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The Changing Structure of the VC Industry

Both Sides of the Table

There has been much discussion in the past few years of the changing structure of the venture capital industry. The rise of “micro VCs” or seed-stage funds. The rise of alternative sources of capital (crowd funding and the like). Always-on connectivity of mobile (164m US smartphone users).

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Venture Capital is About Human Capital

Both Sides of the Table

Gregg Johnson, CEO of Invoca For the first 5 years or so after I became a VC I didn’t talk much about what I thought a VC should be excellent at since frankly I wasn’t sure. It’s easy to think the role of a VC is to have strong opinions about markets, trends, tech dynamics and so forth. The role of VC is sparring partner.

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An Evening with LA Mobile Entrepreneurs and a VC

SoCal Tech Calendar

Thursday, August 16, 2012 -- An Evening with LA Mobile Entrepreneurs and a VC. Moderator Lori Kozlowski (Forbes) will be joined by mobile company founders Matthias Galica (ShareSquare), Nick Smoot (Here on Biz), Dave Matthews (NeuAer) and VC David Travers (Rustic Canyon).

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LA, and Southern California's Surge In Venture Capital Funds

socalTECH

Managing Director: Kelly Perdew Investment interests: Direct to consumer and consumer focused Internet, Saas, video, mobile, mobility, transportation, and in particular founders with a military background. Watertower Ventures. Fund size: Not disclosed, but $7.2M so far in investments. www.watertowerventures.com) Fund size: $5M.

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

Both Sides of the Table

Picking a VC is hard. So I thought I’d write about out with what I would look for in a VC knowing what I know now and why. Most VCs are book smart. VCs should be more of a coach than proscriptively telling you what to do. You want a VC who will spar with you but then STFU and let you get on with things.

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Insights: Mobile Gaming Founders Blazing New Trails

socalTECH

Today, we have an opinion piece from Ed Guerrero of Silicon Valley Bank, on the mobile gaming industry. Since we're deeply focused on the innovation ecosystem and bank over 50% of venture capital-backed companies, I have the luxury of seeing trends across the startup ecosystem.

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What Mattered in 2010: Greg Martin, Archer Venture Capital

socalTECH

We asked the same five questions of a variety of top technology entrepreneurs, investors, and others, to hear what they're thinking about, and are sharing it here over the next two weeks. This morning, we're sharing the insights of Greg Martin , a venture capitalist at Archer Venture Capital. Stay tuned.