This week's Curated includes a variety of articles, from soft skills to shoestring budgets, to scary balances. The latter obviously to keep you in the Halloween-mood. 🎃
Also know that you can still apply to pitch at SXSW Pitch. If you’re bootstrapped, let us know, and if you already know you're going to SXSW, please reply so we can meet up!
For now, enjoy reading!
Culture
Stop calling them soft skills
"When we don’t share what we’re looking for in the actual people behind the companies we’re investing in, it’s a disservice to everyone — startups and investors included." - An investor on why he opens up about the soft skills he's looking for in founders.
How (properly) wasting time at work increases productivity
Taking breaks is good for your productivity, but how to make this constructive? This article gives you some tips on that.
Modern Entrepreneurship
Six lessons from the rise and fall of my startup
"Yes, we know you’re ambitious. Now rein it in. Learn to say no."
Every company needs an innovation thesis
On how an analysis of your portfolio and business environment can help you create your company's innovation hypothesis.
What is a 5 Whys? (Step-by-step guide to running a 5 Whys exercise)
In many cases asking "why" can get you to the core of a problem. A very practical read on how this exercise can help you.
Growth
How to launch and scale your tech product on a shoestring budget
A hands-on guide that helps you 'DIY' to your product launch.
Promoted
Vettery's 2018 Tech Salary Report
Vettery connects top tech talent with inspiring companies through their online hiring marketplace, and they noticed there’s one thing people can’t stop talking about: salary. Vettery is offering a comprehensive 2018 Tech Salary Report to Startup Curated readers for free. Get Yours Today.
Product
The principles of early-stage product development
Product principles are not universal truths, but they can help you underpin your decision-making.
Team
When do I need a CFO in my startup?
When do you need a CFO? And, what can a CFO do for you? This article talks you through these questions.
Your team is more important than your business strategy. Here's why
"Have you ever worked for a total jerk? If so, how much did it matter to your day-to-day happiness that the business was a success?"
*Medium member? Continue reading why 90% of startup founders get fired, which often makes their company better.
Finance
Dear first time angel investor
An open letter to all future angel investors containing valuable advice, like get the startup an experienced startup lawyer and avoid overpaying.
What every early-stage founder should know about valuations
The most common Q&A's according to an investor.
Burn rates: a scary balance
"Let me be clear first, a high burn rate isn’t necessarily a bad thing; if you’re able to execute and achieve the proposed milestones. It’s all about justification and proof."
Thank you
Thank you for finishing issue #196 & credits
Thank you for reading Startup Curated, and special thanks go out to Raymond from DigiGurus, and Alessandro from Difitek for curating!
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