HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: aryeh@cash.ucsc.edu (Aryeh Friedman)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Re: Need help about investors
Date: 13 Nov 92 01:17:01 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: WNC
NNTP-Posting-Host: cash.ucsc.edu

Note: the following comments are from my own experience.

We are in the middle of negotating a strategic aliance with a company in
the Middle East.  Also our operations will be international.  Basic disclaimer
your mileage may very.

In article <1992Nov12.232545.19314@proton.llumc.edu> dye@edison.llumc.edu (Leonard Dye) writes:
>I need to find out what kind of terms and percentages an investor or venture
>capitalist expects from a new start-up buisness. I imagine this mostly depends
>upon the amount of risk involved. Are they generally "silent partners" or do
>they usally want a say in how the buisness is ran? Is it better to try and
>sell stock to raise the capital needed?

Since out partner is in the same business we are the are a very active partner,
this helps both us since we have tech skills they don't and they have skills
we don't.  General rule on investment is percent of risk plus T. Bill rate,
this is a minimum often they want more due to the care and feeding most 
start-ups need.  Often there are investment mins (most serious v. caps are not
intrested in anything less then $500k).  The manangment team is the single most
importand element to any investor (if you have a good start they will bring some
ringers for you in special cases).  The actual vehicle used to captialize is 
better left to the v. cap but most prefer hybrids like convertable debt.

>After many months at the keyboard working on my buisness plan, its finally near
>completion. I wanted to get a feel for what to expect before I send these out.
>Also what kind of things should the plan have which would better attract the
>investor (just in case I left something out).

In less you have good contacts or a killer plan expect mostly a cold soulder at
first treat it like you do appling for a job send polite follow up letters and
such, take no as an answer is stated firmly.

>Any information/experiences/comments from fellow netters would be greatly
>appreciated. By the way the buisness plan is to obtain capital needed to get
>equipment to fabricate a product line of which I have two U.S. Patents for.
>The product is used in the machine tool trade.

What is the market growth rate what is the size of your competators, what are
the barriers to entry.  And above all else what cash flow will you have for the
first 24 months, and backo it up.
-- 
Aryeh M. Friedman, President, WorldNet Communications (aka bum from netland)
1720 E. Monte Vista, Phoenix, AZ, 85006, USA  "I need the numbers now!!!!"-anon
(602) 258-5781 		Disclaimer: I don't usually speak for my company.
E-mail: aryeh@cash.ucsc.edu, aryeh@wnc.com and flames to liar@bush.whouse.gov
From: biow@cs.umd.edu (chris biow)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Re: Voicemail sales systems
Date: 11 Nov 92 16:10:06 GMT
Article-I.D.: mimsy.61956
Organization: U of Maryland, Dept. of Computer Science, Coll. Pk., MD 20742

In article <1992Nov11.002831.28748@news.csd.sgi.com> rosso@roscoe.csd.sgi.com (Ross Oliver) writes:

>You will find that many of your "hangups" will refuse to talk to a voicemail
>system as well.  Why not try an answering service?  Every major city has
>several full-service agencies that will take messages, take orders, collect
>names & addresses, etc.  Cost is higher than voicemail, but so is the
>level of service.

Be very careful about choosing such a service. Ask for customer
references and evaluate how they answer the phone for their own
calls (and if they use their own service!).

Many of these companies hire non-English speaking illiterates, who
will turn off your customers and garble the messages at the same
time. A good initial phone impression can make or lose a sale.
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: rodb@slugo.corp.sgi.com (Rod Beckwith)
Subject: Taipan investment newsletter 
Keywords: 
               Hello Anybody,
Organization: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 21:50:39 GMT

Does anyone know if this publication is worth The $79.00 a year asking
price.
The publishers name is Wiliam Bonner. It is based on emerging technologies
as a basis for investing. I was curious if this was a sound investment of
time & money or just another scam man looking for some easy cash from
us...Joe Hopeful investor.

Thanks for any help you all can provide,

Rod 

-- 
Rod Beckwith     |$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 
Datacom I/S      |"The great obstacle of progress is not ignorance,
rodb@corp.sgi.com|but the illusion of knowledge."
                 |$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$


			
From: mtoms@ems.cdc.com (Mark Toms)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Re: American Inventors Corp.
Date: 10 Nov 92 16:06:39 GMT
Reply-To: mtoms@ems.cdc.com
Distribution: usa
Organization: Empros Systems International, a division of CDC

In article <1992Nov10.142651.9498@sol.ctr.columbia.edu>, rb4572@thor.albany.edu (Whitesnake) writes:
|> 
|> I'm considering submitting my invention idea to American Inventors Corp. for
|> a "free assessment," (they tell me if they think it's worth patenting) under
|> a promise of confidentiality and non-disclosure.  If you have dealt with this
|> company before, what did you think of it?  Thanks.
|> -- 
|> Ron Bangel  a.k.a.  \/\/hitesnake        Internet: rb4572@albany.bitnet
|> "I don't wanna play the waiting game     US Mail:  588 Madison Avenue 
|>  and drift away, leaving an illusion..."           Albany, NY  12208
|>                            - Def Leppard           (518) 436-1927

Ron,

  One thought that ocurred to me was that you might ask American Inventors Corp
for a list of, say 10, inventors that they have worked with.  Sort of like
a customer list.  When you buy a car, computer, house, etc.  you ask the
salesman for a list of 'satisfied customers' and then contact them for
their response.  Make sure you tell American Inventors that you want specifics
(names, phone numbers, etc.) and then call these people yourself.

  If American is reputable, they shouldn't have any problems providing you
this information.  If they don't want to, inquire as to why.  Don't settle
for an excuse like 'it's not our policy'.  

Good luck,
Mark
==========================================================================
J. Mark Toms                                email: mtoms@ems.cdc.com
Baltimore Gas & Electric, Company
C/O Empros Systems International            Phone: (612) 553-4423
2300 Berkshire Lane North                     FAX: (612) 553-4018
Plymouth, Minnesota  55441-3694 USA      Mailstop: PLY060
==========================================================================
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: vijr@microsoft.com (Vij Rajarajan)
Subject: Business Opportunity
Date: 12 Nov 92 16:48:03 GMT
Organization: Microsoft Corporation

I am posting this for a friend:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         BUSINESS OFFER
                         ==============

I, Mr. Ashok, am an exporter from India dealing in leather  coats 
/  garments,  leather  goods,  granite,  lingerie,  semi-precious 
stones, handicrafts, textile garments, groceries etc, etc.  I  am 
now  in  the USA on a business visit to find buyers /  agents  to 
export  my  items  from  India.  All  interested  Americans   and 
immigrants with / without prior exposure may kindly contact me at 
the earliest.  No financial commitments or obligations required.

US Mail : 15209 NE 16TH PLACE, #4 
          BELLEVUE, WA-98007

E-Mail  : VIJR@MICROSOFT.COM

SEATTLE (WA) : (206) 641-7194
DAYTON (OH)  : (513) 237-0922

PERMANENT ADDRESS : "PEARL CASTLE"
                     S-106, 4TH MAIN ROAD
                     ANNA NAGAR,
                     MADRAS - 600 040
                     INDIA.
                     PHONE : (91-44) 6214481 / 6214339.
From: picardo@alpha.ces.cwru.edu (Leslie Picardo)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Sales techniques
Date: 9 Nov 1992 16:20:28 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA)
NNTP-Posting-Host: cthulhu.ces.cwru.edu




  Does anyone out there know of any books which describe sales techniques ?
  A friend of mine explained to me  some techniques used by Xerox salesman 
  to sell their products and I found it very fascinating. I'd like 
  to get a hold of any good books on this subject.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Leslie Picardo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Organization: University of Illinois at Chicago
Date: Saturday, 7 Nov 1992 01:36:25 CST
From: Noel B. Lorenzana <U38134@uicvm.uic.edu>
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: M.O.R.E. inc.

Has anyone had success with the above named company. Send replies to

 __     __    __     _______
|  |   |  |  |  |   /   ____)      Univeristy of Illinois
|  |   |  |  |  |  |   /                  at Chicago
|  |   |  |  |  |  |  |
|   ---   |  |  |  |   \____       NOEL B. LORENZANA
 \_______/    \/    \_______)      U38134@UICVM.UIC.EDU




Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: bneale@access.digex.com (Brian Neale)
Subject: Re: 900 Line Information
Organization: Express Access Online Communications, Greenbelt, Maryland USA
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL3
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 1992 17:37:03 GMT

ohumukin@spectra.com (Kawika Ohumukini) writes:
: 
: I sent paul an Email response, I just wanted to reply to his comment.
: I use a service bureau and they haven't ripped me off.  They provide
: the 900 line, computer/answering machine that handles 70,000 callls
: per day, useful book on starting my business, useful features for
: the 900 lines (interactive, live operator, message taking, etc..).
: Immediate call minute report and monthly report.
: 
: Kawika 

What type of service do you provide on your line? 

How successful has it been?  Do they offer any type of co-op advertising
deals?
***************************
Brian Neale
bneale@access.digex.com
***************************
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs,comp.text.sgml,alt.cd-rom
From: bdowning@unixland.natick.ma.us (Bill Downing)
Subject: Market for SGML service bureaus...
Organization: Unixland Public Access Unix and BBS
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 14:27:50 GMT

I'm thinking of launching an adjunct to my business that would help
clients get their paper documentation online, most likely using SGML
as the underlying data representation. For this purpose, I'll need o
conduct a small marketing survey to figure out what potential clients
want. If anyone who is contemplating online conversion could answer
the following questions via email, I'd appreciate it. I'll post a
summary of responses if there's interest.

1. Are you planning to put some or all of your documents online within
the next 12 months?

2. What computer platforms do you plan to distribute the online
documents on?

3. Will you be using SGML to mark up your documents or some other
representation?

4. If you plan to use SGML, do you already have a DTD (Document Type
Description) or will you need outside help in creating one?

5. If you plan to use SGML, will you need outside help in tagging your
documents with SGML markup?

6. What medium do you intend to use to distribute online documents
(CD-ROM, electronic transmission via networks, other)?

7. If you are distributing via CD-ROM, will you need outside help
creating a CD-ROM-compatible document database and transferring the
data to CD-ROM?

8. What sort of information are you distributing online (purchasing
information, maintenance manuals, product updates, etc.)?

9. What products/services does your company/organization provide?

10. Optional: Name, title, company, address, telephone?


Thanks in advance for your help!

Regards,


-- 
Bill Downing, President		Email: bdowning@unixland.natick.ma.us		
DOWNING ASSOCIATES, INC.
8 Doyle Lane, Hopkinton, MA 01748
508-435-4567
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: ajackson@ernie.Princeton.EDU (Andrew William Jackson)
Subject: Re: Product Development
Originator: news@nimaster
Organization: Princeton University
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 20:23:31 GMT

In article <'}#@byu.edu> $dougn@sasb.byu.edu (Douglas R. Nebeker - MIS_SAS) writes:
>I have a friend that has an incredible idea involving computers and music.  
>I think this could really sell big (to schools, performers, etc.).  My 
>question is:  how does he develope the idea into a device, and then how to 
>market?
>
>Marketing will probably not be too hard: any music company (especially 
>companies that build synthesizers) would probably jump at the rights to this 
>thing.  So...how does he go about developing this beast?  Does he produce 
>one that works and take it to someone?  Also, since the technical details 
>are a little above our heads, where can he find someone that knows about 
>computer hardware--are there agencies that do this?
>
>ANY information or experience from someone who has done this would be very 
>much appreciated.



There are several ways to go about converting your idea into cash.  
You can try to develop and market the product yourselves or you could
obtan some rights to the idea through a patent and sell the rights
to a company.  It is very expensive and often quite difficult to obtain
a patent. Have you done a complete patent search on this idea?
That would be a good start.  If the idea is a concept idea it might be
difficult to get a patent if you can't describe how it works.  You said
that the technical details might be a little over your head.
	My personal suggestion is that you have nothing without a
working prototype.  That should be your first priority.  No sythesizer
company is going to give you the time of day if you call them up with
a "great idea"  and even if you have a patent you probably won't be 
able to find anyone who will buy the rights to it. Product development
is very expensive , even for a big company, so you will find companies
to be very cautious in this area.  If you can't build this thing yourself 
find someone who can.  Carefully document (and notarize) all aspects of 
the design.  Once you have a working prototype, you can get people excited 
about it by showing it to them and letting them play with it.
	I am building a prototype for a computer based device
right now.  My plan is to manufacture and market the product myself.
I will use my working prototype to get people interested and attract
investors to get startup capital.  We will protect our idea with
trademarks and design patents, since like many ideas a patent is either
not obtainable, or would not be effective in protecting the product.

Andrew Jackson ajackson@ernie.princeton.edu
  

Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: rsilver@world.std.com (Richard Silver)
Subject: Inventions upon demand
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 11:44:55 GMT


We are an exceedingly productive group of professional inventors in
the Boston area. We are senior scientists with outstanding credentials
(from MIT, Battelle, Gulf + Western, Raytheon, Revlon, Technion, and
more) and proven track records. If you need a product we can invent it
for you. We have introduced 100+ patents and 100+ new products and
processes into industry. Previous clients include several Fortune 500
and many small firms. We will provide low or high tech innovative
solutions to difficult and 'insoluble' problems with terms to be
arranged. If you have a need, can market it and/or provide initial 
funding please describe the product and we will return a 
no-obligation proposal. 


Dr. Richard Silver
Invent Resources
Box 548
Lexington, MA 02173

rsilver@world.std.com

Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: hutch@bellman.lanl.gov (John Hutchinson)
Subject: Voicemail sales systems
Reply-To: hutch@bellman.lanl.gov
Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 23:19:35 GMT

I don't know if this is in an FAQ or not but perhaps someone could direct me
to a source of more information.

Like many other small entrepenuers, I have a full time "day" job which tends
to interfere with my software development business.  :)  I have a separate
phone line for my home-based business and an answering machine from which I
try to return calls, but I know I'm losing some sales from people who want
to place an order NOW, leave an incorrect phone number, incomplete messages,
etc, etc.

What I'd be interested in would be a voicemail (?) setup which could take
credit card orders automatically by prompting the caller appropriately.  I
know such systems exist, but where are they?

Many thanks,

---

___________________________ John "HUTCH" Hutchinson _________________________
_________________ Fair Dinkum Technologies     Member - IAAD  _______________
________________ "No worries, mate... it's from Fair Dinkum!" _______________
____________ email: hutch@bellman.lanl.gov   GEnie: FAIR-DINKUM _____________
From: dye@edison.llumc.edu (Leonard Dye)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Need help about investors
Date: 12 Nov 92 23:25:45 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: LLUMC Radiation Research Lab

I need to find out what kind of terms and percentages an investor or venture
capitalist expects from a new start-up buisness. I imagine this mostly depends
upon the amount of risk involved. Are they generally "silent partners" or do
they usally want a say in how the buisness is ran? Is it better to try and
sell stock to raise the capital needed?

After many months at the keyboard working on my buisness plan, its finally near
completion. I wanted to get a feel for what to expect before I send these out.
Also what kind of things should the plan have which would better attract the
investor (just in case I left something out).

Any information/experiences/comments from fellow netters would be greatly
appreciated. By the way the buisness plan is to obtain capital needed to get
equipment to fabricate a product line of which I have two U.S. Patents for.
The product is used in the machine tool trade.

Leonard Dye
dye@proton.llumc.edu
From: nin15b53@merrimack.edu (Ed Greenwood)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Businesses needing Customized D-Bases?
Date: 11 Nov 92 15:15:43 GMT
Organization: Merrimack College, No. Andover, MA, USA
From: nin15b53@merrimack.edu (Ed Greenwood)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: new
Date: 11 Nov 92 15:13:42 GMT
Organization: Merrimack College, No. Andover, MA, USA

What businesses can people suggest as possible clients for a customized
database development group?

We're discussing travel agencies, schools, video stores, etc, and would
appreciate hearing more ideas.  We'd like to target chain stores that would
purchase more than one copy of their customized database.

Thanks,
Ed
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: dewey@sooner (Dewey Coffman)
Subject: Re: Small Business Admin. BBS?
Organization: CTC, Inc. Austin, TX. 78757-3109, USA
Distribution: na
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 1992 13:31:39 GMT

	From Nov 9th, 1992 Business week, Info Processing

	Small Business Administration On-Line to help distribute
	information about its many services & publication. There 
	is no charge.

	1-800-859-info 2400 bps
	1-800-697-info 9600 bps
---
Dewey Coffman							dewey@ctci.com
"If you fail to plan, plan to fail." 				1-800-643-SAVE
This letter is printed on 100% recycled electrons. Don't Bag It.1-800-453-SMOG
UUCP: {cs.utexas.edu,bigtex,uudell}!sooner!dewey		DoD# 0567
-- 
Dewey Coffman				"If you fail to plan, plan to fail."
UUCP: {cs.utexas.edu,bigtex,uudell}!sooner!dewey		DoD# 0567
This letter is printed on 100% recycled electrons. Dont' Bag It. 1-800-453-SMOG
1-800-643-SAVE
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: cwm@Turing.ORG (Chris W. Morris)
Subject: Invention development, marketing, etc?
Organization: The Turing Project, Charlottesville Virginia.
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 16:24:57 GMT

 I have documented MANY different inventions (about 70+), all of which are 
very different and seem to hold various potentuals. I have only tried 
those "Invention Submission" type of companies once. I sent them almost
$1000 bucks which, got me a 'product review' which doesn't seem like much.
I don't trust these companies because they are never clear about what they
do/have done and to what extent. Now, I need at least $6000 or so to enter
the next 'phase' and hopfully put it on the market. This particular invention
would prob. sell for $2.50 or so, and doesn't seem to require much research.
I don't understand why it costs so much, and desire to find a way to put it
on the market. I have thought about talking to a lawer, but that also costs
a lot of money. Can anyone give me any pointers? Has anyone developed any
of their inventions? It's sure funny to see ads on tv encouraging kids, etc.
to invent things, yet how does one realistically make their dream a reality??

Thank you for your time,
Chris W. Morris
--
 


-- 
/----\       cwm@Turing.org        * "One must pass through the circumference
|\/\/        Chris W. Morris       *  of time before arriving at the center of 
|/\/\       2204 Wayne Avenue      *  opportunity." - Baltasar Graci'an 
\----/   Charlottesville, VA 22901 *  The future lies ahead. -Political Promise 
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: belote@cs.montana.edu (David Belote)
Subject: Information sought on successful entreprenuers
Organization: Dept. of Computer Science, MSU, Bozeman Mt 59717
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 1992 17:57:16 GMT

Hello,

I am looking for any information regarding entrepreneurs who have been successful
in the area of developing and marketing their own software.  I would be very 
grateful to receive any information in any form available, such as names, 
addresses, magazine articles, books, hints, etc.  I am planning to start my own
company in this field, and would love to learn from the wisdom and experience of
others who have already achieved this goal.  I will certainly respect anyone's
desire for privacy.  

Thank you VERY much!

David Belote
524 S. 5th Ave.
Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 586-0267

belote@cs.montana.edu
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: kpjone01@ulkyvx.louisville.edu
Subject: Home Automation business.
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1992 14:52:36 GMT
Organization: University of Louisville

Has anyone ever given any thought to starting a home automation business?  
I noticed that the x-10 products have become pretty good in the last 5 years.
You can have a computer run all the electrical devices in the entire house,
or business for a reasonable amount of money.  The interface for the computer
is only $60 in the Crutchfield catalog.  Anyone have any thoughts? 

Kevin

BTW: X-10 is a device that you can plug into an electrical socket and use it
     to turn devices (lamps, tv's, etc) on and off.  The signals to control
     the x-10 modules are sent to the module from a base unit through the 
     home's power lines.  Modules start at approx $15 for each socket.
From: hho@phakt.usc.edu (** N.T.K.C.D. ***)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Re: Voicemail sales systems
Date: 11 Nov 1992 12:57:18 -0800
Organization: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
NNTP-Posting-Host: phakt.usc.edu

Call TALKING TECHNOLOGY and check out their BIGMOUTH 8 bit card
and software :-))
I just installed one myself, workgreat :_))
:-)
H.


In article <1992Nov10.231935.23610@newshost.lanl.gov> hutch@bellman.lanl.gov writes:
>What I'd be interested in would be a voicemail (?) setup which could take
>credit card orders automatically by prompting the caller appropriately.  I
>know such systems exist, but where are they?

-- 
*******************************************************************************
Hung P. Ho, Jr. (John)     USC DENTISTRY    PH.SYSTEMS          CCCOGP  
                           hho@usc.edu      hung@phsys.com      hung@cccogp.com