Thought Leaders
If This VC Sold His Company Today, He’d Do These Things Differently
He did well, but could have done better.
Sam Hogg
Entrepreneur Contributor
Sam Hogg is a venture partner with Open Prairie Ventures, a Midwest-based venture-capital fund investing in agriculture, life-science and information technology.
Want to write for Entrepreneur too?
Apply to join Entrepreneur Leadership network.
More From Sam Hogg
Building a Business
The Money Metric You Might Not Know — But Should
Think you'll run out of money before you turn a profit? Then do this.
Business Accounting
Why Now Is The Best Time To Hunt For VC Funding
The success of your company's pitch could depend on the calendar.
Business Accounting
The Simple Trick to Winning Funding From Midwestern VCs
Warning: There are funding quirks in flyover country.
Business Accounting
Insider Tips for Dealing Expertly with VCs
How to navigate the differences between angels, seeds and VCs.
Building a Business
Why This VC Won’t Fund Startups That Serve Startups
Beware of launching a company that just serves another one.
Business Accounting
Why the Smart Money Invests B2B, Not B2C
An expert explains the upsides of creating a B2B company .
Building a Business
5 Steps for Making the Most of Investor Assistance
What to do when investors arrive, claiming they're there to help.
Building a Business
How to Do Well With 3 Types of Do-Gooder Investors
It's possible, but you'll need to form the right purpose-driven business.
Building a Business
How to Be a Successful Failure
The way you handle collapse determines how soon you start again.
Building a Business
How ‘No’ Might Become ‘Go’ in the World of Venture Funding
An expert offers some reflections on rejections.
Building a Business
How to Get Top Talent When You Have a Bare Bones Budget
Your startup isn't generating enough cash to pay decent salaries. Now what?
Building a Business
The Bright Side of a Bad Pitch
VCs hear it all, but the bad ideas can be as worthwhile as the good ones.
Building a Business
SCUBA Diving and Seed Money are More Connected Than You Think
An expert explains the pitfalls that come after securing funding.
Building a Business
Inside the Smart Game of Late Fundraising Rounds
Late-stage capital is more common now. Here are 3 reasons why.
Building a Business
China’s Effect on the U.S. VC Game
A VC pro explains the benefits and drawback of finding funding overseas.
Building a Business
3 Things VCs Are Looking For
Pitching to a venture capitalist? Be ready to answer questions about these three topics.
Building a Business
Is Your Business Idea Too Weird for a VC?
If your business doesn't firmly fit the mold, don't be discouraged.
Building a Business
How VCs Value Companies
How do you measure the value of a pre-revenue company? Here's a bit of insight.
Building a Business
Create Value — Not Just Buzz — For Your Customers
Too many startups neglect the most important goal: determining why someone would want to buy what they're selling.
Building a Business
Why One Entrepreneur Isn’t Taking the Bait When It Comes to ABC’s Shark Tank
The ugly side of made-for-TV venture capital
Business Accounting
How Venture Capital and Crowdfunding Can Be Mutually Beneficial
V.C. and crowdfunding each have a place in the entrepreneurial landscape.
Business Accounting
Wise Words for Startups: No Money, More Problems
For both the company and the investors, a lack of funds means a surplus of trouble.
Building a Business
3 Ways VCs Can Add Value to Your Startup Beyond the Cash
Turns out, there are other perks besides cash.
Building a Business
Founders: When Fundraising, Ask for More Than You Think You’ll Need
To preserve equity, fight for a higher valuation rather than paring back much-needed cash.
Business Accounting
When It Comes to Equity Stakes, There’s No Need for Contention
We take a look at the issue from both the investors' and founders' point of view.
Business Accounting
Getting Money From an Angel Investor Doesn’t Mean His or Her VC Firm Will Invest in Your Company
In fact, it may indicate the opposite.
Building a Business
Secure That First Investor, and the Rest Will Come
Venture capital's dirty little secret: investors don't like going it alone.
Building a Business
Why Today’s Bullish Economy Is Bad for VCs, But Good for You
A stable economy means less competition for scoring investment.
