Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 28, 2011

That great productivity drain that we somehow all buy into. So I ask you – if you’re being reactive to somebody else’s emails are you really being as productive in your company as you could be? I spent a late morning meeting with a product exec at one portfolio company. ” Brilliant! “But WAIT !!!

Email 314

Email Product Term Sheet Portfolio 314

Mucker Lab

AUGUST 27, 2014

After stints as a technology investment banker, a dot-com entrepreneur, and a product manager in Silicon Valley, I moved to Los Angeles in 2006. For the last couple of years, I’ve been investing in startups as a partner at Mucker, while spending a lot of time in the Valley working with potential co-investors and partners.

Los Angeles 138

Los Angeles Southern California Silicon Valley Technical Review 138

David Teten

SEPTEMBER 23, 2017

PEVCTech is partnering with Blue Future Partners to run the first large-scale survey of VCs’ technology stack. Johann Kratzer of Blue Future Partners , a fund of funds, observed, “The majority of the hundreds of funds we’ve diligenced rely predominantly on their relationships to source deals. Greylock Partners.

Private Equity 60

Private Equity Venture Capital Equity Technical Review 60

VC Cafe

MAY 18, 2023

Look beyond the spreadsheet and into the team, the product, and the market. Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbor’s Deal Flow : It’s easy to get envious of other VCs’ deals. Thou Shalt Love Thy Limited Partners as Thyself : Treat your LPs with respect and transparency.

Venture Capital 78

Venture Capital Due Diligence Exit Strategy Deal Flow 78

VC Cafe

JULY 31, 2020

To be an effective VC, proactivity is part of the job description: Proactively learn about new companies trends and markets Proactively network (deal flow, peers, industry partners) Proactively seek opportunities to help. To do just that, my partner at Remagine Ventures uses and recommends Clockwise.

Venture Capital 183

Venture Capital Deal Flow Silicon Valley Portfolio 183

This is going to be BIG.

MAY 10, 2020

If deal flow is slow, a VC will take a meeting if you and your team seem mildly interesting even if your product isn’t. Seniority Within the Firm Some non-partners at a firm can lead a deal—but the reality is that if you’re scoring your VC leads, you have to take points off for junior VCs or partners who probably have less pull.

Bandwidth 153

Bandwidth Deal Flow Later Stage Aggregator 153

ReadWriteStart

JANUARY 13, 2020

Will Decker has expertise advising companies large and small on strategy, product, marketing, and business development. The Deal Flow Session. The model that’s worked consistently is the deal flow session. Find some great partners.”. Working with Startups to Create Innovation. Common Mistakes.

Silicon Valley 78

Silicon Valley Deal Flow IP Curation 78

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 21, 2010

Your contractor wrote a great V1 of the product and it helped you get angel funding. I find that one of my best sources of deal flow is from lawyers. Focus on the partner you would be working with. One issue he talked about was working with partners. I also like to work with partners. Get to know them.

Southern California 318

Southern California Silicon Valley IP Stock Options 318

Rob Go

SEPTEMBER 4, 2018

Of the last 15 investments we’ve made, 8 have been pre-product or pre-seed style rounds. That said, we tend to be very flexible on syndication to bring on great partners, and have collaborated with terrific partners like our most frequent co-investors Founder Collective, Accomplice, LHV, Softech, and others.

North America 36

North America Seed Stage Early Stage Lead Investor 36

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 14, 2010

Part 1 – Access to Great Deal Flow – is here. But the problem is that most deals – even really promising ones – fail. So many deals seem like obvious money makers. It’s sort of like having an Encyclopedic history book before just launching your product and seeing whether anybody uses it.

Angel Investor 288

Angel Investor Deal Flow Viral Algorithm 288

ConversionXL

AUGUST 2, 2017

These are actual results a startup Ringadoc got from their partner program. Chris Samila , Partnerships Manager at Optimizely shares: “We saw building and supporting a partner ecosystem as a massive opportunity. So we started building out the partner program.”. B2B tech partners are now targeting business leaders instead of IT.

Channel 84

Channel Partner Programming B2B 84

ConversionXL

AUGUST 2, 2017

These are actual results a startup Ringadoc got from their partner program. Chris Samila , Partnerships Manager at Optimizely shares: “We saw building and supporting a partner ecosystem as a massive opportunity. So we started building out the partner program.”. B2B tech partners are now targeting business leaders instead of IT.

Channel 77

Channel Partner Programming B2B 77

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 8, 2010

Box.net ( raised $15 million led by Scale Venture Partners and included DFJ and USVP. And SEO juice of sites with no value makes searching for real product feedback suck. Talked about the roles of partners, venture partners, associates and principals in a VC. - My blog and what it’s done for my deal flow. -

Venture Capital 232

Venture Capital IPO Valuation Deal Flow 232

The Startup Magazine

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

FUND is a national connector of entrepreneurs, VCs, angel investors, and industry experts with a focus on deal flow and making connections. Describe the Happenstance product/service in 10 words or less. Today The Startup Magazine features a Top 3 Exhibitor winner, Happenstance. Here is their story….

Chicago 144

Chicago Illinois New York City Cofounder 144

This is going to be BIG.

FEBRUARY 21, 2021

Anything from intense customer love despite barely even having a product, pre-sales, a deal for access to data that creates a moat that no one else has—the list goes on. It’s the “hook” that gets a team noticed in a partner meeting. What are the characteristics of this product? What counts as a rabbit?

Venture Capital 162

Venture Capital Cofounder Deal Flow Later Stage 162

The Equity Kicker

OCTOBER 1, 2013

I’m also a fan of focused investment strategies – they allow you to build expertise resulting in better investment decisions and better deal flows as entrepreneurs seek out your expertise. Proprietary product or uniquely curated experiences. Operational excellence. I couldn’t agree more.

Silicon Valley 92

Silicon Valley eCommerce Deal Flow Valuation 92

The Startup Magazine

JUNE 19, 2018

FUND is a national connector of entrepreneurs, VCs, angel investors, and industry experts with a focus on deal flow and making connections. Describe the Apptronik Systems product/service in 10 words or less. We are product focused from day one. We are product focused from day one. Here is their story…. Our people!

Texas 71

Texas Advisory Board Startup Angel Investor 71

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 24, 2011

billion jump in funding over the same quarter of 2010 with a similar number of deals, so it clearly shows a trend to larger deal sizes for fewer startups. Sure, there is always some seed funding (10% of overall deal flow), but you can bet that this money goes to entrepreneurs who have been there before and won.

Venture Capital 233

Venture Capital Revenue Elevator Pitch Silicon Valley 233

www.paulgraham.com

OCTOBER 23, 2010

Angelrounds are their whole business, as online video was for YouTube.Whereas VCs who make angel investments mostly do it as a way togenerate deal flow for series A rounds. [ In a traditional series A round, the partnerwhose deal it is takes a seat on the startups board. Nearly all customers choose the competing product, ajob.

Startup 93

Startup Valuation Non-Compete Deal Flow 93

Up and Running

OCTOBER 21, 2016

We work with like-minded partners who also want to help your businesses succeed by providing the best tools and content for the job. If our readers choose to learn more or purchase from links to our partners, sometimes we earn affiliate commissions that support Bplans’ mission. Never heard of Burbn?

Silicon Valley 60

Silicon Valley Deal Flow Cofounder Affiliate 60

David Teten

DECEMBER 3, 2019

But, most of use raise capital and source deals the same way people looked for dates 20 years ago: by networking at conferences (or bars). . But in business, you want a lot of partners. In the private equity universe, most Partners have primary training as deal-makers, not as managers. 1) Manage the firm . 2) Market .

Technical Review 78

Technical Review Software Review Analytics Private Equity 78

Austin Startup

DECEMBER 3, 2019

Binaize (Bangalore, India) Nikhil Jois, CEO Binaize is a network intelligence software product for Industrial IoT that helps minimize machine downtime and increase the operational efficiency of industrial control systems. Investors connect with Techstars to gain access to quality deal flow.

Austin 62

Austin Curation Startup Dallas 62

YoungUpstarts

DECEMBER 15, 2011

A group such as LinkedIn’s Deal Flow Network has over 11,000 members and provides a simple way for investors to share tips about strategies and upcoming opportunities. They tend to invest in small packs, with inexperienced souls following the lead of seasoned ex-entrepreneurs.”. Look for a Strong Team.

Exit Strategy 167

Exit Strategy Balance Sheet Salary Startup 167

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 24, 2019

One of few ways to learn is by doing (or observing your own partners, or other senior investors). I also find this as an invaluable source of future deal flow, future recruiting and future decisions about whom I want to co-invest with. I promise you that electronics are the single biggest drag on board productivity.

Cofounder 251

Cofounder Conversion Management Founder 251

David Teten

JULY 10, 2017

This matching structure takes advantage of the industry knowledge, proprietary deal flow, and network of senior executives. My proposed model looks a bit like the way many VC funds operate internally, except with far more Partners than normal. Trevor Bond , former CEO of CEO of W.P. What do you think? .

Employee 60

Employee Balance Sheet Syndicate Syndication 60

Austin Startup

AUGUST 30, 2019

Schwartzfarb describes “Sell More Faster” as the indispensable guide for entrepreneurs seeking product-market fit, building their sales team, developing a growth strategy and chasing accelerated, repeatable selling success. “I Early stage sales and product-market fit are topics that I love talking about,” said Schwartzfarb.

Austin 48

Austin Management Los Angeles New York City 48

David Teten

DECEMBER 12, 2017

(written by Philipp von dem Knesebeck , Managing Partner, Blue Future Partners (bluefp.com, @bluefutureteam ), and David Teten ). VCs are at the forefront of technological disruption, funding many of the latest cutting edge productivity tools. But what tools are they using themselves to automate their own processes?

Early Stage 60

Early Stage Technical Review Software Review Venture Capital 60

Rob Go

DECEMBER 13, 2016

I did a session with the partners of the Dorm Room Fund a few nights ago, and that was the first question that came up. The stock answer from most investors is that they get most of their deal flow from referrals. Sourcing VC investments may seem kind of like black magic, I suppose.

Deal Flow 28

Deal Flow LP Channel Software 28

ReadWriteStart

APRIL 7, 2011

Andrew Wong, CEO of MAD, has been working with us for almost a year, and we have made a mutual choice to deepen the partnership by making MAD a premiere value-added reseller partner of the 1M/1M program. Also, the business is primarily on CD-ROMs right now, but the good news is that the CD-ROM product is selling and generating revenue.

Malaysia 114

Malaysia Incubator Silicon Valley Entrepreneur 114

Austin Startup

DECEMBER 7, 2017

You know… things like branding, graphic design, copywriting, digital development, UX and UI design (really, just all the ‘design’ types), architecture, creative direction, strategy, audiovisual production, storytelling. Like a logo, an app, a brand story, a music score. We can change it.

Design 48

Design Deal Flow Architecture Reputation 48

David Teten

OCTOBER 1, 2015

I’ve talked with a number of software development shops who are eager to get into the business of cofounding companies, i.e., getting product revenue and equity instead of just consulting revenue. If we believe in founders enough, we should believe in their potential more than what they could be paying us to build the product.

Software Development 60

Software Development Software Developers Software Review Technical Cofounder 60

Rob Go

MARCH 10, 2012

There may be little swings one way or another when markets are stronger or weaker, but for the most part, our valuation band is pretty tight (controlling for company characteristics like product maturity, quality of team, etc). So for the most part, we try not to be too dogmatic about syndicate partners. Syndicate diversification.

Seed Stage 49

Seed Stage Syndicate Syndication Marketing 49

This is going to be BIG.

JANUARY 22, 2018

Vetting deal flow is part of the job. I don't want to outsource my deal vetting to people who don't do what I do for a living. Another thing that skews the process is the lack of accessibility of many partner-level VCs, especially to diverse communities. You're a partner at a firm, you're married, have kids, etc.,

Founder 100

Founder Conversion Naming Term Sheet 100

A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks

MARCH 11, 2014

Listen to this episode if you want to hear about a founder who has a product and users and paying customers … and is trying to figure out how to take his company to the next level and grow faster. We started with the product about three years ago, development, a year later we released it. A lot has happened since then.

Technical Cofounder 220

Technical Cofounder Cofounder Software Review Management 220

This is going to be BIG.

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

Since I started coaching investors , especially non-partners and partners at emerging funds, I’ve been asked the same questions in all sorts of ways: “What things should I be doing to be great?” You're competing against other top tier VCs for your deal flow--as top founders look to get backed by top investors.

Non-Compete 97

Non-Compete Cofounder Cap Table Reputation 97

BeyondVC

JUNE 8, 2005

There is a supply and demand equation for every startup’s product or service. In other words, inventing great products that no one wants to buy is a waste of time, money and effort. In early stage companies, I sometimes see too much from the supply side and not enough from the demand part of the equation.

Demand 60

Demand Early Stage Venture Capital Silicon Valley 60

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 6, 2011

I still think it’s best to take money from Dave when you’re also partnered with a more focused, hands-on seed-stage VC who brings different things to the table – like more ability to write larger checks in a downturn (for one) or solving a deep crisis that involves super hands-on involvement. My Personal Take on AngelList.

Valuation 292

Valuation Deal Flow Lead Investor Cofounder 292