Both Sides of the Table

MAY 24, 2021

But markets have changed and I think investors, founders and experienced executives who want to join later-stage startups can all benefit from playing the long game. And the third founder, Colin Kelley , remains an important contributor & CTO of the company. It literally drove FOMO.

Venture Capital 363

Venture Capital LP Valuation Later Stage 363

Steve Blank

APRIL 23, 2014

If they acquire later stage companies who already have users/customers and/or a predictable revenue stream, they are acquiring companies which are executing. Companies that acquire startups for their intellectual property, teams or product lines are acquiring startups that are still searching for a business model.

Acquisition 332

Acquisition Intellectual Property Silicon Valley Startup 332

Steve Blank

OCTOBER 24, 2017

If the founder was lucky, he got to stay as chairman or CTO. And in later stage rounds an explosion of corporate VCs and hedge funds now want in to the next unicorns. Schmidt had been the CEO of Novell and previously CTO of Sun Microsystems. If he wasn’t, he told stories of how “VCs stole my company.”.

Founder 245

Founder Technical Review CTO Hire IPO 245

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 27, 2013

But the thing I am most proud of about Rob is that he has taken a company with a uniquely talented founder & CTO – Nick Halstead – and managed to build a very tight working relationship with Nick where we drive world-class product development without having the usual founder / CEO conflicts. Ask for short conference calls.

Advisory Board 365

Advisory Board CTO Hire Fractional CTO Los Angeles 365

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 22, 2010

The more senior members you have (say you already have a CEO, CTO, VP marketing, VP Biz Dev, VP Products) then the less options you’ll need and vice versa. That’s normal. You’ll need to hire and retain talen to grow your company. Those options need to come from somewhere. You reap what you sow.

Valuation 405

Valuation Liquidation Preference Pre-Money Valuation Term Sheet 405

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 13, 2018

If you presented on your own but have a very talented CTO perhaps your follow up is to bring by your CTO to show why the tech you’ve built is truly unique. If it was a first meeting and you felt you got engagement you might ask for a second meeting which could be just with that person or perhaps to meet one of his or her colleagues.

Portfolio 261

Portfolio IP Later Stage Email 261

Hippoland

OCTOBER 9, 2016

If you’re still in the early stages of your entrepreneur-education/journey, you may even think you need to protect your idea and not share it with anyone. Your email is just to pique interest to get a meeting…not to get an investment.

Seed Stage 48

Seed Stage CTO Hire Email Later Stage 48