Jeremiah Owyang, an analyst who covers the business of social media, said he was skeptical that the allure of a splashy celebrity was enough to help a start-up turn into a thriving community and business.
The investors also want to know if the design team wants to work with a certain rock star designer, or if the marketing team has enough time or interest to help a start-up in dire need of marketing advice.
Besides his TV and movie audience, he has a large following on Twitter and Facebook -- 6.8 million and 9.7 million fans, respectively, which could help a start-up rise above the online chatter.
This is put in place to help a start-up grow over a three to four month period.
When Daktari needed help with regulatory issues in Africa, for instance: "We couldn't find anyone who had any idea how to help a start-up do that".
While long-established business customers will always understand, for example, that you provide free banking to help a start-up, they won't tolerate discriminatory rates for established business owners who switch from another bank.
There are many CMOs, later in their careers, who have an interest in leveraging their significant experience to help a start-up or mid-market organization but don't want to work full-time for the company or have to move from their chosen location.
Your goal may be to help a start-up get off the ground.
An angel commits to helping a start-up make it.
Or would you have some sort of ethical problem in helping a nonsmoker start smoking?
In Peekskill, Edward A. Burke, a gallery owner, helped start a First Friday this month, using Tarrytown's event as a model.
