Both Sides of the Table

JULY 19, 2015

I’ve tried over the years to write many times about the realism of the downsides of being an entrepreneur because there is a complete cognitive dissidence between what you read about yourself in the press and what you feel internally about where you’re at in the journey. Advisors / Coaches / Mentors.

Press 150

Press Venture Capital Startup Entrepreneur 150

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 23, 2015

As a mentor to entrepreneurs, I often get asked what you can do to build the right culture. Mentoring and training programs need to be put in place early. Successful leaders are good coaches and mentors, as well as being on the lookout for personal learning opportunities. Define a legacy for yourself and your company.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Technical Review Mentor Training 102

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 10, 2014

One of the interesting things about being a VC is that you often see companies in transition. I also see companies as they move from having taken $1-5 million from me to their next round where they raise $8-15 million from Series B investors and sometimes I lead at this round (we’re stage agnostic but 80% of our deals are seed & A).

Startup 381

Startup Resource Venture Capital Activity 381

socalTECH

OCTOBER 19, 2016

We caught up with Clayton Lewis , the company's CEO (and also a General Partner at Maveron), here in Los Angeles last week as it launched into this market. Clayton Lewis: What is interesting, is if you can find companies in any of the four sectors, it's rare to find those who look at the human product as you are, which is a system.

Coach 100

Coach Startup Study Venture Capital 100

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 16, 2018

That doesn’t mean that everyone needs to participate in creating the typical marketing hype, or needs to face the press on a regular basis. Team members need your support in keeping up with peers outside the company, and related industry developments. Provide cross-functional mentoring and coaching.

Marketing 71

Marketing Tips Technical Review Social Media 71

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 6, 2014

I admit that I haven’t yet read it but I’ve had numerous discussions with Brad over the years about board structure & conduct and consider him a mentor on the topic. When you first start your company and raise initial venture capital your board probably consists of 1-3 founders and 1-2 VCs. In the Early Days.

Startup 325

Startup Sales Technical Review Software Review 325

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 25, 2013

You invest across many funds just as VCs invest across many companies. Let’s look at some great companies. Is it right that VCs had no involvement in persuading Sheryl Sandberg to join the fledgling company? And Coach Campbell. So I can make a huge difference in the company’s trajectory.

Venture Capital 374

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Invest Funding 374

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 7, 2016

From Aspiration to Hero For companies that do have that moment of success where everything seems to come together: funding, hiring, customers, PR, product releases and so forth — you have a “hero” moment where you feel invincible. Another predictable sign of hubris in startups is when the founders start looking for other companies to buy.

Startup 150

Startup Press Entrepreneur Funding 150

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 27, 2013

When you started you had the youthful (from a company perspective not age) energy, enthusiasm and naïveté that comes from actually thinking you can change the world. You got your tech press and your parents are proud. You build a team, ship your product, more tech press, more funding. And it’s everywhere. Nearly bankrupt.

Startup 371

Startup Press Blogging Entrepreneur 371

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 2, 2011

Thiel and friends will also agree to mentor these young entrepreneurs. Actually, they’ll get even more attention because this selection will put them in an even more exclusive peer group and will introduce them to even more connected mentors. You built a company at 22. Here is their inaugural class. So is this a good idea?

Education 322

Education Startup Incubator Class 322