Engineering Your Start-Up: A Guide for the High-Tech Entrepreneur, 2nd Ed - Softcover

James A. Swanson; Michael L. Baird

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1888577916 ISBN 13: 9781888577914

Publisher: Professional Publications, Inc., 2003

Synopsis

Thinking of starting your own business in high-tech? Do yourself a huge favor by reading this book first. The authors, both veterans of many start-ups, address topics vital to your start-up success, such as:

• Finding start-up opportunities
• Leaving your current employer but keeping your ideas
• Protecting your intellectual property
• Managing the five critical elements of a successful start-up
• Securing start-up financing
• Dealing successfully with venture capitalists
• Writing a winning business plan
• Creating a management team
• Handling employment and compensation--who to hire and how to pay them
• Avoiding the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make
• Understanding company valuation and exit strategies

James Swanson and Michael Baird lay out all the basic concepts clearly, step by step. They demystify the start-up process with frank advice, insiders' tips, and "been there" examples. On-point case studies show you what to do--and what to avoid. An expanded list of resources steers you to help when you need it. You'll learn what it takes for you to create and manage a start-up, and the personal characteristics required to be successful in your new venture.

In good economies and bad, entrepreneurs will continue to lead the way to new markets, new ventures, and new technologies. With this comprehensive new guide, you have a great start to start-up success!

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About this title

From the Publisher

What's New in the Second Edition

Three New Chapters:

The Term Sheet: A Practical Overview demystifies the structure and terms of venture financing, an all-important event in the life of most successful start-ups that is familiar ground to professional investors but unfamiliar and threatening to many entrepreneurs

Protecting Your Intellectual Property covers the major types of intellectual property protection (copyrights, patents, trade secrets, and trademarks)

The Legal Form of Your Start-Up discusses the various choices for your start-up (corporation, partnership, limited liability corporation, and so forth) and how to decide which is best for you

Updated Business Plan Information:
The latest advice on researching and writing your business plan
Reasons why many entrepreneurs have difficulty writing their business plans--and practical tips to avoid the problem

Expanded Section on Finding Money:
Much more on where and how to find money, including advice on corporate investors and strategic partners
Tips from investors on how to raise money
Recent trends in venture funding

Plus:
Tips on creating a compelling "elevator pitch"
The latest views on company valuation and exit strategies
Updates on legal and accounting matters, including stock options and other forms of compensation
A greatly expanded Resources section and lots of links to useful information

About the Author

Co-authors James Swanson and Michael Baird are founders of the Los Altos Incubator (firstonline.com), where aspiring entrepreneurs can seek expert advice. Swanson has more than 25 years of Silicon Valley business experience. He holds an SB degree from MIT and MBA and JD degrees from Stanford University. Baird has spent 30 years in high-tech executive engineering and marketing management. He earned an MBA and a PhD in information and computer science from Georgia Tech.

Edition details

• Publisher: Professional Publications, Inc.
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 1888577916
• ISBN 13: 9781888577914
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 480