As an early-stage investor, velocity is the #1 thing I’m trying to measure when I meet with founders.
Read MorePlenty of posts have been written about how investors diligence startup founders, but how can founders diligence VCs?
Read MoreOne topic that gets founders riled up is the fact that many VCs won’t invest in solo founders. Why do solo founders make investors so nervous?
Read MorePivoting is a right of passage for many startup founders. But too often, the road to a successful pivot is cut short by a critical mistake: the founders failed to fully reset the business.
Read MoreSilicon Valley has a paradox: most people in places of power, influence and experience genuinely want to help up-and-coming founders, but their work and obligations leave little to no time for them to do so. Solving this puzzle is the ultimate cheat code.
Read MoreAs with many things in life, the little things can have far more of an impact on your success when fundraising than you might expect. Here are four small things that won't win you a new investor, but could potentially lose you one.
Read MoreIn a world of generative AI and LLMs, “What if Google builds it?” is no longer a bullshit question for investors to ask founders.
Read MoreHow do you convince a VC that your founding team is capable of excelling in areas where you have no relevant experience?
Read MoreMonique Woodard of Cake Ventures, Marvin Liao of Diaspora Ventures, advisor Mike Sigal, Web Summit host Casey Lau and I recently met with startup founders across Scotland. The one topic we kept returning to? The fact that VC isn’t right for 99% of startups.
Read MoreFounders get a lot of VC diligence requests during fundraising. Here are 6 examples of appropriate VC diligence requests and 6 examples that should set off your alarm bells.
Read MoreI'm going to be blunt. Angel investors or VCs asking for advisory shares as a condition of investment is not okay. Full stop.
Read MoreThe journey of a founder often feels like a series of trials of worthiness. And no experience embodies this more than fundraising.
Read MoreIt was 2012. My cofounder and I were huddled around a laptop pitching Brad Feld, the "final boss" in our quest to secure a term sheet from Foundry Group.
Read MoreOne of the most frustrating experiences for startup founders is to have multiple calls with a potential investor, only to hear…nothing. Why do VCs act like this?
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