I spent my early career leading M&A at IAC.

I think it's one of the best places to live & breathe consumer tech

Of all the lessons I learned there, this one from the legendary Barry Diller stuck with me the most:

"Words matter."

What does that mean?

Let’s break it down. Now your first reaction might be “what’s the big deal?”

I get it. That was mine too, especially in the early years.

But I’ve learned the hard way that words, their framing and ultimately the storytelling behind them can make or break companies.

I haven't left my desk in 10 hours, still wearing my PJs

Why?

Web3 Admin 🤯

This is a huge business and DEI opportunity

[chain] My holiday project was to set up a new Ethereum workflow separate from existing long-term HODLs (with a low balance)

Why?

(1) Get serious about NFTs
(2) Get serious about DAOs
(3) Don't get in trouble with my husband

2/

M&A is brutal.

It's a full time job, emotionally taxing and mixed with subjective feedback.

So how do you know if potential M&A is worth your time?

Here’s a cheat sheet I share with founders: First, some background.

Prior to investing at Upfront, I co-led M&A at IAC.

I’ve seen hundreds of deals get done. More importantly, I’ve seen multiples more flame out.

This is really rough.

Here are 10 questions to help founders drive clarity of thought on M&A:

High level in a first 30–45 minute meeting, I — like most VCs — look for a thing or a FEELING more than anything specific to (not) waste that founder’s time further

🧵/ 1st meeting, I bucket what I am looking for into 2 areas:

(1) Founders’ thinking + storytelling — important for bringing people on the long-term journey (key hires, downstream VCs, partners)

(2) Execution — early product experience, metrics, team hiring signals

2/

I recommend becoming OBSESSED with Solar Winds attack

This is not Sony or Equifax (stealing credentials, malware), but a breach proliferating in ways we may not understand for years

This attack will massively change policy, gov’t org, tech vendors, national call to service 1/ Attackers distributed malware to 18k customers’ “supply chain” by compromising a trusted software update via network monitoring software

Further by targeting US tech co FireEye + MSFT, attackers stole their code/tools to further infiltrate customers —creating “viral malware” 2/

Today, together with my co-founders Natalie Portman and @juhrman, I am proud to announce that we are bringing a women’s professional soccer team to my hometown, Los Angeles @WeAreAngelCity 1/ Along w lead investor @alexisohanian joined by 14 former SoCal @USWNT players including legends @miahamm + @juliefoudy; 2015 WC champions @AbbyWambach, @laurenholiday12; GOAT @serenawilliams, @OlympiaOhanian; Fans/Activists @EvaLongoria @UzoAduba @AmericaFerrera @GlennonDoyle+ 2/