Entrepreneurs have numerous options for obtaining funding to explore and validate their startup concept.

Seed funding has become the ‘participation award’ of startups.  While getting started is easier than ever, ultimate success is tougher than ever.

The basic question that most plans leave unanswered is, “How do I know if my plan is working?”

As Angels and VCs are tightening their fists, entrepreneurs are less likely to get next stage funding. Having a great team, pitch and front man are simply not enough.

Entrepreneurs tend to be arrogant. This sounds rather like a criticism, but it’s more a statement of fact and a caution.

One or two of every ten investments bring most of the returns to the portfolio of an angel investor, and it’s difficult to determine which of the companies will provide the returns.

Organizing a business can be a complex journey. Developing and filing the appropriate documents will create the foundation for a successful business.

I am amazed at the number of privately held business partnerships that do not have a formal buy-sell agreement in place. This one is absolutely essential. When forming your business, you chose your partner; make sure you have some rights when it comes to who your partner will be as time goes on too.

David S. Rose, the CEO of Gust and Founder of the New York Angels defines Due Diligence in his book, Angel Investing – The Gust GUIDE TO Making Money and Having Fun Investing in Startups. The careful investigation into a company prior to making an investment.

Should you quit now because you’re wasting your time? If you look at many of the giant tech “unicorns” —private companies with over $1 billion valuation — and the major players in the public markets such as Apple, Microsoft, IBM, Google, and Amazon, you will find that the founders were often software or electrical engineers.