JJ Richa

🚀 What makes a founder “Techstars-ready”? According to Misti Cain, Managing Director of Techstars San Diego powered by SDSU, it comes down to having a 10X idea - not just a 2X improvement. “10X is changing policies. It’s changing laws. It’s changing the status quo… You look at it and think, Whoa—I didn’t even know that was possible.” And it’s not just vision. Misti wants to see traction signals: Waitlists LOIs Landing page traffic + conversion intent Even if the product isn’t live yet—founders need to show the demand is real. 🎧 Hear more of Misti’s no-BS advice on the latest Tacos and Tech Podcast: https://lnkd.in/g3AZAUvQ Techstars Techstars San Diego powered by San Diego State University

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High-earning California business owners!!! If you’re generating $500K–$1M+ in operating profit from an advisory practice, professional firm, or closely held business, you’re likely doing three things: - Paying a painful combined tax bill to the IRS and Franchise Tax Board - Leaving a huge chunk of your balance sheet exposed to lawsuits and creditors - Using retirement tools (401(k), IRA, SEP) that barely make a dent relative to your true earning power There is a more strategic way to play this game. In my latest Wealth Matters 3.0 article, I break down—step by step and in plain English—how a California small business or advisory practice owner earning around $750K in pre-tax profit can: - Use a California Private Retirement Trust (PRT)to turn a meaningful portion of those profits into exempt retirement assets under California law, with: - Strong lawsuit protection as “private retirement plan” property - The ability to self-direct investments into stocks, bonds, gold, silver, or even Bitcoin through appropriate custodial and plan structures - Significant tax-deferral by having the business make large, actuarially supported contributions instead of funneling everything out as fully taxable compensation - Then layer a Wyoming Asset Protection Trust (WAPT) on top for the surplus and dynastic capital that doesn’t need to sit inside a retirement structure, so you can: - Move longer-term, multi-generational assets into a Wyoming qualified spendthrift trust with strong self-settled protection rules - Take advantage of Wyoming’s trust-friendly statutes, long-term dynasty potential, and favorable tax environment at the trust level The article walks through: - A simple, practical narrative of how a CA owner with $750K profit can structure contributions, choose investments, and phase funding into each structure - The key legal distinctions—what makes PRT assets exempt under California’s retirement plan statute vs. how a Wyoming trust relies on its spendthrift and look-back rules - Tax positioning in human language: what’s deductible at the entity level, what’s deferred, and where you’re still exposed - The real-world trade-offs: cost, complexity, timing, and the importance of not treating these like last-minute “hide the ball” moves in front of a creditor or court This isn’t a theoretical whitepaper; it’s written for owners and advisors who actually sign tax returns, manage staff, and live with California risk and volatility every day. If you: - Run a profitable advisory or professional practice in California - Want more control over *what* you invest in (including alternatives and sound money assets) - Care about shielding wealth from future litigation while being smart about taxes Read the full article here on Wealth Matters 3.0 and subscribe if you want more practical structures for high-net-worth operators: https://lnkd.in/g4CTisft

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Before signing an LOI or IOI, know the risks. Understanding these documents is crucial for sellers. Dive into our blog to learn more. 📜 Read here: https://lnkd.in/eEE4Q2GN #BusinessAdvice #SellerTips #tworld #LOI #IOI

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Smart Startup Capital How Founders Are Securing Non-Dilutive Deals Click To Watch | https://lnkd.in/eE9JAG-P Florida startups are landing $1M–$40M in non-dilutive capital. With 400+ clients and deals monthly, founders in Miami being funded smarter and staying in control of their vision. Moment's from Our SVB + TMC Formula 1 Mixer Silicon Valley Bank / The Main Collective #StartupFunding #NonDilutiveCapital #MiamiFounders #SmartMoney #TheMainCollective #FounderFunding

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Imagine going public without the headaches of a traditional IPO. That’s exactly what a tech firm did with Bowarr and saw their market cap soar. Issac Qureshi, CEO of Bowarr, shares in his Xraised interview how their Nasdaq direct listing solution is helping businesses get fairly valued while staying in control. It’s not just innovation. It’s transformation. 💼 Curious how Bowarr is making it easier for companies to scale, sell or grow globally? Dive into the interview now 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dWgCDFbB . . . . #GoingPublic #BowarrSuccess #IssacQureshi #XraisedInterview #FinanceInnovation #Nasdaq #StartupJourney #CapitalRaising #InvestorRelations #BusinessGrowth #GlobalMarkets #IPOJourney #TechLeaders #DirectToMarket #ScaleSmarter

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This is a literal example of where your "network" is your "net-worth." Even with Cursor, Replit, Windsurf or any other AI coding tool, coding to multiple brokers is still hard. You still have get approval from internal broker teams, manage 12+ different API docs, and play customer support when stuff breaks. We make it easy for our partners to connect to more brokers with our unified API so they can focus on serving more customers... ...and helping their clients grow their net-worth.

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At Brightstar Capital Partners, we believe success begins with strong relationships built on trust, alignment, and a shared vision to help great businesses grow. While capital is essential, we focus on building long-term partnerships built through hands-on experience and a commitment to lasting value. Our investment evaluation process is grounded in sectors we know deeply. We focus on cash-flowing businesses where we see an opportunity to optimize operations and foster ownership culture, helping to grow the company better than it could on its own. Ultimately, we judge success by a simple question. Five or 10 years after we exit, if someone calls a founder or partner we’ve worked with and asks, “Should I work with Brightstar?” I want the answer to be yes. That is our definition of real value creation.

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Form 1099-DA — what you really need to pay attention to Crypto and NFTs are no longer “off the radar.” With Form 1099-DA, brokers will start reporting your digital asset transactions directly to the IRS. If you receive this form, it usually means: 👉 you sold or exchanged digital assets 👉 the same information has also been sent to the IRS Here’s what you should actually keep in mind: ✔ your crypto/NFT sale proceeds are reported by the exchange ✔ your cost basis may not always be included — you might need your own records ✔ you’ll need to answer “Yes” to the digital asset question on Form 1040 ✔ short-term vs long-term gains are taxed differently ✔ stablecoins and NFTs can also be covered ✔ in some cases, even transfers may be reported A few honest truths: • crypto is not “invisible” for taxes anymore • small amounts still count • ignoring the form can lead to IRS letters — not fun What I’d personally recommend: 📌 keep a clean record of buys, sells, transfers 📌 download exchange statements regularly 📌 if you traded a lot, talk to a tax professional 📌 don’t wait until the last week of filing Bottom line: Digital assets are officially part of the tax system now. Being organized will save you stress later. DM or Email us at: info@accuratebizco.com Visit: https://lnkd.in/dMHHYuUf #1099DA #CryptoTaxes #DigitalAssets #IRS #TaxSeason #USATaxes #CryptoInvesting #NFTs #TaxCompliance #Accounting #Bookkeeping #Finance

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Why Silicon Valley is really talking about fleeing California (it's not the 5%) The recent trend of billionaires leaving California raises critical questions about the underlying factors influencing their decisions. It’s more than just the 5% tax rate; it's about the evolving landscape of opportunity and regulatory challenges impacting innovation. At ElevenX Capital, we see this as a pivotal moment for venture capital to adapt and explore new markets that promote entrepreneurship and growth. How can we better support startups in regions outside traditional tech hubs? #investing #innovation #venturecapital #entrepreneurship

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Most startups die trying to get what an existing business already has — Customers Cash flow Systems Brand trust Why start from zero when you can buy from momentum? Buy a business doing $500K–$2M in revenue. Leverage seller financing, SBA, or private capital. Keep the team, fix the margins, and scale. It’s not about being an entrepreneur anymore. It’s about being an acquirer. Startups are hope. Acquisitions are math. And math wins. 🦈

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Please don't waste food. AMPLE update : Juniper Ventures Signs up to AMPLE Marketplace AMPLE : B2B Marketplace for Fresh Food. Impact Investment. See https://www.ample.shop Steve Thomas - CEO/Co-Founder of AMPLE provides an update on a most recent business partnership: "...Juniper Ventures, which supplies over 23,000 meals daily to students in the London Borough of Newham, has become a keen buyer on the Ample Marketplace. Incorporated in April 2018 from the council’s catering and cleaning service, Juniper aims to operate with the social aspects of the local authority but with the business acumen and autonomy of the limited company that it is. Michael Hales, chief executive of Juniper Ventures and vice-chair-elect of LACA, said: “It is shocking that in the UK we waste 13m tonnes of food every year. As a hospitality business we are determined to do all we are able to help reduce this figure....".   Read the full update. https://lnkd.in/ecwQaT9f REMINDER Ample Marketplace is a new B2B channel for unsold fresh food integrating e-commerce, logistics, and digital marketing. Ample is the UK’s first smart marketplace for wholesale food (with expansion plans for the US, EMEA and APAC). Ample creates value by shortening the supply chain, giving more control to sellers and value for buyers.  AMPLE is a portfolio company of XSS Capital. Join us on this investment journey? DM me for more info. #e-commerce #logistics #Impact Investing Join our mailing list at www.xss-capital.com

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Scaling Your Business - Insights for Entrepreneurs Jeffrey L. Bowman #livingcorporate #scalingyourbusiness #entrepreneurinsights #jeffreylbowman #businessgrowth #startuptips #founderfocus #leadershipdevelopment #scaleyourstartup #businessstrategy #entrepreneurmindset

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In this episode of Higher Exchanges, Ron Gershoni shares how Jetty became one of California’s most enduring cannabis brands and what it takes to expand nationally. We cover: • 🚀 Jetty’s founding story and lessons from brand building • 💨 Product evolution: from vapes to solventless and pre-rolls • 🛡 Navigating “Vape Gate” and setting clean product standards • 📊 California market challenges and Jetty’s growth strategy • 🌎 Lessons from expansion into NJ, NY, and NV Thanks for tuning in!

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💼 California freelancers, don’t sleep on the S Corp. Switching from sole prop to S Corp could save you $6K+ a year in taxes. ✔️ Pay less in self-employment tax ✔️ Keep liability protection ✔️ Only 1.5% CA franchise tax Just be ready for payroll and compliance steps. If you’re earning consistently, it might be time to upgrade your structure. Link in comments for full article. #SCorpSavings #FreelanceFinance #CaliforniaBusiness #TaxTips

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Thinking about buying a business? Don’t skip a proper valuation before you commit. A thorough valuation helps you make informed decisions, avoid overpaying, and strengthens your negotiating position. At Minerva Valuations, we guide buyers through every step of this process. Whether you’re acquiring your first business or making a strategic add-on, a credible valuation anchors your decision-making and protects your investment. Let’s talk about how we can support your next acquisition. #BusinessValuation #MergersAndAcquisitions #DueDiligence #MinervaValuations

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Learning how to prepare your business for sale in California can make the difference between success and failure. Preparing your business for sale in California involves: 1. Comprehensively reading every facet of your operation—financials, legal structure, daily operations, and a business valuation—well before listing. 2. Presenting your business in the best possible way to potential buyers, highlighting its inherent value while proactively addressing any potential concerns. 3. A deep dive into your tax obligations, refining your organizational structure for clarity and efficiency, and ensuring strict adherence to California’s specific and often complex regulatory environment. 4. Showcasing strengths and mitigating risks to secure a transaction that truly reflects your business’s value. 5. Taking a proactive approach that significantly enhances the likelihood of a seamless transfer and maintains confidentiality. 6. Thinking ahead to position your business to reduce liability exposure and fine-tune outstanding issues, preventing negotiation or due diligence complications. This diligence sets the stage for a balanced, transparent, and successful transition, benefiting both Seller and Buyer. https://lnkd.in/gEQJsXAh

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(Guest blurred — he’s an active ETA searcher currently on a W-2.) Everyone says: “Start a business.” But here’s what they don’t tell you: 📉 Startup success rate = under 10% 📈 SBA acquisition failure rate = under 10% Ownership isn’t risky. Blind ownership is. Watch the full episode here https://lnkd.in/gyeMG8Zz #FirstMillion #ETA #BuyABusiness #Entrepreneurship #SBA7a #WealthBuilding #BusinessOwnership #SilverTsunami #FinancialFreedom #AcquireDontStart

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At any given time, most business owners aren't on the verge of selling their company. But there are actions they can take in the months/years leading up to a sale to maximize value and "sellability." Lien De Pau offers an overview at Forbes.com (article link in comments). #exitplanning #exitstrategy #sellonyourterms

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