Strategic Partners vs. Financial Backers

John Kilcullen peddled his idea for a series of information technology books to most of the major publishing houses before signing on with IDG as vice president of sales and developing the "For Dummies" series for IDG. Kilcullen was named CEO of a new division of IDG — IDG Books Worldwide — less than a year later. In its heydey, IDG Books employed 650 people and saw revenues of $180 million.

Issue: Strategic partners vs. financial backers

Problem: If you get too involved with strategic partners, you won't retain as much equity ownership, or worse, your company and your idea won't be your own anymore.