David S. Rose, Founder and CEO of Gust.com joins me today to discuss raising capital for your startup. Gust is a global collaboration platform for early stage angel investing, connecting hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs and investors in over 75 countries. This is an interview rich with insight, expertise, and rock-solid advice for helping you turn your great idea into reality. It is truly a delight to have David come on my show today and I think you will agree.
In addition his role at Gust.com, David is Managing Principal of Rose Tech Ventures, one of the country’s leading seed stage investors and he is Founder and Chairman Emeritus of New York Angels, the world’s most active angel investment group. In addition, he is Associate Founder, and Founding Track Chair for Finance and Entrepreneurship, at Singularity University, the Google/NASA sponsored graduate program training the next generation of technology leaders.
David S. Rose, described by BusinessWeek as a “world conquering entrepreneur” and by Forbes as “New York’s Archangel”, is a technology visionary and investor who has founded or funded over 85 pioneering companies that are helping to define the future. An Inc. 500 CEO and industry thought leader, he is a dynamic keynote speaker on the topics of future technology, venture investing, entrepreneurship, and presentation skills.
As you listen to the podcast consider the following: No matter how brilliant your ideas are there are potentially hundreds of people out there with the same exact idea. As David explains, that is why investors don’t fund ideas. Ideas, sometimes referred to as "vision" goes no where without good execution.
In today’s episode you will learn about:
– Ideas vs. Execution. Reasons why an idea will not get funded.
– One reason investors will not invest.
– Identifying problems entrepreneurs face and knowing what key things investors look for in entrepreneurs.
– Why thinking your idea is truly unique is a fallacy and the absolute deal killer.
– The types of businesses David looks for.
– Where startups can go to for funding.
– When a startup should start to seek capital.
– Identifying the signs of why your idea is being rejected and helpful tips for facing the challenges.
– Why certain businesses DO get funded; why others don't.
– The one piece of advice David offers to entrepreneurs hoping to turn their great idea into reality.
Resources referenced by David today:
Gust: The Global Platform for Startup Funding
Wall Street Journal Guest Blog Posting, 08-July-2013, David's 4 Biggest Turn-offs in Entrepreneurial Pitches
Derek Sivers: Ideas are just a multiplier of execution
Movie worth watching: Startup.com
Book worth reading: Lucky or Smart by Bo Peabody
Book worth reading: The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries
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