1/ I’ve become the go-to guy for anyone starting a “tech mafia syndicate” -- and I’m not mad about it. Tech mafia syndicates are groups pulled together by current/former employees that invest together in startups where we think we can add value (all of us use @angellist).
@AngelList 2/ Early leaders from Airbnb, Pinterest, and Square have all asked me how it works. Since then, we’ve spoken at a conference together (shoutout @briannekimmel), done deals together (unannounced, excited to share soon!), and learned best practices from each other over dinners. 
@AngelList @briannekimmel 3/ A thread on why we (the syndicate leads) are doing it. These are my thoughts alone, but I think my peers agree:
@AngelList @briannekimmel 4/ We want to support alumni founders.
We want founders from our companies to know that there’s a community of their peers that is eager and willing to help both with fundraising and with rolling their sleeves up.
We want founders from our companies to know that there’s a community of their peers that is eager and willing to help both with fundraising and with rolling their sleeves up.
@AngelList @briannekimmel 5/ We want to bring the gang back together.
The early, hygergrowth days were an adventure -- and like how a marathon with your friend will bring you closer, so too will a startups ups and downs. Many early teammates long for the opportunity to do things together again.
The early, hygergrowth days were an adventure -- and like how a marathon with your friend will bring you closer, so too will a startups ups and downs. Many early teammates long for the opportunity to do things together again.
@AngelList @briannekimmel 6/ We’re already doing it.
The syndicate leads are already investing. Some of us met at First Round Capital’s Angel Track, others are Scouts, others are VCs. We all love investing and have quality dealflow. Why not leverage it to benefit both the founders and our network?
The syndicate leads are already investing. Some of us met at First Round Capital’s Angel Track, others are Scouts, others are VCs. We all love investing and have quality dealflow. Why not leverage it to benefit both the founders and our network?
@AngelList @briannekimmel 7/ We can get into better deals.
When I talk to a founder who I want an allocation from, I ask “would access to a small army of Lyft talent be helpful for you?” I’ve never had a founder say “no.”
When I talk to a founder who I want an allocation from, I ask “would access to a small army of Lyft talent be helpful for you?” I’ve never had a founder say “no.”
@AngelList @briannekimmel 8/ We can add more value together.
85% of the people in the Lyft syndicate said they are interested in actively helping the founder. I send a spreadsheet to founders that lists out the syndicate LPs, what they did at Lyft, and what they do now. Founders love it (and use it).
85% of the people in the Lyft syndicate said they are interested in actively helping the founder. I send a spreadsheet to founders that lists out the syndicate LPs, what they did at Lyft, and what they do now. Founders love it (and use it).
@AngelList @briannekimmel End/ If you're thinking about starting a "tech mafia syndicate" let me know. I'd be happy to help, and can also connect you to the other syndicate leads who are equally excited to bring this approach to the startup ecosystem.
@AngelList @briannekimmel Big thanks to @lennysan @_alialtaf @JeffChang30 @briannekimmel for sharing, and for @annimaniac for giving me the nudge to start sharing my perspective more broadly.
