A VC: Musings of a VC in NYC

JULY 16, 2020

I’ve been asked this question a bunch in the last few weeks in response to my post about more diversity on Boards. My answer to this question is simple. A Company should have a Board the day it is formed. The Board should contain one Founder (or possibly two) and at least two independent Directors.

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Entrepreneur's Handbook

MAY 17, 2023

It will make or break your startup, team or project. I would give them an algorithmic problem to solve and ask some technical questions to probe their understanding of past technologies they had used. The questions and difficulty were always tailored to the level of seniority of the candidate. I answer my “no a **e ” question.

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culture mix-use collaboration startup 123

StartupNation

NOVEMBER 10, 2021

From qualifying leads to supporting online customer service, there are several ways to effectively utilize chatbots for your small business. Buy technology that, through automated chat and conversational experiences, can take work off your plate and create better experiences overall. Think of chatbots as assistants. What happened next?

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support technology media creativity 113

This is going to be BIG.

MAY 9, 2022

My answer depends on whether the company would answer yes to any of the following questions: 1) Did you raise an overpriced round in the last 18 months—one you know was over the top? 9’s and 10’s only! 2) Do you sell something that isn’t truly a must-have product to startups or other tech companies? Mediocre deals?

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VC financing finance leadership 244

Tomasz Tunguz

FEBRUARY 2, 2021

On Wednesday, February 17th at 9:30 AM PT, Redpoint Office Hours will host Allison Pickens , the former COO of Gainsight and one of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women. Should you hire a COO for your startup? Please submit questions ahead of time. If so, at what stage? How you should you go about recruiting the right person?

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SaaS investing investment founder 117

Andreessen Horowitz

APRIL 23, 2024

I know the two of you have been using “old school” AI for some time now, but why don’t we start with how you’re using GenAI in your companies? So unless there’s some really obvious or transformative thing to do in your business today, it’s worth waiting a little bit to invest heavily in that. It’s 2034.

culture 103

culture enablement entrepreneurs advice 103

Dream It

APRIL 8, 2020

Having been at the forefront of the dot-com boom, 9/11, and the financial crisis of 2008, Jason knows what it takes to survive this downturn. Jason answers critical questions for founders, including: How can your company ensure survival? First, be honest and informed about the state of your business.

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founder economic environments sustainability pitching 195

This is going to be BIG.

FEBRUARY 17, 2020

Give yourself a point for every one of these you can say “yes” to: 1) Are you an expert in this space because of your own firsthand knowledge—enough to be asked to speak at a conference on the topic? 9) Have you spoken directly to customers and gotten specific numbers on how much they would pay for this? What do you have to lose?

startup 293

startup pitching venture capital founder 293

Entrepreneurs' Organization

AUGUST 19, 2021

Treat Your Vendors as Partners (and With Kindness). Manage All of Your Crazy Ideas and Review Them Each Quarter Like most entrepreneurs, I have no shortage of ideas. Identify Three Unique Qualities of Your Company. 9 different skin types. Grow slow and remain in control of your journey. Influencer-endorsed .

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entrepreneurs opportunity entrepreneurship support 319

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 30, 2014

There are some smart if not somewhat cerebral bloggers I read who say that you shouldn’t take any startup advice at all because it’s too generalized to be useful to your situation. Because I’ve asked more than 100 VCs similar questions I start to notice patterns in thinking. Think Critically about Your Situation.

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advice frameworks startup mix-use 407

Y Combinator

JULY 14, 2023

To apply for these early interviews, when you are filling out the application, in your answer to the question “What convinced you to apply to Y Combinator”, include the string: AIEarlyInterviews23. You can update it at any time until the regular deadline of 9/11/23.  

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advice investing investment networking 98

Entrepreneur's Handbook

DECEMBER 20, 2022

The nuanced balance to creating value for your customers Image: IWantProductMarket.Fit Problems are at the core of each startup. It shapes your solution that generates value. That’s why I write about understanding problems so often ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ): to enable you to generate value for your customer. So what is love?

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enablement founder startup entrepreneurs 98

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 6, 2018

But it’s critical for your business, for you as a leader and people who excel at fund raising have an extreme advantage over those who do not. The reality is that very early in your process you’ll hear “no” and it can set you back and make you think that nobody sees your vision or values your progress to date.

advice 236

advice VC entrepreneurs SaaS 236

StartupNation

DECEMBER 7, 2021

Step 1: Decide what questions to ask. And that’s why we suggest keeping your first survey simple, by just asking three questions: On a scale of 0-10, how likely are you to recommend [company name] as a place to work? The other two questions help answer the “why” behind eNPS.

strategy 124

strategy startup culture disruption 124

Entrepreneurs' Organization

DECEMBER 11, 2018

When you launch a business on your own, you don’t need to worry about anyone’s performance apart from your own. As your business grows, you recruit talent to work with you. You make key hires and start building your team. How do you assess how your new team members are performing without relying solely on KPIs?

mix-use 143

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Entrepreneur's Handbook

OCTOBER 10, 2023

Answering the question: “Why did you start your own business?” Since writing that answer, I hadn’t traveled. Instead of my aspirations to work from wherever in the world I happened to be, I was commuting into an office 9–5, going to the gym before work and being available for the team and clients 24/7.

media 98

media hospitality energy sustainability 98

Andreessen Horowitz

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023

We brought together some of the best AI founders and leaders—from those scaling the underlying foundation models to those building products that could transform entire industries—for a series of conversations on where we are, where we’re going, and the big open questions in the field. I ask it a question and it answers the question.”

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development technology creativity accelerator 140

TechCrunch

JUNE 6, 2022

The startup raised a $9 million seed round from investors, including Index and Accel, in 2020. Zeta CEO Aditi Shekar told TechCrunch that she views a strategy aimed at splitting finances to be an answer to a “temporary” mindset. Zeta, which raised a $1.5

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TechCrunch

MAY 25, 2021

Few are in a better place to outline this than Avlok Kohli, the CEO of AngelList Venture who will let you know at TC Early Stage on July 8-9. We’re super excited to announce that Avlok Kohli will join us at TC Early Stage on July 8-9 to get us all up to speed on the state of play in early-stage investing. With more than $2.2

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ventures investing investment founder 74

TechCrunch

DECEMBER 30, 2021

Now, if monetizing your creative output is how you pay your rent, you’re part of the creator economy, a buzzy new industry. I’ve started asking these questions to any startup that purports to be a “one-stop shop” or an “all-in-one solution” to the creator economy. Fourthwall had a good answer.

startup 105

startup creativity pitching venture capital 105

Entrepreneur's Handbook

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

The 8-Part Blueprint For Starting Your (Online) One-Person Business Even alongside your 9–5 Image by Bonnie Kittle from Unsplash Do you have an interest and want to make some extra cash out of it? If you want to start your one-person business and are ready to take things more seriously, you’re at the right place.

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media consulting networking advice 95

Entrepreneur's Handbook

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

Write a Plan, Work Your Plan, then Adapt In terms of communications, I started with an outline of a plan. Be Confident One question I heard most often was posed to our project manager by the media and others: “Are you confident this proposed fix is going to work?” The answer was always a resounding “Absolutely!”

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entrepreneurs communities construction media 91

Smart Hustle Magazine

JANUARY 1, 2022

For the past year, we’ve done our best to serve you and provide inspiration and education to help you START and GROW your business! May the new year bring brilliant success to your small business. With the passing year, you must know where your business stands presently. End price with 9 like 79.

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strategy education creativity technology 117

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 28, 2018

My friend Michael Broukhim, founder & co-CEO of FabFitFun and I recently had a catch-up meeting for 3-miles on the Santa Monica “Bird Trail” No company has ever elicited so many questions by friends, colleagues, entrepreneurs, fellow VCs and journalists as has Bird, the company that pioneered the electronic scooter as a service market.

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transportation innovation leadership capital 256

Ecosystem Builder Hub

DECEMBER 18, 2020

I’m looking for experienced ecosystem builders to take part in a campaign to collect and publish your insights and experience. Participants will respond to a monthly email where you’re asked to answer one question related ecosystem building. What is your top advice for someone just getting started as an ecosystem builder?

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advice communities collaboration startup 52

TechCrunch

OCTOBER 14, 2022

Please bring your ticket and a government-issued photo ID to pick up your badge. If you do contract COVID prior to the event and cannot attend, please email events@techcrunch.com with a copy of your proctored-PCR test to discuss your options. you can access the app in-browser on your mobile device or computer.

disruption 86

disruption pitching networking SaaS 86

Y Combinator

OCTOBER 24, 2022

Throughout, Jaleh shares advice about acquisitions as a growth strategy and evolving your product with AI. 9:00 - When should a startup use Mutiny? Mutiny uses AI to give teams this insight and answer questions like: What segments should I prioritize? Your long-term vision (i.e. What copy will resonate?

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founder culture advice accelerator 93

Smart Hustle Magazine

NOVEMBER 27, 2021

According to a recent report from Deloitte , holiday retail sales are expected to increase by up to 9% from November through January, on top of the unexpected 5.8% That news should prompt small business owners and managers everywhere to ask these questions: Are we ready for the holiday shopping bonanza? 2- Strengthen Your Social.

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mix-use media networking creativity 102

This is going to be BIG.

DECEMBER 5, 2012

2) Ask specific questions. You should have two or three pressing questions at all times that are keeping you up at night. Most conversations don't end in funding or even a follow up meeting, so your aim should be to get specific, helpful advice that moves you forward. 4) Do your homework. 3) Don't be afraid to nudge.

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Angel Capital Association

APRIL 30, 2024

We asked the question about their member behaviors compared to the previous 12 months and in the 2021 survey 42% indicated the membership meeting attendance had increased compared to only 30% who indicated that in the 2023 survey. Figure 1: How Have Your Portfolio Companies Changed in the Past 12 Months?

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angel capital angel investing funders health 59

TechCrunch

MAY 10, 2021

Oh, and Forethought scored a $9 million Series A investment after it won. Each startup team gets six minutes to pitch and present their demo — and then they’ll answer probing questions from the judges. Not a bad return for a small investment of your time and energy, amirite? Food for thought. You’ll find them here.

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disruption startup pitching VC 77

TechCrunch

SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

To get a roundup of TechCrunch’s biggest and most important stories delivered to your inbox every day at 3 p.m. billion valuation looks like, it’s your lucky day. billion valuation looks like, it’s your lucky day. 9 strategies that will help you overcome your fear of fundraising. PDT, subscribe here. Big Tech Inc.

transportation 90

transportation board VC enablement 90

TechCrunch

JUNE 11, 2021

Now that we have your attention, know this: Prices go up tonight on passes to TC Early Stage 2021: Marketing & Fundraising. It’s Now O’clock: Buy your pass here before the sale expires tonight at 11:59 p.m. (PT). You get to interact with industry experts and ask them specific questions. PT) tonight.

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pitching startup ecosystem advice VC 67

The Zapier Blog

APRIL 5, 2023

Can your customers tell they're reading something created by your brand without seeing your name? You create better, consistent, and high-quality content for your audience. Your in-house employees and contractors stay on the same page. Here are ten elements to include in your company's style guide.

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media enablement education founder 105

Jason Malki

FEBRUARY 3, 2023

On December 21st, 2015, the Falcon 9’s historic return to its launch pad left me in awe, sparking a realization of the potential for a booming space economy. What has been your biggest challenge when it comes to finding the “right deals”? With that said, I can’t answer your question at this time.

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real estate frameworks health energy 52