One of our founders called me. “An analyst just called me. He works for a VC fund tied to an investment bank. He’s interested in our company and is keen to know more. How much information should I share? “ CEOs need to know what they’re getting into when they talk with VCs, particularly if...
[Continue Reading]Free Copy of The Lower-Risk Startup: How Venture Capitalists Increase the Odds of Startup Success
One of my responsibilities is helping to accelerate value creation in our portfolio companies. I published the first research study on this topic in the Journal of Private Equity, peHub, Betabeat, and Techcrunch. The Journal of Private Equity has now (temporarily) made our full study available for complimentary download: The Lower-Risk Startup: How Venture Capitalists Increase the Odds of Startup Success. They...
[Continue Reading]Turning the Tables: How to Make Venture Capitalists Pitch You
I’m returning to Capital on Stage this fall in New York. Last year, 19 other VC fund Partners and I pitched to 170 attendees; this year the conference organizers expect a similar turnout. You can see online my own pitch and all the other VCs pitching last year in NY . To attend, apply via the CapitalonStage.com website. I...
[Continue Reading]How an Indiana Accelerator Helps Its Companies to Succeed
I met some time ago with Brad Wisler, co-Founder of SproutBox, and shared with him our research on portfolio value creation by venture capitalists. He wrote a thoughtful note, which I’ve shared below, with permission: David, Thanks for sharing this paper with me. I love the title, which almost perfectly sums up our philosophy. What follows...
[Continue Reading]Helping Startups Hit a Home Run, VC Style
Lots of venture capitalists claim to add value to the companies in which they invest. But how do they do it? And does it really produce better returns for their investors? My coauthors and I just published in the Journal of Private Equity the first-ever research study on best practices of venture capitalists...
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