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
Financing a Small Business
Recent Financing a Small Business Articles
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
9 Wildly Successful Kickstarter Campaigns
These cool tech projects didn't just meet their funding goals--they soared right past them. View slideshow
Small-Business Owners Brace for Hurricane Isaac
All entrepreneurs must have a comprehensive disaster recovery plan and a good insurance policy. Here's how to get started. Read more
Financing Tricks from Inc. 500 Companies
Most of the rapidly growing private companies in this year's Inc. 500 funded their growth through personal savings and cash flow. Here's how. Read more
Still Growing, Still Independent, Still Happy
Life After the Inc. 500: Elizabeth Elting has grown Transperfect Translations by over 30 percent annually since 2000 without a dime of outside funds--and she... Read more
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Why Your Idea Isn't Worth Anything
Seasoned investors say that nine times out of 10, an entrepreneur is too busy focusing on the "idea" to think through the business model. Read more
13 Stealth Ways to Save Money When Starting Up
An extra expense here, an unneeded office perk there: The numbers really add up. Young entrepreneurs highlight small ways businesses can save a lot of money. Read more
TARP Becomes Trap for Many Small Business Lenders
Hundreds of community banks have yet to exit the Treasury's bailout program, and in their scramble to leave, small businesses will pay the price. Read more
VCs' Nastiest Interview Trick
Most of the entrepreneurs I meet will walk right into this one. Here's how to be prepared. Read more
