I'm There For You, Baby

Friends, family and fools. That is where most entrepreneurs turn for their first investment dollars. But that road comes with more than a few hairpin turns that sometimes lead to crash and burn. . . . → Read More: Family, friends investment can be a combustible mix

Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook, will be the next Internet woman billionaire when the company goes public, and her stated mission is to encourage women to find their “inner geek.” But Silicon Valley is not the only place that has smart, technical women. We have more than our fair share right here in San Diego. . . . → Read More: Geek Girls help pave the way for women entrepreneurs

There is little chance of success in starting a business if one is not comfortable with the numbers. Does revenue exceed expenses, and if not now, when, and then how much money do you need to bridge that gap and for how long? And then there are concepts like pre-money, post-money, liquidation preferences, dilution, return on investment. This stuff matters, and yet, in our interactions with many entrepreneurs, we’ve been surprised at how many struggle with these basic concepts. . . . → Read More: Do the math: Succeeding can be tough without it

The Zuckerberg syndrome has spread. Young, brilliant scientists are not patiently waiting until they graduate to get a job or start a company. Here’s how UC San Diego is leading the way. . . . → Read More: Breeding grounds for entrepreneurs

We spent the day at Pixar, and it was as if the ghost of Steve Jobs was in every piece of wood and steel and glass. We were there to attend the first Intersection Event. And it was exactly what it said — the intersection of social entrepreneurs, leaders in technology, academia, . . . → Read More: Talent, know-how, creativity meet at Intersection Event

Every once in a while, we find a story that embodies the triumph of the human spirit, the successful achievement against all odds, the individual passion for a better life that transcends all the noise from the digital, technology, blogosphere — just mano-a-mano against the darkness and the sadness. In this case, the manos are two women refugees whose stories give us all a moment to pause and consider our many blessings, particularly at this time of year. . . . → Read More: Refugees share inspiring success stories

It’s time for entrepreneurs to think big. . . . → Read More: Entrepreneurs: less linking, more big thinking in 2012

The glass ceiling has been cracked but not shattered. Important advice from three very different women who have become CEOs. . . . → Read More: Advice for women who want to be CEO

Startups around the world are having a hard time raising money. . . . → Read More: Where is capital for our tech and life sciences companies?