Rating: 
Summary: A must-read for anyone getting involved in a startup
Review: An excellent description of the roles and mechanics of funding a startup. The book is written from the point of view of the role and duties of the CEO but also discusses the motivations of VCs and describes some non-VC sources of startup funding. The book contains a wealth useful data that quantifies a process that is often shrouded in mystery. If you are thinking of being a CEO, the book provides the basics of what to expect. If you are thinking of joining a startup, the book explains key issues, sets expectations, and provides guidance in asking the right questions, e.g., how much is your stock option really worth?
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Summary: good content, but actual examples are way, way outdated
Review: A great book in terms of the scope and real issues that need to be tackled. However, I am very disappointed that the book is essentially about 1980's. It has not been updated for close to 10 years judgding from all the examples and case studies. We all know the high tech start up environment in the 90's has been extremely volatile. I was primarily looking for reference figures (the typical equity for the employees, firm valuation at IPO, start up executive salaries in the high tech start up industry, etc), and I was NOT able find examples in the 90's. All examples are from the 1980's and I find these essentially useless reference points at this time (approaching 2000). Again, great content. If you are looking for updated reference/comparison points and quantitative data, look elsewhere.
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Summary: Excellent, realistic description of taking a company public
Review: Although a bit negative the book presents a realistic description of starting a high tech company and taking it public. It certainly sets proper expectations about the role of founders, VCs, and and is written with the founder in mind. Recommended to anyone considering starting a venture without prior experience.
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Summary: A good book
Review: An interesting and informative book giving a good insight of tech companies making their way from startups to IPO stages. Good for people thinking about starting a tech company and are looking a serious look at raising capital, time frames, legal issues and the like. Some of the issues (eg employer-employee relations prior to startup / getting co-workers involved in the new venture) raised in the book are informative even for startups who are not even contemplating taking their companies to IPO.
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Summary: Do yourself a favor
Review: and READ THIS BOOK if you are a hopeful or beginning CEO. I am about to get an investment to start a company, and though my lawyer and accountant have much wisdom and experience to offer in the process, this book has been more help than both of them combined. It's also very well-written, and reads easily and pleasantly. Like many reviews for this book say, it is a little dated - but who cares? There is so much relevant info in the book, and so much *specific* information (a slew of IPO equity tables from companies like Yahoo!, Netscape, Microsoft, etc.), that it is an essential companion.
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Summary: Excellent Job, something for every entrepreneur.
Review: As a entreprenuer, I found this book not only a complete reference tool, but more importantly it takes you through step by step from the idea phase to the initial public offering. An excellent guide to startup!
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Summary: Knowledge is power
Review: As a student at Cornell University, I had the distinct pleasure of having Mr. Nesheim teach my "Entrepreneurship for Engineers" class using his book. I highly recommend this book for any would be high tech entrepreneurs as it gives you a concise overview of the intricacies of the entrepreneur's world in a step by step manner. It pays to know what you're getting yourself into when the odds are so against you.
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Summary: Good reference on VC money and confidential information
Review: Based on the interviews with CEOs, it takes a conservative tone in explaining the inner workings of startups. The most common theme echoed throughout: make damn sure you leave your employer cleanly and do NOT take anything that isn't yours. Great analysis of venture capital and the CEO's role of finding the next round of funding. This book complements "Engineering Your Startup: A Guide for the High Tech Entrepreneur," by Michael L. Baird, which does a better job outlining suggestions on writing the business plan.
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Summary: SCEA highly recommends this book!
Review: Being one of the largest Chinese professional organizations in the Silicon Valley, SCEA has many of its members starting new hi-tech businesses. SCEA highly recommends this book to all it members and everyone. This book covers all phases of a hi-tech startup. Following the advices from the book, you have a much better chance to get funding and be very successful!
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Summary: provides excellent conceptual framework for new company
Review: For neophyte Hi-Tech entrepreneurs this book lays out the areas that need to be dealt with in order to successfully move from the early idea stage to the functioning company stage. There must be a lot of people who would start companies because they already have a great product idea, but don't know what is required in order to do so. For people like this without the desire or time to go get an updated business degree with a course or two in entrepreneurship this book fills a big need. If you need to actually do some of the required steps in moving from idea to company you will want to get some of the specialist books that cover a single topic such as writing the business plan or those that deal with intellectual property.
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