Kansas City (Guest post by Melissa Roberts) It's tornado season, and there's a storm brewing in Kansas. Government bureaucrats and startups are churning toward each other. But lately, when they meet, they're working together to encourage lightning-fast Internet around our state. In a time when political ire is at an all-time high, it can be shocking to see state government leaders and local businesses work together toward a larger goal. Enter Kansas H.B. 2326, a bill that encouraged a hands-off approach to regulation of Internet-based networks. … read more

One of the most important things that a startup can do is find a good group of beta customers. Good beta customers have some key characteristics. In some ways it is like Corinthians 13: Beta customer is patient, beta customer is kind. Beta customer does not envy, beta customer does not boast, it is not proud. Beta customer does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Beta customer does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Beta Customer … read more

Lincoln In my role at Nebraska Global, I have the opportunity to see numerous early stage investment opportunities. One of the regular, recurring problems that occurs in deals that we review is entrepreneurs do not make an ask or they make a half-ask. A good ask has two parts: 1. My company is seeking X dollars. 2. We believe that this is worth Y percentage of the company. Part one of "the ask" is usually the part that entrepreneurs know. I want $1 million for my company. However … read more