I'm launching a company. How important is it to build strategic alliances?

By Emily Barker

Internet in Business mentor Bradley Feld responds to the following question from an inc.com reader:
I am currently in the process of launching my first start-up and have heard that one of the most important steps to take prior to pursuing VC financing is to build alliances. Do you agree?

Bradley Feld responds:While building alliances is important, it's not the most important thing when you are looking to raise venture capital. It's much more important, in my opinion, to start building a team that can execute the business, get clarity on what you are really doing by testing it with customers, and work hard to show (through real examples) that you have a viable business and revenue model.

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