My client asked me how they could position themselves more strongly *against* this other principal and defend against the threat of a new partner joining the firm. I suggested they learn Judo. Instead of going against the grain, fighting something that seemed unstoppable, they should figure out how to go …...Read More

In 2015, a then 18-year-old Harry Stebbings launched The Twenty Minute VC from his bedroom in London. No background in venture capital. No industry connections. No podcasting experience. Just a cheap mic, an internet connection, and two things: Curiosity and initiative. Harry wanted to learn about venture capital—how investors think, …...Read More

Most startups know not to blow a bunch of money on a big party before they have their first users, but legitimate questions remain about what you do in its place—and how you open yourself up to the world that gets attention. Founders still want to get press and investors …...Read More

The post was met with a bunch of founders responses, mostly from men, that equated a lack of response with disrespect. Many answered her admission that VCs simply don’t have the time with, “Yes, you do have the time.” Well, sorry guys, but VCs don’t owe you a goddamn thing—and …...Read More

Everything you’ve heard about fundraising—all the worst things about it—are largely true. Yes, straight white dudes get most of the money. Yes, biased straight white does dole out most of the money. Yes, many of these founders are pitching dumb stuff that gets funded all the time—especially by people they …...Read More

About a year ago, I asked why more VCs aren’t using coaches. Given the uncertain career paths for VCs, the unique dynamics around partner promotion within and across firms, and lack of clear direction on how to best spend your time on a day to day basis, it felt like …...Read More

Clearly Sarah thought the team and the product at Pinterest was special, but so does every VC who does a deal. You wouldn’t try to convince your firm to write the check if you didn’t believe that the company had that kind of potential—but clearly they don’t all make that …...Read More

Does he not hear the way Trump says “Black” or how he handled being questioned by a Black female journalist—berating her for being “nasty” when all she was doing was asking him to stand behind the litany of public comments he’s made? But enough about Trump and his supporters. Let’s …...Read More

You’ll notice that many of the attributes have asymmetrical effects on the outcome. For example, being familiar with fundraising lingo and the finer points of SAFEs vs equity, etc. doesn’t really buy you many points with an investor—but coming off like a startup n00b really tanks your chances. On the …...Read More

The red bars indicate the downside of what happens when you don’t have that things and the green bars are the upside if you do have it. Spinning out of a successful fund of a similar size? Awesome—your track record, experience, and existing relationships will have you off to the …...Read More