All Posts in "INVESTOR TYPES"

Do Startups Really Change The World?

Firstly, my hypothesis is that the startup culture will have a major positive impact on the poorest communities in the world. Or put another way, I believe the culture can spread wealth far more evenly than ever before. However, the devil is in the detail and it would be useful to debate some current assumptions. So:

Are startups good? – Tech startups currently rule the world. Millenniums and many others no longer dream of a corporate career. Many want to take their lives into their own hands and aspire to change the world. It is widely recognised that corporations find it hard to innovate and much of the action is taking place in much more agile startup teams. However, with power comes responsibility and many startups sail close to the line of social acceptability.

The so-called ‘Sharing Economy’ is a point in case. Startups such as Uber and Airbnb have ruthlessly pursued market share in winner-takes-all industry sectors. Not much sharing there then. There is a conflict between the need of these startups to grow and the messaging to their consumer base that is much more idealistic in their objectives. Is it unhealthy that these companies are able to build such large war-chests to fight off challenges by others? Don’t these startups need to grow responsibly or risk losing the support of their own users?

I feel overwhelmingly positive about startup culture. However, it is not a license to act irresponsibly or a backdoor to outright capitalism without any checks … READ MORE ...

Ronnie Jackson by — November 1, 2018 in Small Business Investors

Jason Kulpa, San Diego Serial Entrepreneur, Shares the Four Types of Managers--and the One that Best Improves Worker Performance

Only 40 percent of workers deem their managers to be helpful in their attainment of skills necessary for performing well in their current job function, according to a study by Gartner Inc. Fewer workers also say that their manager is effective at getting them ready to pursue their future career. All in all, vast swaths of workers feel their managers don’t provide the help they need to advance in their current career path and develop prospects for the future.

There are also those who attribute their excellent work performance and career growth to their managers. Those are the managers, much like Jason Kulpa the CEO of UE.co, that greatly benefit any business organization. Gartner researchers identified four types of managers–teacher, always-on, cheerleader, and connector managers.

  • Connector managers, who develop top performers in their teams effectively, frequently make sound assessments of their employees’ skills, do targeted coaching, and give feedback only within their specific areas of expertise.
  • Teacher managers train workers according to their expertise and experience; they tend to oversee the development of employees and give advice-type responses personally.
  • Always-on managers frequently coach their employees and offer feedback spanning different skills and disciplines; when always-on managers assist in upgrading their subordinates’ skills, they do so with the mindset that it is a part of their managerial duty. The study showed they lowered worker performance by up to 8 percent because they gave too much feedback, much of which was irrelevant or misguided.
  • Cheerleader managers, often characterized by their
… READ MORE ...
Ronnie Jackson by — October 24, 2018 in Capital Investors

Robb Misso, Successful CEO, Describes 3 Steps to Employee Buy-in and How to Guide Your Team Through Change

Periods of crisis and change are the most stressful and challenging time for teams and their leaders. But you can make it through with productivity and morale intact if you are strong for your team with the right leadership attitude. By encouraging your team to think of change as an opportunity, you can quickly move your team from resistance with a past focus to commitment with a future focus.

“Everything that exists is already fraying at the edges and is in transition.”

–Marcus Aurelius, second century Roman emperor.

 

Moving Through Change from Past to Future Focused

Getting your team through change means leading them through a change curve: through denial, resistance, acceptance and finally to commitment. Adapted by Sue Stockdale from the five stages of grief, this four-step process starts with employees focused on the past of what was. But as employees learn what’s happening, they will move through the present and finally look forward toward the future of what can be.

The transition from resistance to acceptance of change is the hardest part to get through. But with enough information and time, you can get your team to see the present as it really is. As they go from resistance to acceptance, they will see the reality of the present in a sudden moment of clarity, almost like the eureka moment of creativity.

To bring your team through the past, present and future, follow these three steps advised by Robb Misso, co-founder of DMS and Austin Regional … READ MORE ...

Ronnie Jackson by — October 24, 2018 in Capital Investors

Energy Venture Scanner Insights venture debt funds in india

investors network south africaAbout: Munich-primarily based Siemens Venture Capital (SVC), the central venture capital organization inside Siemens, invests in early-stage technology firms and established development firms, focusing on the energy, business and healthcare sectors. Avesthagen had recently raised $32 mn from Fidelity Investments and France-based biotech majors BioMerieux and Limagrain and the meals giant Danone. The organization has also raised $five-7 mn from Indian corporates such as the Godrej, Cipla, the Tata Group, and ICICI Ventures. ICICI Ventures and Fidelity hold 19% and ten% stake, respectively, in the firm although other strategic investors hold 4-6% stake.

Dubai-primarily based fund-of-funds Evolvence Capital is launching an AIM-listed closed-ended FOF in January which will invest in Indian PE funds. The fund intends to raise $105 mn for the Evolvence India Fund. The FOF will invest in a number of closed-ended PE funds focused on the Indian infrastructure, pharmaceutical and retail sectors. UTI Ventures’ Ascent India Fund, Barings India Private Equity Fund II, IDFC Private Equity Fund II, India Value Fund II, IL&FS’ Leveraged India Fund and New York Life Investment Management India Fund II will be the initial beneficiaries of the fund.

About: 3i Group plc is a London-primarily based mid-industry private equity company. The Company focuses on buyouts, growth capital and infrastructure. It invests across Europe, Asia and North America. The Firm, together with its subsidiaries, manages a quantity of funds established with institutions and other investors to make equity and equity-associated investments predominantly in un-quoted businesses in Europe and Asia. It … READ MORE ...

Ronnie Jackson by — October 22, 2018 in Venture Investors

There are many business opportunities in Japan available to the foreign entrepreneur who is ready to embrace Japanese language, culture and institute business practices which are quite a bit different than those used in other parts of the world.

8 Top Business Opportunities in Japan for 2018

The unique challenges that doing business in Japan presents are more than offset by the potential for establishing a profitable company that will flourish in Japan’s burgeoning economy. In addition, the Japanese government is eager to help foreign-owned businesses establish themselves in the country, in order to “boost foreign investment and international competitiveness.”  

Here are some of the most exciting business opportunities available in Japan:

Food Service

Opening an ethnic restaurant is one of the top business opportunities in Japan. Just as Japanese restaurants flourish in other countries, and not necessarily in those neighborhoods with a large Japanese population, ethnic restaurants will also thrive in Japan. Foodies are foodies all over the world. Advertising one’s cuisine as “authentic” and prepared by chefs from the appropriate region will be a selling point.   Review sites such as TripAdvisor give ethnic restaurants free publicity. For example, here are reviews for “American restaurants in Tokyo.”

Fashion Retail

People in all countries love to follow fashion trends, and Japan is no exception. A company that can be a trendsetter with clothing or jewelry will find a ready market among Japanese men and women, and a niche market among Japanese teens. Osaka is home to the popular Amerikamura, for example.

Import/Export

The business … READ MORE ...

Ronnie Jackson by — October 8, 2018 in Small Business Investors