Review:
You've got a hot idea for a new dot.com. You're itching to join the folks who regularly show up on CNBC and at the Lexus dealerships in Silicon Valley but you also know your odds of big-time success are about as long as Bill Gates' position in MSFT. What do you do? John Nesheim, an adjunct professor at Cornell's Johnson Graduate School of Management, who has personally structured over $300 million in new-venture deals, lays out the step-by-step process in High Tech Start Up. Incorporating some two dozen case studies spanning the technology spectrum, he presents information specific to this industry that will help you get from concept to IPO. It begins with a 14-phase schedule itemising time requirements, necessary assistance, typical participants, major costs, main risks and desired results for each step. It then details all the critical stages (i.e., forming the company, preparing the business plan, assembling the team, dealing with venture capitalists and other funding sources). Nesheim focuses on practical strategies that should certainly improve your chances, but don't start prepping for that on-air interview just yet: Only six out of 1 million high-tech ideas, he notes, ever become successful companies that go public. --Howard Rothman, Amazon.com
Review:
Chih-Chao Lam founder, Acknowledge and ShoppingList.com This is the book I wish I'd taken to heart in my first start-up. ShoppingList.com is all the more well-grounded for my having read High Tech Start UP.
Ken Tidwell Vice President, Engineering, Clip2.com Next best thing after the founders to have at the kitchen table.
Thomas M. Uhlman President, New Ventures Group, Lucent Technologies Required reading for the next generation of corporate venture capitalists.
Donald T. Valentine General Partner, Sequoia Capital A must-read for all Internet era entrepreneurs.
Mario Rosati Partner, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Great book for high-tech entrepreneurs.
George Gilder Gilder Group, author of Telecosm Super book by the start-up guru of Silicon Valley.
John C. Dean Chairman and CEO, Silicon Valley Bank From idea to IPO, Nesheim provides a virtual road map to start-up success.
David Ben Daniel Professor of Entrepreneurship, Cornell University An invaluable, practical guide for high-tech entrepreneurs.
Chong Huai Seng Publisher, Asian Entrepreneur A must-read for entrepreneurs, angels, and venture firms seeking the best practices.
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