented testimony today urging lawmakers to get moving on crowdfunding legislation promised in the JOBS Act. Read more
Too Sexy? 'No VC Wanted to Touch Me With a Barge Pole'
Cindy Gallop, founder of MakeLoveNotPorn, explains how every obstacle she encounters only proves why she must launch her "real-world" sex sites. Watch video
Most Important Rule in VC Negotiations
Negotiating with potential investors is never easy. Here's one option you never want to take off the table. Read more
4 Things to Consider Before Selling to a Private Equity Group
Private equity groups have money to spend. But would they be a good buyer for your business? Here are four things to consider if a PEG comes knocking. Read more
Does Google Ventures 'Lowball' Start-ups? Kevin Rose Responds
Last week, Y Combinator's founder argued that Google suckers start-ups into bad deals. Google Ventures partner Kevin Rose responds. Read more
Nitty Gritty Advice on Raising Venture Capital
Does your big business idea need investment to realize its potential? Entrepreneurs who have been through the process of raising money have practical tips--a... Read more
What's the ROI on Your Company?
Before you approach an investor to fund your growth strategy, make sure you are able to articulate what they will receive in return. Read more
2 Reasons to Avoid Venture Capital
Many growth company CEOs believe they need to raise venture capital to achieve success. Here are two reasons to reconsider. Read more
Need Start-up Help? Try L.A.
Silicon Beach is home to increasingly more incubators and accelerators. Here are three cool programs to consider. Read more
Choosing the Right VC is More Important Than Any Hire You'll Ever Make
Puretech Ventures' David Steinberg talks about building a successful partnership with a VC firm. Read more
When Kickstarter Campaigns Go Bad
What happens when supporters do their part, but you can't do yours? Here's how to avoid upsetting your new fans. Read more
Small Business Owners Not Looking to Borrow
Don't blame the banks. While it can be difficult to get loans, the SurePayroll survey of small business owners finds most are not trying to. Read more
When Joe Bastianich Bet It All on Babbo
Restaurateur Joe Bastianich and his business partner, chef Mario Batali, took on a massive debt before their first restaurant together--they now have 23--too... Watch video
