Official website of Dave Berkus
- Don’t stray from your core competence! 01/16/2025Consider your core. It is the one skill, process or advantage you have over your competition. Then think of all the things you do to surround that core with people and assets that complete your company and allow you to release your product or perform your service. Which of your IP assets are your […]
- Does AI aid or challenge your core competency? 01/09/2025Consider your core It is the one skill, process or advantage you have over your competition. Then think of all the things you do to surround that core with people and assets that complete the company and allow you to release your product or perform your service. Don’t diminish the effectiveness of AI in your […]
- Know your four “P’s” to build business in a new year! 01/02/2025How do you manage a great business, as opposed to being a survivor? Well, here are the four areas you should focus upon every day. Now, some of us remember things better when given a catchy phrase or rhyme. So, here’s one to help you with squeezing the most out of your own available resources. […]
- The last money has the first say. 12/26/2024Be careful about investor rights This important variation on “money talks” is an important consideration for entrepreneurs when seeking an investment from professionals such as VCs. Something like a marriage (and often lasting just as long statistically), your investment partner can be a great cheerleader, coach and resource. But the moment things turn sour, including […]
- A lesson: How NOT to define your competition! 12/19/2024We investors see this all the time. An entrepreneur pitches using a deck with no slide for competition. When asked (as we always do), the response is “This is new. We have no competition.” Niet! No! Unh unh. Professional investors laugh when they hear an entrepreneur come out with that one. That statement has killed […]
- Would you pay a high achiever more than yourself? 12/12/2024Here’s a case study for yourself: Recently I was asked to review an offer letter for a senior director of business development. The CEO was concerned that he was offering far too much in the form of incentive compensation, with bonuses that could greatly exceed the base salary if all the bonus items were achieved. […]
- How little information can you give to investors-lenders? 12/05/2024Every investor or lender wants regular information from companies taking their money. And most of us are frustrated by the lack of regular communication – unless the company needs more money. On the other side, entrepreneurs and CEOs usually have a natural fear of giving too much information to investors and bankers after the initial […]
- Warnings about investor limitations! 11/27/2024Some businesses just can’t fit within the angel capital or friends and family model for raising funds. Sooner or later, you may need to seek venture capital and accommodate the needs of the venture community in negotiating the terms of an investment. What VC’s can and cannot do First, VCs in general cannot invest in […]
- The Berkus Method: Valuing an Early-Stage Investment 11/21/2024How do you value pre-revenue companies? Last time we examined ten different ways to value companies already in revenue, usually beyond the early stage. Now we tackle the more difficult and subjective task of placing a value upon those startups that don’t fit into that mold. For those of us who’ve invested in early-stage companies, […]
- How will a buyer value your business? 11/14/2024Let’s explore a number of methods to value your business. Many buyers use a combination of methods, throwing out those that do not fit the appropriate form of business. Corporate Valuations Using Various Methods There are at least ten recognized ways to value a business. Some are inappropriate for young businesses or those engaged in […]
