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I help startups grow (up).

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The best support for your pre-Series-B startup for just about everything.

I support startups at all stages, from initial idea to Series-B. I aid in fostering innovation and guide emerging companies through crucial milestones. My services encompass strategic consultancy, business planning, marketing and branding, team building, technology guidance, business development support, and capital acquisition strategy development.

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Testimonials

Michael Burtov, is a serial entrepreneur, with a new brand-building strategy.

INC

Mike is fair and honest with his employees and stays steadfast, maybe even stubborn, in his optimism for our company succeeding through all the roadblocks that a startup faces. He is an easy leader to rally behind.

Dakota DeckerCTO, GeoOrbital

A panel of more than 3,000 leading business executives including past award winners, academics and leaders in the fields of product development, design, and engineering... recognized Michael Burtov as a true innovator.

Edison Awards

Put simply, Mike is one of the most brilliant, personable and dedicated people I've ever worked with. He has amazing knowledge across many domains, and an almost preternatural ability to pick out just the right thought or piece of information for any moment and any problem.

Steve LehrCSO, Cangrade

[Michael Burtov's work is] making the world better, smarter and even a bit more fun…changing the way we live, work, play and think about what’s possible.

TIME Magazine

Michael Burtov isn’t an engineer, but a serial entrepreneur that reinvented the electric bike

Forbes

I’m always looking for seasoned entrepreneurs to share their real-world knowledge and experiences with the entrepreneurs in our community. Michael is an insightful, honest, engaging, and relatable instructor. He has my highest recommendation.

Katja WaldMIT Enterprise Forum

Michael Burtov is one of the most dynamic and creative people shaping business today.

The Business Journals

I have invited Michael to speak to our cohorts. Whenever he speaks his insightfulness and experience really shine though, people love hearing the real truth about bringing real innovation to the world - he is one of the top minds in his field.

Philip GreenwaldHarvard University Innovation Lab

In its recent TechCrunch Disrupt demo, founder Michael Burtov walks through the history of his company with a nonchalance.

Popular Mechanics

Get to Product-Market-Fit and be loved by your customers & investors

Together, we will craft and implement strategies that identify and deeply resonate with both your customers and investors, laying a solid foundation for sustainable growth.

We will work together to:

  • Captivate your customer base and build loyalty.
  • Connect with and impress current and potential investors.
  • Develop products that resonate in your market.
  • Create compelling narratives that generate adoption.
  • Harness strategic foresight to thrive in your ecosystem.

Business planning

I craft clear and concise business plans and strategies that outline your business model, market analysis, and financial projections. Alongside this, I work with founders to develop a pitch deck that clearly presents their value proposition and growth strategy. Additionally, I assist in gathering or creating other essential documents such as customer contracts, supplier agreements, organizational charts, IP strategies, and operational plans.

My clients use these documents and strategies for:

Securing Investments
Strategic and Operational Planning
Entering New Markets and Launching Products
 Attracting Key Team Members
 Compliance and Legal Requirements
 Immigration and Visa Applications
 Supplier and Vendor Contracts
 Grants, Competitions, and Accelerators
 Exit and M&A Strategy Planning
 Risk Management

Support for startup accelerators and incubators

I offer a wide spectrum of services to startup accelerators, enhancing their efficiency and the quality of their programing.

  • Recruiting Startups (via a partnership with The Vertical LEAP)
  • Curriculum Development and Implementation
  • Leading Workshops and Seminars
  • Startup Mentorship  and Holding Office Hours
  • Technology and Infrastructure Advisory
  • Operational Efficiency and Process Optimization

My Latest Articles

Filter

Uncategorized

Why Hunger is Necessary for Innovation: How Parkinson’s Law Hinders Startup Success

Over the years, I’ve worked with several large companies that have "intrapreneurship" programs, which refers…
January 24, 2024
Uncategorized

The pitfalls of mentorship and “Smart Money” in startups

A few weeks ago I wrapped up a structured incubator cohort where I mentored the…
January 10, 2024
Business

Driving Disruption: Amazon’s Brand Expansion into Car Sales and What Your Startup Can Learn from It

For decades, the auto sales sector, with its hidden fees, bait-and-switch financing, and pressured add-ons,…
December 12, 2023
Business

Surviving the 2024 AI Hype Cycle

We have all seen it countless times before: a hot new technology captures the tech…
November 28, 2023
Uncategorized

SAFE for VC, Not So Safe for Startups

In recent years, “SAFE” notes have become one of the most common ways for early-stage…
November 22, 2023
Uncategorized

Lessons from WeWork: When Real Estate Pretends to be a Tech Startup

The recent bankruptcy filing of WeWork, the shared office space company once valued at $47…
November 13, 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you work alone?

With most engagements, I am the sole point of contact. However, for larger projects or those that require specific expertise, I collaborate with a group of seasoned professionals from various industries. My team includes expert strategists, financial analysts, PR professionals, marketing experts, sales executives, and technologists. The team I have assembled serves as a potent think-tank and a valuable resource for nurturing startups to flourish in a competitive environment. Each member of my team is a seasoned entrepreneur, dedicated to fostering a collaborative relationship with every startup that I work with.

How much do you charge?

I believe in transparent pricing, which serves as the cornerstone of a trustworthy and mutually beneficial relationship. I take no equity and maintain a flexible approach to accommodate various budgets and project scopes. Clients can choose from an hourly rate that starts at $250 (USD), or opt for project-based pricing that aligns with the specific needs and complexities of the project. Like most professional services firms, I will collect a retainer or payment for the project in the beginning of our engagement. This transparent and flexible pricing structure is designed to foster a collaborative environment where our focus is squarely on helping your startup thrive.

Do you make introductions to investors?

No. While I have built strong relationships with numerous investors over the years, my core responsibility lies in being an unswerving advocate for the entrepreneur. To preserve this role and maintain an unbiased perspective, I refrain from making introductions to investors. However, I do actively assist startups in developing effective and sustainable strategies that allow them to identify and connect with the right investors or alternative funding sources. As the old adage goes: it’s better to teach one to fish than to give them a fish. I believe this approach is the best way to build sustainable strategies that align with the startup’s vision and objectives.

Get In Touch

Send me me a note below or connect with me on LinkedIn.

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Stay In Touch

Once in a while, I send out a newsletter with some thoughts on current startup happenings. Occasionally, my newsletter features firsthand insights and anonymous remarks from the startups I work with, offering a unique glimpse into the trials and triumphs within the early-stage startup ecosystem.