A VC - Latest Comments in How To Get Attention From Your VC

Re: How To Get Attention From Your VC

Peter — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:56:20 -0000

It's easier for fast-growthing/ heathy companies to get attention from VCs, rather than companies in trouble, in China. It's because people are always the most important issue VCs are considering, duo to the lack of technoledge innovation in China, which is quite different from USA I think. So VCs always ready to say, let's be friends but not working together if you are not strong enough to get your company out of trouble by yourself. Sure, money is another thing...

Re: How To Get Attention From Your VC

Adam Kalsey — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 10:31:43 -0000

Fred, since you don't mention *how* to get attention from your VC, just that it's important to do so, I wrote up some tips on that at http://www.sacstarts.com/20...

Re: How To Get Attention From Your VC

Aristide — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:04:00 -0000

VC is Venture Capitalist. They deal with private equity and invest in new, frequently risky, growth companies.

Ideally. Today I think they just blog about facebook all day...

Re: How To Get Attention From Your VC

Amanda — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:28:26 -0000

Hello, I have been reading your blog for about a month now and find it very interesting, I have two questions, what does VC stand for and what does a VC do?

Re: How To Get Attention From Your VC

Bobby — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 14:54:42 -0000

I think the answer also depends on the partner as well. As a first time CEO, I had an experience with two different VCs on the board -- one (remote) didn't want to know much until I raised an issue, and then he (sometimes) jumped into the problem in very unhelpful ways. The other (local) was even tempered and wanted to be well informed, helpful, steady-hand.

My mistake was treating them both the same -- which was to keep them unawares of the issues that I could have used help on because of the disruption caused by the somewhat and sometimes unhelpful partner. Not good for the relationships with either.

In hindsight, I would have kept more engaged with the local partner -- obvious now, not so to a first timer.

Re: How To Get Attention From Your VC

Stealth Startup — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 14:09:21 -0000

Would looking like your VC help? I am referring to this advice: http://smartstartup.typepad...

Is this hot on the east coast too?

Re: How To Get Attention From Your VC

Johnny L — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:54:39 -0000

......The CEO pointed out that the top priorities were on the company wiki, which is fantastic. But unfortunately, not one of the board members had read the company wiki before attending the meeting. Another truth about VCs is that they are attention constrained for the most part.....

My experience working with a number of VC's.

1) They are always busy. Why? VC"s should not have more than 5 portfolio companies otherwise they are spreading themselves thin like "peanut butter" (borrowed this one from Brad @ Yahoo, manifesto).
2) From a management perspective to much time is sucked up "managing" the VC's

As far as the wiki described above. Let me translate what the ceo of your portfolio company is saying.. "Hey VC guy. I'm very busy trying to grow a company here. If you want to know what is going on at the company please check out our corporate wiki for minute to minute updates. Otherwise, I'll see you at the monthly board meeting in a couple of weeks. Speaking of which, I've got to run now so I can start to put together the board presentation, so you can really understand what has materially changed here at the company in the past couple of weeks. AND Yes, I realize this will such up another couple of days of internal resources......."

Re: How To Get Attention From Your VC

Don Jones — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 01:26:58 -0000

With so many opportunities for online and offline communication, there's really no excuse for keeping your venture capital partner in the loop. I imagine a decent number of entrepreneurs just want to do things themselves once they receive financing and don't want to bother the VC, until he or she has a crisis and then its the different dynamic of putting out a fire.

Re: How To Get Attention From Your VC

Ruiner — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:50:22 -0000

agreed

Re: How To Get Attention From Your VC

Peter — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:49:55 -0000

I was once asked if I was looking for a passive or active investor in a VC... well I don't think entrepreneurs should ever take VC money if it's because they just need the cash. There are passive angels for that. If I were going to put time into working with a fund, I want them to actively build value in the company.

Re: How To Get Attention From Your VC

zheng — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:40:04 -0000

yes, this is exactly why VCs should blog. thank you.

Re: How To Get Attention From Your VC

JayR — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 11:12:39 -0000

Great post, and very informative. Entrepreneurs who want their VCs to be engaged (and I would argue that if you don't then you should go elsewhere for capital) should start that process early on in the relationship so it gets off on the right foot. Have the first board meeting within a couple of weeks of the closing of the financing. And don't be afraid to ask questions that you may not know the answers to, particularly if you're a first-time entrepreneur. Good VCs won't expect you to have all the answers yourself (and they may not have them either).

Re: How To Get Attention From Your VC

Jason Vu — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 10:37:03 -0000

Brilliant post from a VC blogger, entrepreneurs should read and why VC should blog

Re: How To Get Attention From Your VC

bernard lunn — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 08:06:04 -0000

You asked earlier "should VCs blog?" and this post is an excellent example why a lot us out there hope that you continue to do so. This was insightful, direct and helpful.