View from Seed

NOVEMBER 7, 2019

Aggregate VC investment in 2009 hits a low of roughly $20B, a figure last seen in 2003 in the wake of the bursting of the dotcom and telecom bubble and 2001 recession. And even for early stage startups, VCs raise eyebrows at companies that have modest gross margins. Image from Sequoia Capital presentation.

IPO 202

IPO Early Stage Cofounder B2C 202

Agile VC

NOVEMBER 7, 2019

Aggregate VC investment in 2009 hits a low of roughly $20B, a figure last seen in 2003 in the wake of the bursting of the dotcom and telecom bubble and 2001 recession. And even for early stage startups, VCs raise eyebrows at companies that have modest gross margins. Image from Sequoia Capital presentation.

IPO 100

IPO Early Stage Cofounder B2C 100

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

At an accelerator … Me: Raising convertible notes as a seed round is one of the biggest disservices our industry has done to entrepreneurs since 2001-2003 when there were “full ratchets” and “multiple liquidation preferences” – the most hostile terms anybody found in term sheets 10 years ago.

Venture Capital 417

Venture Capital Liquidation Preference Valuation Term Sheet 417

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 24, 2015

I’ve seen friends (and family members) lose much of their savings that way over the years because “Black Swans” happen and in 1987, 2001, 2003 & 2008 (just to name a few from my memory) huge market gyrations caused much financial distress to people seeking short-term gains. So plan your start date accordingly.

Stock 150

Stock Finance Marketing Valuation 150

Gust

SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

Me: Raising convertible notes as a seed round is one of the biggest disservices our industry has done to entrepreneurs since 2001-2003 when there were “full ratchets” and “multiple liquidation preferences” – the most hostile terms anybody found in term sheets 10 years ago. You’ll find out the minimum when the next round is raised.

Liquidation Preference 153

Liquidation Preference Valuation Term Sheet Stock 153

Hearpreneur

JANUARY 22, 2017

I specialize in brand strategy from the early stages through launch, and use my trusted network of groupies – from Web designers to photographers – to support the vision for brands I’m working with. I started my home-buying business in 2003 with a personal net worth of negative $80,000. Image Credit: Brad Chandler.

Naming 48

Naming Entrepreneur LLC Software Review 48

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 16, 2012

I raised money as an entrepreneur, like you, in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2005 for two different companies. And trust me, if you’re early stage you DO want to meet Bryce. He’s awesome for early-stage entrepreneurs. Meet early. I’ve raised seed rounds and A-D rounds. Not so much.

Developer 366

Developer Silicon Valley PR Las Vegas 366