Startup & Entrepreneurship

If you were given the opportunity to stand up for 90 seconds and pitch your company to a panel of angel investors and a raucous, how would you fare?

A bunch of small business owners on the Central Coast recently formed a connection on Twitter, sharing experiences, advice and business tips. So they decided to meet (known in twitter circles as a "tweetup"). Since meeting, the group has grown into a fully-fledged organisation - the Central Coast Small Business Network, or CCBiz - and it is officially launching on 27 August. Great work, people.

August is Venture Capital Month at Anthill and last week we launched a new series written by San Francisco-based Steve Anderson focusing on the capital raising cultures in Australia and the US. Today, Anderson discusses the comparative advantages and disadvantages of pursuing funding from Australian VCs or US VCs.

Why is it that some of our society’s brightest minds have no idea how to translate their “no holds barred” skills from the court room to the public domain of marketing communication in a battle to win more clients? Maybe they just don’t need the extra business, maybe they don’t know how, or maybe the truth is a combination of arrogance and ignorance steeped in tradition.

Yesterday, as a continuation of our five part blog series calling on members of the private sector to join me in responding to the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research’s 'Opportunity for Comment', we asked readers to help us respond to the first part of the Department's SmartForm, 'Addressing the Commercialisation Gaps'. Today, we're turning our attention to the second section, which we're calling: 'Delivery of specialist advice'.

It's on again. Over coming weeks, we'll be scouring the nation for Australia's coolest companies. It's the first stage in Australia's most innovative business awards program - The Nomination Phase.

Seth Godin speaks to the Grandfather of entrepreneurs Richard Branson on how he turned the theft of stylish pepper shakers on Virgin Atlantic flights into a great marketing ploy, while also setting a decision-making example to his staff.

Seth Godin speaks to the Grandfather of entrepreneurs Richard Branson on how he turned the theft of stylish pepper shakers on Virgin Atlantic flights into a great marketing ploy, while also setting a decision-making example to his staff.

This first event in Anthill's upcoming 'Tunnel Talk' series, held in conjunction with Design Victoria, is a two-part initiative developed for business builders, commercial...

Most people giggle about the prevalence of porn on the internet, but the truth is that the porn industry has pioneered many of the technological innovations of our time. As an industry, these companies are good at what they do. Really good. And you should learn from them.

Yesterday, I posted an article calling on members of the private sector to join me in responding to the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research's Opportunity for Comment to "help inform the development and operation of the Commonwealth Commercialisation Institute." Naturally, I invite you to join me and post your own responses to each section, as a way to encourage open dialogue and the sharing of opinions. This way, when you do formerly submit your thoughts, you will do so informed by the views of many.

Yesterday, I posted an article calling on members of the private sector to join me in responding to the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research's Opportunity for Comment to "help inform the development and operation of the Commonwealth Commercialisation Institute." Naturally, I invite you to join me and post your own responses to each section, as a way to encourage open dialogue and the sharing of opinions. This way, when you do formerly submit your thoughts, you will do so informed by the views of many.

The website www.buyaustralianmade.com.au is not much fancier than a listing business - a directory. But it is being launched at a time when many manufacturers, especially in regional areas, are finding it tougher to sell their products through traditional retail outlets as the major chains cull their product lines.

The website www.buyaustralianmade.com.au is not much fancier than a listing business - a directory. But it is being launched at a time when many manufacturers, especially in regional areas, are finding it tougher to sell their products through traditional retail outlets as the major chains cull their product lines.

Chicago used to have a reputation for lawlessness and corruption. But, as Austrade’s chief economist Tim Harcourt reveals, it’s now a top-tier global business town and a place where Australian companies are shining.

Mr 1% Spend had an encounter with the CEO of Petulance Corporation recently. It was illuminating. "The silence on the end of the phone was deafening. For any of you who have kids, it was that silent pause you get between saying no to whatever it is your toddler wants and the instant that the tears and screaming starts. Then the screaming started.”

It would be impossible to watch these videos and not feel a slight warm and fuzzy feeling about the future of entrepreneurship in Australia. On Friday night, the bright young things at Entrepreneurs Week (eWeek) concluded seven days of entrepreneurial activities with the program's flagship event, the Innovators’ Challenge.

An over-efficient accounts payable person can be the worst enemy of cashflow in a business, writes Sue Hirst.

For those unfamiliar with the proposed Commonwealth Commercalisation Institute (CCI), the initiative was announced as part of the 2009 Budget. At the time, Nick McNaughton, writing for Anthill, made the observation that the CCI should be viewed as welcome relief, citing Powering Ideas - An Innovation Agenda for the 21st Century and Australia’s failure over the last decade to keep up an appropriate level of investment in innovation compared to our peers.

Designed to help high net worth individuals become successful Angel Investors. Angel investing involves active mentoring and coaching of an early stage management team towards a successful exit or additional funding, probably from a venture capital firm. This book sets out a comprehensive and rigorous process which will help the Angel generate deal flow, evaluate investment proposals and manage the investment and subsequent harvest. The book also provides a useful guide to managing operational risks in the venture.