The Big Idea

Research and Innovation

The Startup Experience

You’re GO for launch. Roger.

You are here: Home / Archives for The Startup Experience

The Startup Experience

How Small Business Incubators Help Startups Grow 

by

If you plan to start a new business or already have but you don’t have an office or lab space, why should you consider working with a small business incubator?   An incubator is an organization that offers assistance and resources to help newly-formed businesses get started and supports them as they move forward. Small business incubators also provide space to house these … [Read more...] about How Small Business Incubators Help Startups Grow 

Entrepreneurship: Where Do I Start?

by

If you are a faculty inventor, you’re likely also interested in becoming a faculty entrepreneur. Aspiring to be an entrepreneur is the first step, but what should you do next? Take Action Bruce Fischer, professor of business and economics at Elmhurst University, said in a blog post that “above all, you should take action” and not procrastinate. Fischer suggests taking … [Read more...] about Entrepreneurship: Where Do I Start?

What Should a Faculty Inventor’s Role be in Their Startup?

by

Are you a faculty member at a university? Are you a researcher with an invention that you want to monetize? Do you want to start your own startup company? If you answered yes to these questions, another question you need to consider is, should you leave your research position at the university to lead your company or get out of the way entirely?  The … [Read more...] about What Should a Faculty Inventor’s Role be in Their Startup?

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Business?

by

The process of opening a small business is already stressful enough without even worrying about how to fund it. But it’s good to start thinking about business costs early in order to know where the money will go.  Sammi Caramela, a Business News Daily contributing writer, said in an article to “be realistic” when considering how much starting a … [Read more...] about How Much Does it Cost to Start a Business?

The Acceleration of Innovation

by

When the world came to a halt in 2020 due to COVID-19, innovation moved forward as normal day to day operations went virtual. Small business incubators like the University of Houston Technology Bridge, The Cannon and The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, have found that, even during a lockdown, new innovations and leading-edge technologies have become easier to … [Read more...] about The Acceleration of Innovation

Innovation Teams Work To Make Your Dream Work

by

“Teamwork makes the dreams work”. The well-known phrase has been overused as a company motto. Yet, it remains true and always will.  Haven’t heard it? Maybe you’ve heard, “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself,” a quote by Henry Ford. Or maybe, “differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical … [Read more...] about Innovation Teams Work To Make Your Dream Work

How to Spin Out University Research into a Startup as a Faculty Member

by

Most inventors, whether they are university faculty or not, want to eventually start a company and capitalize on their inventions and research. For university faculty, this could be, or at least seems like a much more difficult thing to do. Why? Well, they already have a full-time job as a professor.   There … [Read more...] about How to Spin Out University Research into a Startup as a Faculty Member

When is the Best Time to Start a Business?

by

Have you ever thought about opening your own business, but you didn’t know when to do it? Maybe you’ve heard the phrase: “the best time to start a business is today.” Is this actually good advice?  Yaro Starak, entrepreneur, blogger and podcaster, answers this question on his blog. Starak highlights three things aspiring entrepreneurs should do first when they decide to open … [Read more...] about When is the Best Time to Start a Business?

Mistakes Aspiring Entrepreneurs SHOULD Consider Making when Starting a Business

by

We all have heard “you learn from your mistakes,” so, why do a lot of startup blogs warn entrepreneurs of the mistakes they shouldn’t make when starting a business, but not very many tell them what mistakes they should be making? Some mistakes teach us more than our successes and some of those mistakes are bound … [Read more...] about Mistakes Aspiring Entrepreneurs SHOULD Consider Making when Starting a Business

A Few Things to Consider When Launching a Faculty Startup

by

Trying to start a business as a faculty member in academia? Don’t fret. As daunting as starting a company can seem, this blog will aim to give any prospective entrepreneur useful insights to getting started. Jason Eriksen, Ph.D., an associate professor of Pharmacology at the University of Houston, has founded three different Biotech companies since he’s been at UH: Alzeca … [Read more...] about A Few Things to Consider When Launching a Faculty Startup

4 Misconceptions of University Tech Transfer Offices

by

Beyond their education and research missions, universities across the nation have turned research discoveries into big business. In addition to protecting intellectual property from faculty discoveries, universities build and support startup pipelines to help researchers commercialize those technologies.  However, there are a few misconceptions when it comes to university … [Read more...] about 4 Misconceptions of University Tech Transfer Offices

Policing Politics in the Workplace

by

Politics in the workplace Politics has always managed to find its way into the workplace. Casually popping up in conversation here and there. Usually reserved for the water cooler. It always managed to seep through the cracks like a gentle breeze. But, what was once just a breeze, has now become a tsunami. Politics in the workplace doesn't just casually pop up anymore. In … [Read more...] about Policing Politics in the Workplace

Flying High: Angel Network Membership Grows

by

Angel Network Sees Growth Over the summer of 2020, investors hit the emergency brake on cash flow and deals. Like most entrepreneurs, the pandemic forced their hand in putting a stop to major transactions and investments. So, it is quite counter-intuitive to hear that the Houston Angel Network (HAN) saw its membership actually, now hold on to your hats, double. Not only … [Read more...] about Flying High: Angel Network Membership Grows

In the Shadow of the Valley of Tech

by

It started with prunes. Long before Silicon Valley was the innovation capital of the world, it was a giant valley of fruit trees and verdant hills. The primary crop in the then called Santa Clara Valley was the French plum, which was sun-dried to turn into the valley’s most popular export and métier: prunes. By the late 19th century, the Industrial Revolution had produced … [Read more...] about In the Shadow of the Valley of Tech

Diversity in Startups: Texas Startups Lead the Way

by

Diversity in startups Over 50 business owners in Austin have signed a diversity initiative called The Startup and Inclusion Pledge. Firstly, the pledge calls for all signees to make a commitment to diversity in startups. For example, diverse hiring standards. Secondly, to commit to unconscious bias training and a diverse workforce. The pledge also calls for business … [Read more...] about Diversity in Startups: Texas Startups Lead the Way

Crisis Management: Keeping Cool in a Crisis

by

Crisis management The great pandemic of 2020 has brought to the surface the issue of crisis management. Especially with nationwide business shut downs in the last eight months, many companies are on a rocky road of uncertainty. Entrepreneurs are unsure of what the future holds after seeing revenues slow or halt in some cases. Layoffs, RIFs, budget cuts, departmental … [Read more...] about Crisis Management: Keeping Cool in a Crisis

SEO Changes During the Pandemic

by

SEO Changes If you’re stranded on an island, it’s probably not smart to go into hiding and just hope someone finds you. You’re better off dedicating your time to making a fire, spelling HELP with logs, or sharpening your hunting skills. During this pandemic, it would best serve your company’s future to dedicate your time honing your SEO skills and tracking SEO changes. … [Read more...] about SEO Changes During the Pandemic

Teamwork in Healthcare: Conquering a Crisis

by

Teamwork in healthcare Oftentimes, a crisis can fuel people’s willingness to work together. Crises create a sense of urgency. They push us to put aside petty differences and work toward a greater good. In the age of coronavirus, that greater good is perseverance. A return to normalcy. Movie theaters. Concerts. Football. Handshakes and hugs. Humanity.  The workplace is a … [Read more...] about Teamwork in Healthcare: Conquering a Crisis

PPP Loans for Startups: Experts Weigh In

by

PPP loans for startups Unless you’ve been vacationing on Mars for the past six months, you know that a $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was recently approved by Congress. Business owners are sifting through the fine print to see if they qualify for PPP loans for startups. The stimulus package carries provisions that will surely … [Read more...] about PPP Loans for Startups: Experts Weigh In

Biotech Startups Are Withstanding the Pandemic

by

Biotech startups stand tall At a time when the business world is reeling, biotech companies are still hanging on. Many biotech startups have successfully pivoted their entire platforms to focus on coronavirus-related work. Of course, these companies aren’t without their struggles. Clinical trials have come to a pause, finding investors has become more difficult and financing … [Read more...] about Biotech Startups Are Withstanding the Pandemic

How to Boost Employee Morale During a Crisis

by

Look around you. We have a pandemic pumping paranoia into the public. We have the longest unemployment lines we’ve seen in 90 years. Tensions with China teetering on the brink of collapse. Sports are cancelled. Concerts are a memory. Parties are forbidden. We live in a time of suffocating anxiety. A time of uncertainty. It doesn’t help that we have social media and TV … [Read more...] about How to Boost Employee Morale During a Crisis

Finding Funding in the Age of Coronavirus

by

Finding funding tougher than ever Almost eight months in to the pandemic and many startups are still fighting to survive. Finding funding has become harder in an era the New York Times calls “The Great Unwinding.” But not every startup is succumbing to a bleak fate. Some have shown unique strategies for attaining funding. Here, we’ll delve into a few examples of startup … [Read more...] about Finding Funding in the Age of Coronavirus

Top 5 Productivity Tools for Working Remotely

by

Working remotely While most of the country is still in quarantine mode, some states have started to open up. Even still, businesses have learned a lot about their operations during their shutdown. Some companies are opting to continue operations virtually; having employees working remotely. Many companies have come to the realization that remote work offers many benefits. … [Read more...] about Top 5 Productivity Tools for Working Remotely

Back in Business: Reopening During COVID

by

Reopening during COVID As startups venture into uncharted waters, founders might tremble at the thought of unpredictability. The future for startups was clearer six months ago. Now, in post-COVID America, small businesses are left out in the cold. Confused and alone. What safety protocols do we need to implement? What’s a smart way to re-open our operations in a world … [Read more...] about Back in Business: Reopening During COVID

Repurposing Operations to Combat COVID

by

Repurposing operations Companies nationwide are repurposing operations to help America overcome the pandemic. Let's take a look at why repurposing is important and how it helps an entire country. Sometimes in sports, a new player will join the team. Sometimes that player is so good, we consider them a superstar. Someone that can do almost everything. They are immensely … [Read more...] about Repurposing Operations to Combat COVID

Startups Struggling to Pick Up the Pieces

by

Startups struggling during pandemic There are startups struggling to keep their heads above the deluge of a pandemic-induced depression. Between 2016 and 2018, the global startup economy generated over $3 trillion. A far cry from today’s economic value. Today, startups struggle to keep operations running during the pandemic. Web companies throughout Europe have lost close to … [Read more...] about Startups Struggling to Pick Up the Pieces

More Tips For Enhancing Your Virtual Call

by

Virtual call of duty When we last covered ways to make the most of your virtual call, there were some tidbits that we didn’t go over. Here, we’ll cover these tips to give you a more comprehensive understanding of just how you can maximize your virtual experience in the age of quarantine.  Is your webcam on the level? “People have a tendency to put their laptops on … [Read more...] about More Tips For Enhancing Your Virtual Call

Making the Most of Your Virtual Meetings

by

The rise of virtual meetings Even in the pre-pandemic world, more employees were working remotely in America than ever before. Participating in virtual meetings is the norm, at least for now. The shift came rather abruptly. Millions of Americans had only a few days to make the transition. People are now working on laptops where before they worked on double-screen desktops. … [Read more...] about Making the Most of Your Virtual Meetings

How Startups Are Fighting COVID-19 Together

by

Fighting COVID-19 Fighting COVID-19 has become priority number one for everyone, everywhere. As the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the nation's economy, startup companies are now feeling those effects. Startup layoffs and furloughs have begun to take place en masse. Startups have reached a point where they are worried about demand for their services and products. In … [Read more...] about How Startups Are Fighting COVID-19 Together

Don’t Fear the Reaper: Notorious Startup Killers

by

Startup killers Startup killers destroy 90% of companies that aspire to be the next big thing in tech and science. But before we dive into that, let's start by looking at a connection between our fascination with real life killers and those that kill startups. It’s no secret that one of the biggest “guilty pleasures” Americans have is a fascination with serial killers. … [Read more...] about Don’t Fear the Reaper: Notorious Startup Killers

Non-Dilutive Funding for Biotech Startups

by

Non-dilutive funding For the uninitiated, non-dilutive funding is financing where you don’t have to resort to selling a share of your startup. There are myriad benefits to using these non-dilutive resources. As James Taylor (not the folk singer of Fire and Rain fame), writer for Nature Biotechnology, put it, “Non-dilutive funds offer startup founders the resources to … [Read more...] about Non-Dilutive Funding for Biotech Startups

A Good Time to Launch a Startup

by

When to launch a startup? The reality is that there is never really a right time to launch a startup. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t indicators worth looking at to gauge a good time to launch a startup.  “It might be that the right time that you are waiting for never actually presents itself. Even if you talk to experts, they will show you many aspects of a … [Read more...] about A Good Time to Launch a Startup

Giddyup: Houston Gets Moving as a Startup Hotbed

by

Startup Hotbed Houston Cowboys use the term 'giddyup' to get moving. It's a way to push horses to get going. And that's exactly what Houston is doing when it comes to establishing itself as a startup hotbed. They're a-movin'. Houston’s push to become one of America’s top startup destinations and an all-around startup hotbed is working. In fact, Space City made the top 10 … [Read more...] about Giddyup: Houston Gets Moving as a Startup Hotbed

Protecting Your Startup From IP Theft

by

What to know about IP theft Sure, there is a danger in sharing your ideas. There is always a risk of intellectual property theft. But that’s not what cripples entrepreneurs from moving forward. It’s the fear itself that keeps entrepreneurs from growing their company and sharing their ideas. They hear horror stories of IP theft and it’s so terrifying that it keeps them from … [Read more...] about Protecting Your Startup From IP Theft

Budgeting Your Business: Intro to Startup Budgeting

by

Startup budgeting for beginners According to Jean Murray, a business professor at Palmer College where she taught business startup and finance, the most important thing an entrepreneur must meet head on is budgeting. Startup budgeting is important because it allows you to make an educated guess as to what your expected income and expenses will be. Murray recommends … [Read more...] about Budgeting Your Business: Intro to Startup Budgeting

Choosing the Best City for Your Startup

by

The best city isn't always your city Choosing the best city for your startup can mean the difference between success and closing up shop prematurely. It’s important to think outside your home city for a startup launch because your home city may not have the ecosystem set up for your particular startup. If you give in to your emotions; staying in your hometown because it’s, … [Read more...] about Choosing the Best City for Your Startup

Lean On This: How Lean Startups Reduce Risk

by

Intro to the lean method There are few things riskier than launching a new business. You could run through a mine field and have a better chance at living than launching a successful, long-lasting business. In fact, the Harvard Business School even reported that three out of every four startups fail. Fortunately, a new process has come to light that was designed precisely … [Read more...] about Lean On This: How Lean Startups Reduce Risk

Every Startup Founder Has These 3 Personality Traits

by

Personality traits in leaders It's no secret that every successful business leader has multiple personality traits. It seems everyone has a fantasy about starting a business. “I’d open up a record store.” “I’d sell my famous meatball sandwiches my family loves so much.” “I would totally own a comic book shop.” In fact, according to the University of Phoenix, over 60% … [Read more...] about Every Startup Founder Has These 3 Personality Traits

Power of the Pivot: How a Startup Pivot Saves Companies

by

Why should your startup pivot? Imagine your startup is getting ready to present its product to the world at a tech exhibit. Right before you present, another company shows off their own product. And it’s just like yours in every way. Is all lost for your company? No. Because now is the time where you must learn one of the most important principles in business. The startup … [Read more...] about Power of the Pivot: How a Startup Pivot Saves Companies

How Startup Design Improves Productivity

by

Startup design matters If you want a work environment conducive to a nice flow of ideas, creativity, freethinking, and finding a work groove, then your startup design and workspace matter. When it comes to a startup’s office design, you want to create spaces with a purpose. You need to be certain what you want with your office’s design. Moreover, you need to be certain … [Read more...] about How Startup Design Improves Productivity

The Great Connector: Academia Meets the Market

by

There’s something happening on the UH campus. Just over the freeway, on the other side of the tracks, there’s a part of UH that is setting Houston’s tech and science world aflame. The Technology Bridge. A place where academia meets the market thanks to a program designed to connect both worlds: the Connectivity Program. The Bridge In the latter half of the 19th century, … [Read more...] about The Great Connector: Academia Meets the Market

Why Remote Work is a Startup’s Dream

by

Remote work by the numbers According to the State of Remote Work 2017 report, over 60% of engineers working in product development work remotely about once a week. That’s 20% more than average. The report also sheds light on why startup settings are particularly ideal for working remotely.  The report found that small businesses are twice as likely to hire remote … [Read more...] about Why Remote Work is a Startup’s Dream

How to Avoid a Beating in Your Board Meeting

by

Board meetings can be taxing on CEOs. Think about it. You’re standing in front of a group of suits that can fire you on the spot if they feel you’re underperforming. You’re out in the open. Naked. Vulnerable. Insecurities exposed for all to see. One wrong move and you could be back on the bread line. A board meeting puts you front and center. Before we get into exactly … [Read more...] about How to Avoid a Beating in Your Board Meeting

Pitching a Perfect Game: What Investors Look For

by

Importance of the investor pitch Pitching to a venture capitalist is not only the most challenging part of building a startup, it’s also the most important. You can have the next pet rock idea, but nobody will ever experience it and you’ll never make a dime if the genius of this product cannot be expressed in an investor pitch. Okay, so pet rock isn’t the best example. … [Read more...] about Pitching a Perfect Game: What Investors Look For

BERT and Earnings: Google’s Update Affects Businesses

by

BERT update background On October 24th, Google rolled out their Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers, or BERT. To save time and lots of money, we will go with BERT. Questions immediately sprang of how this new update will affect local searches, small businesses, and startups that make their earnings at least partly due to an online presence. BERT is a … [Read more...] about BERT and Earnings: Google’s Update Affects Businesses

Standout Startups and the Value of Value Proposition

by

It's All in the Pitch During your pitch, investors will be looking to see what your startup's value proposition is. What can you offer that your competitors cannot? Imagine if you will, your startup develops a watch that can detect when you’re about to have a heart attack, and automatically sends an alert with your location to 911. You’ve perfected the design and … [Read more...] about Standout Startups and the Value of Value Proposition

3 Biggest Reasons a Venture Capitalist Says No

by

One of the most common questions that pops up in startup circles is, “Why did they turn me down?” There are myriad reasons why a venture capitalist might turn down pitches and decline funding. Here, I’ll present the three most common. Understanding your business. Einstein once said, “If you cannot explain it to a six-year old, you don’t understand it yourself.” If … [Read more...] about 3 Biggest Reasons a Venture Capitalist Says No

Top 5 Investor Red Flags to Watch Out For

by

Why Watch for Investor Red Flags? Venture capitalists give you plenty of reason to be on the look out for investor red flags. In The Parable of the Scorpion and the Frog, the frog entrusts the scorpion not to sting it while it helps the scorpion cross a lake. The scorpion promises not to sting the frog, reasoning that both would drown. The scorpion stung the frog anyway. … [Read more...] about Top 5 Investor Red Flags to Watch Out For

Churning Sensation: How Customer Churn Actually Helps

by

Think of customer churn as a robust balloon, ready to touch the sky as soon as you let go. Every day you hold on to that balloon, air molecules will diffuse through the knot. Your balloon will become flabby. This exodus of air is known in business as a churn. Customer churn is the amount of customers that your company loses during a specific time frame. Cancelled subscribers, … [Read more...] about Churning Sensation: How Customer Churn Actually Helps