Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.10, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # VentureWrench™ Startup Coaching and Tools for Entrepreneurs ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://venturewrench.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [StartupNotes](https://venturewrench.com/startupnotes/) - VentureWrench StartupNotes blog with information to help coach and mentor startup entrepreneurs - [Advisory Board Member Selection - Designing the Perfect Advisory Board™](https://venturewrench.com/advisory-board-interview-questions-202606/) - When you are Designing the Perfect Advisory Board™, you need to interview potential Advisory Board Members. I've given conference talks on the value of an Advisory Board (including some really helpful resources on the Perfect Advisory Board™) and wanted to help you get specific about compiling your Advisory Board. Here are some potential interview questions that - [StartFest Presentation - "Designing the Perfect Advisory Board™"](https://venturewrench.com/startfest-post-202606/) - Hey everyone, I'm speaking at Utah Silicon Slopes StartFest next week on June 23, 2026! I'll be speaking on Designing the Perfect Advisory Board™. I think that a strategically created Advisory Board helps startups with both business execution and capital raising. Details on StartFest below. Here is more great content to help you build your - [How to Conduct a StartupTherapy™ Session - Part 1 - Pre-Work](https://venturewrench.com/conduct-startuptherapy-session-2026-1/) - You know that I have long (sort of) joked that you either get StartupTherapy™ or the founding team ends up in serious therapy. But the reality is, entrepreneurship will test you and it will test your relationships, so prepare for it, and address it. We call this process and this mindset StartupTherapy™. It includes elements - [SBIR/STTR Solicitations from NSF, NIH and DoW - a lot of specific help!](https://venturewrench.com/sbir-sttr-nsf-and-nih-2026-07/) - The agencies are on the move getting SBIR/STTR solicitations up and running! There is so much action and so many helpful resources that I've split them into their own pages including the NIH SBIR/STTR page and our NSF SBIR/STTR page. We will keep up with changes and additions. As of July, we know that NSF, - [Inside of the head of SBIR Reviewers (plus NIH specific tips)](https://venturewrench.com/tips-sbir-sttr-budgeting-2026/) - SBIR/STTR reauthorization will be completed shortly. If you receive our newsletter, you can see DoD/DoW already has topics in pre-release! So, smart teams are getting ready to propose, because we expect the submission timelines to be compressed for this first round of deadlines. Below, we've included lots of information to help you create a competitive - [SBIR / STTR Back in Business! New SBIR/STTR topics Open and Pre-Release!](https://venturewrench.com/sbir-sttr-back-in-business-202604/) - Since RE-authorization in April 2026, there has been so much activity, I've added a new post with agency specific pages to bring you the latest! Visit SBIR/STTR from NSF and NIH - a lot of specific help! for the latest 2026 Q2 insights. This is a "live update" post on the April 2026 SBIR/STTR Re-authorization. - [Getting the Most Value from an Advisory Board - Part 1](https://venturewrench.com/value-advisory-board-part1/) - You've read some of my thoughts on How a Board Can Support Founder & CEO Success. Those thoughts are mostly focused on a Board of Directors. But I also want to champion a Board of Advisors or simply Advisory Board. What's different? Advisors do just that, they advise. They are not fiduciaries (which takes pressure and - [Getting the Most Value from an Advisory Board - Part 2](https://venturewrench.com/value-advisory-board-part2/) - This is part 2 on Advisory Boards and you can read the first part The Value of an Advisory Board (Part 1). (Don't forget to also read my thoughts on How a Board Can Support Founder & CEO Success. Those thoughts are focused on a Board of Directors.) The best Advisors are people who believe - [Getting the Most Value from an Advisory Board - Part 2](https://venturewrench.com/value-advisory-board-part2/) - This is part 2 on Advisory Boards and you can read the first part The Value of an Advisory Board (Part 1). (Don't forget to also read my thoughts on How a Board Can Support Founder & CEO Success. Those thoughts are focused on a Board of Directors.) The best Advisors are people who believe - [Designer Investor Resources - Fundamentals of Raising Startup Capital - Recap of Posts and Insights](https://venturewrench.com/fundamentals-raise-startup-cap-resources2025/) - I recently led a webinar on The Fundamentals of Raising Startup Capital (Designing the Perfect Investor™) for Utah's entrepreneurs (sponsored by the Innovation Team at the State of Utah's Nucleus Institute). I wanted to recap for all of ourVentureWrench Community a number of resources on Startup Capital that may be helpful! So, read on for - [StartupTherapy™ and Lost Founders! Oh no!](https://venturewrench.com/startuptherapy-and-lost-founders-oh-no/) - I have long (sort of) joked that you either get StartupTherapy™ or the founding team ends up in serious therapy. But the reality is, entrepreneurship will test you and it will test your relationships, so prepare for it, and address it. One thing that can be deadly is the issue of lost founders. What's a - [StartupTherapy™ and Lost Founders! Oh no!](https://venturewrench.com/startuptherapy-and-lost-founders-oh-no/) - I have long (sort of) joked that you either get StartupTherapy™ or the founding team ends up in serious therapy. But the reality is, entrepreneurship will test you and it will test your relationships, so prepare for it, and address it. One thing that can be deadly is the issue of lost founders. What's a - [Upcoming Webinar - StartupTherapy™](https://venturewrench.com/202509-webinar-utah-uic-startuptherapy/) - I'll be conducting a live online webinar on Thursday, September 25 (11:30 AM - 1:00 PM MTN) on StartupTherapy™ - Building your founding team, creating a successful startup culture, understanding power dynamics and dividing up founding equity. This webinar is being sponsored by the Utah Innovation Team at the Nucleus Institute and in part by - [StartupTherapy™ - Recap and Resources](https://venturewrench.com/startuptherapy-resources2025/) - A few months ago, I conducted a webinar on StartupTherapy™ to help entrepreneurs build successful startups from Day One. If you want to dig deeper into StartupTherapy™ and how to build your startup, including its culture, check out a selection of posts from our StartupNotes blog! StartupTherapy™ and Lost Founders! Oh no! I have long - [SBIR/STTR (soon to be) Re-authorized!](https://venturewrench.com/sbir-re-authorization-2026-02/) - It's been a long 5 months since SBIR/STTR authorization ended on September 30, 2025! However, as of Feb 25, 2026, it looks like key Senators have finally agreed to an SBIR/STTR re-authorization bill! Senator Ernst and Senator Markey have introduced the ‘‘Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act’’, with the goal of it being quickly - [For Utah Deep Tech Entrepreneurs - Overview of the Nucleus Fund Seed Fund](https://venturewrench.com/overview-utah-nucleus-fund/) - The Nucleus Fund recently conducted a webinar to help orient entrepreneurs who are interested in funding from Utah's Nucleus Fund. The Nucleus Fund is only for deep technology companes which have their nerve center in Utah (HQ, founding team etc) and who have ties of some type to one of Utah's colleges or universities. This - [I was wrong in 2020 - Startup Funding didn't get worse (So what happens now?)](https://venturewrench.com/2020-startup-funding-not-worse/) - In 2020, 5 years ago, in the teeth of a worldwide pandemic, economy stopping restrictions and government inaction or (often) misapplied aaction, I frankly thought we'd have some seriously tough economic times, and therefore tough startup capital times! In hindsight, I was very wrong, but at the time, I wrote about Skiing the Avalanche while - [Building Your Designer Investor™ List From Scratch: A 30-Day Action Plan](https://venturewrench.com/30-day-plan-investor-list-databases-2025/) - Building Your Designer Investor™ List From Scratch: A 30-Day Action Plan One of the biggest challenges I hear from entrepreneurs is: "I don't have any investor connections. How am I supposed to raise money?" Here's the truth that most people won't tell you: a list of investor contacts is great, but they're not required. Instead, - [VentureWrench Launch! 2026 - Fourth Year of Customer Discovery and Lean Launchpad-based program sponsored by Utah' Nucleus Grow](https://venturewrench.com/venturewrench-launch-2026-fourth-year-of-customer-discovery-and-lean-launchpad-based-program-sponsored-by-utah-nucleus-grow/) - Enclavix, LLC announces Dates for the 2026 MarketEdge Discover Program led by the VentureWrench Launch! team A new Opportunity for Utah's SBIR/STTR companies to be supported in a Lean Launchpad-style program in early 2026 The VentureWrench™ Launch! team from Enclavix™, LLC announces the fourth year of leading the MarketEdge Discover program (formerly the Utah Innovation - [Our CEO Presenting at St. George Builder Day sponsored by GOEO and Nucleus Grow](https://venturewrench.com/builder-day-goeo-nucleus-grow/) - Customer Discovery Coaching - January 27, 2026 at Kiln, St. George, Utah. Utah's GOEO and Nucleus Institute are sponsoring an exciting Builder Day for the Southern Utah Startup Community. It will be Tues, 1/27/26 at Kiln, St. George. Nicole will be leading a Hands-On Customer Discovery Workshop at 11am, January 27, 2026 at Kiln St. - [The Feds are open for business - but SBIR / STTR still stalled at the end of 2025!](https://venturewrench.com/sbir-sttr-still-stalled-2025-12/) - Earlier this year, I was optimistic about SBIR/STTR re-authorization! I could not imagine that what seemed to be bi-partisan support of the program and the ongoing, and increasingly urgent, need to foster innovation in the U.S. would allow this key program to stall. However Congress has failed to pass any re-authorization legislation and efforts seem - [Don't Be So Self Absorbed in Your Marketing - Communicate Better!](https://venturewrench.com/communicate-better-2025/) - Sometimes I just shake my head at how much bad marketing there is out there. I get a LOT of email, see lots of social media etc. I get many emailed requests for help, to invest, to mentor and more. And SO OFTEN, I have no idea what the sender does or why it matters, - [What does your product say about your business?](https://venturewrench.com/product-says/) - Why do we make people work so hard? Because, let's face it, in a twitter-fueled world, very few people will bother to work hard! - [Cap Tables for Startups](https://venturewrench.com/cap-tables-for-startups-2025/) - Well, if you are doing a startup, your capitalization table, fondly known as your Cap Table, determines how much you, your employees and your investors get rewarded at the end of the game. So, it's important. It's also an annoying form of accounting. If you are bootstrapping, it is essential to make sure all the - [Upcoming Webinar for Utah-based Deep Technology Entrepreneurs on The Fundamentals of Raising Startup Capital](https://venturewrench.com/202508-webinar-utah-uic-startup-capital/) - This webinar, sponsored by the Utah Innovation Center, now part of the Nucleus Institute of the State, will focus on the The Fundamentals of Raising Startup Capital. It will be a live online event to be held on August 21, at 11am (MTN). The cost is free to Utah entrepreneurs who can register online. This - [You got the award - what's next? SBIR/STTR Budget Tips and helps (And what's happening right now?)](https://venturewrench.com/sbir-budget-tips-helps-2025/) - When we received our first Phase I award, we dutifully attended the NSF Phase I conference several months into the project. At the conference, we were regaled with the joys of SBIR Phase II accounting. Accounting is only interesting to accountants. Unfortunately, it is essential to everyone else! And doing your Phase I accounting properly - [What's up with SBIR and STTR funding in 2025?](https://venturewrench.com/whats-up-sbir-funding202506/) - It's been a crazy few months if you rely on federal funding in any way! Overhead reductions, then court rejections. Budget cuts, then reinstatements (maybe). DOGE and then no-DOGE! And SBIR/STTR is absolutely dependent upon the state of federal research funding. If you are interested in SBIR or STTR funding, what should you expect? Will - [2025 List of NSF SBIR/STTR Staff Contacts](https://venturewrench.com/2025-list-of-nsf-sbir-staff/) - With changes in the agencies, as of late February 2025, contact information for NSF program directors seems to be missing from seedfund.nsf.gov. Obviously this list is subject to change. Here is the list of NSF Program Director contacts as of Feb 22, 2025, retrieved from the Wayback Machine Internet Archive. Bios Program directors Henry Ahn - [Meet Utah’s Most Influential Women of 2025](https://venturewrench.com/meet-utahs-most-influential-women-of-2025/) - I am incredibly honored to be included in Utah Business's Meet Utah’s Most Influential Women of 2025 - Honoring the women leaders who are transforming Utah through innovation, advocacy and service. Here I am at Broadcast House for my photo shoot! In addition, Utah Business asked a lot of great questions as part of this year's - [Inside the Head of an Evaluator for SBIR/STTR proposals](https://venturewrench.com/sbir-sttr-evaluator-2023/) - Once you've submitted your SBIR or STTR proposal, what happens? America's Seed Fund Week is the name for the overall collection of SBIR/STTR programs. VentureWrench has recapped the 2023 Seed Fund week panel discussion "Inside the Head of an Evaluator" which is always helpful to understand as you prepare a proposal! For more on our - [Utah Governor's Medals for Science And Technology - my very favorite event!](https://venturewrench.com/utah-governors-medals-science-tech-2025/) - May 21, 2025 The Utah Innovation Center, part of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity hosted the Utah Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology Awards. This is my very favorite event. Each year the Governor recognizes leaders in the science and technology community - and has done so since the 1980's! Former medalists are invited - [Utah Governor's Medals for Science And Technology - my very favorite event!](https://venturewrench.com/utah-governors-medals-science-tech-2025/) - May 21, 2025 The Utah Innovation Center, part of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity hosted the Utah Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology Awards. This is my very favorite event. Each year the Governor recognizes leaders in the science and technology community - and has done so since the 1980's! Former medalists are invited - [Utah Governor's Medals for Science And Technology - my very favorite event!](https://venturewrench.com/utah-governors-medals-science-tech-2025/) - May 21, 2025 The Utah Innovation Center, part of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity hosted the Utah Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology Awards. This is my very favorite event. Each year the Governor recognizes leaders in the science and technology community - and has done so since the 1980's! Former medalists are invited - [Interesting take on the state of Net Zero Technologies](https://venturewrench.com/state-of-net-zero-techn-2025/) - The Dept of Energy had an interesting webinar a few months back with one of their innovation partners giving an overview of the state of Net Zero Technologies for 2025. You can watch it embedded below or on our YouTube Channel. If you are looking to raise capital in this market, I strongly encourage you - [DoD Technical Data Rights - Pay Attention!](https://venturewrench.com/dodtechdatarights202305/) - Well, the DoD is certainly trying to get companies to participate in their SBIR programs with their AFWERX program and the Army's new "surprise us" open topics with 90 day performance periods. But navigating DSIP is never fun, and frankly sometimes it seems to be designed to be almost as difficult as possible. But maybe - [VentureWrench Launch! 2025 - Third Year of Customer Discovery and Startup Launch program sponsored by State of Utah](https://venturewrench.com/venturewrench-launch-third-year2025/) - 2025 - Announcing the third year of the VentureWrench Launch!™ Program The VentureWrench team is delighted to announce that, under a multi-year contract, we will once again lead Utah Innovation Center's Commercialization Cohort for SBIR/STTR companies. The contract began in 2024, has been extended for 2025 and may be extended through 2028. The fully sponsored - [Almost all U.S. entrepreneurs are in Underserved Capital markets - Don't Raise Capital Locally](https://venturewrench.com/underserved-capital-markets-2025/) - I have said for years that entrepreneurs should not try to raise capital locally. Remember, we recommend that entrepreneurs Design the Perfect Investor™ before they start raising capital. And both our experience, and the NVCA 2024 Yearbook stats below, show that the chance that your Perfect Investor™ is in your local community is vanishingly small. - [Startup Advice from my staunchest mentor - my Dad, a retired global CEO](https://venturewrench.com/startup-advice-from-ceo-dad-2025/) - There is so much turmoil right now. Frankly everywhere. In public equity markets, which is of course spilling over to the startup capital market. In bond markets. In university funding. In government agencies and government contracting. Turmoil in government regulations, international politics, the cost of everything! It seems pretty overwhelming. If you're in the startup - ["Musings on a down round" plus more on "What's in a name? STILL don't let it be Bolt!"](https://venturewrench.com/downround-still-dont-let-it-be-bolt/) - In 2019, I wrote a post about how to create a great name and brand for your company. You can read the whole post "What's in a name? Just don't let it be Bolt!", but here's the summary: "Online watchers noted that two startups, both named "Bolt", from very different industries, each raised about the - ["Musings on a down round" plus more on "What's in a name? STILL don't let it be Bolt!"](https://venturewrench.com/downround-still-dont-let-it-be-bolt/) - In 2019, I wrote a post about how to create a great name and brand for your company. You can read the whole post "What's in a name? Just don't let it be Bolt!", but here's the summary: "Online watchers noted that two startups, both named "Bolt", from very different industries, each raised about the - [How do you Slice the Pie as Founders? (Why Startups Die #3 Founder issues and conflict)](https://venturewrench.com/slicefounderpie/) - I got an email from one of our VentureWrench entrepreneurs who told me of a pretty common founder dilemma, and serious source of founder conflict... - [VentureWrench team awarded multi-year contract to lead State of Utah VentureWrench Launch! Commercialization Program - 2024](https://venturewrench.com/venturewrench-multiyear-sbir/) - Announcing the second year of the VentureWrench Launch!™ Program The VentureWrench team is delighted to announce that we have been awarded the contract to lead Utah Innovation Center's Commercialization Cohort for SBIR/STTR companies. The contract begins in 2024 and may be extended up to 4 years. The fully sponsored VentureWrench Launch! program for SBIR/STTR applicants and - [VentureWrench team selected to run State of Utah 2023 VentureWrench Launch! Commercialization Program](https://venturewrench.com/venturewrenchlaunch-utah/) - Announcing the VentureWrench Launch!™ Program The VentureWrench team is delighted to announce that we have been selected to conduct the Utah Innovation Center's First Commercialization Cohort for SBIR/STTR companies. The fully sponsored, 2023 VentureWrench Launch! program for SBIR/STTR applicants and awardees in Utah is based on the well known Lean Launchpad curriculum pioneered by Steve - [VentureWrench team selected to run State of Utah 2023 VentureWrench Launch! Commercialization Program](https://venturewrench.com/venturewrenchlaunch-utah/) - Announcing the VentureWrench Launch!™ Program The VentureWrench team is delighted to announce that we have been selected to conduct the Utah Innovation Center's First Commercialization Cohort for SBIR/STTR companies. The fully sponsored, 2023 VentureWrench Launch! program for SBIR/STTR applicants and awardees in Utah is based on the well known Lean Launchpad curriculum pioneered by Steve - [Customer Discovery and Lean Launchpad inspired programs - can they help you?](https://venturewrench.com/leanlaunchpadcustomerdiscoveryventurewrenchlaunch/) - The NSF has just migrated their program to include their I-corps™ program for all Phase I awardees. Why? And can a similar program help you? I've now led two cohorts of our VentureWrench Launch!™ live coaching program. All of those teams came out the other side with a deep understanding of their customers, partners and - [Customer Discovery and Lean Launchpad inspired programs - can they help you?](https://venturewrench.com/leanlaunchpadcustomerdiscoveryventurewrenchlaunch/) - The NSF has just migrated their program to include their I-corps™ program for all Phase I awardees. Why? And can a similar program help you? I've now led two cohorts of our VentureWrench Launch!™ live coaching program. All of those teams came out the other side with a deep understanding of their customers, partners and - [Customer Discovery and Lean Launchpad inspired programs - can they help you?](https://venturewrench.com/leanlaunchpadcustomerdiscoveryventurewrenchlaunch/) - The NSF has just migrated their program to include their I-corps™ program for all Phase I awardees. Why? And can a similar program help you? I've now led two cohorts of our VentureWrench Launch!™ live coaching program. All of those teams came out the other side with a deep understanding of their customers, partners and - [SBIR/STTR - Recommended for funding - What Happens Now? Pre-Award Due Diligence and Negotiation](https://venturewrench.com/sbir-due-diligence-pre-award/) - I had someone ask me recently to walk them through what happens when you receive an SBIR or STTR award and I thought it might be of interest since we focus so much on getting a quality proposal submitted! As a note, I'll refer in this post to SBIR for simplicity, but this applies equally - [What's Better? Comparing SBIR Funding to Angel and Venture Capital](https://venturewrench.com/what-is-better-sbir-or-angel-vc/) - As an entrepreneur and startup CEO, I raised capital for our first startup, DoBox, from Angel and Venture Investors, sold DoBox to a public company. At Enclavix, we've received multiple SBIR awards, both Phase I and Phase II funding from the National Science Foundation for our AI-powered VentureWrench Library. I'm often asked what's better, raising - [Did raising capital just get even tougher!](https://venturewrench.com/svb-black-swan-toughercapital/) - I just finished a post and an article - Raising capital in a down economy - on Switch (formerly Women 2.0). It builds on an earlier post Tough Time Raising Capital? VC Investors Say it's Going to Get Worse - Here's What to Do! Click to read the entire article and then scroll below to - [New NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I and Phase II Solicitations - 2024](https://venturewrench.com/nsf-new-solicitations-2024/) - The National Science Foundation (NSF) has released the new 2024 SBIR Phase I and Phase II solicitations with higher award amounts. There are quite a few changes that will impact anyone submitting a proposal, including experienced proposing companies, so I have gathered up both my observations and comments from NSF program directors as they've spoken - [Building Your Startup's Team of Outside Professionals Team - Lawyers, Accountants and Providers](https://venturewrench.com/service-providers-update2024/) - Starting a startup can be lonely. Starting a startup can be hard. Starting a startup can be confusing and overwhelming. Starting a startup can be the best, or worst, experience of your life. So, how do you make it one of the best experiences of your life? In my opinion, it starts with building a - [Building Your Startup's Team of Outside Professionals Team - Lawyers, Accountants and Providers](https://venturewrench.com/service-providers-update2024/) - Starting a startup can be lonely. Starting a startup can be hard. Starting a startup can be confusing and overwhelming. Starting a startup can be the best, or worst, experience of your life. So, how do you make it one of the best experiences of your life? In my opinion, it starts with building a - [Building Your Startup Team - Lawyers, Accountants and Providers - Oh My!](https://venturewrench.com/service-providers/) - Part of building a successful team, includes building a successful team of resource providers. Here are some tips on service and resource providers. - [Can joining an accelerator cost you your company? Just ask these entrepreneurs...](https://venturewrench.com/acceleratorcostyourcompany2024/) - A couple of years ago, I wrote a post on accelerators called "Are Startup Accelerators Adding Value? Be Sure Before You Join One...." because I was surprised 1) at the number of entrepreneurs I heard from who had participated in an accelerator and who had been disappointed and 2) once I went looking, I was - [What's up at the NSF! New Solicitation Missing? Coming Soon? Latest Update from NSF - Ben Schrag Webinar 4/18/24](https://venturewrench.com/update-from-nsf-4-18-24-video/) - Wow! If you haven't looked latest at the NSF SBIR/STTR Seedfund site, you haven't seen the craziness in the NSF solicitations. So, what's up? Today, Ben Schrag shared a lot of good stuff on a webinar that will help you sort out what's what. I've embedded the video below and below the video highlighted some - [Are SBIR Phase II's always awarded if a Phase I solicitation is Issued?](https://venturewrench.com/phaseiiquestion/) - Of course when you get your Phase I, you know that your company isn't guaranteed Phase II funding for your concept. But, can you assume that there will be at least SOME Phase II's awarded for a given Phase I topic? Isn't Phase II the carrot for doing a Phase I? The answer is No. - [Want to submit an SBIR proposal? Start the online process EARLY!](https://venturewrench.com/uploadtips2024/) - A member of our VentureWrench Community hit a frustrating wall recently. They were planning to submit a proposal to a government solicitation (on Grants.gov). They had an existing account that they had used before. They had been preparing all the proposal documentation and, on the due date of the proposals, tried to login to begin - [Happy New Year (and some 2024 Tips!)](https://venturewrench.com/happy-new-year-2024-tips/) - The VentureWrench team wishes you a wonderful, productive and prosperous 2024! We continue to share our experiences and thoughts with you to help you succeed on your entrepreneurship journey and also encourage you to comment or email back! Let us know you we can help you. Here are some tips you might want to consider - [How our VentureWrench Launch! Commercialization Cohort helps SBIR companies!](https://venturewrench.com/venturewrench-launch-helps-sbir-companies/) - I just finished leading a cohort of SBIR companies through our VentureWrench Launch!™ live program. It was so fun! And, every team that participated gave it rave reviews. Two of the teams literally said it was the best they'd participated in! They all came out the other side with a deep understanding of their customers, - [New Article - How a Board Can Support Founder & CEO Success](https://venturewrench.com/board-value/) - I just finished an article - How a Board Can Support Founder & CEO Success - on Switch (formerly Women 2.0). It builds on my previous podcast "Get the Most Value From Your Board" with Keith Weaver's Top Executive Strategy Podcast. Frequently, founder’s and CEO’s focus on the “oversight” function of their Board, and miss - [You need an SBIR pipeline](https://venturewrench.com/sbir-funding-pipeline/) - You need a funding pipeline or, if you prefer, a funding strategy. You need to think about the right type of funding for each stage of your business. For example, companies which are developing deep technology, that is technology that is both high risk and high reward (and usually expensive to develop) should be considering - [Augment Your SBIR/STTR Proposal with a Consulting PhD or other Expert](https://venturewrench.com/augmentteam/) - One question that is often asked by SBIR / STTR proposing teams is whether a PhD is required as the PI, or on the team. The answer is, "it depends". I'll talk about this issue in general, and follow up with some suggestions on "what to do". Do you need a PhD as PI for your - [Want to Improve your SBIR Phase II chances? Show You are Good to Work with!](https://venturewrench.com/goodtoworkwith/) - Here's the reality, I've said for a long time that Phase I money is the "don't be stupid money". Phase I is the test to see if you 1) know how to run a real research program; 2) that you're willing to obey the government rules and regulations and; 3) your approach is FEASIBLE, that - [Venturewrench Talks about How AI works - and the Challenges of Bias in AI Systems](https://venturewrench.com/how-ai-works-challenges-of-bias-video/) - This video is a recording of a conference presentation from 2021. It discusses some of the nuts and bolts about how AI systems are trained and ways in which unintentional bias can ruin the results. This was recorded before the Large Language Models like GPT (which powers ChatGPT) came widely on the scene, but a - [Founder Insights - How to Manage Your Cashflow in Uncertain Times](https://venturewrench.com/founder-cashflowuncertain/) - Here are some concrete suggestions to help you manage your cashflow, and lengthen your company's runway, when times get tough. In some ways, times are tough right now. In some ways things are looking pretty good. But there are enough threats - persistent inflation, geopolitical concerns, declining balance sheets, stock market declines and declining funding - [Founder Insights - How to Manage Your Cashflow in Uncertain Times](https://venturewrench.com/founder-cashflowuncertain/) - Here are some concrete suggestions to help you manage your cashflow, and lengthen your company's runway, when times get tough. In some ways, times are tough right now. In some ways things are looking pretty good. But there are enough threats - persistent inflation, geopolitical concerns, declining balance sheets, stock market declines and declining funding - [Founder Insights - How to Manage Your Cashflow in Uncertain Times](https://venturewrench.com/founder-cashflowuncertain/) - Here are some concrete suggestions to help you manage your cashflow, and lengthen your company's runway, when times get tough. In some ways, times are tough right now. In some ways things are looking pretty good. But there are enough threats - persistent inflation, geopolitical concerns, declining balance sheets, stock market declines and declining funding - [Wow, the Silicon Valley Bank Black Swan event may make raising capital even tougher! Founder Insights](https://venturewrench.com/articlecappitaldowneconomy/) - Well, Silicon Valley Bank was seized by regulators today. What can I say but, wow! And not a good wow either. We banked with SVB in the DoBox days (our first startup). Their marketing strategy is to reach out to companies who have raised a round of funding and encourage them to bank with SVB. - [Tough Time Raising Capital? VC Investors Say it's Going to Get Worse - Here's What to Do!](https://venturewrench.com/toughraisingcapital202006/) - Tough Time Raising Capital? VC Investors Say it’s Going to Get Worse – Here’s What to Do! - [Designing Your Perfect Investor™ - What not to do](https://venturewrench.com/designinvest-whatnottodo/) - Design Your Perfect Investor – What not to do - [Let's talk TABA - what is it, who can provide it, how to get it?](https://venturewrench.com/lets-talk-taba/) - I've had so many requests for TABA help, that I've started offering that support - and it's been really great! I have so enjoyed working with really cool teams from our community who've won awards already! So thanks to those of you who have trusted me to help on both the proposal development side and - [SBIR Housekeeping - things to do each year](https://venturewrench.com/sbir-housekeeping/) - It is true that the SBIR/STTR programs are intended to be "easier" government contracting, but honestly no one ever said it would be EASY government contracting. So, here are a couple of housekeeping items you should keep up - even if you aren't submitting any new proposals, either because you're mid-award or you're focused on - [Should I apply for a Direct to Phase II?](https://venturewrench.com/direct2phaseii/) - I have had many people contact me asking for help in developing a Direct to Phase II proposal. I'll note first that not all agencies support DP2, as it's known. Some do, some don't and some, like DoD leave it to sub-components to decide. However, there are a number of issues when it comes to - [Do you need IRB review for your SBIR (Phase I or Phase II) - You Might be Surprised!](https://venturewrench.com/irb-review-sbir/) - IRB can prove to be a big problem for a lot of SBIR teams, even those NOT in the life sciences space! It's easy to remember that you need an IRB review (Institutional Review Board) of a biomedical research proposal. For example, here's that the FDA has to say about IRB oversight. "Under FDA regulations, - [Wait until you hear about our coaching client! How Has Covid Impacted The SBIR/STTR Review Process?](https://venturewrench.com/wait-until-you-hear-about-our-sbircoaching-client/) - Let's face it, Covid has impacted everything, from our workplace (and attire!) to our stash of toilet paper! But, has it impacted the SBIR and STTR review process? The truth is, it depends. For example, some SBIR/STTR agencies, and some solicitations, seem to have been moving along reasonably promptly. I'll be honest, Agencies are supposed to be able - [Asset Sale Part 5 - Taking Care of You and Your Team](https://venturewrench.com/asset-sale-part-5/) - This is the fifth supporting post, further elaborating on "In Tough Times, your Acquisition Offer Might be an Asset Sale". 5. How will you take are of yourself and your team? What happens to team members who go with the acquisition - What happens to their compensation? Do they get new equity? Are they required - [Inside the Head of an Evaluator - 2022 America's Seed Fund Week - SBIR and STTR](https://venturewrench.com/2022sbir-seed-fund-week-evaluator/) - SBIR Seed Fund week offered several helpful videos I wanted to bring to you. In this post, check out the discussion of the perspective of an evaluator. Inside the Head of an Evaluator - 2022 America's Seed Fund Week Don't forget, if you need more help, check out my online course, Develop a Winning SBIR - [Success in Phase I:  Phase II & Beyond - 2022 America's Seed Fund Week - SBIR and STTR](https://venturewrench.com/2022seedfund-phaseii/) - SBIR Seed Fund week offered several helpful videos I wanted to bring to you. In this post, check out the discussion of Phase II and Beyond. Remember, if you want in depth help writing compelling SBIR or STTR proposals, check out our course. And visit the link below to get your free help to improve - [Success in Phase I:  Phase II & Beyond - 2022 America's Seed Fund Week - SBIR and STTR](https://venturewrench.com/2022seedfund-phaseii/) - SBIR Seed Fund week offered several helpful videos I wanted to bring to you. In this post, check out the discussion of Phase II and Beyond. Remember, if you want in depth help writing compelling SBIR or STTR proposals, check out our course. And visit the link below to get your free help to improve - [Founder Insights: Your Startup Grows Faster than Your People](https://venturewrench.com/founder-insights-your-startup-grows-faster-than-your-people/) - I recently completed a post for Switch (formerly Women 2.0) - "Your Startup Grows Faster than Your People" Companies grow faster than people. Even if he didn’t completely believe it at the time, my experience has shown me that, in fact, fast growing companies always grow faster than people. There are a small number of - [Founder Insights: Your Startup Grows Faster than Your People](https://venturewrench.com/founder-insights-your-startup-grows-faster-than-your-people/) - I recently completed a post for Switch (formerly Women 2.0) - "Your Startup Grows Faster than Your People" Companies grow faster than people. Even if he didn’t completely believe it at the time, my experience has shown me that, in fact, fast growing companies always grow faster than people. There are a small number of - [Nicole Presenting at America's SBDC 2022 Conference - Two Topics](https://venturewrench.com/venturewrench-americas-sbdcconference/) - Enclavix CEO, Nicole Toomey Davis, Speaking at the Annual America’s SBDC Conference - September 6-9th, 2022 Nicole not only coaches entrepreneurs, she coaches the coaches. America's SBDC is an organization that serves America's Small Business Development Centers, and their conference is where SBDC coaches from across the country come to learn the latest insights to - [Asset Sale Part 6 - How to Get Paid](https://venturewrench.com/asset-sale-part-6/) - This is the second supporting post, further elaborating on "In Tough Times, your Acquisition Offer Might be an Asset Sale". 6. How will you be compensated for these assets? Cash? Up front or over time? Equity in the acquiror? With an earnout? Cash up front always seems like positive - there's no reneging on the - [Asset Sale Part 4 - Don't Mess up the Legal Details](https://venturewrench.com/asset-sale-part-4/) - This is the fourth supporting post, further elaborating on "In Tough Times, your Acquisition Offer Might be an Asset Sale." 4. Do you need the approval of your shareholders for the asset sale? Generally the answer is yes! And what terms will investors try to impose or are imposed by existing agreements? If you are - [Asset Sale Part 3 - How do you handle what's left?](https://venturewrench.com/asset-sale-part-3/) - This is the third supporting post, further elaborating on "In Tough Times, your Acquisition Offer Might be an Asset Sale" 3.How will you handle the shutdown of the entity that is left? AND How will you PAY for the shutdown of the entity that is left - and don't kid yourself it will cost money - [Asset Sale Part 3 - How do you handle what's left?](https://venturewrench.com/asset-sale-part-3/) - This is the third supporting post, further elaborating on "In Tough Times, your Acquisition Offer Might be an Asset Sale" 3.How will you handle the shutdown of the entity that is left? AND How will you PAY for the shutdown of the entity that is left - and don't kid yourself it will cost money - [In Tough Times, your Acquisition Offer Might be an Asset Sale](https://venturewrench.com/assetsale-m-and-a1/) - Okay, it's official, even though no one wants to say the "R" word, and the pundits are arguing over whether the U.S., or the global, economy is in a recession, if you live in startupland, you know it's a recession! I sold my first company during a tech recession. I say we skied the avalanche. - [In Tough Times, your Acquisition Offer Might be an Asset Sale](https://venturewrench.com/assetsale-m-and-a1/) - Okay, it's official, even though no one wants to say the "R" word, and the pundits are arguing over whether the U.S., or the global, economy is in a recession, if you live in startupland, you know it's a recession! I sold my first company during a tech recession. I say we skied the avalanche. - [Asset Sale - Part 1 - Be Clear About What is Being Acquired](https://venturewrench.com/assetsale-part1-what/) - This is the first supporting post, further elaborating on "In Tough Times, your Acquisition Offer Might be an Asset Sale" 1. What is it that is being acquired? Technology / Intellectual Property ? Brand? Team (or part of the team)? Owned IT infrastructure (less likely)? Real Estate (usually less likely unless you're manufacturing something)? This - [Asset Sale - Part 2 - What's Left in the Corporate Shell](https://venturewrench.com/asset-sale-part-2/) - This is the second supporting post, further elaborating on "In Tough Times, your Acquisition Offer Might be an Asset Sale" 2. What will be left in the entity that is left after the sale? Some clients? A copy of the tech to serve those clients? Debt (likely)? Tech Debt (in many cases)? Litigation or other - [Asset Sale - Part 2 - What's Left in the Corporate Shell](https://venturewrench.com/asset-sale-part-2/) - This is the second supporting post, further elaborating on "In Tough Times, your Acquisition Offer Might be an Asset Sale" 2. What will be left in the entity that is left after the sale? Some clients? A copy of the tech to serve those clients? Debt (likely)? Tech Debt (in many cases)? Litigation or other - [U.S. company considering international investors - not so fast!](https://venturewrench.com/intl-investors-cfius/) - An entrepreneur I know (but who has chosen to not be part of our VentureWrench community!), struggled to raise startup capital in their local market, whether angel funding or venture capital investment, and often spoke despairingly of this fact. I offered up our philosophy of Designing the Perfect Investor™ but the entrepreneur shared that their - [A strong feasibility statement leads to max chance of SBIR/STTR Phase II success](https://venturewrench.com/feasibilitystatementforphase2success/) - If you've already signed up for our SBIR course, Develop a Winning SBIR Strategy – Insights From The Review Process, then you may remember how much emphasis I place on the definition of feasibility in the Phase I proposal. I've been in review panels where an otherwise fundable and attractive project was NOT FUNDED because - [Read the Full SBIR Solicitation! Watch Your Email!](https://venturewrench.com/sbirreadsolicitationwatchemail/) - If you've taken my course, Develop a Winning SBIR Strategy, or have a copy of my free guide "40 Ways to Improve your SBIR/STTR proposal" you know two things I emphasize when it comes to SBIR. Read the Solicitation Watch your email once you've submitted a proposal As an example, this year NSF included a - [How careful are you with Personally Identifiable Information? Board and CEO Alert](https://venturewrench.com/boardceoalert-pii/) - As a founder, CEO or a Corporate Director, Privacy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are concepts you should be focused on because they may pose big risks, or opportunities, to your business. And if you have been paying attention to GDPR from Europe, or to California's latest privacy regulations, you may think you've got it down - [Can the feds "unwind" your investment or acquisition by an international company or investor?](https://venturewrench.com/cfius-unwind/) - As entrepreneurs, let's face it, we know that startup capital matters - and the right amount of capital at the right time can be the difference between success, and crushing failure. Figuring out how to get investors just got harder if you were considering investors outside of the United States. So, are there really circumstances - [Get the Most Value From Your Board - The Top Executive Strategy Podcast Features Nicole Toomey Davis](https://venturewrench.com/get-the-most-value-from-your-board/) - I was honored to be invited to be on Keith Weaver's "The Top Executive Strategy Podcast" recently. We talked about how to "Get the Most Value From Your Board". To listen to the podcast, Episode #138, go here. Or you can watch the video of our discussion below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuVs5yzvhIw Some notes from our conversation are - [SBIR and your Intellectual Property - America's Seed Fund Week 2022](https://venturewrench.com/sbir-and-your-intellectual-property/) - I just participated in "America's Seed Fund Week" - all about the SBIR/STTR programs. I've got a lot of great info coming for your, but I wanted to tackle right away something I heard a lot of questions asked about during Seed Fund Week. IP and SBIR I heard some teams bragging about how they - [Hire at the Right Level at the Right Time](https://venturewrench.com/hirerightleveltime/) - I was talking to the CEO of a fast growing SAAS startup. He related to me that he had been talking to an extremely experienced "big company" CMO who was looking for his next opportunity. They had really clicked and developed a good rapport, but the CEO was, correctly, afraid that the company was not - [Don't Hire a VP (Staffing and Team problems - #4 of 10 Reasons Startups Die)](https://venturewrench.com/staffingteamproblems/) - It is important to remember that companies grow faster than people do. Staffing and Team problems – #4 of 10 Reasons Startups Die - [Are you properly developing and using AI? Boards and CEOs Pay Attention!](https://venturewrench.com/boardceoalert-ai-proper-use/) - AI and AI wannabes are everywhere! And AI can be a powerful tool to move your business forward, as long as it is developed and used properly. And for CEO's and Board members who are responsible for oversight of key practices at your company, the AI buck stops with you! New rules and guidelines are - [How Training Can Help You Develop a Winning SBIR Proposal](https://venturewrench.com/trainingforwinningsbirproposal/) - The SBIR/STTR programs are supposed to be "easy" government contracting and a great way to fund your tech startup. And SBIR/STTR grant funding it is "easier" than general government contracting, but it's not easy. I remember (quite a few years ago), I went to my first SBIR training to get some SBIR success tips, back - [A Tragedy: The story of a failed startup](https://venturewrench.com/tragedyfailedstartup/) - This particular university spinout, began with federally funded research at the university with two main professors. - [Against All Odds - Summit Insights](https://venturewrench.com/2020conference-against-all-odds/) - Against All Odds – Summit Insights - Help and support for entrepreneurs - [Latest Entrepreneur Report - Private Company Financing Trends](https://venturewrench.com/2020-08-entrepreneur-report/) - Latest Entrepreneur Report – Private Company Financing Trends - [Latest Entrepreneur Report - Private Company Financing Trends](https://venturewrench.com/2020-08-entrepreneur-report/) - Latest Entrepreneur Report – Private Company Financing Trends - [Latest Entrepreneur Report - Private Company Financing Trends](https://venturewrench.com/2020-08-entrepreneur-report/) - Latest Entrepreneur Report – Private Company Financing Trends - [5 Changes In Startup Funding in a Down Economy](https://venturewrench.com/5changesstartupfunding/) - 5 Changes In Startup Funding in a Down Economy - Free Guide for Entrepreneurs - [Raising Capital in a Down Economy - Introducing our newest VentureWrench course](https://venturewrench.com/raisingcapitalannounce/) - Raising Capital in a Down Economy – Introducing our newest VentureWrench course - [Nicole Presenting at America's 41st SBDC Virtual Conference - Two Topics](https://venturewrench.com/nicole-presenting-at-americas-41st-sbdc-virtual-conference-two-topics/) - Enclavix CEO, Nicole Toomey Davis, Speaking at the 41st Annual America’s SBDC Virtual Conference - September 2021 America's SBDC Virtual Conference Starts Next Week! Again in 2021 the ASBDC conference will be fully remote and I am proud to be presenting two topics in a "live online" format. In what seems like a lifetime ago, - [Nicole Presenting at America's SBDC Virtual Conference - Keynote by Daymond John](https://venturewrench.com/asbdc-workshop2020/) - Nicole Presenting at America’s SBDC Virtual Conference – Keynote by Daymond John - [Nicole Presenting at America's SBDC Virtual Conference - Keynote by Daymond John](https://venturewrench.com/asbdc-workshop2020/) - Nicole Presenting at America’s SBDC Virtual Conference – Keynote by Daymond John - [Helping you get that Phase II SBIR/STTR award - Improve Your SBIR Proposal](https://venturewrench.com/helpingwithsbirphaseii/) - If you have already received Phase I SBIR Grant Funding, hopefully you've read our "Free Guide: 40 Ways to Improve your SBIR proposal" (if not, get your copy!). If you have, you remember that many of the mistakes that I observed were in Phase II proposals! So these are teams who had received Phase I - [Helping Great Teams get the Funding they Need to Change the World](https://venturewrench.com/greatteamschangetheworld/) - You want to make a difference in the world. We want to help you make that difference. As an AI software company, we often get asked why the VentureWrench team doesn't do something that would make us a lot more money. People, correctly, recognize that helping other entrepreneurs succeed is a labor of love and - [Talking SBIR - The GovConBiz Podcast features Nicole Toomey Davis](https://venturewrench.com/govconbiz-podcast-sbir/) - I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Linda Rawson, creator of the GovConBiz Podcast about the federal technology funding SBIR/STTR programs! Linda Rawson is the founder of the GovConBiz Podcast and is an experienced tech CEO and government contractor and her podcast is designed to provide insights, expert interviews, tidbits and strategies to help entrepreneurs succeed - [Talking Leadership of Creative Tech Teams - Today's Top Leaders in Tech Podcast features Nicole Toomey Davis -](https://venturewrench.com/todays-top-leaders-in-tech-podcast/) - I recently had the privilege of talking with Jen Anderson, "Career Coach Jen" on her awesome podcast "Today's Top Leaders in Tech". "Today’s Top Leaders is the place for geeks to grow into tomorrow’s tech sector leaders. Join Career Coach Jen Anderson and her geek approved guests as they share tips, strategies and ideas to - [New Workshop - Develop a Winning SBIR Strategy: Insights from an Experienced Reviewer](https://venturewrench.com/workshopwinning-sbir-strategy202009/) - New Workshop – Develop a Winning SBIR Strategy: Insights from an Experienced Reviewer - [Nicole Toomey Davis Leading SBIR Workshop at the 39th Annual America’s SBDC Conference](https://venturewrench.com/sbirworkshopsbdcnationalconference201909/) - I am presenting a special VentureWrench workshop, " Improving your SBIR Proposal – Insights from the SBIR Review Process" at the 39th Annual America’s SBDC Conference - [Why Startups Die #5 - Can't raise sufficient capital!](https://venturewrench.com/startupsdiecantraisecapital/) - The truth is that there many, many investors out there, just sitting around all day WAITING for what you have to offer! - [Understanding How Venture Capitalists Make Decisions](https://venturewrench.com/howvcsmakedecisions/) - For each VC deal completed, the VC looks at about 100 potential opportunities. - [Understanding How Venture Capitalists Make Decisions](https://venturewrench.com/howvcsmakedecisions/) - For each VC deal completed, the VC looks at about 100 potential opportunities. - [Understanding How Venture Capitalists Make Decisions](https://venturewrench.com/howvcsmakedecisions/) - For each VC deal completed, the VC looks at about 100 potential opportunities. - [Understanding How Venture Capitalists Make Decisions](https://venturewrench.com/howvcsmakedecisions/) - For each VC deal completed, the VC looks at about 100 potential opportunities. - [Finding Strategic Investors](https://venturewrench.com/strategic-investors-investorfind/) - Serial Entrepreneur and Coach, Nicole Toomey Davis discusses Finding Strategic Investors - [Who Do You Talk to in a Crisis?](https://venturewrench.com/adviceincrisis/) - What will you do if the cash you have on hand right now has to last you 12 months because there isn't any more startup funding available? - [The Pros and Cons of Paying for Access to an Angel Group](https://venturewrench.com/paidangelgroups/) - I am not the only person helping entrepreneurs to express serious concern about angel groups that charge entrepreneurs for access. - [Skiing the (Stock Market) Avalanche - Lessons Learned!](https://venturewrench.com/skiing-the-avalanche/) - Phew! What a week - COVID-19, oil price wars and a stock market that looks like one of those childhood superballs, it bounced around so much! - [Introducing InvestorFind™ - A Unique, Curated Database of Startup Investors](https://venturewrench.com/introducing-investorfind/) - InvestorFind™ is a unique, curated database of startup investors, designed to help entrepreneurs quickly find their "Perfect Investors™." - [Tips to improve your "remote work" productivity and that of your team](https://venturewrench.com/remoteworktips/) - I've both worked remotely and managed remote teams and virtual companies for years! So here's some things that I've seen work. - [Tips to improve your "remote work" productivity and that of your team](https://venturewrench.com/remoteworktips/) - I've both worked remotely and managed remote teams and virtual companies for years! So here's some things that I've seen work. - [Tips to improve your "remote work" productivity and that of your team](https://venturewrench.com/remoteworktips/) - I've both worked remotely and managed remote teams and virtual companies for years! So here's some things that I've seen work. - [You OWN a Holiday and You STILL Can't Make a Profitable Business? Really?](https://venturewrench.com/sweetheartsdemise/) - ...perhaps not surprisingly, the Private Equity (PE) industry plays a prominent role in the demise of this firm - [Selling Your Startup - What Not to Do....](https://venturewrench.com/sellstartupwhatnottodo/) - When entrepreneurs sell their companies, it is astounding the mistakes they make. Every entrepreneur should run their business with an acquisition in mind. - [A poor strategic environment (#9) can deep-six company profitability](https://venturewrench.com/poorstrategicenvironment-9/) - When I work with entrepreneurs who are struggling to move their business to the next level, I often suggest that we spend some time on strategic analysis. - [SWOT vs. 5 Forces - How to Analyze your Business](https://venturewrench.com/swotand5forces/) - Here is a quick video on applying SWOT analysis and the 5 Forces Analysis to your business. - [Assume 90% of VC-backed startups are a total loss for the entrepreneur](https://venturewrench.com/90percectloss/) - 10% of VC deals go big, the rest are "break even" or a total loss, which means that 90% of VC deals will be a total loss for the entrepreneur with Common Stock. - [Assume 90% of VC-backed startups are a total loss for the entrepreneur](https://venturewrench.com/90percectloss/) - 10% of VC deals go big, the rest are "break even" or a total loss, which means that 90% of VC deals will be a total loss for the entrepreneur with Common Stock. - [Warning: Watch out when a Venture Firm starts to raise its next fund](https://venturewrench.com/warning-vc-raising-next-fund/) - Why should an entrepreneur care if a venture firm is raising funding for a new round? Discussion of VC life cycle and impact on entrepreneurs - [#10 Flouting Regulations - Just Another Way to Kill Your Startup!](https://venturewrench.com/10-regulatoryproblems/) - Serial Entrepreneur and Coach, Nicole Toomey Davis discusses Flouting Regulations – Just Another Way to Kill Your Startup! - [Why do Startups Die?](https://venturewrench.com/whystartupsdie/) - Do startups usually die for weird or dramatic reasons? Obviously (failed) entrepreneurs would like to think so, and would like to believe that 'if only" that terrible unexpected crisis or that "lightening bolt" had not happened, they would have been successful. - [Why do Startups Die?](https://venturewrench.com/whystartupsdie/) - Do startups usually die for weird or dramatic reasons? Obviously (failed) entrepreneurs would like to think so, and would like to believe that 'if only" that terrible unexpected crisis or that "lightening bolt" had not happened, they would have been successful. - [Your startup needs a funding pipeline](https://venturewrench.com/startupfundingpipeline/) - And that brings me to today's point - you need a funding pipeline or, if you prefer, a funding strategy. - [#8 Intractable Technical Problems = Startup Death](https://venturewrench.com/fail8techissues/) - These days, every company is a technology company in some way. Perhaps your product or service is a true technology innovation which, of course makes you a straight-up tech company. - [#7 Scaling Too Soon or Improperly - Another Way to Fail!](https://venturewrench.com/fail7scalingtoosoon/) - Scaling is an important issue. Obviously in order to have a successful business, the business has to grow to at least a profitable size. - [Workshop: "How Investors Work" at the Davis and Morgan Entrepreneurs Growth Meeting November 1, 2018](https://venturewrench.com/workshop-investors/) - This powerful workshop for high potential entrepreneurs is designed to provide insights into how angel and Venture Capital investors really work. - [Bad Pitches to Investors](https://venturewrench.com/badpitches/) - Bad Investor Pitches - Don't make these mistakes! - [A Smart Founding Team is Getting Preferred Stock in Their Company!](https://venturewrench.com/smartteampreferredstock/) - A Smart Founding Team is getting Preferred Stock in their Company - here's how to get preferred stock in your startup too! - [How do I find investors for my startup?](https://venturewrench.com/howdoifindinvestors/) - I get this question from a lot of entrepreneurs - how do I find investors for my startup? I suggest you start by “Designing the Perfect Investor™.” - [Vetting a Potential Investor on Your Way to the Perfect Investor!](https://venturewrench.com/vettinginvestor/) - If you meet or are introduced to an investor, be cautious if they seem immediately interested after you've given them your pitch. - [Are Startup Accelerators Adding Value? Be Sure Before You Join One....](https://venturewrench.com/acceleratorvalue/) - According to recent research, less than half of alumni from top accelerators had raised at least $750,000 within 12 months of graduating, and, for most accelerators, that rate was less than quarter. - [Networking in to Perfect Investors™](https://venturewrench.com/networkwithinvestors/) - One of the important things about raising capital from investors is how important it is to "network in." With investors, the strategy is to get introduced! - [Why Do Some Innovations Stick? Will Yours?](https://venturewrench.com/innovations-stick/) - This post is about the "opposite" - why some innovations, better innovations, stick and make it to success. - [Why Do Some Innovations Stick? Will Yours?](https://venturewrench.com/innovations-stick/) - This post is about the "opposite" - why some innovations, better innovations, stick and make it to success. - [Nicole, Congressman Chris Stewart and Troy Keller Talk Privacy and GDPR](https://venturewrench.com/gdprandprivacywithcongressmanstewart/) - Nicole, Congressman Chris Stewart and Troy Keller Talk Privacy and GDPR - [Nicole Talks SBIR with Congressman Chris Stewart at Silicon Slopes' Tech Policy panel](https://venturewrench.com/sbirwithcongressman-chris-stewart/) - Nicole Talks SBIR with Congressman Chris Stewart at Silicon Slopes’ Tech Policy panel - [Thanks to the SBDC Directors and teams who attended my workshop at the National ASBDC Conference!](https://venturewrench.com/thanksasbdcconferenceattendees/) - Last Thursday, I presented a special VentureWrench workshop, " Improving your SBIR Proposal – Insights from the SBIR Review Process" at the 39th Annual America’s SBDC Conference which took place September 3-6, 2019, in Long Beach, California, at the Long Beach Convention Center. This is a conference to "mentor the mentors" who work in America's - [Thanks for joining me at yesterday's Silicon Slopes' Tech Policy panel with Congressman Chris Stewart](https://venturewrench.com/thankstechpolicypanel/) - Thanks for joining me at yesterday’s Silicon Slopes panel with Rep. Stewart - [10 Reasons Startups Die - #2 Failure of Product-Market fit](https://venturewrench.com/reasons-startups-die/) - In today's post we will address the first one, failure of product-market fit. This mistake becomes deadly because... - [Why do Startups Die? #1 Destructive Corporate Culture - What Does WeWork Teach us?](https://venturewrench.com/1destructivecorporateculture/) - I've come up with a list of reasons that Startups fail (see the list below), and this week we are starting with #1 Destructive Corporate Culture. - [Thanks to everyone who attended my workshop: "Power is NOT a 4 Letter Word"](https://venturewrench.com/thanks-to-everyone-who-attended-our-workshop-power-is-not-a-4-letter-word-understanding-power-in-organizations/) - Thanks to everyone who attended my workshop: “Power is NOT a 4 Letter Word” - [VentureWrench Workshop: "Power is NOT a 4 Letter Word - Understanding Power in Organizations"](https://venturewrench.com/workshopwisepower2019/) - I am presenting our VentureWrench workshop, "Power is NOT a 4 Letter Word" at the upcoming Utah - Davis and Morgan Entrepreneurs Growth Meeting on August 22, 2019 at 4:30pm, hosted by Davis Tech Business Resource Center. - [Nicole Toomey Davis to appear on Silicon Slopes Panel with U.S. Congressman, Chris Stewart](https://venturewrench.com/siliconslopestechpolicypanel20190730/) - I am so delighted to be appearing on a panel, "A Tech Policy Discussion" with U.S. Congressman, Chris Stewart that will be moderated by Troy Keller of international law firm Dorsey & Whitney. - [Are You Building to Last?](https://venturewrench.com/buildingtolast/) - When I was an MBA student at Stanford, Jim Collins was one of the most popular professors. - [Are You Building to Last?](https://venturewrench.com/buildingtolast/) - When I was an MBA student at Stanford, Jim Collins was one of the most popular professors. - [What's in a name? Just don't let it be Bolt!](https://venturewrench.com/whats-in-a-name/) - Okay, let's face it, naming your company is hard! But it's important. - [Startup Coaching - How to get a good name for your Company?](https://venturewrench.com/good-company-name/) - We have not found it hard to find good names that can become good brands for our businesses. Good names for ANY company share, some characteristics. - [Tips to Improve your SBIR Proposals (from an experienced proposal reviewer)](https://venturewrench.com/improvesbir/) - As an experienced SBIR reviewer, I have seen many mistakes kill a proposal. These mistakes ELIMINATED a proposal from even being considered for funding. - [Sources of Capital for your Startup](https://venturewrench.com/capitalsources/) - Overview of Sources of Capital for your Startup - [Sources of Capital for your Startup](https://venturewrench.com/capitalsources/) - Overview of Sources of Capital for your Startup - [VCs admit they really are lemmings - or 6 year old soccer players!](https://venturewrench.com/lemmingvcs/) - A few years ago a VC I knew said that VCs were like 6 year old soccer players, they were all clustered up at the ball. - [M&A Contract Tip - Don't forget to protect your domains and brands!](https://venturewrench.com/domains/) - When you sell your company, you sell brand and domain name(s) as well as other trademarks but you have no rights to how these items are managed, or abandoned. - [Get Connected for Entrepreneurial Success](https://venturewrench.com/entr-connected/) - There are many non-profit, for profit and government programs to help educate, support and connect the emerging entrepreneur to help them be successful. If you're not connected, you're making it hard on yourself! - [Patent Tip - When You Sell Your Company](https://venturewrench.com/patent-tip/) - You want to get acquired, here's how to make sure you get credit for your IP and patent applications - [Become a Thought Leader - Make Friends with Industry Analysts](https://venturewrench.com/industry-analysts/) - Invest in relationships with Market Industry Analysts to become a Thought leader even if you are a startup - [Market Research for Entrepreneurs](https://venturewrench.com/mktrsrch/) - Usually, entrepreneurs can’t afford to pay for market research. But do you know that research firms “share” some of their research at little to no cost? - [No Lost Startup Founders – Have a Buy-Sell Arrangement](https://venturewrench.com/no-lost-founders/) - Having a relationship among founders melt down is a terrible problem for entrepreneurs. One good solution is for founders to have a buy-sell agreement. - [No Lost Startup Founders – Have a Buy-Sell Arrangement](https://venturewrench.com/no-lost-founders/) - Having a relationship among founders melt down is a terrible problem for entrepreneurs. One good solution is for founders to have a buy-sell agreement. - [58% of Portfolio CEOs are Fired within Two years of a Deal!](https://venturewrench.com/58-pct-ceos-fired/) - 58% of Portfolio CEOs Fired within Two years of a Deal! If you are an entrepreneur considering selling your startup - beware! - [A warning to startups with no real advantage...Snap’s $2.2 Billion Loss severely punished by investors.](https://venturewrench.com/snap-warning-to-startups/) - Here's hoping that humility will become a characteristic of the Snap founders...make sure it's a characteristic of your startup! - [A warning to startups with no real advantage...Snap’s $2.2 Billion Loss severely punished by investors.](https://venturewrench.com/snap-warning-to-startups/) - Here's hoping that humility will become a characteristic of the Snap founders...make sure it's a characteristic of your startup! - [Who Are Your Big Friends? - Using Large Players To Establish Credibility](https://venturewrench.com/bigfriends/) - "Who are your Big Friends?" Big friends are existing players in the industry such as customers, partners and suppliers who WANT you to succeed. - [Never Let them See you Sweat!](https://venturewrench.com/never-let-them-see-you-sweat/) - Entrepreneurship requires the ability to get up every morning and convince everyone you meet with a sense of the inevitability of the success of your deal. - [Non-Traditional Loan Sources](https://venturewrench.com/otherloans/) - A couple of other types of "loans" have become available that may be attractive as a source of startup capital. - [Proxy Markets](https://venturewrench.com/proxy-markets/) - When trying to answer the question: “How many customers might be interested in this product or service,” proxy markets make it possible to answer the question - “are there 10 potential customers, or 10 million?” - [SBIR Funding is Incredibly Valuable to Deep Technology Startups](https://venturewrench.com/valuablesbir/) - Plenty of entrepreneurs either do not understand the SBIR and STTR programs or underestimate the opportunity they represent... - [VCs play "Stump the Entrepreneur"](https://venturewrench.com/stumpentrepreneur/) - In short, this firm was really happy when the team "couldn't stump the entrepreneur". - [Workshop: Elevating Your Elevator Pitch May 18, 2018](https://venturewrench.com/elevating-your-elevator-pitch-may-18/) - Elevating Your Elevator Pitch helps entrepreneurs develop a powerful elevator pitch. Each participant will leave with a working pitch for their business. - [NSF Delays Summer 2018 Proposal Deadline!](https://venturewrench.com/nsf-delays-summer-2018-proposal-deadline/) - NSF has pushed back the summer 2018 SBIR Phase I deadline from June 14th to July 10th to allow sufficient time for a new requirement of a notarized letter in order to register with SAM.gov. - [Tell Your Startup Story is Live!](https://venturewrench.com/tell-your-startup-story-is-live/) - No matter how you plan to fund your startup, you need to make your story clear and compelling. This course will explain how to create a powerful narrative that you can successfully pitch to investors. - [Bank and Microfinance Loans as a Source of Capital....](https://venturewrench.com/bankmicrofinanceloans/) - The issues startups face with Bank and Microfinance Loans as a Source of Capital - [How to get preferred stock in your own startup](https://venturewrench.com/preferredstartupstock/) - The key to getting preferred stock for your "cash in" to the company, assuming it's substantial - simply make sure you are investing alongside your investors! - [Want to Get Acquired? You Need a (Company) Sales Process](https://venturewrench.com/trying-to-get-acquired-you-need-a-sales-process/) - If you're an entrepreneur, hopefully you've thought through your "end game". - [Want to Get Acquired? You Need a (Company) Sales Process](https://venturewrench.com/trying-to-get-acquired-you-need-a-sales-process/) - If you're an entrepreneur, hopefully you've thought through your "end game". - [VIDEO - Tips on gauging the progress of your pending STTR or SBIR proposal](https://venturewrench.com/sibirproposalprogress/) - I recorded a short video about gauging the progress of your SBIR proposal. What does your Fastlane Proposal Status status really mean? I'll tell you. - [VIDEO - Tips on gauging the progress of your pending STTR or SBIR proposal](https://venturewrench.com/sibirproposalprogress/) - I recorded a short video about gauging the progress of your SBIR proposal. What does your Fastlane Proposal Status status really mean? I'll tell you. - [Tradeshows - What NOT To Do!](https://venturewrench.com/tradeshowsnottodo/) - After walking over 1 million square feet of booth space at a recent tradeshow, I couldn't resist recounting the "what not to do" of tradeshows - from real life experiences. - [Tradeshows - Tips and Tricks for the Startup Tradeshow Participant!](https://venturewrench.com/tradeshowtips/) - Exhibiting at a major tradeshow in your industry can be important to your success. It's easier to set up meetings with customers, partners, and other Big Friends. - [Thanks to everyone who attended my recent workshops!](https://venturewrench.com/workshopthanks18/) - Thanks to all the entrepreneurs who participated in my free "Elevating Your Elevator Pitch" workshops last week. You were great, very thoughtful and I appreciated your willingness to share your "old pitches" and your awesome "new pitches". I really appreciated your energy and kind words. If you are planning to raise funding for your startup, - [What to Do: The Short List for Entrepreneurs](https://venturewrench.com/shorttodolist/) - After speaking at an entrepreneur conference, we compiled some of our ";what to do" ideas for entrepreneurs. - [What to Do: The Short List for Entrepreneurs](https://venturewrench.com/shorttodolist/) - After speaking at an entrepreneur conference, we compiled some of our ";what to do" ideas for entrepreneurs. - [The Startup vehicle Dilemma - LLC vs. Inc - what to pick?](https://venturewrench.com/llcvsinc/) - The Startup vehicle Dilemma – LLC vs. Inc – what to pick? - ["How Startup Investors (Really) Work" workshop - thanks to everyone who attended and shared](https://venturewrench.com/thanksworkshopinvestors/) - “How Investors Work” workshop – thanks to everyone who attended and shared - [Get Help to "Elevate Your Elevator Pitch" - Advice from my Keynote](https://venturewrench.com/helpwithyourpitchutahgeniuskeynote/) - Get Help on your Elevator Pitch – Advice from my Keynote at the 2018 Utah Genius Lifetime Achievement Award Event - [Harvard says women entrepreneurs are treated differently - how do you respond?](https://venturewrench.com/harvardsays/) - Harvard says women entrepreneurs are treated differently – how do you respond? - ["Awesome : Not Awesome" - Awesome Women Tech Council vs. Women Entrepreneurs (not) Getting Much Funding](https://venturewrench.com/awesome-notawesome-womentech/) - I attended the 11th Women Tech Awards luncheon with over 1000 attendees and fantastic finalists and awardees. - [How to Shine if you are asked to Moderate an Industry Conference Panel](https://venturewrench.com/moderatorsuccesstips/) - A client of mine recently had the opportunity to moderate an industry penal, here's my advice How to Shine if you are asked to Moderate an Industry Conference Panel - [VentureWrench Launches AI-powered Online Software Tools for Entrepreneurs at Silicon Slopes Event](https://venturewrench.com/venturewrenchlaunch2019/) - We are proud to announce the public launch of the AI-powered VentureWrench Library, an online curated library of resources to help entrepreneurs. - [Smart PR Strategies Can Help You Get Noticed](https://venturewrench.com/smartprstrategies/) - Do you need to be a "thought leader"? Viewed as a "market leader" (assuming you are)? Get attention for a groundbreaking new product or just increase visibility? - [Thanks to everyone who came to see the VentureWrench Tools demonstrated at Silicon Slopes Tech Summit 2019!](https://venturewrench.com/thanksssts19/) - “Thanks to everyone who came to see the VentureWrench Tools demonstrated at Silicon Slopes Tech Summit 2019!” is locked Thanks to everyone who came to see the VentureWrench Tools demonstrated at Silicon Slopes Tech Summit 2019! - [Being acquired? Make sure there is a culture match or it can end in disaster.](https://venturewrench.com/mandaculturemismatch/) - I was at a recent conference and I met an employee of a recently acquired company. The acquirer was one of the big, coastal unicorns with a valuation in the 10's of billions of dollars. - [Join VentureWrench and Other Leading Utah Tech Companies at GOED's Tech Day on the Hill on February 25th!](https://venturewrench.com/techdayonthehillpost/) - Join VentureWrench and Other Leading Utah Tech Companies at GOED’s Tech Day on the Hill on February 25th! - [Thanks for Visiting VentureWrench at Tech Day on the Hill!](https://venturewrench.com/2019-2techdaygreat/) - Thanks to everyone who came to see VentureWrench at GOED's Tech Day on the Hill! We had a great morning and enjoyed talking to Legislators, state officials and you! - [Crowdfunding for Stuff](https://venturewrench.com/crowdfundingforstuff/) - Not long ago, as part of a group of growth entrepreneurs, I enjoyed a presentation by an accomplished crowdfunding entrepreneur... - [Raising Capital - Plan for 12 months, hope for 6...](https://venturewrench.com/raisingcapital12months/) - ...I started to think about how long it "should take" to raise capital.... - [Crowdfunding for Equity](https://venturewrench.com/crowdfundingforequity/) - People believe the JOBS Act made it easy to crowdfund for equity.... entrepreneur beware! - [Talking Entrepreneurship with Women Tech Council on ABC4Utah](https://venturewrench.com/abc4utahforentrepeneurs/) - Cydni Tetro of the Women Tech Council invited me to participate in a special series on entrepreneurship on ABC4Utah this week with our host Nicea. - [DOE Delays Release 2 SBIR / STTR Funding Opportunity Announcement](https://venturewrench.com/doedelays-sbir-sttr/) - The DOE is one of the large sources of SBIR and STTR funding. DOE releases two different funding opportunities per year... - [50 Ways to Mess Up Your Startup - Part 2 (8-18)](https://venturewrench.com/50waysmessuppart-2/) - This is Part 2 of my effort to share with you 50 Ways to Mess Up Your Startup so you can avoid them! - [50 Ways to Mess Up Your Startup - Part 7 (#47-#50 )](https://venturewrench.com/50waysmessup-part7/) - Welcome back to Part 7 of "50 Ways to Mess Up Your Startup" so you can avoid them! This post included numbers 47 - 50 - [50 Ways to Mess Up Your Startup - Part 7 (#47-#50 )](https://venturewrench.com/50waysmessup-part7/) - Welcome back to Part 7 of "50 Ways to Mess Up Your Startup" so you can avoid them! This post included numbers 47 - 50 - [50 Ways to Mess Up your Startup - Part 1](https://venturewrench.com/50waysmessuppart-1/) - I decided to create a list of the 50 ways entrepreneurs mess up their startups; here are the first seven, plus a video! - [50 Ways to Mess Up Your Startup - Part 3 (#19-#28)](https://venturewrench.com/50waysmessuppart3/) - I decided to create a list of the 50 ways entrepreneurs mess up their startups; here are parts 19-28, plus a video! - [50 Ways to Mess Up Your Startup - Part 4 (#29-#35)](https://venturewrench.com/50waysmessup-part4/) - Here is Part 4 of "50 Ways to Mess Up Your Startup." I'm giving you two more ways so you can avoid them! - [50 Ways to Mess Up Your Startup - Part 5 (#36-#41)](https://venturewrench.com/50waysmessup-part-5/) - Here are more ways to mess up your startup, from an experienced entrepreneur! - [50 Ways to Mess Up Your Startup - Part 6 (#42-#46 )](https://venturewrench.com/50waysmessup-part6/) - Welcome back to Part 6 of "50 Ways to Mess Up Your Startup" so you can avoid them! This post included numbers 42 - 46 - [Urgent - SAM.gov Fraud issues require new process for registration or renewal](https://venturewrench.com/samregistration/) - SAM.gov Fraud issues require new process for registration or renewal - [Workshop: Entrepreneur Launch Pad May 23, 2018](https://venturewrench.com/workshop-entrepreneur-launch-pad-may-23-2018/) - Nicole Toomey Davis May 23, 2018 3:00 – 5:00pm. Learn how to develop an Elevator Pitch for your business! ## Pages - [Helping Entrepreneurs Succeed!](https://venturewrench.com/) - VentureWrench Startup Coaching with information about raising capital from investors including Angel Investors and Venture Capital (VC) Investors. Deep insights into the federal SBIR and STTR programs including agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), DOE, DoD, DoW, Department of Defense, Department of Ward and the Department of Agriculture - [Helping Entrepreneurs Succeed!](https://venturewrench.com/) - VentureWrench Startup Coaching with information about raising capital from investors including Angel Investors and Venture Capital (VC) Investors. Deep insights into the federal SBIR and STTR programs including agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), DOE, DoD, DoW, Department of Defense, Department of Ward and the Department of Agriculture - [Helping Entrepreneurs Succeed!](https://venturewrench.com/) - VentureWrench Startup Coaching with information about raising capital from investors including Angel Investors and Venture Capital (VC) Investors. Deep insights into the federal SBIR and STTR programs including agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), DOE, DoD, DoW, Department of Defense, Department of Ward and the Department of Agriculture - [Helping Entrepreneurs Succeed!](https://venturewrench.com/) - VentureWrench Startup Coaching with information about raising capital from investors including Angel Investors and Venture Capital (VC) Investors. Deep insights into the federal SBIR and STTR programs including agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), DOE, DoD, DoW, Department of Defense, Department of Ward and the Department of Agriculture - [Helping Entrepreneurs Succeed!](https://venturewrench.com/) - VentureWrench Startup Coaching with information about raising capital from investors including Angel Investors and Venture Capital (VC) Investors. Deep insights into the federal SBIR and STTR programs including agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), DOE, DoD, DoW, Department of Defense, Department of Ward and the Department of Agriculture - [Helping Entrepreneurs Succeed!](https://venturewrench.com/) - VentureWrench Startup Coaching with information about raising capital from investors including Angel Investors and Venture Capital (VC) Investors. Deep insights into the federal SBIR and STTR programs including agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), DOE, DoD, DoW, Department of Defense, Department of Ward and the Department of Agriculture - [Helping Entrepreneurs Succeed!](https://venturewrench.com/) - VentureWrench Startup Coaching with information about raising capital from investors including Angel Investors and Venture Capital (VC) Investors. Deep insights into the federal SBIR and STTR programs including agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), DOE, DoD, DoW, Department of Defense, Department of Ward and the Department of Agriculture - [Helping Entrepreneurs Succeed!](https://venturewrench.com/) - VentureWrench Startup Coaching with information about raising capital from investors including Angel Investors and Venture Capital (VC) Investors. Deep insights into the federal SBIR and STTR programs including agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), DOE, DoD, DoW, Department of Defense, Department of Ward and the Department of Agriculture - [Helping Entrepreneurs Succeed!](https://venturewrench.com/) - VentureWrench Startup Coaching with information about raising capital from investors including Angel Investors and Venture Capital (VC) Investors. Deep insights into the federal SBIR and STTR programs including agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), DOE, DoD, DoW, Department of Defense, Department of Ward and the Department of Agriculture - [Helping Entrepreneurs Succeed!](https://venturewrench.com/) - VentureWrench Startup Coaching with information about raising capital from investors including Angel Investors and Venture Capital (VC) Investors. Deep insights into the federal SBIR and STTR programs including agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), DOE, DoD, DoW, Department of Defense, Department of Ward and the Department of Agriculture - [Helping Entrepreneurs Succeed!](https://venturewrench.com/) - VentureWrench Startup Coaching with information about raising capital from investors including Angel Investors and Venture Capital (VC) Investors. Deep insights into the federal SBIR and STTR programs including agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), DOE, DoD, DoW, Department of Defense, Department of Ward and the Department of Agriculture - [VentureWrench Launch! Summer 2023 Cohort](https://venturewrench.com/launchcohort2023/) - This is your Course Website, which includes to links to all of the resources that you need for our work together. Each Friday for 2.5 hours we will meet all together on Zoom, we will cover our Class content for the week, 1/2 of the cohort will present their bi-weekly update, and we will have - [NSF SBIR/STTR: Developing Deep Technologies that Advance U.S. Competitiveness and Security](https://venturewrench.com/nsf-sbir-sttr/) - What is new at NSF SBIR/STTR is the stated emphasis on "Developing Deep Technologies that Advance U.S. Competitiveness and Security". NSF at SeedFund.NSF.gov has issued two solicitations. NSF 26-510 and NSF 26-511 are both available, but they differ from past years in that they include multiple types of award, while in the past, Phase I - [NIH SBIR/STTR - America's Seed Fund is Back](https://venturewrench.com/nih-sbir-sttr/) - NIH is very active with multiple topics and solicitations. We've included or excerpted resources that we've created, identified or that NIH is actively publishing to help you with your NIH proposal. Below is a capture of the 2026-27 deadlines for NIH. NIH SEED Small Business 101: America's Seed Fund is Back - June 2026 Here's - [NSF SBIR/STTR Staff Contacts](https://venturewrench.com/2025-nsf-sbir-sttr-staff-contacts/) - With changes in the agencies and particularly after the 2025/26 SBIR/STTR shutdown, contact information for NSF Program Directors seems to be missing from seedfund.nsf.gov. Here is the list of NSF Program Director contacts as well as we can reconstruct it, compiled from the Wayback Machine Internet Archive. as well as from solicitation references and community - [VentureWrench Launch! Spring 2026 Program](https://venturewrench.com/launchprogram2026/) - Welcome to the Spring 2026 MarketEdge Discover program sponsored by Nucleus Grow (formerly Utah Innovation Center at GOEO) and led by the VentureWrench Launch! team. Companies which graduated from the 2026 program can be found here https://venturewrench.com/2026-graduates-marketedge-discover-venturewrench-launch/ . This is your Course Website, which includes to links to all of the resources that you need for - [Graduates of the 2026 MarketEdge Discover Program by VentureWrench Launch!™](https://venturewrench.com/2026-graduates-marketedge-discover-venturewrench-launch/) - Five companies participating in MarketEdge Discover by VentureWrench Launch!™ have successfully completed the program. Five Deep-Technology Utah Teams completed the 10 week Customer Discovery and Business Model Canvas Coaching Program Salt Lake City, UT (June 30, 2026) – The VentureWrench™ Launch! Startup Community from Enclavix™, LLC is pleased to announce that five teams have successfully - [StartFest](https://venturewrench.com/startfest/) - Welcome to StartFest goodies! When you are Designing the Perfect Advisory Board™, there are a lot of moving parts. Links below to details to help you create a powerful Advisory Board to help accelerate your success. Advisory Board Member Selection - Designing the Perfect Advisory Board™ This article includes details on the types of advisory - [Designer Investor Resources - Fundamentals of Raising Startup Capital](https://venturewrench.com/designer-investor-resources-fundamentals-of-raising-capital/) - I recently led a webinar on The Fundamentals of Raising Startup Capital (Designing the Perfect Investor™) for Utah's entrepreneurs (sponsored by the Innovation Team at the State of Utah's Nucleus Institute). I wanted to recap for all of our VentureWrench Community a number of resources on Startup Capital that may be helpful! So, read on - [News](https://venturewrench.com/news/) - VentureWrench News on Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneur Support Tools - [2025 VentureWrench Launch!™ Program is Complete!](https://venturewrench.com/2025-venturewrench-launch-complete/) - The 2025 cohort of VentureWrench Launch!™ wrapped up with seven Utah teams successly completing the Program. Seven Utah Teams developing deep technology solutions complete Customer Discovery and Business Model Canvas Coaching Program Salt Lake City, UT (May 3, 2025) – The VentureWrench™ Startup Community from Enclavix™, LLC is pleased to announce that seven teams have completed - [VentureWrench Launch!](https://venturewrench.com/launch/) - The MarketEdge Discover Program by the VentureWrench Launch!™ Team Utah's Nucleus Grow sponsors the MarketEdge Discover program which is run by the VentureWrench Launch! team. This fully sponsored VentureWrench Launch! program for the SBIR/STTR small business community in Utah is based on the well known Lean Launchpad curriculum pioneered by Steve Blank and his colleagues - [StartupTherapy™ Resources and Help](https://venturewrench.com/startuptherapy-resources/) - Want to dig deeper into StartupTherapy™ and how to build your startup including its culture? Below is a selection of posts from our StartupNotes blog! StartupTherapy™ and Lost Founders! Oh no! I have long (sort of) joked that you either get StartupTherapy™ or the founding team ends up in serious therapy. An earlier post How - [StartupTherapy™ Resources and Help](https://venturewrench.com/startuptherapy-resources/) - Want to dig deeper into StartupTherapy™ and how to build your startup including its culture? Below is a selection of posts from our StartupNotes blog! StartupTherapy™ and Lost Founders! Oh no! I have long (sort of) joked that you either get StartupTherapy™ or the founding team ends up in serious therapy. An earlier post How - [MarketEdge Discover by VentureWrench Launch! - Dates Announced](https://venturewrench.com/2026-venturewrench-launch-dates/) - Enclavix, LLC announces Dates for the 2026 MarketEdge Discover Program led by the VentureWrench Launch! team A new Opportunity for Utah's SBIR/STTR companies to be supported in a Lean Launchpad-style program in early 2026 Salt Lake City, UT (January 12, 2026) – The VentureWrench™ Launch! team from Enclavix™, LLC announces the fourth year of leading - [VentureWrench Launch!™ Utah](https://venturewrench.com/launchutahsbir/) - The MarketEdge Discover Program by the VentureWrench Launch!™ Team Visit our latest VentureWrench Launch! Page Utah's Nucleus Grow sponsors the MarketEdge Discover program which is run by the VentureWrench Launch! team. This fully sponsored VentureWrench Launch! program for the SBIR/STTR small business community in Utah is based on the well known Lean Launchpad curriculum pioneered - [Workshops](https://venturewrench.com/products/workshops/) - Available for Entrepreneur Support Organizations - Government and Non-Profit groups. As part of giving back to the startup community, Nicole offers no-cost workshops to Entrepreneur Support Organization, including government entities and non-profits. - [Ideas to find Discovery Interview Contacts](https://venturewrench.com/discovery-interview-contactsre-resources/) - One of the first challenges at the beginning of VentureWrench Launch! (and probably any Lean Launchpad inspired progra) is very tactical - how do I find people to talk to in order to get 75-100 interviews done in 10 weeks! So here are some suggestions First, consider where your target customers/partners are "online". Facebook - - [VentureWrench Launch! 2026 - Fourth Year of Customer Discovery and Startup Launch program sponsored by State of Utah - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/venturewrench-launch-2026-nucleusgrow/) - Enclavix, LLC announces Dates for the 2026 MarketEdge Discover Program led by the VentureWrench Launch! team A new Opportunity for Utah's SBIR/STTR companies to be supported in a Lean Launchpad-style program in early 2026 The VentureWrench™ Launch! team from Enclavix™, LLC announces the fourth year of leading the MarketEdge Discover program (formerly the Utah Innovation - [2025 VentureWrench Launch! Program - Dates Announced](https://venturewrench.com/2025-venturewrench-launch-dates/) - Enclavix, LLC announces Dates for the 2025 VentureWrench Launch! Program A new Opportunity for Utah's SBIR/STTR companies to be supported in a Lean Launchpad-style program in early 2025 Salt Lake City, UT (November 21, 2024) – The VentureWrench™ Startup Community from Enclavix™, LLC announces the third year of the VentureWrench Launch!™ Program for 2025. The - [VentureWrench Launch! Spring 2025 Cohort](https://venturewrench.com/launchcohort2025/) - This is your Course Website, which includes to links to all of the resources that you need for our work together. Each Friday for 2.5 hours we will meet all together on Zoom, we will cover our Class content for the week, 1/2 of the cohort will present their bi-weekly update, and we will have - [VentureWrench Launch! 2025 - Third Year of Customer Discovery and Startup Launch program sponsored by State of Utah - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/venturewrench-launch-third-year2025-overview/) - 2025 - Announcing the third year of the VentureWrench Launch!™ Program The VentureWrench team is delighted to announce that, under a multi-year contract, we will once again lead Utah Innovation Center's Commercialization Cohort for SBIR/STTR companies. After an successful pilot program in 2023, the contract began in 2024, has been extended for 2025 and may - [Dates and Open Application for 2024 VentureWrench Launch! Program](https://venturewrench.com/dates-for-2024-venturewrench-launch-program/) - Enclavix, LLC announces Dates and Open Application for 2024 VentureWrench Launch! Program Opportunity for Utah's SBIR/STTR companies to improve their product-market fit and prepare for success in early 2024 Salt Lake City, UT (March 6, 2024) – The VentureWrench™ Startup Community from Enclavix™, LLC announces the second year of the VentureWrench Launch!™ Program for 2024. - [Biography of Nicole Toomey Davis](https://venturewrench.com/about/nicole-toomey-davis/) - Nicole Toomey Davis is a successful serial entrepreneur and practiced startup coach. - [Enclavix, LLC announces Successful Completion of State of Utah-Sponsored 2024 VentureWrench Launch!™ Program](https://venturewrench.com/six-utah-teams-complete-2024-venturewrench-launch/) - Enclavix, LLC announces Successful Completion of State of Utah-Sponsored 2024 VentureWrench Launch!™ Program Another Six Utah Teams developing deep technology solutions Complete Customer Discovery and Business Model Canvas Coaching Program Salt Lake City, UT (June 8, 2024) – The VentureWrench™ Startup Community from Enclavix™, LLC is pleased to announce that six teams have completed the - [](https://venturewrench.com/typcrisiscoaching/) - Your Free Crisis Coaching Guide is on its Way to your inbox in about 10 minutes! - [](https://venturewrench.com/land5capitalcrisis/) - Get our Free VentureWrench Guide - 5 Changes In Startup Funding in a Down Economy, to help your business survive and thrive. - [](https://venturewrench.com/startupcapitalguide/) - Need Capital for your Startup? Get our Free VentureWrench Guide to Startup Capital - [](https://venturewrench.com/investorcapitalguide/) - Our unique guide to Investor Capital includes insider insights about angel investors, venture capital investors, equity crowdfunding, best ways to structure your deal and much more! - [](https://venturewrench.com/typpitchquickstart/) - Thank you for Joining the VentureWrench Community! Elevating your Elevator Pitch Quickstart Course Offer - [](https://venturewrench.com/heres-your-pitch-template/) - I am so delighted you have joined our VentureWrench Community of high potential entrepreneurs. Download Your Pitch Template Here! Hi, Nicole Toomey Davis here! At VentureWrench, our passion is helping entrepreneurs regain the upper hand in the game of entrepreneurship. The playing field IS tilted against entrepreneurs by investors and the "entrepreneurial ecosystem". To all - [](https://venturewrench.com/land4things/) - It’s easy for an entrepreneur to make mistakes that can kill your chance of raising money from investors, perhaps killing your startup! - [Media & Distinctions](https://venturewrench.com/media-distinctions/) - Nicole Toomey Davis has made numerous appearances in the media. A selection of her appearances and awards is offered here. - [StartupTherapy™](https://venturewrench.com/startuptherapy/) - If you're doing a startup, be sure to get some “StartupTherapy™" because the startup stakes are high – and personal. Most entrepreneurs are surprised that entrepreneurial teams have to do a lot of "emotional" work to be successful. This is because entrepreneurship stretches each entrepreneur mentally, physically, intellectually and emotionally, and likewise tests relationships. Among - [InvestorFind™](https://venturewrench.com/investorfind/) - Our goal is to save you TONS of time by providing at least 20 -25 "Perfect Investor" candidates with our custom searches. - [Designing the Perfect Investor™](https://venturewrench.com/products/designinvestorraise/) - Startup coaching videos from VentureWrench can teach you how to get angel funding, venture capital and SBIR Phase I and Phase II contracts. - [Headshots and Images](https://venturewrench.com/headshotsimages/) - VentureWrench Headshots and Images Headshots - Nicole Toomey Davis Action Images - Nicole Toomey Davis Headshots - Brad Davis The VentureWrench Founding Team - [Biography of Bradley Davis](https://venturewrench.com/about/bradley-davis/) - Bradley Davis is a 4 time serial software entrepreneur and seasoned software CTO. - [What's up with SBIR and STTR funding? - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/whats-up-sbir-funding-overview/) - It's been a crazy few months if you rely on federal funding in any way! Overhead reductions, then court rejections. Budget cuts, then reinstatements (maybe). DOGE and then no-DOGE! And SBIR/STTR is absolutely dependent upon the state of federal research funding. If you are interested in SBIR or STTR funding, what should you expect? Will - [In Tough Times, your Acquisition Offer Might be an Asset Sale - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/assetsale-m-and-a1-2023-overview/) - Okay, it's official, even though no one wants to say the "R" word, and the pundits are arguing over whether the U.S., or the global, economy is in a recession, if you live in startupland, you know it's a recession! I sold my first company during a tech recession. I say we skied the avalanche. - [Do you need IRB review for your SBIR (Phase I or Phase II) - You Might be Surprised! Overview](https://venturewrench.com/irb-review-sbir-2023-overview/) - IRB can prove to be a big problem for a lot of SBIR teams, even those NOT in the life sciences space! It's easy to remember that you need an IRB review (Institutional Review Board) of a biomedical research proposal. For example, here's that the FDA has to say about IRB oversight. "Under FDA regulations, - [Founder Insights - How to Manage Your Cashflow in Uncertain Times - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/founder-cashflowuncertain-2023-overview/) - Here are some concrete suggestions to help you manage your cashflow, and lengthen your company's runway, when times get tough. In some ways, times are tough right now. In some ways things are looking pretty good. But there are enough threats - persistent inflation, geopolitical concerns, declining balance sheets, stock market declines and declining funding - [Let's talk TABA - what is it, who can provide it, how to get it? Overview](https://venturewrench.com/lets-talk-taba-2023-overview/) - I've had so many requests for TABA help, that I've started offering that support - and it's been really great! I have so enjoyed working with really cool teams from our community who've won awards already! So thanks to those of you who have trusted me to help on both the proposal development side and - [Should I apply for a Direct to Phase II? Overview](https://venturewrench.com/direct2phaseii-2023-overview/) - I have had many people contact me asking for help in developing a Direct to Phase II proposal. I'll note first that not all agencies support DP2, as it's known. Some do, some don't and some, like DoD leave it to sub-components to decide. However, there are a number of issues when it comes to - [Wow, SVB Black Swan may make capital even tougher! Overview](https://venturewrench.com/wow-svb-black-swan-overview/) - I just finished a post and an article - Raising capital in a down economy - on Switch (formerly Women 2.0). It builds on an earlier post Tough Time Raising Capital? VC Investors Say it's Going to Get Worse - Here's What to Do! Click to read the entire article and then scroll below to - [Are SBIR Phase II's always awarded if a Phase I solicitation is Issued? Overview](https://venturewrench.com/phaseiiquestion2023-overview/) - Of course when you get your Phase I, you know that your company isn't guaranteed Phase II funding for your concept. But, can you assume that there will be at least SOME Phase II's awarded for a given Phase I topic? Isn't Phase II the carrot for doing a Phase I? The answer is No. - [VentureWrench team selected to run State of Utah 2023 VentureWrench Launch! Commercialization Program - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/venturewrenchlaunch-utah2023-overview/) - Announcing the VentureWrench Launch!™ Program The VentureWrench team is delighted to announce that we have been selected to conduct the Utah Innovation Center's First Commercialization Cohort for SBIR/STTR companies. The fully sponsored, 2023 VentureWrench Launch! program for SBIR/STTR applicants and awardees in Utah is based on the well known Lean Launchpad curriculum pioneered by Steve - [DoD Technical Data Rights - Pay Attention! Overview](https://venturewrench.com/dodtechdatarights202305-overview/) - Well, the DoD is certainly trying to get companies to participate in their SBIR programs with their AFWERX program and the Army's new "surprise us" open topics with 90 day performance periods. But navigating DSIP is never fun, and frankly sometimes it seems to be designed to be almost as difficult as possible. But maybe - [Startup Advice from my staunchest mentor - my Dad, a retired global CEO - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/startup-advice-from-ceo-dad-2025-overview/) - There is so much turmoil right now. Frankly everywhere. In public equity markets, which is of course spilling over to the startup capital market. In bond markets. In university funding. In government agencies and government contracting. Turmoil in government regulations, international politics, the cost of everything! It seems pretty overwhelming. If you're in the startup - [Almost all U.S. entrepreneurs are in Underserved Capital markets - Don't Raise Capital Locally - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/underserved-capital-markets-2025-overview/) - I have said for years that entrepreneurs should not try to raise capital locally. Remember, we recommend that entrepreneurs Design the Perfect Investor™ before they start raising capital. And both our experience, and the NVCA 2024 Yearbook stats below, show that the chance that your Perfect Investor™ is in your local community is vanishingly small. - ["Musings on a down round" plus more on "What's in a name? STILL don't let it be Bolt!" - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/downround-still-dont-let-it-be-bolt-overview/) - In 2019, I wrote a post about how to create a great name and brand for your company. You can read the whole post "What's in a name? Just don't let it be Bolt!", but here's the summary: "Online watchers noted that two startups, both named "Bolt", from very different industries, each raised about the - [StartupTherapy™ and Lost Founders! Oh no! - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/startuptherapy-lost-founders-overview/) - I have long (sort of) joked that you either get StartupTherapy™ or the founding team ends up in serious therapy. But the reality is, entrepreneurship will test you and it will test your relationships, so prepare for it, and address it. One thing that can be deadly is the issue of lost founders. What's a - [Customer Discovery and Lean Launchpad inspired programs - can they help you? - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/leanlaunchpadcustomerdiscoveryventurewrenchlaunch-overview/) - The NSF has just migrated their program to include their I-corps™ program for all Phase I awardees. Why? And can a similar program help you? I've now led two cohorts of our VentureWrench Launch!™ live coaching program. All of those teams came out the other side with a deep understanding of their customers, partners and - [SBIR/STTR - Recommended for funding - What Happens Now? Pre-Award Due Diligence and Negotiation - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/sbir-due-diligence-pre-award-overview/) - I had someone ask me recently to walk them through what happens when you receive an SBIR or STTR award and I thought it might be of interest since we focus so much on getting a quality proposal submitted! As a note, I'll refer in this post to SBIR for simplicity, but this applies equally - [Can joining an accelerator cost you your company? Just ask these entrepreneurs... - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/acceleratorcostyourcompany2024-overview-2/) - A couple of years ago, I wrote a post on accelerators called "Are Startup Accelerators Adding Value? Be Sure Before You Join One...." because I was surprised 1) at the number of entrepreneurs I heard from who had participated in an accelerator and who had been disappointed and 2) once I went looking, I was - [What's up at the NSF! New Solicitation Missing? Coming Soon? Latest Update from NSF - Ben Schrag Webinar 4/18/24 - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/whats-up-at-the-nsf-new-solicitation-missing-coming-soon-latest-update-from-nsf-ben-schrag-webinar-4-18-24-overview/) - Wow! If you haven't looked latest at the NSF SBIR/STTR Seedfund site, you haven't seen the craziness in the NSF solicitations. So, what's up? Today, Ben Schrag shared a lot of good stuff on a webinar that will help you sort out what's what. I've embedded the video below and below the video highlighted some - [Want to submit an SBIR proposal? Start the online process EARLY! - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/want-to-submit-an-sbir-proposal-start-the-online-process-early-overview/) - A member of our VentureWrench Community hit a frustrating wall recently. They were planning to submit a proposal to a government solicitation (on Grants.gov). They had an existing account that they had used before. They had been preparing all the proposal documentation and, on the due date of the proposals, tried to login to begin - [](https://venturewrench.com/sbir40ways/) - 40 Ways to Improve your SBIR Proposal! Hi, I'm Nicole Toomey Davis. I am a serial entrepreneur and my company has been awarded multiple SBIR awards worth over $1.2 million in SBIR funding. I have helped other entrepreneurs write winning proposals worth millions more. I have also served as an SBIR reviewer on over a - [Business Model Canvas and Discovery Interviews - VentureWrench Launch!™](https://venturewrench.com/launch-bmc-discovery/) - Business Model Canvas and Discovery Interviews The heart of VentureWrench Launch! success, based on the Lean Launchpad methodology, is the process of fleshing out your business model canvas, which summarizes the key elements you need to succeed. The path to this is the process of discovery interviews, which will allow you to test hypotheses, either - [5 Changes In Startup Funding in a Down Economy - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/5changesstartupfundingoverview/) - 5 Changes In Startup Funding in a Down Economy – Overview - [Enclavix, LLC announces Multi-year State of Utah Contract to Lead the VentureWrench Launch!™ Program for 2024 and beyond](https://venturewrench.com/multi-year-venturewrench-launch-contract-2024/) - VentureWrench team from Enclavix, LLC awarded Multi-year State of Utah Contract to Lead VentureWrench Launch! Commercialization Program VentureWrench Launch! Contract covers 2024 - 2028 Salt Lake City, UT (February 21, 2024) – The VentureWrench™ Startup Community from Enclavix™, LLC announces that it has been awarded a multi-year contract from the Utah Innovation Center, part of the Governor's - [2023 VentureWrench Launch! Cohort Successfully Completed](https://venturewrench.com/2023-venturewrench-launch-completed/) - Enclavix, LLC announces Utah-Sponsored 2023 VentureWrench Launch!™ Program Successfully Completed Six Teams Complete Customer Discovery and Business Model Canvas Coaching Program Salt Lake City, UT (September 7, 2023) – The VentureWrench™ Startup Community from Enclavix™, LLC is pleased to announce that six teams completed the 2023 VentureWrench Launch! program after intensive effort to build their - [Enclavix tapped to lead Lean-Launchpad style commercialization cohort for State of Utah - 2023](https://venturewrench.com/enclavix-venturewrench-launch-program-for-state-of-utah-2023/) - Enclavix, LLC announces State of Utah Contract to Lead the VentureWrench Launch!™ Program for 2023 Intensive coaching program to help SBIR/STTR community members determine product-market fit and develop Busines Model Canvas. Salt Lake City, UT (May 2, 2023) – The VentureWrench™ Startup Community from Enclavix™, LLC announces that it has been selected to conduct the - [What's Better? Comparing SBIR Funding to Angel and Venture Capital - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/what-is-better-sbir-or-angel-vc-overview2024/) - As an entrepreneur and startup CEO, I raised capital for our first startup, DoBox, from Angel and Venture Investors, sold DoBox to a public company. At Enclavix, we've received multiple SBIR awards, both Phase I and Phase II funding from the National Science Foundation for our AI-powered VentureWrench Library. I'm often asked what's better, raising - [Getting the Most Value from an Advisory Board - Part 2 - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/value-advisory-board-part2-overview/) - This is part 2 on Advisory Boards and you can read the first part The Value of an Advisory Board (Part 1). (Don't forget to also read my thoughts on How a Board Can Support Founder & CEO Success. Those thoughts are focused on a Board of Directors.) The best Advisors are people who believe - [New NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I and Phase II Solicitations - 2024 - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/nsf-new-solicitations-2024-overview/) - The National Science Foundation (NSF) has released the new 2024 SBIR Phase I and Phase II solicitations with higher award amounts. There are quite a few changes that will impact anyone submitting a proposal, including experienced proposing companies, so I have gathered up both my observations and comments from NSF program directors as they've spoken - [VentureWrench Launch! Spring 2024 Cohort](https://venturewrench.com/launchcohort2024/) - This is your Course Website, which includes to links to all of the resources that you need for our work together. Each Friday for 2.5 hours we will meet all together on Zoom, we will cover our Class content for the week, 1/2 of the cohort will present their bi-weekly update, and we will have - [Building Your Startup's Team of Outside Professionals Team - Lawyers, Accountants and Providers - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/service-providers-update2024-overview/) - Starting a startup can be lonely. Starting a startup can be hard. Starting a startup can be confusing and overwhelming. Starting a startup can be the best, or worst, experience of your life. So, how do you make it one of the best experiences of your life? In my opinion, it starts with building a - [VentureWrench team awarded multi-year contract to lead State of Utah VentureWrench Launch! Commercialization Program - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/venturewrench-multiyear-sbir-overview/) - Announcing the second year of the VentureWrench Launch!™ Program The VentureWrench team is delighted to announce that we have been awarded the contract to lead Utah Innovation Center's Commercialization Cohort for SBIR/STTR companies. The contract begins in 2024 and may be extended up to 4 years. The fully sponsored VentureWrench Launch! program for SBIR/STTR applicants and - [Getting the Most Value from an Advisory Board - Part 1 - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/value-advisory-board-part1overview/) - You've read some of my thoughts on How a Board Can Support Founder & CEO Success. Those thoughts are mostly focused on a Board of Directors. But I also want to champion a Board of Advisors or simply Advisory Board. What's different? Advisors do just that, they advise. They are not fiduciaries (which takes pressure and - [Happy New Year (and some 2024 Tips!) - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/happy-new-year-and-some-2024-tips-overview/) - The VentureWrench team wishes you a wonderful, productive and prosperous 2024! We continue to share our experiences and thoughts with you to help you succeed on your entrepreneurship journey and also encourage you to comment or email back! Let us know you we can help you. Here are some tips you might want to consider - [SBIR Housekeeping - things to do each year - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/sbir-housekeeping-things-to-do-each-year-overview/) - It is true that the SBIR/STTR programs are intended to be "easier" government contracting, but honestly no one ever said it would be EASY government contracting. So, here are a couple of housekeeping items you should keep up - even if you aren't submitting any new proposals, either because you're mid-award or you're focused on - [Want to Improve your SBIR Phase II chances? Show You are Good to Work with! Overview](https://venturewrench.com/goodtoworkwithoverview/) - Here's the reality, I've said for a long time that Phase I money is the "don't be stupid money". Phase I is the test to see if you 1) know how to run a real research program; 2) that you're willing to obey the government rules and regulations and; 3) your approach is FEASIBLE, that - [How our VentureWrench Launch! Commercialization Cohort helps SBIR companies! Overview](https://venturewrench.com/venturewrench-launch-helps-sbir-companies-overview/) - I just finished leading a cohort of SBIR companies through our VentureWrench Launch!™ live program. It was so fun! And, every team that participated gave it rave reviews. Two of the teams literally said it was the best they'd participated in! They all came out the other side with a deep understanding of their customers, - [Augment Your SBIR/STTR Proposal with a Consulting PhD or other Expert - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/augmentteamoverview/) - One question that is often asked by SBIR / STTR proposing teams is whether a PhD is required as the PI, or on the team. The answer is, "it depends". I'll talk about this issue in general, and follow up with some suggestions on "what to do". Do you need a PhD as PI for your - [You need an SBIR pipeline - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/you-need-an-sbir-pipeline-overview/) - You need a funding pipeline or, if you prefer, a funding strategy. You need to think about the right type of funding for each stage of your business. For example, companies which are developing deep technology, that is technology that is both high risk and high reward (and usually expensive to develop) should be considering - [New Article - How a Board Can Support Founder & CEO Success - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/board-value-overviewswitch/) - I just finished an article - How a Board Can Support Founder & CEO Success - on Switch (formerly Women 2.0). It builds on my previous podcast "Get the Most Value From Your Board" with Keith Weaver's Top Executive Strategy Podcast. Frequently, founder’s and CEO’s focus on the “oversight” function of their Board, and miss - [Venturewrench Talks about How AI works - and the Challenges of Bias in AI Systems - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/how-ai-works-and-challenges-of-bias-in-ai-overview/) - This video is a recording of a conference presentation from 2021. It discusses some of the nuts and bolts about how AI systems are trained and ways in which unintentional bias can ruin the results. This was recorded before the Large Language Models like GPT (which powers ChatGPT) came widely on the scene, but a - [Raising Capital in a Down Economy - Designing the Perfect Investor™](https://venturewrench.com/products/raisingcapitaldownturn/) - Nicole Toomey Davis, experienced serial entrepreneur, Director and startup coach, hosts 4 ½ hours of video training on how to find investors, engage with them and get your startup funding from investors. - [TABA Support for SBIR/STTR Phase I and Phase II Awards](https://venturewrench.com/taba-support/) - I've had so many requests for TABA support for SBIR/STTR proposals, that we have started offering it. If you are applying for a Phase I or Phase II award and would like to select your TABA vendor (which varies by solicitation), please reach out at venturewrenchcommunity [at] gmail.com. [Yes we have email at venturewrench.com, but - [U.S. company considering international investors - not so fast! Overview](https://venturewrench.com/intl-investors-cfius-overview/) - An entrepreneur I know (but who has chosen to not be part of our VentureWrench community!), struggled to raise startup capital in their local market, whether angel funding or venture capital investment, and often spoke despairingly of this fact. I offered up our philosophy of Designing the Perfect Investor™ but the entrepreneur shared that their - [How careful are you with Personally Identifiable Information? Board and CEO Alert - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/boardceoalert-pii-overview/) - As a founder, CEO or a Corporate Director, Privacy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are concepts you should be focused on because they may pose big risks, or opportunities, to your business. And if you have been paying attention to GDPR from Europe, or to California's latest privacy regulations, you may think you've got it down - [Can the feds "unwind" your investment or acquisition by an international company or investor? Overview](https://venturewrench.com/cfius-unwind-overview/) - As entrepreneurs, let's face it, we know that startup capital matters - and the right amount of capital at the right time can be the difference between success, and crushing failure. Figuring out how to get investors just got harder if you were considering investors outside of the United States. So, are there really circumstances - [Founder Insights: Your Startup Grows Faster than Your People - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/founder-insights-your-startupgrows-faster-people-overview/) - I recently completed a post for Switch (formerly Women 2.0) - "Your Startup Grows Faster than Your People" Companies grow faster than people. Even if he didn’t completely believe it at the time, my experience has shown me that, in fact, fast growing companies always grow faster than people. There are a small number of - [Are you properly developing and using AI? Boards and CEOs Pay Attention! Overview](https://venturewrench.com/boardceoalert-ai-proper-use-overview/) - AI and AI wannabes are everywhere! And AI can be a powerful tool to move your business forward, as long as it is developed and used properly. And for CEO's and Board members who are responsible for oversight of key practices at your company, the AI buck stops with you! New rules and guidelines are - [Helping you get that Phase II SBIR/STTR award - Improve Your SBIR Proposal - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/helpingwithsbirphaseii-overview/) - If you have already received Phase I SBIR Grant Funding, hopefully you've read our "Free Guide: 40 Ways to Improve your SBIR proposal" (if not, get your copy!). If you have, you remember that many of the mistakes that I observed were in Phase II proposals! So these are teams who had received Phase I - [How Training Can Help You Develop a Winning SBIR Proposal - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/trainingforwinningsbirproposal-overview/) - The SBIR/STTR programs are supposed to be "easy" government contracting and a great way to fund your tech startup. And SBIR/STTR grant funding it is "easier" than general government contracting, but it's not easy. I remember (quite a few years ago), I went to my first SBIR training to get some SBIR success tips, back - [Wait until you hear about our coaching client! How Has Covid Impacted The SBIR/STTR Review Process? Overview](https://venturewrench.com/wait-until-you-hear-about-our-coaching-client-how-has-covid-impacted-the-sbir-sttr-review-processoverview/) - Let's face it, Covid has impacted everything, from our workplace (and attire!) to our stash of toilet paper! But, has it impacted the SBIR and STTR review process? The truth is, it depends. For example, some SBIR/STTR agencies, and some solicitations, seem to have been moving along reasonably promptly. I'll be honest, Agencies are supposed to be able - [A strong feasibility statement leads to max chance of SBIR/STTR Phase II success - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/a-strong-feasibility-statement-leads-to-max-chance-of-sbir-sttr-phase-ii-success-overview/) - If you've already signed up for our SBIR course, Develop a Winning SBIR Strategy – Insights From The Review Process, then you may remember how much emphasis I place on the definition of feasibility in the Phase I proposal. I've been in review panels where an otherwise fundable and attractive project was NOT FUNDED because - [Read the Full SBIR Solicitation! Watch Your Email! Overview](https://venturewrench.com/read-the-full-sbir-solicitation-watch-your-email-overview/) - If you've taken my course, Develop a Winning SBIR Strategy, or have a copy of my free guide "40 Ways to Improve your SBIR/STTR proposal" you know two things I emphasize when it comes to SBIR. Read the Solicitation Watch your email once you've submitted a proposal As an example, this year NSF included a - [Inside the Head of an Evaluator - 2022 America's Seed Fund Week - SBIR and STTR- Overview](https://venturewrench.com/2022sbir-seed-fund-week-evaluator-overview/) - SBIR Seed Fund week offered several helpful videos I wanted to bring to you. In this post, check out the discussion of the perspective of an evaluator. Inside the Head of an Evaluator - 2022 America's Seed Fund Week To see the full post visit our VentureWrench StartupNotes blog at https://venturewrench.com/2022sbir-seed-fund-week-evaluator/ Don't forget, if you - [Success in Phase I:  Phase II & Beyond - 2022 America's Seed Fund Week - SBIR and STTR - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/success-in-phase-ii-overview/) - SBIR Seed Fund week offered several helpful videos I wanted to bring to you. In this post, check out the discussion of Phase II and Beyond. Remember, if you want in depth help writing compelling SBIR or STTR proposals, check out our course And check out the link below to get your free help to - [SBIR and your Intellectual Property - America's Seed Fund Week 2022 - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/sbir-ip-seedfund2022-overview/) - I just participated in "America's Seed Fund Week" - all about the SBIR/STTR programs. I've got a lot of great info coming for your, but I wanted to tackle right away something I heard a lot of questions asked about during Seed Fund Week. IP and SBIR I heard some teams bragging about how they - [Founder Insights: Your Startup Grows Faster than Your People - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/startupfasterpeople-overview/) - I recently completed a post for Switch (formerly Women 2.0) - "Your Startup Grows Faster than Your People" Companies grow faster than people. Even if he didn’t completely believe it at the time, my experience has shown me that, in fact, fast growing companies always grow faster than people. There are a small number of - [Enclavix CEO, Nicole Toomey Davis, Speaking at the Annual America’s SBDC Conference - September 6-9th, 2022](https://venturewrench.com/2022americasbdcconference/) - Enclavix CEO, Nicole Toomey Davis, Speaking at the Annual America’s SBDC Conference - September 6-9th, 2022 Presenting two topics to coach the coaches at America's SBDC Salt Lake City, UT (August 5, 2022) – The VentureWrench™ Startup Community from Enclavix™, LLC announced that Enclavix President and CEO, Nicole Toomey Davis, will be speaking at the - [SBDC Partners and Entrepreneurs](https://venturewrench.com/sbdc/) - Welcome to SBDC Partners and Entrepreneurs - ["40 Ways to Improve your SBIR Proposal" is on its Way!](https://venturewrench.com/typsbir/) - Thank You! Forty ways to improve your SBIR Phase I or Phase II proposal is on its way to your inbox! - [Develop a Winning SBIR Strategy - Insights From The Review Process](https://venturewrench.com/products/sbirreview/) - SBIR Proposal Video Training from VentureWrench™ can teach you how to incrase your odds of a successful SBIR Phase I and Phase II contracts. Learn from an experienced entrepreneur and SBIR reviewer! - [VentureWrench Announces "The GovConBiz Podcast" features Nicole Toomey Davis - Talking SBIR](https://venturewrench.com/govconbiz-podcast-news/) - VentureWrench Announces "The GovConBiz Podcast" features Nicole Toomey Davis - Talking SBIR Host Linda Rawson and Nicole Toomey Davis discuss the SBIR/STTR program Silicon Slopes, UT (October 12, 2020) – The VentureWrench™ Startup Community from Enclavix™, LLC today announces that "The GovConBiz Podcast" Hosted by Linda Rawson Features Enclavix CEO Nicole Toomey Davis - Talking - [Talking SBIR - The GovConBiz Podcast features Nicole Toomey Davis - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/talking-sbir-the-govconbiz-podcast-features-nicole-toomey-davis-overview/) - I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Linda Rawson, creator of the GovConBiz Podcast about the federal technology funding SBIR/STTR programs! Linda Rawson is the founder of the GovConBiz Podcast and is an experienced tech CEO and government contractor and her podcast is designed to provide insights, expert interviews, tidbits and strategies to help entrepreneurs succeed - [VentureWrench Announces "Today's Top Leaders in Tech" Features Enclavix CEO Nicole Toomey Davis](https://venturewrench.com/jenanderson-podcast-news/) - VentureWrench Announces "Today's Top Leaders in Tech" Features Enclavix CEO Nicole Toomey Davis - Talking Leadership of Creative Tech Teams Two Episodes of Insights - "How to Nurture and Protect a Quiet Team" and "The Advantages of a Coach vs. Mentor for Tech Careers" Silicon Slopes, UT (April 6, 2021) – The VentureWrench™ Startup Community - [CEO and Executive Coaching](https://venturewrench.com/ceo-and-executive-coaching/) - Experienced entrepreneurs will tell you that you need to talk to a business coach for entrepreneurs. Athletes, actors and musicians have coaches, the truth is that as an entrepreneur, you need an entrepreneur coach. Not everyone knows that some of the top CEOs in the world have famously had a CEO coach to give that - [VentureWrench Announces "The Top Executive Strategy Podcast" Features Nicole Toomey Davis](https://venturewrench.com/keith-weaver-podcast-news/) - VentureWrench Announces "The Top Executive Strategy Podcast" Features Enclavix CEO Nicole Toomey Davis Insider Insights to Get the Most Value From Your Board of Directors Silicon Slopes, UT (June 1, 2021) – The VentureWrench™ Startup Community from Enclavix™, LLC today announced "The Top Executive Strategy Podcast" Features Enclavix CEO Nicole Toomey Davis discussing How to - [Get the Most Value From Your Board - The Top Executive Strategy Podcast Features Nicole Toomey Davis - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/get-the-most-value-from-your-board-overview/) - I was honored to be invited to be on Keith Weaver's "The Top Executive Strategy Podcast" a few weeks ago. We talked about how to "Get the Most Value From Your Board". To listen to the podcast, Episode #138, go here. Or you can watch the video of our discussion below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuVs5yzvhIw To see more - [VentureWrench Announces Expansion of its Premium Coaching Program - Personalized CEO Coaching by Nicole Toomey Davis](https://venturewrench.com/news-ceocoaching/) - VentureWrench Announces Expansion of its Premium Coaching Program - Personalized CEO Coaching by Nicole Toomey Davis Veteran Expertise to help executives take their organizations to the next level Silicon Slopes, UT (June 29, 2021) – The VentureWrench™ Startup Community from Enclavix™, LLC today announced a limited number of new openings in its premium offering to - [Sign up for the VentureWrench Community Mailing List or Visit VentureWrench](https://venturewrench.com/contact/sign-up-2/) - Signup for VentureWrench - Startup Coaches - [](https://venturewrench.com/typceo/) - I am so delighted you have joined our VentureWrench Startup Community of high potential entrepreneurs. Hi, Nicole Toomey Davis here! At VentureWrench, our passion is helping entrepreneurs and CEOs succeed. I know that to you, your startup is a passion or mission or even part of your family. I know because that's what I said - [VentureWrench Coaching Solutions](https://venturewrench.com/products/) - We're experienced startup coaches who can teach you how to get Angel Funding, Venture Capital and SBIR Phase I and Phase II contracts. We offer both personal startup coaching and video coaching! - [VentureWrench Coaching Solutions](https://venturewrench.com/products/) - We're experienced startup coaches who can teach you how to get Angel Funding, Venture Capital and SBIR Phase I and Phase II contracts. We offer both personal startup coaching and video coaching! - [Forty ways to improve your SBIR proposal (from an experienced proposal reviewer) - On Its Way!](https://venturewrench.com/download-forty-ways-to-improve-your-sbir-proposal-from-an-experienced-proposal-reviewer/) - Forty ways to improve your SBIR Phase I or Phase II proposal is on its way to your inbox! - [Contact Us](https://venturewrench.com/contact/) - Contact us if you have any questions, we're here to help! - [Legal](https://venturewrench.com/about/legal/) - Legal Information and Terms of Use for the VentureWrench website, library and content - [](https://venturewrench.com/landsbir/) - 40 Ways to Improve your SBIR Proposal! | VentureWrench - [Welcome to the VentureWrench Startup Community!](https://venturewrench.com/welcome/) - The VentureWrench community brings you great startup insights right to your inbox. - [VentureWrench Announces Free Guide for Entrepreneurs - "40 Ways to Improve Your SBIR Proposal"](https://venturewrench.com/announce40wayssbir/) - VentureWrench Announces Free Guide for Entrepreneurs – “40 Ways to Improve Your SBIR Proposal” - [About Us](https://venturewrench.com/about/) - About VentureWrench, the VentureWrench Library, the VentureWrench team and Startup coaching the VentureWrench Way! - [About Us](https://venturewrench.com/about/) - About VentureWrench, the VentureWrench Library, the VentureWrench team and Startup coaching the VentureWrench Way! - [VentureWrench Community Resources for You!](https://venturewrench.com/community/) - VentureWrench Community Resources for You! - [VentureWrench Announces New Online Course - "Raising Capital in a Down Economy!"](https://venturewrench.com/newsraisingcapitaldowneconomy/) - VentureWrench Announces New Online Course - "Raising Capital in a Down Economy!" - [VentureWrench Announces InvestorFind™ - A Unique, Curated Database of Startup Investors](https://venturewrench.com/investorfindannounced/) - VentureWrench Announces InvestorFind™ – A Unique, Curated Database of Startup Investors - Designed to Help Entrepreneurs Quickly Find Their "Perfect Investors™" - [VentureWrench Announces Free Guide for Entrepreneurs - 5 Changes In Startup Funding in a Down Economy](https://venturewrench.com/news5changesdowneconomy/) - VentureWrench Announces Free Guide for Entrepreneurs – 5 Changes In Startup Funding in a Down Economy - [VentureWrench and Kiln Deal Flow Workshop: How Startup Investors (Really) Work](https://venturewrench.com/venturewrenchkilnworkshop20191120/) - Free workshop, How Startup Investors (Really) Work, presented by Nicole Toomey Davis, Enclavix President, CEO and co-founder and VentureWrench co-creator. - [Elevating Your Elevator Pitch Template](https://venturewrench.com/pitch/) - You really need an elevator pitch and we can help make a great one - sign up here - [](https://venturewrench.com/confirmdpi/) - I am so glad you want to create a compelling pitch! Welcome to the VentureWrench startup community, I am so excited for you to accelerate your progress! Access Your New Course - Elevating Your Elevator Pitch - Here! After selling that first startup, then running a grant funding and mentoring program for Utah, and mentoring dozens - [VentureWrench Announces its New Workshop - "Develop a Winning SBIR Strategy: Insights from an Experienced Reviewer"](https://venturewrench.com/sbirnewcourse/) - VentureWrench Announces its New Workshop – “Develop a Winning SBIR Strategy: Insights from an Experienced Reviewer” - [Nicole Toomey Davis, Speaking at America’s SBDC 40th Annual Virtual Conference, Keynote by Daymond John](https://venturewrench.com/announce-2020asbdc/) - Nicole Toomey Davis, Speaking at America’s SBDC 40th Annual Virtual Conference, Keynote by Daymond John - [Tough Time Raising Capital? VC Investors Say it's Going to Get Worse - Here's What to Do! - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/tough-time-raising-capital-vc-investors-say-its-going-to-get-worse-heres-what-to-do-overview/) - Tough Time Raising Capital? VC Investors Say it’s Going to Get Worse – Here’s What to Do! – Overview - [How do you Slice the Pie as Founders? Overview](https://venturewrench.com/slicingpieoverview/) - How do you Slice the Pie as Founders? Overview - [](https://venturewrench.com/typ5capitalcrisis/) - Thank you Page Free Capital Crisis Guide - 5 Changes In Startup Funding in a Down Economy - [Get comfortable with power and using it wisely”, with Penny Bauder & Nicole Toomey Davis](https://venturewrench.com/interview-get-comfortable-with-power/) - Get comfortable with power and using it wisely”, with Penny Bauder & Nicole Toomey Davis - [Why Startups Die - Can't raise sufficient capital! - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/cant-raise-capital-overview/) - Why Startups Die – Can’t raise sufficient capital! – Overview - [Understanding How Venture Capital Works - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/howvcworksoverview/) - Understanding How Venture Capital Works – Overview - [Finding Strategic Investors - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/finding-strategic-investors-overview/) - Finding Strategic Investors – Overview - [Who Do You Talk to in a Crisis? - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/who-do-you-talk-to-in-a-crisis-overview/) - Who Do You Talk to in a Crisis? – Overview - [The Pros and Cons of Paying for Access to an Angel Group - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/payingangelgroupsoverview/) - The Pros and Cons of Paying for Access to an Angel Group – Overview - [Skiing the (Stock Market) Avalanche - Lessons Learned Overview!](https://venturewrench.com/skiingstockavalanche-overview/) - Skiing the (Stock Market) Avalanche – Lessons Learned Overview! - [](https://venturewrench.com/40-ways-to-improve-your-sbir-proposal-final/) - 40 Ways to Improve your SBIR Proposal! | VentureWrench. Real mistakes seen by an experienced Reviewer - don't make them! - [Women 2.0 Article - How to Manage Your Cashflow in Uncertain Times - Overview](https://venturewrench.com/women2-0managecashflow/) - Women 2.0 Article – How to Manage Your Cashflow in Uncertain Times – Overview - [Enclavix CEO, Nicole Toomey Davis, Joins the Board of Signs.com](https://venturewrench.com/enclavixceojoinsboardsignsdotcom/) - Enclavix CEO, Nicole Toomey Davis, Joins the Board of Signs.com - [VentureWrench part of Women Tech Council's "Women-Led Startups" Program](https://venturewrench.com/enclavixincludedwtcstartups/) - VentureWrench part of Women Tech Council’s “Women-Led Startups” Program - [Elevating your Elevator Pitch - Quickstart Workshop](https://venturewrench.com/elevatorpitchworkshop/) - My quickstart course "Elevating your Elevator Pitch" can help you get to a compelling elevator pitch in less than 2 hours! Grab it now for only $37 dollars. - [InvestorFind™ Terms and Conditions](https://venturewrench.com/about/investorfindtsandcs/) - Terms and Conditions for InvestorFind™ Custom Search of our Unique Database of Investors - [Privacy Policy](https://venturewrench.com/about/privacy-html/) - Your privacy is important to us here at VentureWrench. - [Enclavix CEO, Nicole Toomey Davis, Leading VentureWrench SBIR Workshop at the 39th Annual America’s SBDC Conference](https://venturewrench.com/venturewrenchsbirworkshopasbdcconf2019/) - Enclavix CEO, Nicole Toomey Davis, Leading VentureWrench SBIR Workshop at the 39th Annual America’s SBDC Conference - [The VentureWrench Startup Community Announces Workshop - Power is NOT a 4 Letter Word - Understanding Power in Organizations](https://venturewrench.com/newspowerworkshop201908/) - The VentureWrench Startup Community Announces Workshop – Power is NOT a 4 Letter Word – Understanding Power in Organizations - [The VentureWrench Startup Community Announces Workshop - Power is NOT a 4 Letter Word - Understanding Power in Organizations](https://venturewrench.com/newspowerworkshop201908/) - The VentureWrench Startup Community Announces Workshop – Power is NOT a 4 Letter Word – Understanding Power in Organizations - [Nicole Toomey Davis to appear on Silicon Slopes Panel, "A Tech Policy Discussion" with U.S. Congressman Chris Stewart](https://venturewrench.com/techpolicypanel20190730/) - “Nicole Toomey Davis to appear on Silicon Slopes Panel, “A Tech Policy Discussion” with U.S. Congressman Chris Stewart” is locked Nicole Toomey Davis to appear on Silicon Slopes Panel, “A Tech Policy Discussion” with U.S. Congressman Chris Stewart - [VentureWrench Announces Guide to Investor Capital](https://venturewrench.com/announceinvestorguide2019-07-25/) - VentureWrench Startup Community Announces Availability of VentureWrench Guide to Investor Capital for Entrepreneurs. New E-book, Written by Experienced Serial Entrepreneur, is Available to Entrepreneurs at No Cost to Help Support Entrepreneurship - [Support and Help!](https://venturewrench.com/support-help/) - The VentureWrench system is designed to be easy to use, but we've included some tips and tricks to help if you need it. - [Partners](https://venturewrench.com/partners/) - The VentureWrench Partners Page is a source of the VentureWrench logo, information and embedded videos on the VentureWrench Library and VentureWrench Startup Tools for Entrepreneurs - [Enclavix CEO Included in v|100 for the Sixth Time - Peer Recognition as a Top Utah Entrepreneur](https://venturewrench.com/v100sixthtime/) - Enclavix CEO Included in v|100 for the Sixth Time – Peer Recognition as a Top Utah Entrepreneur - [Enclavix CEO selected by peers to be included in v|100 for the Seventh Time as a Top Utah Entrepreneur](https://venturewrench.com/2012v100ntdavis/) - Enclavix CEO selected by peers to be included in v|100 for the Seventh Time as a Top Utah Entrepreneur - [Enclavix CEO Honored as One of 25 Most Influential Business People in Utah - 2007](https://venturewrench.com/25mostinfluential2007/) - Enclavix CEO Honored by Connect Magazine as one of 25 most influential business people in Utah in 2007 - [Enclavix, LLC Awarded Phase I SBIR Grant to Develop Prototype of Online System to Educate and Support Entrepreneurs](https://venturewrench.com/nsf-sbir-phase1-award-2011/) - Enclavix Awarded SBIR Phase I Project to Create an Automated System to Identify and Curate Web-based Resources for Entrepreneurs - [Enclavix Demonstrates Prototype of VentureWrench, an online system that uses Machine Learning to curate resources and tools for Entrepreneurs](https://venturewrench.com/prototypedemoventurewrench2016/) - Enclavix Demonstrates Prototype of VentureWrench, an online system that uses Machine Learning to curate resources and tools for Entrepreneurs - [Enclavix Announces the Public Preview of VentureWrench, a Free Online Library of Curated Resources to Help Entrepreneurs](https://venturewrench.com/venturewrenchpublicpreview/) - Enclavix Announces the public preview of VentureWrench, a free online library of curated resources to help Entrepreneurs - [Nicole Toomey Davis awarded Community Builder award during the Women Tech Council's Women Tech Awards of 2009](https://venturewrench.com/womentechcouncilaward2009/) - Nicole Toomey Davis awarded Community Builder award during the Women Tech Council’s Women Tech Awards of 2009 - [Enclavix, LLC Successfully Completes Phase I Project to Develop Prototype to Educate and Support Entrepreneurs](https://venturewrench.com/phase-i-project-completed-2011/) - Enclavix, LLC Successfully Completes Phase I Project to Develop Prototype to Educate and Support Entrepreneurs - [Enclavix CEO selected by Peers as a Member of the 2008 v|100 ​Class](https://venturewrench.com/v1002008/) - Enclavix CEO selected by Peers as a Member of the 2008 v|100 ​Class - [Don't Make These Fundraising Mistakes!](https://venturewrench.com/4mistakespage/) - Don’t Make These Fundraising Mistakes! Get your no cost coaching advice on startup fundraising today! - [Avoid These 50 Ways to Mess Up Your Startup!](https://venturewrench.com/land50waysmessup/) - Avoid These 50 Ways to Mess Up Your Startup! - [Sign up for the VentureWrench Community](https://venturewrench.com/contact/sign-up/) - Signup for VentureWrench - Startup Coaches - [VentureWrench Joins Leading Companies Representing Utah's Tech Ecosystem at State Capitol Event](https://venturewrench.com/techdayhill2019-2-25/) - VentureWrench Joins Leading Companies representing Utah’s Tech Ecosystem at State Capitol Event organized by GOED, the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development - [VentureWrench Startup Tools for Entrepreneurs to be Demonstrated at Silicon Slopes Tech Summit 2019](https://venturewrench.com/siliconslopestechsummit2019venturewrenchdemo/) - VentureWrench Startup Tools for Entrepreneurs to be Demonstrated at Silicon Slopes Tech Summit 2019 - [Enclavix CEO selected by Peers as a Member of the 2009 v|100 ​class for the Fifth Time](https://venturewrench.com/v100fifthtime/) - Enclavix CEO selected by Peers as a Member of the 2009 v|100 ​class for the Fifth Time - [Funding Awarded to Create an Automated System to Identify and Curate Web-based Resources for Entrepreneurs](https://venturewrench.com/2014phaseiisbirventurewrench/) - Funding Awarded from the National Science Foundation to Enclavix to Create an Automated System to Identify and Curate Web-based Resources for Entrepreneurs - [Prototype of an Automated System to Identify and Curate Web-based Resources for Entrepreneurs Successfully Developed and Tested with Entrepreneurs](https://venturewrench.com/nsfsbirphaseiventurewrenchcompleted/) - Prototype of an Automated System to Identify and Curate Web-based Resources for Entrepreneurs Successfully Developed and Tested with Entrepreneurs - [Application of Machine Intelligence to Patent Data Yields New Perspective on IP](https://venturewrench.com/ipsbirphicompleted/) - Application of Machine Intelligence to Patent Data Yields New Perspective on IP - [Funding Received to Create Prototype of an a Machine Intelligence-based System for Innovative Organizations to Assess, Manage and License Intellectual Property](https://venturewrench.com/nsfsbirphiiptools2013/) - Funding Received to Create Prototype of an a Machine Intelligence-based System for Innovative Organizations to Assess, Manage and License Intellectual Property - [Enclavix, LLC awarded Second Phase I SBIR grant by the National Science Foundation to Create Machine Learning System to Curate Resources for Entrepreneurs](https://venturewrench.com/nsfphiventurewrenchawarded/) - Enclavix, LLC awarded Second Phase I SBIR grant by the National Science Foundation to Create Machine Learning System to Curate Resources for Entrepreneurs - [VentureWrench Launches AI-powered Online Software Tools for Entrepreneurs at Silicon Slopes Event](https://venturewrench.com/venturewrenchlaunch20190114/) - VentureWrench Launches AI-powered Online Software Tools for Entrepreneurs at Silicon Slopes Event - [VentureWrench Library Site Map](https://venturewrench.com/site-map/) - VentureWrench Library Site Map - [About the VentureWrench Library](https://venturewrench.com/thelibrary/) - The VentureWrench library is a collection of over 3,500 free links on entrepreneurship, venture capital, SBIR proposals and more! - [Tell Your Startup Story](https://venturewrench.com/products/tell-your-startup-story/) - No matter how you plan to fund your startup, you need to make your story clear and compelling. This course will explain how to create a powerful narrative that you can successfully pitch to investors. ## Categories - [Entrepreneurship](https://venturewrench.com/category/entrepreneurship/) - [Startup Challenges](https://venturewrench.com/category/startup_challenges/) - [SBIR / STTR](https://venturewrench.com/category/raising_money/sbir_sttr/) - [Raising Money](https://venturewrench.com/category/raising_money/) - [Founder Character](https://venturewrench.com/category/founder-character/) - [Startup Therapy (tm)](https://venturewrench.com/category/startup-therapy-tm/) - [IPO](https://venturewrench.com/category/raising_money/ipo/) - [Unicorn](https://venturewrench.com/category/raising_money/unicorn/) - [Venture Capital](https://venturewrench.com/category/raising_money/venture-capital/) - [Building Your Team](https://venturewrench.com/category/building-your-team/) - [Marketing and Sales](https://venturewrench.com/category/marketing-and-sales/) - [Market Research](https://venturewrench.com/category/marketing-and-sales/market-research/) - 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