tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18867375.post4378282202992041261..comments2023-05-21T13:20:47.722+02:00Comments on The Angel VC: Good VCs, bad VCsChristoph Janzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07905463949262014311noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18867375.post-4697760728645996882015-03-15T11:10:05.722+01:002015-03-15T11:10:05.722+01:00May I suggest a better word than "my", i...May I suggest a better word than "my", is "our", instead of "me", "we".<br /><br />Shows balanced respect of ownership and responsibility to founders and the wider team (especially if Founders hire better than themselves!)Drew Broadleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18867375.post-78829336010354673052014-11-05T20:40:11.004+01:002014-11-05T20:40:11.004+01:00Loved the post - particularly your comments on bei...Loved the post - particularly your comments on being humble. I think being humble and genuine are 'human qualities' that are unfortunately becoming a rarity in the startup world. Thanks for making that a priority in your 'Good VC' list. By the way- I also wrote a post using Ben Horowitz's originally essay as an outline called Good Sales Executive, Bad Sales Executive here: https://medium.com/@RajenSanghvi/good-sales-executive-bad-sales-executive-7ffda62d0e70 . It's specific to b2b startup sales and thought I'd share.Rajennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18867375.post-9969882716373734932014-11-05T04:49:43.439+01:002014-11-05T04:49:43.439+01:00Terrific post. As an aspiring investor, this is ex...Terrific post. As an aspiring investor, this is exactly the kind of advice I'll take to heart.Ahsan Sohailnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18867375.post-68714938068224956302014-11-04T21:38:24.767+01:002014-11-04T21:38:24.767+01:00Thank you for your comment, Josh. This was maybe a...Thank you for your comment, Josh. This was maybe a bit misleading. What I meant to say is this:<br /><br /><br />- With respect to the types of *businesses* VCs invest in, VCs have should have some kind of focus. This may or may not include a geo focus.<br />- But as far as the *people* are concerned, VCs should appreciate diversity.chrijanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18867375.post-87025994692999798412014-11-04T21:26:37.469+01:002014-11-04T21:26:37.469+01:00Some of these are nice to have features of a VC an...Some of these are nice to have features of a VC and don't define a good or bad VC. For example, investing in geographic diversity is fine if the VC is good at doing that; however, if investing in other areas means that they will not make good investments, then they shouldn't do it. One of the other "good vc" attributes you list (focus) agrees with this sentiment.Josh Maherhttp://www.joshuamaher.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18867375.post-77932480945188500392014-11-03T03:26:12.275+01:002014-11-03T03:26:12.275+01:00absolutely!! and I didnt mean it in the bad way. absolutely!! and I didnt mean it in the bad way. Pranay Srinivasanhttp://www.sourceasy.co/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18867375.post-82613637875536495712014-11-03T00:53:03.857+01:002014-11-03T00:53:03.857+01:00Thanks Uday, and great to hear from you. :) Yes, i...Thanks Uday, and great to hear from you. :) Yes, indeed – some of these are lofty goals which we definitely cannot always reach.chrijanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18867375.post-53309583339378181392014-11-03T00:52:16.935+01:002014-11-03T00:52:16.935+01:00Thank you for your comments, Pranay!
Regarding th...Thank you for your comments, Pranay!<br /><br />Regarding the first one, I understand where you're coming from, but you will hear me brag about portfolio companies frequently. :) I also tend to call them "my" portfolio companies. It's not meant in a wrong sense of entitlement but it's just pride of and excitement about the great job done by the founders. Hope it comes across that way.chrijanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18867375.post-81520823501039127522014-11-02T08:32:02.758+01:002014-11-02T08:32:02.758+01:00That's a pretty comprehensive list! I can rela...That's a pretty comprehensive list! I can relate to many of the points covered through my direct experience with several VCs in the last 12 years. Some of these seem to be lofty goals - we must remember that VCs are human beings and are extremely busy. The one thing I'd like to add is that a good VC has an open mind - can think outside of templates and patterns when necessary.Udaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18867375.post-70366231524015402272014-11-02T03:28:04.305+01:002014-11-02T03:28:04.305+01:00Note:
A Good VC does not brag about his portfolio...Note: <br />A Good VC does not brag about his portfolio companies as if they are his own (heard this from VCs we went to pitch). A good VC always praises the founder and knows it is the founder's company to own and run - and if its done well, the VC will earn a substantial return.<br /><br /><br />A Bad VC, by virtue of owning 20-25% of the company and with Board Veto Rights, thinks all portfolio super star companies are an extension of their VC firm and discuss pivots, product ideas, and business strategy casually between themselves without either the founder present, and/or in the right forum (usually a board meeting or a 1-on-1) They force their direction on founders and act like company leaders rather than financial investors and advisors.Pranay Srinivasanhttp://www.sourceasy.co/noreply@blogger.com