Building a startup is hard.
Figuring out fundraising and venture capital shouldn’t get in your way.
Here you will find all of my posts, starting with the most recent.
You can also jump directly to the following categories:
Why I Don’t Invest in “Outsourced” Startups
Startups that outsource the majority of their core work can be extremely profitable. But as a VC, I will never invest in one.
Thank You, Jerry
This week, angel investor and prolific blogger, Jerry Neumann, penned his "resignation letter"
The Paradox of the Junior VC Partner
There’s plenty of debate around whether or not founders should talk to associates at VC firms. But there’s another, more subtle fundraising dynamic at play that most founders are completely unaware of: the dynamic between partners.
The Beginner VC’s Guide to Not Being a Jerk
Fundraising is hard enough before we add power dynamics and egos to the mix. So let’s try to be better as investors.
Is It the Government's Job to Fund VCs?
There are strong economic arguments for governments to help foster the creation of new venture funds to support their startup ecosystems. But how should they approach this?
How to Get the Best Out of Your Investors
The relationship between a founder and an investor can last 10 years or more. Just like any long-term relationship, you need to put in effort to stay aligned.
5 Ways to Improve an M&A Outcome
Like fundraising, getting acquired is something most founders only do once (if ever). Here are 5 ways you can improve the outcome of an M&A process.
The Problem with Pivots
Pivoting 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.
How to Get a VC to See Past Your Resume
How do you convince a VC that your founding team is capable of excelling in areas where you have no relevant experience?
Anatomy of a VC AGM
What is a VC AGM and what do VCs tell their investors behind closed doors?
If I Had a (100) Million Dollars 🎵
In venture capital, “portfolio construction” refers to how a fund “spends” (invests) its capital. Let's examine the variables at play when a VC decides what to do "If I Had a (Hundred) Million Dollars".
The Adrenaline of VC Deal Flow
What happens to VC behavior when the adrenaline of deal flow runs out?
How Needy Are VCs?
How often to VCs really want to hear from founders? And how do they prefer to communicate with them?
The Power of Perspective
As a founder, one of the most powerful things you can have is a unique perspective, insight or opinion about a market.
Why Don't VCs Give Feedback?
One 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?
Why Market Matters Most to VCs
The uncomfortable truth is that the majority of startup ideas are fundamentally not a fit for VCs. And it’s because of the size of the market that they’re going after.
In Search of Alpha
VCs are always "looking for alpha." But what is “alpha” and where do you find it?
Why Do Pre-Seed Investors Ask for Side Letters?
I was recently asked by a founder to explain why early-stage VCs ask for side letters when investing using SAFEs. “Isn’t the point of a safe that it’s a standard agreement?”
Why Silicon Valley VCs Want You to Be a Delaware C-Corp
What exactly is a Delaware C-Corp and why do Silicon Valley VCs care so much about where your company is incorporated?