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 To Add Powerful (and Legal) Stock Photos To Your Presentations
What do you remember better? Pictures or words? The evidence is clear: people have better recall for images than text. Including attractive images that dramatize your speaking points will significantly increase your efficacy as a speaker. Based on my experience in investment banking and strategy consulting, I’ve put together a 3-part series on how to...
[Continue Reading]How To Present So People will Hear
You probably have to make presentations, but does the audience hear what you’re saying? And do they believe it? Based on my experience in investment banking and strategy consulting, I’ve put together a 3-part series on how to prepare memos and presentations that people will read and believe. Part 1 was How to Write a Memo...
[Continue Reading]Miami: A Hot Spot for Venture Capitalists
(from my guest column in the Miami Herald) A few weeks ago, I had my first-ever opportunity to visit the Miami startup ecosystem. I was visiting as part of Terrapinn Private Equity World, a leading private equity conference for the Latin American technology community. You might assume the event took place in Sao Paolo or Mexico...
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