Certain recognized voices in the venture capital (VC) community have become increasingly vocal in their call for the abandonment of noncompete agreements in Massachusetts. Noncompetes are agreements that impose post-employment restrictions on a former employee's ability to compete with its prior employer. These VCs believe that noncompete agreements stifle an employee's mobility and innovation and, therefore, VC interest and investment. In support of their position, they point to the relative success of Silicon Valley's tech industry as compared with Boston's 128 high-tech corridor. They believe that Silicon Valley's comparative success is directly related to the fact that California prohibits noncompete agreements, while Massachusetts permits them. They contend, therefore, that by banning noncompetes, Massachusetts could reinvigorate VC investment and resultant innovation.

Read More »

Venture capital operates on an entirely different set of principles. When raising money from his own investors—the limited partners in his venture pool—the professional manager of a venture-capital partnership holds himself out as someone with the expertise to "add value" to the investments under his control. The notion is that the typical founder is an incomplete businessman, with gaps in experience in matters such as financial management and marketing. An active board of directors, staffed by representatives of the investors, is expected to help fill these gaps. Significantly, even in successful venture-backed companies, a large percentage of the founders are fired, retired, or otherwise relieved of their duties prior to the company's achieving its maturity. It is rare to find the likes of a Ken Olson at Digital Equipment or an Ed DeCastro at Data General, executives with the necessary breadth and scope to take the company through every phase of its path toward ... Read More »

A friend and I were talking recently about time management and prioritization. I told him that for me, the key to getting things done is to know the single most important thing I must do that day and to do it first. That way, it is impossible to get to the end of the day and say, “I did not get anything done.”

By Stefania Aulicino

Just imagine what you could do with cash in the current environment. Thought the only cash available now is vulture money? Money that wants control? Think again!

Stop hunting and start farming for cash in the current environment.

Prehistoric man spent most of his waking day hunting for food. In his more evolved state he learned the value of farming. Besides controlling his own source of food, he freed up time which could be spent in other pursuits. Why not apply the same logic to sourcing your own growth capital. Economic self sufficiency is the result of farming vs hunting for cash.