How Glean Raised a $1M Pre-Seed Round
How data analytics startup Glean raised a $1M pre-seed round…in 2012.
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.
To Win Transactions, Don’t Be Transactional
How often do you meet someone new and within 10 seconds get the feeling that they’re a transactional person?
Can This Be Canada's "San Francisco" Moment?
Could Canada’s productivity crisis serve as the breaking point for a tech industry that historically stayed out of politics?
Velocity: One Metric that Matters Most
As an early-stage investor, velocity is the #1 thing I’m trying to measure when I meet with founders.
How to Diligence a VC
Plenty of posts have been written about how investors diligence startup founders, but how can founders diligence VCs?
Things I Think I Think - Q1 2024
The frost of winter is finally thawing and spring is upon us. Will the tech market begin to open up like early spring flowers?
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.
Stop Trying to Replicate Silicon Valley
Along with death and taxes, one of the certainties of life is that every politician, journalist and armchair entrepreneur thinks that their city can be the next Silicon Valley.
Treat Yo' Self!
If your goal as a founder is to build a world-changing company you need to put yourself in the best position to run an epic, decade-long marathon. Which means you need to treat yo’ self!
Why Do Solo Founders Make VCs Nervous?
One 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?
A Hard Tech Renaissance is Happening and Canada Risks Missing Out
Canada has a long, proud history in hard tech but risks missing out on the current renaissance for one key reason.
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.
The Paradox of Time: Silicon Valley's Ultimate Riddle
Silicon 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.
The Power of Discomfort
Many people fall into the trap of thinking that, in order to grow in our professional lives, we must be uncomfortable at work. What really matters is that we challenge ourselves somewhere, somehow in some aspect of our lives.
This Critical Lesson in MySpace's Failure is Still Relevant Today
I had a front-row seat for the rise and fall of MySpace. This critical mistake that MySpace made is still relevant to founders today.
5 New Habits for the New Year
Here are 5 new habits that every founder can begin this week to start the new year off strong.
Things I Think I Think - Q4 2023
As we enter 2024, there’s significant reason for optimism. So in the spirit of sports columnist Peter King, here are 5 Things I Think I Think - Q4 2023 Edition.