Wil Schroter

About

Wil Schroter is the Founder + CEO @ Startups.com, a startup platform that includes Bizplan, Clarity, Fundable, Launchrock, and Zirtual. He started his first company at age 19 which grew to over $700 million in billings within 5 years (despite his involvement). After that he launched 8 more companies, the last 3 venture backed, to refine his learning of what not to do. He's a seasoned expert at starting companies and a total amateur at everything else.

Articles

Risk it All vs Steady Paycheck

Choosing between a regular job and starting your own business is a life-changing decision. Let's unpack the realities behind each choice to weigh out what is best for YOU.

How About a Startup that Just Makes Money?

Ever thought about ditching the whole fundraising craze and simply building a startup that puts money in your pocket? It's not just about surviving in the business jungle, it's about thriving on YOUR terms.

How to Recruit a Rockstar Advisor

Navigating the advisor landscape is like treading a fine line between wisdom and well-intentioned faux pas. Let's decipher whether your startup needs an advisor's touch or if all you need is a dose of sagacious counsel.

Why Having Zero Experience is a Huge Asset

Having zero experience means you're new to something, and surprisingly, that can be a good thing. But for startup Founders, could a lack of experience help you succeed or fail?

My Competitor Got Funded — Am I Screwed?

What's the most common concern of competitors securing funds? Tune in for valuable perspectives on why this might not be a cause for panic.

The Hidden Treasure of Failed Startups

Are failed startups a hidden treasure? Read on to uncover the secrets of success amidst startup wreckage.

If It Makes Money, It Makes Sense

Generating revenue and being willing to do whatever it takes to move a startup forward is essential for startup success. But how do we overcome challenges in achieving financial sustainability?

Why do VCs Keep Giving Failed Founders Money?

Maybe investing in Founders who have shown they can bounce back and learn from failure can ultimately change how we think about startup success — tune in to find out why.

$10K Per Month isn't Just Revenue — It's Life Support

Earning at least $10,000 per month is one of the most important milestones in your startup career. Here's why.

The Ridiculous Spectrum of Investor Feedback

There are many dangers of acting on investor feedback without considering its relevance, potential bias, and the investor's qualifications. Let's discuss the importance of understanding the context and motivation behind their advice.

Startup CEOs Aren't Really CEOs

The CEO title bears a lot of responsibility. It’s easy to get the title, in fact, anyone can become one — but do you have the right qualifications and enough experience to be called a CEO?

When to Raise Funds

The need to raise startup capital is probably far less critical than you think.

Why Aren't Investors Responding to Me?

Tired of emailing dozens of investors and getting nothing but radio silence? Here's how you can change that.

Should I Regret Not Raising Capital?

There's a time and a place where raising capital absolutely makes sense, but often we're either not there or we misunderstand why we should be thinking about capital at all.

How Much to Pay Yourself

How much should Founders pay themselves? We’re breaking down the long-debated issue of Founder compensation to help you find the right balance.

Your Advisors Are Probably Wrong

More often than not, the advice we're getting from our trusted advisors is just flat out wrong. It's time to stop simply taking startup advice, and instead start calibrating whether the advice we're getting is even relevant to begin with.

Growth Isn't Always Good

Growth doesn't always make a startup better. Sometimes growth is just a cancer. And in many cases, our focus on growth runs counter to what our goals really should be: becoming a better startup, not just a bigger one.

How to Shut Down Gracefully

Everyone talks about starting companies — yet no one ever tells us how to shut them down. Here's a useful approach to winding down gracefully.

How Does My Startup Get Acquired?

We read about startups being acquired all the time, but we rarely have any idea how those situations ever escalated. While there might not be some “Tinder for Startup Acquisitions” that everyone else is using but us — it actually is all about building relationships.

Can Entrepreneurship Be Taught?

Are there certain fundamental skills that Founders can learn to build a successful startup? Is it a matter of having innate talent to get it done? Or is it a combination of both?

How to Pick the Wrong Co-Founder

A co-founder can offer numerous benefits to a business. However, finding the right co-founder whose values align with yours and who complements your strengths and weaknesses is crucial for a successful partnership.

Staying Small While Going Big

Making a significant impact doesn't always mean having a large team. Let's delve into the strategies that empower a small team to make a substantial difference, proving that size isn't the only measure of success.

Investors are NOT on Our Side of the Table

In the startup world, it's important to recognize that investors and Founders don't always see eye to eye (big surprise there). Good communication and finding common ground are key to ensuring the startup's success in the long run.

Who am I Really Competing Against?

Founders are often never satisfied because they constantly set new, self-imposed benchmarks and goals. Is it possible to find a balance between ambition and recognizing achievements?

← Previous

Page 4 of 18