Description
Foreword Bill Gross xi Preface Why Every Entrepreneur Needs This Book . . . Instead of the Other 93,210 Books on Entrepreneurship xiii Introduction 25 Key Action Steps (Plus One) for Every Entrepreneur 1 Part I Prepare to Launch 15 1. Translate Your Idea into a Compelling Business Model 17 2. Craft a Lean Business Plan to Serve as Your Venture’s Road Map 25 3. Find and Know Your Competitors 35 4. Build Your Dream Team 45 5. Allocate the Equity in Your Startup 55 6. Build a Minimum Viable Product and Validate Your Plan with Customers 63 7. Establish Your Brand with Online Public Profiles 69 8. Network Effectively within the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem 77 Part II Launch and Build Your Company 85 9. Incorporate Your Company for Protection and Investment 87 10. “Lawyer Up” the Right Way 95 11. Recruit Your Boards of Directors and Advisors 105 12. Select an Accountant and an Accounting System 113 13. Establish and Manage Your Credit Profile 123 14. Open Bank, Credit Card, and Merchant Accounts 131 15. Choosing Your Key Technologies, Platforms, and Vendors 139 16. Measure Your Business with Data Analytics 149 17. Round out Your Team with Employees and Freelancers 163 18. Establish a Stock Option Plan to Incentivize Your Team 175 Part III Raise Funds; Collaborate with Investors; Plan for Your Exit 183 19. Understand the Funding Process and What Investors Want to See 185 20. Nurture Your Investor Pipeline 197 21. Crowdfunding and Online Platforms 207 22. Survive the Term Sheet Negotiation and Investor Due Diligence 215 23. Get the Most from Your Investors, Now and in the Future 225 24. Understand Your Company’s Valuation 233 25. Keep Your Eye on the Exit and Reap the Benefits of Success 243 The Startup Checklist Online: Gust.com/Checklist 251 Appendices Appendix A The Startup Reading List 253 Appendix B Sample Due Diligence Request 257 Appendix C Starting a U.S. Corporation from a Foreign Country 265 Appendix D Sample Convertible Preferred Stock Term Sheet 269 Appendix E Sample Convertible Note Term Sheet 285 Appendix F Sample Founder Accord 291 Acknowledgments 295 Index 299
