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What Did I Learn From the First VC Check I Ever Wrote?

Both Sides of the Table

We not only have our Series A funds that can write $500k?—?$15 If you invest early and then pull back in the next 3 rounds your multiples on cash invested are much higher than if you keep writing checks. Defensible IP becomes insanely valuable?—?particularly 15 million first checks but we also have three growth funds.

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Intellectual Property – Worthless To A Startup, Priceless To A Big Dumb Company

InfoChachkie

Intellectual Property (IP) is an ugly thing at a startup. Yet, it does nothing to help you execute your business model. However, to a Big Dumb Company (BDC), a startup’s IP is a thing of beauty. How can IP be worthless to a startup yet very worthwhile to a BDC? Because IP has intrinsic value, but only in the right hands.

IP 256
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Most Common Early Start-up Mistakes

Both Sides of the Table

Would you want to run the risk that your former employer could have a claim against the intellectual property you’ve created because you broke company policies and developed your ideas on company resources? I’m reluctant to put it into writing because people get so passionate about this issue and many disagree.

Startup 365
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Five Startup Tips From Bill Gates

InfoChachkie

"The best way to prepare [to be a programmer] is to write programs, and to study great programs that other people have written. Mark noted that even if an entrepreneur does not become a master developer, by simply understanding the software development process, they will be a more effective startup leader. Banana IP. "Intellectual

Tips 275
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The Audacious Plan to Make Electricity as Easy as WiFi

Both Sides of the Table

It’s true the some VCs have started writing so many checks that they resemble stock pickers but the majority of us still have less than 10 board seats at any time and tend to go pretty deep so the result is that we care deeply about where we commit our time. We hired IP specialists to review prior art.

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Remind Me Why I Love You? (Why “In Person” is Everything)

Both Sides of the Table

I then had to review a nefarious IP lawsuit filed against another company and help the CEO figure out whether we should just pay it or join forces with the other companies named and fight it. I developed a list of questions to ask you next time we speak?—?especially A few weeks have slipped by. Was that a blip?

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How to Work with Lawyers at a Startup

Both Sides of the Table

When to get a lawyer - If you plan to be a venture or angel backed technology company (what I mostly write about) the best time to start meeting and getting to know lawyers is long before you ever start your company. I write about some of the lessons in my post on Startup Mistakes. Many people start companies arse backwards.

Startup 318