Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 16, 2013

I was a proud angel investor in Jody’s company, EcoMom. His first seed investor came from an intro Jody provided him. They collected each other’s information and Sam immediately built a relationship with Jody. At the time of that investment I had exchanged notes with Dave McClure who also invested.

San Francisco 372

San Francisco Jordan Angel Investor Partner 372

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 27, 2011

That way you can have the best of a fund that has deeper pockets and angels so you can have more people helping. If you haven’t read my post on “ how many investors are too many &# I describe it all here. What about “angel&# investors? I feel angels need: Access to the best dealflow.

Southern California 267

Southern California Angel Investor Early Stage Silicon Valley 267

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 13, 2011

So I was an Angel investor from 1994 to 1996. So I was on the front line of this very aggressive rollup and I got involved in helping with the technical due diligence…”. “As As a result I got to see some deals and get involved with some deals and I made some investments with my own money.

Technical Review 288

Technical Review Venture Capital Silicon Valley Software Review 288

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 28, 2021

The Denominator Effect I want to share with you some of the most consistent pieces of advice I give to new VCs in their career journey and the same advice holds for angel investors. This is Venture Capital. Focus a lot on the denominator.

Angel Investor 301

Angel Investor Deal Flow Portfolio Forecast 301

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 27, 2013

In addition to helping manage the board Chris also helps represent the interests of the angel investors / common stock holders. Oh, and did I mention: Roger – NYC, Rob/Rory – NorCal, Nick/Chris – London & me – Los Angeles. That in itself is quite a challenge.

Advisory Board 365

Advisory Board CTO Hire Fractional CTO Los Angeles 365

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 12, 2010

Too many people have been burned in past and if angels get burned that will kill a lot of needed early investors. Angel investors need to be smart and not just follow-along. (ie. Retail investors were burned in IPOs in 2000, Consumers getting burned by services disappearing) Minutes 31-35.

Seed Stage 232

Seed Stage Valuation Private Equity Venture Capital 232

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 8, 2009

Traction can simply mean showing that you’re making progress with customers, product development, channel partners, initial revenue as a proof point, attracting well-known angel investors, winning industry awards / recognition.

Technical Review 309

Technical Review Term Sheet Venture Capital Revenue 309

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 27, 2021

If you’re an angel investor you should figure out how much money you can afford to lose and then figure out how to pace your money over a set period of time (say 2–3 years) and come up with how many companies you think is diversified for you and then back into how many $ to write / company.

Bankruptcy 294

Bankruptcy Bridge Financing Portfolio Angel Investor 294

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 29, 2013

AngelList 101 : As you know, AngelList is a platform where angels can invest in semi-screened tech deals. It should help some entrepreneurs to better access early-stage capital and should allow some angel investors better access to deal flow. Social proof can be helpful.

Syndicate 356

Syndicate Syndication Cofounder Early Stage 356

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 15, 2010

This is the third article in a series on what it takes to be a great angel investor (and why this should matter to entrepreneurs). But while I prefer a certain naive optimism in founders I can’t see the logic that this extends to angel investors. Part 1 – Access to Great Deal Flow – is here.

Angel Investor 284

Angel Investor Early Stage Cap Table Deal Flow 284

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 20, 2011

Howard states the most successful angel investors are the ones who can place many small bets, increasing the possibility of hitting a home run. Investing Strategy. He also says it is important to be able to participate in follow on rounds so as not to get “crammed down”.

Pre-Money Valuation 284

Pre-Money Valuation Technical Review Cofounder Cram Down 284

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MAY 30, 2015

I’m so tired of seeing young entrepreneurs get screwed by their angel investors on convertible notes and I know I can’t convince you not to do it so I’d like to offer one simple bit of advice to help you avoid getting screwed (at least on one part of your note). If you do I will amend this blog post.

Liquidation Preference 150

Liquidation Preference Ratchet Angel Investor Entrepreneur 150

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 29, 2010

If you are thinking about angel investors please read this piece I did on Angel Funding Advice. I also did a piece on how to think about pricing on angel deals. If you want to understand why – check out the video starting at minute 49 or so. 7: Q: “Should I take an investment from a family member?&#

Venture Capital 282

Venture Capital Term Sheet Valuation Stock Options 282

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 14, 2010

This is the second article in a series on what it takes to be a great angel investor (and why this should matter to entrepreneurs). And we all know that Ron Conway is considered the savviest of angel investors and yet by definition not all of his investments succeed. They count the cards. They control outcomes.

Angel Investor 288

Angel Investor Deal Flow Viral Algorithm 288

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JULY 4, 2016

I try to steer entrepreneurs away from over-introducers and I often find myself wanting to be careful about them becoming an investor in companies I back. Or an angel investor starts emailing the CEO of a company with all the people they want him or her to meet. It starts seemingly innocent enough.

Angel Investor 255

Angel Investor Founder Global Conversion 255

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SEPTEMBER 14, 2010

This is the third article in a series on what it takes to be a great angel investor (and why this should matter to entrepreneurs). But I prefer a certain naive optimism in founders but I can’t see that this extends to angel investors. Part 1 – Access to Great Deal Flow – is here. Not everybody agreed.

Angel Investor 152

Angel Investor Cap Table Early Stage Deal Flow 152

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 8, 2010

And as a VC, mentor, angel investor and founder of Launchpad LA I live it as a routine of my life. I *think* he found the conversation relieving and confirming. I’m no savant for being able to know his issues of the mind – I’ve been there.

Ireland 319

Ireland Sales Bankruptcy Germany 319

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 15, 2010

If you want some tips on getting access I wrote a post on how to access VCs but the same logic applies to angels. The event last night in Los Angeles was great. Also present were NorCal angels including Ron Conway , Chris Sacca and Shervin Pishevar. I look forward to tracking the progress.

Southern California 254

Southern California Los Angeles Angel Investor Early Stage 254

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 14, 2010

But I fear that for most angel investors who invest over the long haul angel investing will not be a profitable endeavor. So I’m going to offer my view on the “angel poker table” so you can decide if you really want to sit there. I will publish what I believe the five are in a series of articles.

Silicon Valley 306

Silicon Valley Deal Flow Angel Investor Cofounder 306

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 10, 2014

For those in the know, Jarl has been a savvy angel investor and a mentor to many young tech founders (and a few of us VCs as well). , EVP of MTV, President of Liberty Digital and on the boards of CNET, Scripps, comScore, Riot Games and Rubicon Project to name a few.

Los Angeles 299

Los Angeles Angel Investor Hosting Media 299

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 25, 2016

But it is often what happens with first-time entrepreneurs who are spoiled for choice with angel investors willing to fund with little thought or with the plethora of incubators that now exists who need a steady flow of options to hope to have the next big winner so they may not ask all the tough questions.

Startup 150

Startup Seed Money DC Software Review 150

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 7, 2011

Meebo angel investors also include Marc Andreessen and Auren Hoffman. He gave positive feedback about Sequoia and their rational thinking. Again, he stressed the importance of good mentors. Before working with Sequoia he got feedback from friends. Can you address the criticism that it’s difficult to monetize IM?

Connecticut 286

Connecticut Cofounder Silicon Valley Web 286

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 30, 2010

YCombinator might determine that it is best for them but they’re not the typical angel investor. That’s not the typical angel investor. What about “super angel&# funds? I think super angel funds may be more willing than angels or VCs to do convertible debt.

Equity 319

Equity Early Stage Angel Investor Valuation 319

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 18, 2014

If the deal is from out of your geography and/or out of your focus area or a deal is being referred by a well-know investor who normally co-invests with similar syndicates – at least ask yourself, “Why am I so lucky to be getting this call.”

Cofounder 337

Cofounder Syndicate Syndication Angel Investor 337

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 23, 2010

So by offering convertible debt you can avoid a price discussion in the same way that angel investors sometimes do in order to win competitive early-stage deals. These aren’t angel investors or family friends for whom $250k might be a big deal. These are institutional VCs.

Startup 290

Startup Burn Rate Warrant Bankruptcy 290

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 17, 2012

I’m sure there are many more unsung heroes we could name including spouses, angel investors, accountants, real estate advisors (if you’re lucky enough to have this problem) and the like. You need to call the companies they funded that didn’t go well in order to find out what kind of actor they really are.

Startup 363

Startup PR Venture Capital Angel Investor 363

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 21, 2010

They get together with a few buddies, bounce around ideas, build some code (sometimes internally, sometimes through contractors), start talking to potential angel investors and then register their company. Many people start companies arse backwards. This is one of the biggest source of future problems for the company.

Southern California 318

Southern California Silicon Valley IP Stock Options 318

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 15, 2010

If you’re an angel investor you prefer a “priced&# rounds because you want to lock in a lower price given that you’re taking more risk up front. Think of it – why should an angel fund you to allow you to create more value so that they have to pay a higher price at a later date?

Southern California 210

Southern California Venture Capital Seed Stage Angel Investor 210

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 16, 2013

Nobody is offering to put you on their scout program and pay you to be an angel investor. But not enough to get 5 offers or to delay your raise. And you’re not independently wealthy. You’re out of money. So you take the offer you get. And the dilution that goes with it. I see this weekly.

Burn Rate 412

Burn Rate Dilution Revenue Valuation 412

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 12, 2015

Angel investor. Has he got stones. Challenging all these people to donate.” ” That was my introduction to Shervin Pishevar. I asked around who he was. Founded a few startups. Philanthropist. By the time I got to know Shervin I basically knew him as a big, jovial, ball-0f-unbridled optimism and enthusiasm. A teddy bear.

Las Vegas 150

Las Vegas Los Angeles Ireland Term Sheet 150

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 21, 2010

entrepreneur Wil Schroter (I am an angel investor in Affordit). Investors: Foundry (Ryan McIntyre) (lead), new angel investors: Scott Petry (Postini founder), Matt Mullenwag (WordPress), and existing investors: Highway 12 Ventures, TechStars (David Cohen), SoftTech VC (Jeff Clavier), FF Angel (Dave McClure).

Venture Capital 265

Venture Capital Social Network Angel Investor Chad 265

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 4, 2010

If he reads this he’ll know that I’m still open to being an angel investor ). But I have the feeling by the time we speak again he’ll have made so much progress that he’ll question whether he should take my money. I’m certain he will have talked with other funding sources. This is how it should be. (If

Entrepreneur 297

Entrepreneur Silicon Valley Java Ruby 297

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 27, 2014

If your favorite angel investor is sending you what looks like a form email it likely is. Be careful not to spend all of your time on inbound. Inbound is seldom differentiated dealflow. If an accelerator is writing you they’re also writing 25 other VCs. Probably more.

Cofounder 374

Cofounder Syndicate Syndication Early Stage 374

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 19, 2010

article in a series on what it takes to be a great angel investor (and why this should matter to entrepreneurs). Most people think that being a successful investor is about finding the right deals and nurturing the teams through the difficult times to come out with a great company. This is the fifth & final (I promise!)

Silicon Valley 280

Silicon Valley Early Stage Portfolio Chad 280

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 1, 2014

So today I’m excited to announce that Upfront Ventures is leading an $8 million round with some amazing co-investors including Founder’s Fund, OATV, Lowercase, High Peaks, Collaborative Fund and many great angel investors.

Technical Review 380

Technical Review Software Review Cofounder CTO Hire 380

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 17, 2010

Dustin is respected and liked by many in the LA tech scene so it was nice to see him go “white hat.&# Angel investors were clambering to put money in. He then joined their venture fund, TheMailRoom Fund, which is where I met him. Watch this space. Laughstub : Laughstub is a full service ticketing solution for comedy clubs.

Los Angeles 276

Los Angeles Stealth Securities and Exchange Commission Southern California 276

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

In fact, most early investor work hard to help their startups get to the next level so it makes no sense for the angel investor and founders to be at odds. Investors call Bull Cap. At a minimum every angel investor should ask for this. Enter “the cap.” Otherwise it’s a sucker investment.

Ratchet 354

Ratchet Liquidation Preference Equity Stock 354