Al Bsharah

Business Minded, Technically Inclined

Latest stories

Gas vs Electric Vehicle Cost and Savings Calculator

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It’s spreadsheet time! Every once in a while I need to build a spreadsheet to help me understand the math behind a decision so I can make a more informed choice. Ok, it happens way more than every once in a while. Regardless, you get to benefit! Why did I build this thing? Because I couldn’t get a straight-forward answer that applied to my specific situation. Should I buy an electric...

The Tech Tool Roadmap: How to find, buy, and implement the right tools for your growing business

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There’s literally a software tool for everything these days, and we take for granted how they have transformed modern business. In my 20 years of founding or operating in growth startups, I’ve seen poorly implemented technologies cause more problems than they've helped. Here’s how I’ve mapped out the process to bring on new business tools and avoid these pitfalls.

You’re Probably Not Ready to Raise Money

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I know, I don’t even know you. Here’s the thing. Let’s say Melanie is an early stage investor. If she placed a bet blindly for every startup that thinks they’re ready to raise, her chips would fall on the “not ready to raise” words written in fancy script on the soft green felt of the betting table. And she’d win. A lot. My goal here isn’t to...

Co-Founders, it’s Time to Split that Equity

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Every so often while talking to startups, I start to notice trends in questions that come up. Recently, one of those frequently-asked questions has been: How do we split equity between us co-founders? It’s a very fair question to ask. Bryan and I asked the same question of ourselves when we started Embarke 3 years ago. Bryan and I had only known each other for a couple months, yet it was...

San Diego’s Start-Up Scene is Out of Control

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20/20 Mentor Event

It’s the middle of 2013, and I’m incredibly excited at where San Diego is from a start-up ecosystem perspective. When I first dove into the start-up scene in San Diego 3 years ago…there wasn’t a whole lot going on.  There were a handful of events, and most of them were attended by the usual suspects. About 2 years ago, things started to change.  More...

Al Bsharah Business Minded, Technically Inclined