Local entrepreneurs got the skinny on what it takes to get funded at Seed Stage Capital Outlook 2011, yesterday morning’s Potomac Techwire breakfast roundtable. Two panels—one with funders and one with entrepreneurs—generously shared their time and expertise with those of us engaged in the hunt for money.

The panels provided invaluable (and sometimes contradictory) insight. There’s too much to share in one posting, so we’ll focus on the top 10 tips from each group starting with the entrepreneurs today. They advised:

The differences between larger companies and smaller ones are many and varied. In a large company, the fundamental truths are well known. The established company knows things like who the customers are, how much they will pay for the product, what they like about the product, etc. In a start up company, not so much. Discovery is key. Communication is vital. In a start up company, the potential customers and price are unanswered questions. And not only are things unknown, there is usually a limited time to determine the answers. All this mystery can be quite confusing to employees new to the start up environment. These formerly large company employees can enter a small business ill-prepared to succeed even though they’re fully capable of doing so. To change that, here are 5 things you should tell them.

GET DETAILING at SPEEDY GREEN CAR WASH - DONATE 50 PERCENT to AUTISM CENTER
April 28 and 29, 50 Percent of Full-Service Car Detailing Donated to Manassas Matthew’s Center

In honor of National Autism Month and National Car Care Month, Speedy Green Car Wash in Manassas Park is donating 50 percent of their full-service car detailing for appointments made on Thurs., April 28 and Fri., April 29. All donations go directly to the Matthew’s Center, a Manassas, Va.-facility that helps children with autism. Customers can make appointments for Thurs., Apr. 28 and Fri., Apr. 29 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and reference the Matthew’s Center for the Meguiar’s Ultimate or Meguiar’s Traditional full-service detailing. Call Speedy Green Car Wash at 703.257.0737.