Press review: Expert insights for selecting companies, the road to exit and starting a company

Six things that help pick winning startups by Jim Pulcrano IMD

After 25 years of selecting startups for IMD's MBA and EMBA participants, Jim Pulcrano has identified key factors that may help identify promising young ventures with the potential to prosper. In this article he is not focussing on the features of promising startups like a good team etc. but on the prerequisites, methods and approaches that decision-makers need in order to select good companies. For him, these include a diverse team and large network, experience, knowledge of product and financial markets or the ability to read between the lines. In his text, he also provides tangible tips on how to ask the right questions and how to become aware of your own bias. Jim Pulcrano is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management at IMD Business School and founder of the IMD Startup Competition. He is an investor, jury member and advisory board member in several early-stage companies. He also serves on various committees.

Why Private Equity Will Replace IPOs and M&A as the Exit Path

Mark Suster, a General Partner at Upfront Ventures, one of LA’s leading early-stage venture firms discusses how private equity will replace IPOs and M&A as the primary exit path for startups and companies. Suster and the host Harry Stebbings argue that this trend is driven by factors like the high costs and regulatory burdens of going public, as well as the desire for founders to maintain more control over their companies. Private equity firms can provide liquidity for investors and founders while allowing the company to remain private and continue growing. Suster also touches on the topic of founders' first close strategy, the ideal time to exit, M&A landscape evaluation, how to raise a Fund, investing mistake among others. More insights in the video.

Alan’s Startup Guide by Alan Frei

Alan Frei is now an author. Following the successful sale of his company, Amorana, he has drawn on more than 20 years of entrepreneurial experience to create and launch “Alan's Startup Guide” a practical handbook providing his most important learnings and hands-on advice to aspiring entrepreneurs. Covering both successes and challenges, the book covers 10 chapters on various aspects of starting a business, including starting a business, dealing with success and failure, marketing and PR, finding investors, business models, and more. Above all, this book aims to reduce the fear of failure and encourage readers to pursue their business ideas. The book is now available as an ebook on Gumroad in English and German, with a pay-what-you-want price. It will also be available on Kindle and Audible soon.

(RAN)
Picture L-R: Jim Pulcrano, Mark Suster, Alan Frei