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Kevin O'Connor, ScOp Venture Capital, On Startup Success and Investments

socalTECH

This morning's interview is with Kevin O'Connor , a longtime investor and serial entrepreneur, who is now running venture capital investment firm ScOp Venture Capital. Congrats on the new name for your venture capital firm. What types of companies are you making investments in? Tell us a little bit about the firm?

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Some Reflections on VC Investment Decisions

Both Sides of the Table

I was having dinner with a friend last night and we were chatting about venture capital and a bit about what I’ve learned. I started in 2007 with a thesis that my primary investment decision would be about the team (70%) and only afterward about the market opportunity (30%). You need to be very present in these periods of time.

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Upfront Ventures Adds Hamet Watt as New Investment Partner

Both Sides of the Table

But as sweet as that success has been (we invested pre-revenue in a small team) today my even more important news was the further expansion of our partner ranks. At every entrepreneur event I through between 2008-2012 I invite Hamet because he was a great mentor for entrepreneurs. This is a big news day at Upfront Ventures.

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Reflections on 2018: Peter Cowen, Sutton Capital Partners

socalTECH

As we close out our contributions for the end of 2018, we have a contribution from investor and investment banker Peter Cowen of Sutton Capital Partners. One company that we have mentored, invested in and serve on the board of, is in lending and has hit a very exciting tipping point. We expect some big things in 2019.

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Kara Nortman Was Just Promoted to Co-Managing Partner at Upfront Ventures. Here’s What it All Means

Both Sides of the Table

Venture capital is about backing the leaders of tomorrow who imagine the world as it should be and aren’t constrained by what it is today. As an industry we’re not always as good as we could be about our own “creative destruction” to create the tomorrow of venture capital. So What Does All This Mean? And all the platform stuff.

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How To Mentor Millennials Into Business Leadership

Startup Professionals Musings

As a partially-retired baby-boomer in business, I’ve spent much of the last few years mentoring aspiring millennial entrepreneurs, and I’m always looking for more insights into how to help them. Build more determination by capitalizing on values. Think of these strategies as an investment in your own future, as well as theirs.

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10 Ways To Get The Capital You Need For Your Startup

Startup Professionals Musings

One of the most frequent questions I get as a mentor to entrepreneurs is “How do I find the money to start my business?” Solicit venture capital investors. These are professional investors, like Accel Partners , who invest institutional money in qualified startups, usually with a proven business model, ready to scale.

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