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
Venture Capital
Recent Venture Capital Articles
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
VCs' Nastiest Interview Trick
Most of the entrepreneurs I meet will walk right into this one. Here's how to be prepared. Read more
Presentation Pizzazz: Keep Your Audience's Attention
Presentations don't have to be boring. Advice from David Tisch, managing director of TechStars, and Scott Gerber, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council. Watch video
Inside Thrillist's Grand Plan For Growth
Ben Lerer and Adam Rich's dude-centric e-commerce and newsletter company brought in $32 million last year, so what's the deal, man, with the new $13 million ... Read more
Best Reasons to Turn Down VC Funding
One start-up founder explains why not taking venture capital made his business stronger. Read more
The Not-So-Lean Web Start-up
It's five years old and just closed another round of funding for a total of $22 million. And it hasn't even launched yet. Read more
Why Silicon Valley Loves Failures
"Embrace failure." It's best to "fail fast." These are Silicon Valley's cliché darlings. Here's why they've become such popular concepts. Read more
Fundraising Saga of a Desperate Entrepreneur - Part 2
In the second part of this launch story, Shazi Visram, founder and CEO of Happy Family, shares how advice and angels helped her launch her growing company in... Read more
3 Reasons to Look to the Angels for Start-up Funding
VCs can pack a powerful punch. But here's why you should hold that thought. Read more
4 Signs You Should Say 'No' to a VC
Investor Brad Feld and entrepreneur Rajat Bhargava share what they've learned about making their 18-year partnership work. Read more
Top 5 Ways to Lose a VC's Attention
Within the first three minutes of a meeting, a VC goes through this mental checklist. Are you guilty of these missteps? Read more
Don't Ignore These 4 Start-up Lessons
A start-up can spring from an innovative idea, but founders often overlook key elements that can turn an idea into at nightmare. Read more
Fundraising Saga of a Desperate Entrepreneur - Part 1
In part one of a four-part story, Shazi Visram, founder and CEO of HappyFamily, tells her harrowing tale of how a supposedly trusted venture capital incubato... Read more
One CEO's Quest for VC Funding
Jeff Gordy, CEO of Z2 Systems, learned two important lessons while looking for growth capital. Read more
Inside the Mind of a Silicon Valley Investor
Asheem Chandna, partner at Greylock Partners, has a knack for putting money on winners. Here's his story and his process for finding start-ups. Read more
Insider's Guide to Silicon Valley's Investors
If you're raising VC funds, there's a lot you don't know. Trust me: I'm a serial entrepreneur who's been investing for a decade. Read more
The Reason You Should Fly Only First Class
A co-founder of TheKnot.com relates how he went from a life of layovers and red-eye flights to flying only first class. Here's the debate over whether you sh... Read more
How Twilio Went to Market Without Investors
Twilio, software for app developers, sought funding just as the 2008 financial crisis hit. Co-founder Jeff Lawson's response: "Screw it." Watch video
Raising Nearly $30 Million in Venture Capital
With venture financing and guerrilla marketing, Genevieve Thiers and Dan Ratner are making Sittercity into a household name. Watch video
Build a Winning Private Equity Partnership
If you're seeking outside funding to fuel growth, make sure you find an investor that's in sync with your business objectives - and brings more than just mon... Read more
Following the VC Money: WhoGotFunded.com
A new website shines a light on the companies landing venture capital deals. Read more
