Random musing this AM: structured data on startup investors.

Something that has plagued startup ecosystems for so long is entrepreneurs simply don't trust investors. (I know - I was/is one of those entrepreneurs)

There have been many attempts at this solution - a thread >>
1) There have been attempts to create a Yelp of Investors. Starting with The Funded, through RateMyInvestor through @VCGuideHQ etc..

And this is fine - it certainly illuminates experiences that entrepreneurs have (good or bad) and that's valuable.
2) But like Yelp, you have the issue that most ppl want to consumer content and not participate.

So you capture snapshots -- again great to have some data, but not it's not complete per se.

You also get the outliers -- both the good and bad.
3) You also get reviews like on Yelp like "The parking was bad at this restaurant - 1 star."

Not necessarily relevant but everyone is entitled to an opinion. So how do you tease out what the masses really think?
4) Esp in an industry where there are power dynamics & ppl may be afraid to write a review?

I remember, when Secret was a popular app, ppl were even afraid to dish out info on investors for fear it wasn't truly anonymous. And that was an anonymous app!
5) But this AM, I realized LOTs of structured data is actually being collected on people's interactions.

I've been using brdg.app (@ConnorPM) to do all my intros - esp introducing our portfolio founders to other investors. (disclaimer: they are a port co)
6) And a feature of the app is they ask all parties later how the intro went. You just click one button to register your opinion.

It's completely optional, but what amazes me is how many ppl click. And the feedback that I receive as the introducer on ppl in my network.
7) There are more investors in my network than I'd like who are ghost / give ppl the runaround / etc.

And now these interactions are getting recorded in a structured format.
8) And yet, none of this info would have been illuminated to me without BRDG. My founders would never have said, "Oh, this person ghosted on me." Why? Because it's just so common -- to talk about that one person who ghosted is just not worth it.
9) But with a click of a button, you can rate behavior quickly and easily.

And it gives me feedback on which investors to do more intros to and who to delist from my own list.

Moreover, I get feedback not just from 1 of my founders but from many ppl - lots of data pts.
10) Investors are in the business of technology, but many ppl don't realize that it's that technology that may put them out of business in a world where there is a lot more investor-choice.

It's crazy that you can use structured data to make decisions on your human interactions.

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More from @dunkhippo33

5 Jan
I wouldn't have invested in my own startup @launchbit at @HustleFundVC (but really appreciate all of my investors who did!)

This often shocks people but here's why >>
1) On the investor side, there are so many amazing startups. If I said yes to all whom I thought would do well, I would need 5x more $$.

So the bar is HIGH. There are a lot of exceptional ppl & you cannot say yes to everyone. This is what bums me out the most in being a VC.
2) So how do you whittle down who gets that "investment" check? For lack of a better phrase, you basically start nitpicking.

-valuation is too high!
-not enough differentiation / too competitive
-idea isn't unique

etc..
Read 24 tweets
5 Jan
Entrepreneurship is a mind game. Can you push to get that next customer by next wk? Can you stretch your dollar to get something done?

But there are plenty of HARD mental activities.

What makes it hard are the relationships involved >>
1) Yrs ago, I started a co w/ a friend. I didn't realize then that his wife was not excited about his working on a startup. She wanted him to get a stable job.

Ever since then, I spend a LOT of time getting to know SOs & spouses. They are just as impt as your co-founders.
2) Morale is so so impt. Not just your morale but everyone on your team. And all the impt ppl in their life.

Often it's hard to know what the true morale is, because you're the boss, and no one tells the boss what they really think. It's your job to find out.
Read 15 tweets
4 Jan
Welcome Will! and welcome back!

Will is the only person I've ever hired who did all the work BEFORE starting the job. To everyone who is looking for a job in venture, this is how he landed this

Read on >>
Early 2019, he emailed.

Him: Are you hiring for summer internships?
Me: No. no budget. no role. esp not MBAs who are looking for high salaries and don't know anything (as someone who has one)
Him: ok, will you let me just shadow and jump in here and there?
Me: ok
Him: [goes and does all this stuff] I've set up your entire deal flow triaging system w/ auto emails. All you need to do is put in your credit card.

Me: Oh! Thank you! (what we use today) We have a bit of $$ in SG w/ if you want in the summer. But not MBA lev.Might cover housing
Read 8 tweets
19 Dec 20
Some Sat thoughts on growing pains. One of the earliest hurdles in building a company is in how to structure work w your first hires.

@HustleFundVC we now have 14 ppl & have rejiggered how we work recently.

More here >>
1) When we started 3 yrs ago, it was just @ericbahn and me. We decided we would build an in-person team in the SF Bay Area & it would be small. And that would be fun.
3) But both of those things went out the window quickly.

@shiyankoh came along and told us she was going to start a vc firm in SEA. We couldn’t pass up working w her. But in-person wasn’t going to work because she would be in Singapore.
Read 13 tweets
6 Dec 20
Some gems from @MacConwell of @RarebreedVC in Clubhouse right now:
1) VCs are looking for startups that can get to $100m / yr in rev by yr 7-10.

VCs need this kind of return in order to produce great funds.
2) And so many companies won't get to this level - and that's not a bad thing - but then it means you should be thinking about trying to get going w company revenue since you can't count on VC backing.
Read 13 tweets
12 Nov 20
I have been a tech entrepreneur since I was in HS (20+ years). Some learnings:

1) There is a LOT of luck.

Definitely lots of hard work and skill required - no doubt. But, let's not downplay luck. Luck in everything. In privilege. In opportunity. In finding PM fit. In health.
2) A friend who has been a successful founder echoed this. His first company was highly successful.

He has been trying all kinds of startup ideas since then and nothing has really clicked.

He's smart. Hardworking. Has money. Great network. But you can force PM fit.
3) It shows up in the numbers as well.

Depending on the study you read, successful serial entrepreneurs have a slight edge over first time founders. But not by much.
Read 29 tweets

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