Damir Perge's Blog: Entrepreneur Insights from the Trenches, page 20

Business Model Pricing Strategy: Freemium vs. Lowmium

Before I launch any startup or product, I spend a considerable amount of time playing out the business model. From what I have seen as a venture capitalist, I believe that 50% of the entrepreneurs out there lack the knowledge or even worse, find the time to roll up their sleeves and dig into their business model from every angle.

I usually like to do my business modeling on a white board because it is easier to see all the modeling blocks — it’s kind of like when an artist paints on large canv...

Takin' It to the Streets

I was driving in heavy rain with my girlfriend. I had to concentrate hard because when it comes to rain and driving, Dallas is not a safe place to drive around. We were listening to the radio and I was flicking through the radio channels – driving her crazy. I went from hard rock to hip-hop to Top 40s hits to alternative rock to rock’n’roll oldies. It’s pretty bad when Led Zeppelin is considered oldies. I prefer to call this kind of music “rock classics.” Another song came on that I have not...

Startup Founder Fiber

From the perspective of both a venture capitalist and entrepreneur, I notice that many investors don’t take the time to analyze the psychology of the entrepreneur mind. Investors spend too much time trying to predict whether the startup can be the next big, big hit. They analyze the size of the market, product or service being offered, the experience of the management team, etc.

Of course, I’ve done this same type of due diligence. But the more investments I made, the more I looked for the “so...

Startup Founder Fiber: The Sequel

I was talking to one of my entrepreneur friends about — you guessed it — entrepreneurship. I have never been good at making small talk with anyone, friends or even strangers. But if you ask me about the topics of entrepreneurship, investing, complexity science, art or soccer — we can talk all day.

A little background before I continue with my story: this guy is an experienced entrepreneur. He has been around the startup block quite a few times. I have known him for about ten years. There are s...

What Business Are You Actually In?

I awoke one morning extra early with a sudden thought. The previous evening, I'd been doing some strategic analysis for one of the startups we are launching. I know it sounds strange, but many entrepreneurs can confirm this: when you’re obsessed with an idea, you can allow your subconscious do some thinking while sleeping.

Just as I woke up, I asked myself this simple question: “Damir, what business are you in?”

For this particular startup, I'd been thinking of it as a technology business. But...

Give Them What They Want, Even if They Want a Rice Bowl With Piss Water in It

I was talking with a successful entrepreneur friend about the art of the startup launch. She has been an entrepreneur for a good portion of her life. Of all the entrepreneurs I have known over the last 25 years, if anyone represents the mentality of being a Commandopreneur — she would top the list.

We got onto the topic of manufacturing. She was having difficulty choosing a contract manufacturer. She was developing a line of products in the health sector, which I believe have the potential to...

Give Them What They Want, Even If They Want a Rice Bowl With Piss Water In It

I was talking to a very successful entrepreneur friend of mine about the art of the startup launch. She has been an entrepreneur for a good portion of her life. From all the entrepreneurs I have known in the last twenty-five years, if anyone represents the mentality of being a Commandopreneur — she would be on top of the list.

We got on the topic of discussing manufacturing. She was having difficulty on choosing the right contract manufacturer. She was developing a line of products in the heal...

The Alternative Startup Scenarios

In the ideation stage of the product design, business research has proven that the more idea concepts you come up with, the higher the opportunity of finding that “right product design” for the right customer. If you’re working within a group to come up with the product design, multiple and alternative solutions are encouraged because you’re using swarm intelligence of the entire group to come up with as many alternatives as possible. In fact, the more product designs you come up with, the hi...

Startup Mimicry: Copycats

What does it mean to be an entrepreneur revolutionary? What does it mean to be an entrepreneur copycat? As an entrepreneur, do you create markets? Or do you ride the markets with a better value proposition? Do you want to be considered a revolutionary or evolutionary? Which is better?

One flaw in thinking I noticed among entrepreneurs in the high-tech sector — and especially while running a venture capital fund in Silicon Valley — is the incredibly romantic notion of wanting to be a business r...

Kaikaizen: Feed Your Entrepreneur and Innovation Brain

I spoke with the inventor of Coasties drink coasters about the process of inventing. It was a lengthy conversation, to say the least. If you’re an inventor, innovator or an idea person, you would have so wished you were there. I wish I'd taped the conversation for you. Hmm … You would have gladly paid $100 just to hear to him talk about innovation and the process he uses to invent products.

You find out a lot about successful entrepreneurs when you shut your mouth and just listen. That’s what...