Remove Capital Remove Coach Remove Invest Remove Summary
article thumbnail

Want to Know How First Round Capital was Started?

Both Sides of the Table

If you read this blog often you'll know that I'm a huge fan of First Round Capital. They have totally changed the way you run a VC firm, investing heavily in systems & events for their founders that are pushing the boundaries of the way our industry works. Investing Strategy. I'm a huge fan of this innovation. and Half.com.

Capital 284
article thumbnail

8 Types of Investors That Entrepreneurs Need to Avoid

Startup Professionals Musings

Investors are human and subject to human tendencies, whether they are your rich uncle, an angel investor with personal funds or a venture capital investor with institutional money. Here is a summary of some key investor stereotypes that generally need to be avoided: Investment sharks. Academic coach investors.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

As Populist as it May Feel, 98% of VCs Aren’t Dumb

Both Sides of the Table

“I don’t know the exact math, but I hear it again and again: the top 2% of firms generate 98% of the returns in venture capital.” According to FLAG Capital there are 100 active VCs (as defined by making at least $1 million in VC per quarter for 4 consecutive quarters). The industry is dying, except for the top 2%.

article thumbnail

What I Would Look for When Choosing a VC – Knowing What I Know Now?

Both Sides of the Table

VCs should be more of a coach than proscriptively telling you what to do. I think of VCs as coaches. But successful coaches find a way to get the most out of all the existing players on the field and avoid too much unnecessary trading. And so is venture capital. I call them “ VCs Seagulls.” Commitment.

article thumbnail

What Future for Accelerators?

Both Sides of the Table

I had witnessed a number of early-stage tech startups in LA raise seed capital from the Bay Area and relocate. And Jim & I went on to raise several more venture capital funds in our day jobs. As we started to focus on what each of us wanted to do, Adam raised his venture capital fund – Plus Capital.

article thumbnail

Is Convertible Debt Preferable to Equity?

Both Sides of the Table

Every investment so far in this YC batch (and there have been a lot) has been done on a convertible note.&#. Convertible debt is an investment that “converts&# into equity in the future usually at a discount to your next funding round price and sometimes has a “cap&# (maximum price). “Convertible notes have won.

Equity 319
article thumbnail

How Boards Need to Evolve Over Time

Both Sides of the Table

When you first start your company and raise initial venture capital your board probably consists of 1-3 founders and 1-2 VCs. With small amounts of money invested (sub $3 million) the risks are reasonably low for most VCs and the consequences of bad decisions or decisions a VC has limited say in is tolerable. In the Early Days.

Startup 325