Through this case example, Actuality Systems Founder Gregg Favalora offers helpful insight into the path Actuality took from product design, to its acquisition by Optics for Hire in 2009 - and the ultimate patent sale (and exit) in 2011. Offering an insider’s view of building and commercializing 3D display products, Gregg offers his thoughts on some powerful lessons he learned as he grew his company.
2016 Innovation Roundtable Keynote by Michael SkokMichael Skok
Michael Skok, Co-Founder and Partner of Underscore.VC was invited to give the keynote presentation at the 2016 Innovation Roundtable Summit in Copenhagen.
Turning Products into Companies - Case - SolidWorksMichael Skok
John McEleney, former CEO of SolidWorks, discusses how the 3D design company became a market leader. He reviews how it is easy to start a company but hard to build a business, offering an instructive view of the approaches he took that led to his success and the company’s ultimate acquisition by Dassault Systems.
Startup Secrets - Have you got what it takes?Michael Skok
There is a belief in the business world that founders can’t scale. Put another way, a company’s growth curve will eventually outstrip the capabilities of its founder’s ability to remain CEO.
Driving to Market - V2! - How to "Drive" Competitive Advantage in your Go To ...Michael Skok
New version 2 - including case examples from Spotfire, Demandware, Hubspot and David Skok.
Developed for the Harvard Innovation Lab workshop series on Startup Secrets.
This is part 4 of the 5 part series by Michael J Skok on how to get competitive advantage as a startup.
Michael's slides are the agenda for the workshop, and are NOT self contained. For fuller coverage of the slides, visit Michael's website http://mjskok.com/
Building a Compelling Value Proposition - Competitive Advantage for StartupsMichael Skok
Developed for the Harvard Innovation Lab workshop series on Startup Secrets.
This is part 1 of the 5 part series by Michael J Skok on how to get competitive advantage as a startup.
Michael's slides are the agenda for the workshop, and are NOT self contained. For fuller coverage of the slides, visit Michael's website http://www.mjskok.com/
2016 Innovation Roundtable Keynote by Michael SkokMichael Skok
Michael Skok, Co-Founder and Partner of Underscore.VC was invited to give the keynote presentation at the 2016 Innovation Roundtable Summit in Copenhagen.
Turning Products into Companies - Case - SolidWorksMichael Skok
John McEleney, former CEO of SolidWorks, discusses how the 3D design company became a market leader. He reviews how it is easy to start a company but hard to build a business, offering an instructive view of the approaches he took that led to his success and the company’s ultimate acquisition by Dassault Systems.
Startup Secrets - Have you got what it takes?Michael Skok
There is a belief in the business world that founders can’t scale. Put another way, a company’s growth curve will eventually outstrip the capabilities of its founder’s ability to remain CEO.
Driving to Market - V2! - How to "Drive" Competitive Advantage in your Go To ...Michael Skok
New version 2 - including case examples from Spotfire, Demandware, Hubspot and David Skok.
Developed for the Harvard Innovation Lab workshop series on Startup Secrets.
This is part 4 of the 5 part series by Michael J Skok on how to get competitive advantage as a startup.
Michael's slides are the agenda for the workshop, and are NOT self contained. For fuller coverage of the slides, visit Michael's website http://mjskok.com/
Building a Compelling Value Proposition - Competitive Advantage for StartupsMichael Skok
Developed for the Harvard Innovation Lab workshop series on Startup Secrets.
This is part 1 of the 5 part series by Michael J Skok on how to get competitive advantage as a startup.
Michael's slides are the agenda for the workshop, and are NOT self contained. For fuller coverage of the slides, visit Michael's website http://www.mjskok.com/
You’ve figured out your value prop and you’ve got a great product under development. Now what? How can you develop a roadmap to build a company? Venture Capitalists often qualify deals as being a “feature”, a “product” or a “company”. Which do you have and how will you get where you want to go? This presentation addresses how to think about designing your product as a foundational element of your business. This includes thinking beyond UX and Architecture to Whole Product, Ecosystems, and Strategic partners. It also focuses on formulating how to design your go-to-market strategy and business model into your product (with a modular architecture, distinctive packaging and a frictionless approach).
What is needed to build a startup? What are the milestones along the way? And how to do you pull that pitch together to get the venture attention and funding your idea deserves. This Slideshare was given at the Harvard iLab and offered:
-- The holistic checklist to think through your venture in a business like plan
-- What matters to a VC/Investor
-- How to think about your roadmap from startup to public company
Startup Secrets - Game Changing Business ModelsMichael Skok
In our industry, it’s not uncommon for entrepreneurs to become so mono-focused on the novelty of their product that they forget to innovate sufficiently around their business model. A disruptive business model can be at least as important as a discontinuous innovation.
Presented at Business of Software 2014, Michael Skok (North Bridge Ventures) looks at what it takes to create a scaleable billion dollar business.
Full of insights and practical tips. Read if you're in the early stages of a startup, considering strategy or wondering how to accelerate.
Value Proposition – Case – Diagnostics for AllMichael Skok
This case example provides an overview of DFA’s approach to defining its value proposition, as well as its ability to address qualitative evaluation and gain/pain ratio requirements.
This is part of the Startup Secrets focus on Value Proposition development. For more information on this and other Startup Secrets focus areas, visit http://www.startupsecrets.com
Go To Market – Case – Demandware RebrandingMichael Skok
While we looked at initial branding for startups here, in this case study we discuss a more mature example with Demandware, a company that is now past its IPO and was looking to rebrand to extend its leadership and position the company for continued growth.
We all know a company is only as good as its team, which is why the hiring process is so critical as you build out your venture. This presentation focuses on the different considerations an entrepreneur should make with regard to hiring, featuring insights from Russ Campanello, iRobot’s senior VP of HR, and Eric Gaffen, Acquia’s global manager of talent acquisition. The presentation also provides recommendations on specific questions to ask when trying to find your ideal candidate.
Game Changing Business Models - V2! - with case examples - Competitive Advant...Michael Skok
Developed for the Harvard Innovation Lab workshop series on Startup Secrets.
This is part 3 of the 5 part series by Michael J Skok on how to get competitive advantage as a startup.
Michael's slides are the agenda for the workshop, and are NOT self contained. For fuller coverage of the slides, visit Michael's website http://www.mjskok.com/
This presentation provides an overview of approaches to developing you vision and mission, as well as the critical nuances tied to company culture. It also features an insightful case example from Salsify.
Game Changing Business Models - Case - Dries Drupal, Open Source, Co-CreationMichael Skok
This is a case to exemplify how disruptive open source and co-creation can be as part of your business model. Presented by Dries Buytaert, founder of Drupal, the largest open source project on the planet.
This is part of the workshop on Game Changing Business Models - itself part of the series on Startup Secrets, by Michael J Skok on how to get competitive advantage as a startup.
Michael's slides are the framework for the workshop, and are NOT self contained. For fuller coverage of the slides, visit Michael's website http://mjskok.com/
Harvard Innovation Lab Workshop on developing the Perfect Pitch, by Michael Skok.
Michael is an entrepreneur turned venture capitalist, who has seen both sides of this. He spent 21 years as a CEO, building companies and raising over 100 million to build a number of software businesses. And then has spent the last decade as a VC seeing thousands of pitches from entrepreneurs raising money, and invested in companies that have generated over a billion dollars in value.
So with that in mind, the idea here is to give you an insider's checklist for your own pitch,
Building a compelling value propositionMichael Skok
This presentation is an overview designed to help startups create their value proposition. It was developed in partnership to Actifio, arguably the fastest growing storage startup ever.
It is part of the Startup Secrets focus on Value Proposition development. For more information on this and other Startup Secrets focus areas, visit http://www.startupsecrets.com
This case example demonstrates how Disqus developed its value proposition, while offering insight into how the company addressed the qualitative evaluation process.
This is part of the Startup Secrets focus on Value Proposition development. For more information on this and other Startup Secrets focus areas, visit http://www.startupsecrets.com
3 Skills to Master the gift of Mutual MentorshipMichael Skok
Mentorship is a seemingly simple concept. Get some help from someone more experienced than you. So why do we bother teaching a class on it? Because like anything else it's a skill to mentor and be mentored. And if we can learn that skill it can be a real gift, both to give and receive.
But first of all you've got to know what you're looking for in mentorship. Is it a handout or real help? Do you want answers or are you really looking to learn? For those looking to learn and build not just knowledge but skills for self sufficiency, mentoring can be a mutually rewarding gift.
Think of the process of being mentored as a game of chess. You can easily ask for the next move, but wouldn't you rather learn to master the game?
See the presentation to learn 3 skills to get you going on that path:-
21st Century marketing for startups (...and grown-up cos too)Lora Kratchounova
Startip Institite Marketing Boston track Scartch delievered in October of 2014: New marketing defined, mission/ vision/ positioning; customer segmentation; go-to-market plan components, marketing KPIs
Startup Secrets - Getting Behind the Perfect Investor PitchMichael Skok
These days the pitch to a VC displaces the old business plan because most investors simply don’t have time to read a full business plan, and most entrepreneurs don’t have time to write one. That said, the business strategy still serves as the foundation for any presentation you create.
You’ve figured out your value prop and you’ve got a great product under development. Now what? How can you develop a roadmap to build a company? Venture Capitalists often qualify deals as being a “feature”, a “product” or a “company”. Which do you have and how will you get where you want to go? This presentation addresses how to think about designing your product as a foundational element of your business. This includes thinking beyond UX and Architecture to Whole Product, Ecosystems, and Strategic partners. It also focuses on formulating how to design your go-to-market strategy and business model into your product (with a modular architecture, distinctive packaging and a frictionless approach).
What is needed to build a startup? What are the milestones along the way? And how to do you pull that pitch together to get the venture attention and funding your idea deserves. This Slideshare was given at the Harvard iLab and offered:
-- The holistic checklist to think through your venture in a business like plan
-- What matters to a VC/Investor
-- How to think about your roadmap from startup to public company
Startup Secrets - Game Changing Business ModelsMichael Skok
In our industry, it’s not uncommon for entrepreneurs to become so mono-focused on the novelty of their product that they forget to innovate sufficiently around their business model. A disruptive business model can be at least as important as a discontinuous innovation.
Presented at Business of Software 2014, Michael Skok (North Bridge Ventures) looks at what it takes to create a scaleable billion dollar business.
Full of insights and practical tips. Read if you're in the early stages of a startup, considering strategy or wondering how to accelerate.
Value Proposition – Case – Diagnostics for AllMichael Skok
This case example provides an overview of DFA’s approach to defining its value proposition, as well as its ability to address qualitative evaluation and gain/pain ratio requirements.
This is part of the Startup Secrets focus on Value Proposition development. For more information on this and other Startup Secrets focus areas, visit http://www.startupsecrets.com
Go To Market – Case – Demandware RebrandingMichael Skok
While we looked at initial branding for startups here, in this case study we discuss a more mature example with Demandware, a company that is now past its IPO and was looking to rebrand to extend its leadership and position the company for continued growth.
We all know a company is only as good as its team, which is why the hiring process is so critical as you build out your venture. This presentation focuses on the different considerations an entrepreneur should make with regard to hiring, featuring insights from Russ Campanello, iRobot’s senior VP of HR, and Eric Gaffen, Acquia’s global manager of talent acquisition. The presentation also provides recommendations on specific questions to ask when trying to find your ideal candidate.
Game Changing Business Models - V2! - with case examples - Competitive Advant...Michael Skok
Developed for the Harvard Innovation Lab workshop series on Startup Secrets.
This is part 3 of the 5 part series by Michael J Skok on how to get competitive advantage as a startup.
Michael's slides are the agenda for the workshop, and are NOT self contained. For fuller coverage of the slides, visit Michael's website http://www.mjskok.com/
This presentation provides an overview of approaches to developing you vision and mission, as well as the critical nuances tied to company culture. It also features an insightful case example from Salsify.
Game Changing Business Models - Case - Dries Drupal, Open Source, Co-CreationMichael Skok
This is a case to exemplify how disruptive open source and co-creation can be as part of your business model. Presented by Dries Buytaert, founder of Drupal, the largest open source project on the planet.
This is part of the workshop on Game Changing Business Models - itself part of the series on Startup Secrets, by Michael J Skok on how to get competitive advantage as a startup.
Michael's slides are the framework for the workshop, and are NOT self contained. For fuller coverage of the slides, visit Michael's website http://mjskok.com/
Harvard Innovation Lab Workshop on developing the Perfect Pitch, by Michael Skok.
Michael is an entrepreneur turned venture capitalist, who has seen both sides of this. He spent 21 years as a CEO, building companies and raising over 100 million to build a number of software businesses. And then has spent the last decade as a VC seeing thousands of pitches from entrepreneurs raising money, and invested in companies that have generated over a billion dollars in value.
So with that in mind, the idea here is to give you an insider's checklist for your own pitch,
Building a compelling value propositionMichael Skok
This presentation is an overview designed to help startups create their value proposition. It was developed in partnership to Actifio, arguably the fastest growing storage startup ever.
It is part of the Startup Secrets focus on Value Proposition development. For more information on this and other Startup Secrets focus areas, visit http://www.startupsecrets.com
This case example demonstrates how Disqus developed its value proposition, while offering insight into how the company addressed the qualitative evaluation process.
This is part of the Startup Secrets focus on Value Proposition development. For more information on this and other Startup Secrets focus areas, visit http://www.startupsecrets.com
3 Skills to Master the gift of Mutual MentorshipMichael Skok
Mentorship is a seemingly simple concept. Get some help from someone more experienced than you. So why do we bother teaching a class on it? Because like anything else it's a skill to mentor and be mentored. And if we can learn that skill it can be a real gift, both to give and receive.
But first of all you've got to know what you're looking for in mentorship. Is it a handout or real help? Do you want answers or are you really looking to learn? For those looking to learn and build not just knowledge but skills for self sufficiency, mentoring can be a mutually rewarding gift.
Think of the process of being mentored as a game of chess. You can easily ask for the next move, but wouldn't you rather learn to master the game?
See the presentation to learn 3 skills to get you going on that path:-
21st Century marketing for startups (...and grown-up cos too)Lora Kratchounova
Startip Institite Marketing Boston track Scartch delievered in October of 2014: New marketing defined, mission/ vision/ positioning; customer segmentation; go-to-market plan components, marketing KPIs
Startup Secrets - Getting Behind the Perfect Investor PitchMichael Skok
These days the pitch to a VC displaces the old business plan because most investors simply don’t have time to read a full business plan, and most entrepreneurs don’t have time to write one. That said, the business strategy still serves as the foundation for any presentation you create.
Ideas are worth very little without a culture to guide the selection of talent and a big, bold vision to attract and unify the team. Human capital is what separates great from good companies – which is why establishing a strong culture to attract and retain the right people, while unifying them behind an inspiring vision and mission is essential to any significant venture.
Startup Secrets: Raising Funding - Case – GivologyMichael Skok
This is a guest presentation from Alok Tayi, PhD. He is a postdoctoral fellow, in the Whitesides Lab at Harvard University. Alok has been working to provide sample case studies on for the Startup Secrets series. Special thanks to Coulter King and Joyce Meng of Givology for their contributions to this case study.
Givology is a student-run social enterprise that helps individuals find and fund education-related projects around the globe. Givology was launched in 2008 and founded by three University of Pennsylvania undergraduates: Joyce Meng, Jennifer Chan and Carl Mackey.
More: http://www.mjskok.com/resource/startup-secrets-raising-funding
Mentorship is a seemingly simple concept. Get some help from someone more experienced than you. So why do we bother teaching a class on it? Because, like anything else, it’s a skill to mentor and be mentored. And if we can learn that skill it can be a real gift, both to give and receive.
Startup Secrets - Funding Strategies to Go the DistanceMichael Skok
Having been a venture capitalist for the last decade, I have found that the topic of funding is one that everyone wants to know about but is openly discussed by few. Ironically, the more it is talked about, the more educated entrepreneurs will be, enabling them to make the right decisions as they seek funding for their startup.
2012 Future of Open Source - 6th Annual Survey resultsMichael Skok
The annual Future of Open Source Survey provides a report on the state of the open source industry and analysis of future trends. Now in its seventh year, this annual survey was supported by nearly 30 collaborators open source software industry leaders and collaborating organizations, and compiles results from hundreds of respondents from the open source community.
2014 Future of Open Source - 8th Annual Survey resultsMichael Skok
The annual Future of Open Source Survey provides a report on the state of the open source industry and analysis of future trends. Now in its eighth year, this annual survey was supported by with over 45 collaborators, open source software industry leaders, and collaborating organizations, and compiles results from hundreds of respondents from the open source community.
How, as a burgeoning company, should you fit intellectual property investment into your business strategy? We outline Typical IP strategies for startups and help advise how to value factors such as risk, counter assertions and more.
Hardware Startups 101: Tips for "career engineers" (NESOSA 2015; Favalora)favalora
Strategic and tactical advice on hardware startups for first-time entrepreneurs. A talk by Gregg Favalora - an entrepreneur who exited a "holographic display" startup in 2009 - that will rapidly teach Career Engineers about the primary themes of startups. Topics: product definition, financing, sales. Links to an Online Guide for HW Resources in Eastern Massachusetts.
Creative exits v3 10 20-2013 for distribution Fas Mosleh at OPEN Networking E...Fas (Feisal) Mosleh
We explore the many ways that you can get some kind of valuable payout before you move on to your next project. We will discuss several interesting ways of ensuring that you and your investors can walk away with something in your pockets. When is the best time to plan out an exit strategy? We examine exits contemplated in the early stages through the later stages.
Getting Bought by Google: Or another technology heavyweight - MaRS Best Pract...MaRS Discovery District
What do technology majors or other desirable purchasers really seek? What do they value that would not be obvious unless you had been through such a deal? How can past success be replicated? Does IP really matter? And most importantly, how does one build a strong valuation?
Using practical case studies, this presentation focuses on aspects of acquisitions that may be new to many entrepreneurs.
http://www.marsdd.com/events/details/bought-google-technology-heavyweight/
Financial technology, or FinTech, has been using technology to disrupt the financial services, payments, and banking industries. Fintech investment are on the rise - Q4 of 2014 was the busiest quarter of the last 5 years in fintech. $3.1 billion was invested into the fintech sector in Q4 of 2014.
Chicago is home to financial technology powerhouses and startups alike. On April 8th, we'll hear from Chicago companies using cloud technology to disrupt, react and innovate.
CloudCamp features short lightning talks, an "unpanel" with audience participation and questions, and small breakout clusters around beers and pizza.
Theme: "FinTech"
These full slides from the April 8th event include:
"Selling to the Sell-Side" - Sam Perl, Founding Partner at Fundology
"Cloud Culture Shock in Financial Services" - Susan Emery, Director of Product Management at Viewpointe @semery_vp
"Put away the credit card, a look at alternative payment methods" - John Downey, Security Lead at Braintree @jtdowney
"Micro-services and how they apply to FinTech" - Eero Pikat, President at BarChart @eeropikat
"What Financial Cloud Should Be" - Patrick Kerpan, CEO at Cohesive Networks @pjktech
Have you ever wondered what it is you need to do to increase the valuation of your company to get the best payout when you exit? This panel will discuss many ways of upping your valuation and how to start the process in the early days as well as improving it in the latter days of the life of the company.
For example, adding high profile industry experienced people to your team, buying or developing really interesting patents, creating channels, a brand, relationships that matter. Other ways include increasing your customer base and creating products that fit the gaps which larger competitors possess. When an acquiring company looks at you, what constitutes your value drivers?
Join a distinguished panel comprising entrepreneurs and acquirers as well as financial experts who can give you an idea of how to best increase your company’s valuation.
Patent Monetization: Buy, Sell, License, Hold?Erik Oliver
Given the myriad of ways companies use to monetize their patents, how do you know which choice to make? ROL Group delves into this question by looking at the different types of monetization strategies available, and balances the options based on their current market and judicial factors.
This presentation is for the TCN Venture Fast Track. Please review the slides in conjuntion with the below video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALjvwVHHzh8&feature=share
Funding Strategies to go the Distance – Case – Endeca: By Steve Papa, founder...Michael Skok
Endeca was acquired by Oracle in 2011 for $1.1 billion. In the below presentation, Endeca Founder Steve Papa discusses his path to securing the funding that helped make the company a success. Steve also shares key lessons learned, such as the significance of macroeconomics and how fundraising efforts start long before you are actually pitching to investors.
Ask these basic questions: How much capital does your growth require? What will be your cost of capital over the growth of your venture? Can you afford to grow at all costs? When will growth not be the basis for valuation? What if factors beyond your control impact growth?
The 2014 Future of Cloud Computing Survey was conducted in partnership with 72 Collaborators. The survey is the most widely endorsed survey of its kind in the industry. To tweet individual slides, please note the banner on the upper right hand corner of each page. Visit the Blog on http://mjskok.com/resource/2014-future-cloud-computing-4th-annual-survey-results and follow us @futureofcloud #futureofcloud to join the conversation.
Andy Jassy Illuminates Amazon Web ServicesMichael Skok
Andy Jassy, senior vice president of Amazon Web Services, provides an overview of AWS at the May 8, 2013 Startup Secrets session at Harvard innovation lab.
A company is only as good as its team, which is why the hiring process is so critical as you build out your venture. And anyone who has made a bad hire along the way knows that hiring the wrong person can cost you far more than time and money. This presentation shares a framework comprised of three areas of focus critical to hiring success.
RMD24 | Debunking the non-endemic revenue myth Marvin Vacquier Droop | First ...BBPMedia1
Marvin neemt je in deze presentatie mee in de voordelen van non-endemic advertising op retail media netwerken. Hij brengt ook de uitdagingen in beeld die de markt op dit moment heeft op het gebied van retail media voor niet-leveranciers.
Retail media wordt gezien als het nieuwe advertising-medium en ook mediabureaus richten massaal retail media-afdelingen op. Merken die niet in de betreffende winkel liggen staan ook nog niet in de rij om op de retail media netwerken te adverteren. Marvin belicht de uitdagingen die er zijn om echt aansluiting te vinden op die markt van non-endemic advertising.
The key differences between the MDR and IVDR in the EUAllensmith572606
In the European Union (EU), two significant regulations have been introduced to enhance the safety and effectiveness of medical devices – the In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR) and the Medical Device Regulation (MDR).
https://mavenprofserv.com/comparison-and-highlighting-of-the-key-differences-between-the-mdr-and-ivdr-in-the-eu/
Business Valuation Principles for EntrepreneursBen Wann
This insightful presentation is designed to equip entrepreneurs with the essential knowledge and tools needed to accurately value their businesses. Understanding business valuation is crucial for making informed decisions, whether you're seeking investment, planning to sell, or simply want to gauge your company's worth.
Digital Transformation and IT Strategy Toolkit and TemplatesAurelien Domont, MBA
This Digital Transformation and IT Strategy Toolkit was created by ex-McKinsey, Deloitte and BCG Management Consultants, after more than 5,000 hours of work. It is considered the world's best & most comprehensive Digital Transformation and IT Strategy Toolkit. It includes all the Frameworks, Best Practices & Templates required to successfully undertake the Digital Transformation of your organization and define a robust IT Strategy.
Editable Toolkit to help you reuse our content: 700 Powerpoint slides | 35 Excel sheets | 84 minutes of Video training
This PowerPoint presentation is only a small preview of our Toolkits. For more details, visit www.domontconsulting.com
Personal Brand Statement:
As an Army veteran dedicated to lifelong learning, I bring a disciplined, strategic mindset to my pursuits. I am constantly expanding my knowledge to innovate and lead effectively. My journey is driven by a commitment to excellence, and to make a meaningful impact in the world.
Implicitly or explicitly all competing businesses employ a strategy to select a mix
of marketing resources. Formulating such competitive strategies fundamentally
involves recognizing relationships between elements of the marketing mix (e.g.,
price and product quality), as well as assessing competitive and market conditions
(i.e., industry structure in the language of economics).
VAT Registration Outlined In UAE: Benefits and Requirementsuae taxgpt
Vat Registration is a legal obligation for businesses meeting the threshold requirement, helping companies avoid fines and ramifications. Contact now!
https://viralsocialtrends.com/vat-registration-outlined-in-uae/
Falcon stands out as a top-tier P2P Invoice Discounting platform in India, bridging esteemed blue-chip companies and eager investors. Our goal is to transform the investment landscape in India by establishing a comprehensive destination for borrowers and investors with diverse profiles and needs, all while minimizing risk. What sets Falcon apart is the elimination of intermediaries such as commercial banks and depository institutions, allowing investors to enjoy higher yields.
"𝑩𝑬𝑮𝑼𝑵 𝑾𝑰𝑻𝑯 𝑻𝑱 𝑰𝑺 𝑯𝑨𝑳𝑭 𝑫𝑶𝑵𝑬"
𝐓𝐉 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐬 (𝐓𝐉 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬) is a professional event agency that includes experts in the event-organizing market in Vietnam, Korea, and ASEAN countries. We provide unlimited types of events from Music concerts, Fan meetings, and Culture festivals to Corporate events, Internal company events, Golf tournaments, MICE events, and Exhibitions.
𝐓𝐉 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐬 provides unlimited package services including such as Event organizing, Event planning, Event production, Manpower, PR marketing, Design 2D/3D, VIP protocols, Interpreter agency, etc.
Sports events - Golf competitions/billiards competitions/company sports events: dynamic and challenging
⭐ 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬:
➢ 2024 BAEKHYUN [Lonsdaleite] IN HO CHI MINH
➢ SUPER JUNIOR-L.S.S. THE SHOW : Th3ee Guys in HO CHI MINH
➢FreenBecky 1st Fan Meeting in Vietnam
➢CHILDREN ART EXHIBITION 2024: BEYOND BARRIERS
➢ WOW K-Music Festival 2023
➢ Winner [CROSS] Tour in HCM
➢ Super Show 9 in HCM with Super Junior
➢ HCMC - Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Festival
➢ Korean Vietnam Partnership - Fair with LG
➢ Korean President visits Samsung Electronics R&D Center
➢ Vietnam Food Expo with Lotte Wellfood
"𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲. 𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬."
Recruiting in the Digital Age: A Social Media MasterclassLuanWise
In this masterclass, presented at the Global HR Summit on 5th June 2024, Luan Wise explored the essential features of social media platforms that support talent acquisition, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok.
Premium MEAN Stack Development Solutions for Modern BusinessesSynapseIndia
Stay ahead of the curve with our premium MEAN Stack Development Solutions. Our expert developers utilize MongoDB, Express.js, AngularJS, and Node.js to create modern and responsive web applications. Trust us for cutting-edge solutions that drive your business growth and success.
Know more: https://www.synapseindia.com/technology/mean-stack-development-company.html
Premium MEAN Stack Development Solutions for Modern Businesses
Turning Products into Companies – Case – Actuality Systems
1. Harvard innovation lab : Michael J Skok : Startup Secrets : Company Formation
Hi
1
#innovationlab @mjskok #startupsecrets www.mjskok.com
MICHAEL J SKOK
Hi Harvard innovation lab
Turning Products into Companies
By Design & Architecture
twitter: @mjskok mjskok.com
North Bridge Venture Partners
STARTUP
SECRETS
Case Example: Gregg Favalora
Founder – Actuality Systems/Principal – Optics for Hire
2. Harvard innovation lab : Michael J Skok : Startup Secrets : Company Formation
Hi
2
#innovationlab @mjskok #startupsecrets www.mjskok.com
For context and more information:
• The entire “Turning Products into Companies”
presentation can be found here.
• For more on the Startup Secrets series, visit
www.startupsecrets.com
• Related Startup Secrets presentation recommendations:
– Building a Compelling Value Proposition
– Go To Market Strategies
3. Harvard innovation lab : Michael J Skok : Startup Secrets : Company Formation
Hi
3
#innovationlab @mjskok #startupsecrets www.mjskok.com
Gregg Favalora, Principal,
Optics for Hire
- Founder Actuality Systems
- @gfavalora
4. Client Confidential
Building and
Commercializing 3-D
Display Products:
Startups are Hard
April 2013
Gregg Favalora
Principal, Optics for Hire
* Founder, Actuality Systems (1997 – 2009)
gregg@opticsforhire.com
7. Client Confidential
Actuality Systems, Inc.
• Founded 1997
• At its peak, 23 employees
• Laid everyone off: Friday Apr. 24, 2009
• Product: Perspecta Spatial 3D System
– Developer tools, Perspecta Medical, Perspecta Viewer
• Target Markets: Medical Imaging, Military, & Entertainment
• First product released on less than $2M
• Total Raised: $15M
• 20 customers, $M in gov’t grants
• 19 patents – strongest 3-D portfolio in the sector
• Assets acquired by Optics for Hire: December, 2009
• Real exit: 2011 patent sale
12. Client Confidential
Discussion Topics
• Case Study: Actuality Systems (basic)
– Setting the Scene: 1997
– Market Need
– The Technology: Spatial 3D
– The Company - Initial Fight for $$$
• Three Lessons Learned for Startups
• Getting your foot in the door with prospects
• Four challenges at Actuality and how we overcame them
• Things we were glad we did a lot of
• Things we wish we had done differently
• Regarding optics, imaging
• The 3-D industry
13. Client Confidential
Discussion Topics
• Case Study: Actuality Systems (basic)
– Setting the Scene: 1997
– Market Need
– The Technology: Spatial 3D
– The Company - Initial Fight for $$$
• Three Lessons Learned for Startups
• Getting your foot in the door with prospects
• Four challenges at Actuality and how we overcame them
• Things we were glad we did a lot of
• Things we wish we had done differently
• Regarding optics, imaging
• The 3-D industry
22. Client Confidential
Getting your ducks in a row for funding
• Get an amazing mentor who made VCs richer
• HAVE A CLUE ABOUT YOUR MARKET (ZOMG!!1!!!)
• Read Crossing the Chasm so that you know all the elements of a product
• IP
– Have and use an NDA to not mess up your patent rights
– File several provisional applications (see: Patent it Yourself, Pressman)
– Do a decent prior-art search
– !! After funding, when you’re filing patent applications, remember:
attorneys will agree to cap their fees !!
• References: talk to warm-blooded customers who like you, get money or
purchase orders from them... And ask them to be references to investors
• Plan for future expenses: get quotations on key components and processes
• Founders work for free to make prototypes and sell whatever you can
• Don‟t pitch any investors until you‟ve practiced your pitch on “friendly fire”
• “Consultants” – don’t rack up $xx,xxx in payables, investors won’t want to
pay it and you’re probably not getting anything in return anyway
23. Client Confidential
2000 – 2004 – Actually, a ton of fun
• 6 full-time employees
• Tiny office in Reading (128)
• Engineering
• Ship betas & product
• Rounds of funding
• Winning awards, getting grants
& customers
• Bringing in seasoned exec team
• ...a whole new set of challenges
& excitement
Build it, baby!
27. Client Confidential
[what I said during the previous slide]
• For many years, a few employees and I searched “wide
and deep” for a market that would sustain Actuality,
while we improved the core 3-D display product. This felt
backwards.
• Every one of these markets seemed like a good fit, but
ultimately, none felt the $100k ASP provided good ROI:
• Virtual prototyping, molecular visualization, C4I /
battlefield visualization, air traffic control, diagnostic
medical imaging (PET, orthopedics, cardiac),
interventional medical imaging, radiation therapy, 3-D
luggage scanning, video games, petroleum, ...
32. Client Confidential
Actuality‟s financing rounds (1999-2008)
Series A ($1/share) (2000) $ 1,500,000
“2001 Note” 807,500
Series B ($0.2826/share) 3,499,996
Series C ($0.35/share) 6,499,998
Note 1 (Mar 2006) 1,445,134
Note 2 611,206
Note 3 (2008) 536,356
$14,900,189
33. Client Confidential
Note: This slide goes with significant verbal commentary. I gathered these data from a filebox of quarterly
financial statements and board meetings. It conflates balance sheets and income statements, but gives an
overall picture of what happened: rapid headcount ramp in the absence of a big customer .(Why? Well, we
needed a headcount of 90% engineering just to get the basic product out the door in the first place.)
34. Client Confidential
Acquisition
• 2004: CEO transitioned out. I was asked to be CEO during the Search.
• 2005: Frankly, a very difficult year for me – large team, 70% travel, etc.
• 2006-2009: PIVOT – new CEO stops 3-D displays, contemplates [merger], and
starts work on software for prostate cancer treatment
• Mar 2009: The financial market TANKS. The CEO exits, to help reduce burn.
• Apr 2009: I lay off remaining staff
• [Not a good year for selling IP]
• Dec 2009: A flurry of paperwork, then acquisition by OFH
• Dec 31, 2009: Formal dissolution of Actuality
• Jan, 2010: Acquisition:
35. Client Confidential
While working at OFH
• [Summary: I got a job at product-engineering firm OFH.
We approached 150 prospects to buy the ex-Actuality
patent portfolio. One deal came close to completion, and
collapsed a few months later. About 6 months after that,
a buyer was identified. We are all quite happy about this
exit.]
37. Client Confidential
Discussion Topics
• Case Study: Actuality Systems (basic)
– Setting the Scene: 1997
– Market Need
– The Technology: Spatial 3D
– The Company - Initial Fight for $$$
• Three Lessons Learned for Startups
• Getting your foot in the door with prospects
• Four challenges at Actuality and how we overcame them
• Things we were glad we did a lot of
• Things we wish we had done differently
• Regarding optics, imaging
• The 3-D industry
38. Client Confidential
Three general lessons for HW startups
• “Technology looking for a market” is hard
• It is very difficult to raise money for HW plays. Best
bets are savings[1], SBIR, and angels. The exception
is if your CEO already made $$ for VCs. Convince
your accounts to become paying customers.
• And...
[1] Be PRUDENT about this. Do not risk your family’s
savings!
In my opinion:
39. Client Confidential
Discussion Topics
• Case Study: Actuality Systems (basic)
– Setting the Scene: 1997
– Market Need
– The Technology: Spatial 3D
– The Company - Initial Fight for $$$
• Three Lessons Learned for Startups
• Getting your foot in the door with prospects
• Four challenges at Actuality and how we overcame them
• Things we were glad we did a lot of
• Things we wish we had done differently
• Regarding optics, imaging
• The 3-D industry
40. Client Confidential
Sales for Dummies
• One-paragraph, iPhone-
friendly email intro, “I’m a
student…”
• Explicitly respect people’s time
• In demos, “you” not “I”:
– NO: “With our feature-rich
software, I can click here…”
– YES: “You can learn about your
customers with ClientSort 2.0…”
• Use less techno-jargon.
• The two best words are “for
example.”
• Smile, use first names, talk
about happy things
• Email their PR people
• Email one of their VCs
• Try to Shopify it – sell
prototypes (FCC / UL though)
• Don’t use gimmicks, e.g. don’t
use Re: unless it really is
• Go to the account’s office and
show up day after day,
because that’s not creepy or
anything, but I hear it works
• (On landing SBIRs)
41. Client Confidential
Discussion Topics
• Case Study: Actuality Systems (basic)
– Setting the Scene: 1997
– Market Need
– The Technology: Spatial 3D
– The Company - Initial Fight for $$$
• Three Lessons Learned for Startups
• Getting your foot in the door with prospects
• Four challenges at Actuality and how we overcame them
• Things we were glad we did a lot of
• Things we wish we had done differently
• Regarding optics, imaging
• The 3-D industry
42. Client Confidential
Advice particular to optics, imaging
• Takes a lot of money and time for prototyping
• Our best computer graphics people were
mathematicians
• ITAR / DFARs / customs
• Investor contracts are (for better or worse) not
etched in stone – later-stage investors often require
amendments to early-stage investment contracts.
E.g., “Hey, you can have 100% of a $0 company, or
2% of a potentially $100M company, take your pick.”
• Government money and audits
• The creative process
• COMPONENTS ARE NOT SOLUTIONS
44. Client Confidential
What Went Right
• Went for it, low-risk at first
• Extraordinary luck at hiring engineering team
• Incredible IP portfolio – so good, we sold it twice!
• Broke four world’s records in display technology
• In early years, publicity from CNN to Wired
• Numerous Product of the Year awards
• We supported 23 people and their families over a
decade
• We were acquired and I am now happily working for the
acquiring company
45. Client Confidential
Contact me anytime
• Gregg Favalora, Principal
Optics for Hire (Arlington, MA)
gregg@opticsforhire.com
46. Harvard innovation lab : Michael J Skok : Startup Secrets : Company Formation
Hi
46
#innovationlab @mjskok #startupsecrets www.mjskok.com
For context and more information:
• The entire “Turning Products into Companies”
presentation can be found here.
• For more on the Startup Secrets series, visit
www.startupsecrets.com
• Related Startup Secrets presentation recommendations:
– Building a Compelling Value Proposition
– Go To Market Strategies
47. Harvard innovation lab : Michael J Skok : Startup Secrets : Company Formation
Hi
47
#innovationlab @mjskok #startupsecrets www.mjskok.com
MICHAEL J SKOK
Hi Harvard innovation lab
Turning Products into Companies
By Design & Architecture
twitter: @mjskok mjskok.com
North Bridge Venture Partners
STARTUP
SECRETS
Case Example: Gregg Favalora
Founder – Actuality Systems/Principal – Optics for Hire
Editor's Notes
Actuality Systems operated from 1997 to 2009. We were best known for the 100 million voxel display PERSPECTA, while we secretly developed a series of light field displays that made less conspicuous use of moving mechanics.In 2009, a company called OFH aquired Actuality’s patents. And in 2011, sold them to a confidential buyer.I am a partner at OFH.Today you’ll learn about two displays, made around 2004 and 2005. One worked really well. The other did not work at all.
Actuality Systems operated from 1997 to 2009. We were best known for the 100 million voxel display PERSPECTA, while we secretly developed a series of light field displays that made less conspicuous use of moving mechanics.In 2009, a company called OFH aquired Actuality’s patents. And in 2011, sold them to a confidential buyer.I am a partner at OFH.Today you’ll learn about two displays, made around 2004 and 2005. One worked really well. The other did not work at all.