There's a difference between good ideas and good companies. If you're in a startup then you know that there's a lot more to a solid business than just a good idea. From our perspective as long-time entrepreneurs, the three stepping stones to success are the process and end-result of:

• Creating a Business Plan
  You've had a brilliant idea for a new business, and talking it over with your friends has convinced you that not only is a novel solution to a problem in the industry, but that you might even make a few dollars building the business too. But now you have the challenge of turning your business idea into a business. And that's the purpose of the business plan.
• Building a Board of Directors or Board of Advisors
  Learn about the size and composition of a board of directors, what to expect when you bring investors into the company (in particular their desire to either participate in or observe your board meetings), the duties of a board director, practical matters such as compensation and legal requirements surrounding meeting minutes, and, finally, a list of common mistakes you should try and avoid...
• Presenting Your Startup Business to Investors
  
  It's your big chance: you've been talking with your friends and family about your business idea for months. You've convinced a colleague or two to join forces with you. You've even started down the road to creating some deliverables, have a small office lined up, and maybe even have some initial sales. But it's becoming clear that to aggressively pursue your marketing plan, to achieve your corporate mission, you're going to need to raise some capital. Not a few thousand, but millions...