Entrepreneurial Ramblings

DISCLAIMER: Everything that I write in this blog is my opinion and you may disagree with it / be offended by it. That’s ok.

It’s been over 3 years since I moved to LA and started what I’ll call the Los Angeles Venture Capital “fundraising scene”.  Over the past 3 years, I’ve raised a good deal of money (some disclosed, some undisclosed) and I’ve formed a few opinions along the way, which I’m going to share here in hopes that you can avoid wasting valuable time as you go about your own fundraising efforts in Los Angeles.

1. DON’T PITCH THE BITCH (i.e. Don’t pitch “Associates”)

In this instance, “the bitch” = “the associate at a VC firm” (gender agnostic). Don’t waste your time pitching associates at VC firms.  In my opinion, VC associates have absolutely ZERO decision making ability / influence and will likely leave the firm within a 2 to 3 year period for one reason or another so any long term firm relationship you to wish establish through them will likely fade.  Don’t bother pitching associates, it’s just a waste of your time.  Would you try and sell something to someone if you knew that they ultimately didn’t have the power to approve the purchase?  You’d go right to the decision maker and pitch them wouldn’t you?  I’m not saying you should be rude to VC associates, but what I am saying is that when it’s time to pitch, go straight for the VC partners with real check writing ability.  If they continually pass you off to an associate, be wary.  It’s straight out of the movie Boiler Room, except that in Boiler Room they chauvinistically advise not to sell stock to women. Seriously, don’t pitch the bitch.

2. PAY LITTLE TO NO ATTENTION TO THE FORMALIZED ANGEL GROUPS

Every young entrepreneur in LA has heard of the Tech Coast Angels and their unaffiliated clones /  red headed step children – The Pasadena Angels and The Maverick Angels (who actually charge you to pitch – run to the hills). In particular, if you have a “consumer internet” company, i.e. the kind of company you see regularly covered on TechCrunch, then my advice is to not bother with any of the LA based formalized angel groups.  The reasons are too numerous to mention (HINT:  They are Dinosaurs and although they’ll be bragging about Green Dot for the next decade or more, don’t be fooled, you’ll be wasting your valuable time and energy trying to get in front of them).

Rather than ranting aimlessly about these groups (NOTE: I’d be happy to debate them publicly about my issues with them), I’ll just simplify my reasoning behind this point with the following short story:  Someone high up (i.e. a seasoned member) at one of the groups recently told me that he’s fundraising for a new company of his own.  When I asked if he planned on pitching the same formalized angel group at which he holds office, said NO (I’ll refrain from detailing why in an effort not to sell him up the river).  Amazing right?  I could go on and on and ultimately into a tirade ripping into these groups but I’ll keep it professional and just tell you that if a member of the group thinks it’s a waste of time to pitch the group itself, then it’s likely a waste of time for you too.  If you are absolutely set on pitching members of formalized LA based angel groups (TCA, Pasadena Angels, and Maverick Angels), then go directly to the individual angel members themselves for personal investments (rather than the group) or better yet, go and pitch angels that don’t associate themselves with one of these formalized groups.

3. DON’T PITCH FIRMS WITH NO MONEY!

This may sound totally obvious but reality, it’s not always easy to tell, and there are at least a handful of “cashless VCs” in LA.  Due to the awful economy of 2008, 2009 (RIP Good Times), and beyond, some VCs have died off or are in the process of slow downward spiral.  Some have had a hard time raising new funds and are close to or already out of cash.  Those that still have cash are slow playing their hands, or have reserved their remaining cash exclusively for follow on investments (i.e. topping off their existing portfolio companies when cash gets low).  That being said, these VCs still hang around the “fundraising scene” and will often take a meeting with you, even though they have little to no cash to actively invest, just to ensure themselves that there are not passing on the next Twitter, Groupon, or Zynga. The problem here being that they wouldn’t have the check to write even if they thought you were the next $1B+ exit.  So how do you know which firms are out of money? Here’s 3 easy ways…

1. Ask them point blank how much cash they have to put towards new investments, the last investment they made, and the amount of the check.

2.  Ask around – i.e. other VCs and entrepreneurs to get a 2nd opinion of the firm and it’s financial position, and

3.  Do a little research and find out when they closed their last fund and the amount of the fund.

If everything passes the smell test, then by all means go ahead and court the heck out of them.  If things don’t add up, be sure to ask for intros to other investors that are more active.

UPDATE:

Legendary LA VC Jim Armstrong of Clearstone Ventures wrote a great reubuttal post on his blog here.  Check it out. Jim’s the man!

Bad drivers are like Gremlins…Get them wet and they multiply!

I think once in everyone’s life you get the silly privilege of appearing on local news.  Well my 10 seconds in the sun came yesterday when I was stopped on the corner of Sepulveda and Ventura in Sherman Oaks during lunch time to talk about the weather.  I gave a bunch of sarcastic sound bites and they chopped it down to just this brief clip – “It’s kind of a downer, people don’t know how to drive”.

I am sooooooooooo proud today.  My entrepreneurial wife Lauren has officially launched TWIG design studio with a MASSIVE  sale on One Kings Lane.  The sale’s timing is perfect for holiday shoppers.  The sale lasts for the next 72 hours so get some now while supplies last.  Click here to view the sale (NOTE:  you must register for One Kings Lane to view / purchase).

Here’s some more info about TWIG:

“TWIG design studio was created out of the concept that it’s little things in life that make a big difference. Since she was little girl, textile and surface designer Lauren Born and her mother would make each other’s day by exchanging small rocks, beautiful leaves and little notes. TWIG paper goods seeks to combine both of these ingredients—natural elements and the art of the note—in this beautiful selection of hand-painted cards.”

If you’re in the market for gift tags, gift cards, note cards, or handmade stationary, check out the big sale and buy a couple for you and your friends.  They make perfect holiday gifts!  Everything is 100% original and made 100% by hand right here in the USA (ok, in our garage actually).  Enjoy!

My good friend Adam Salky was kind enough to tip me off to a new Google App that makes you much more productive.  Watch the demo video below and let me know your thoughts!

So what do you think? Is it funny or should it die? Please cast your vote. Personally, I laughed out loud a few times, especially at the “Powered by Candroid / Number 2.0″ part. Adam’s an accomplished filmmaker whose last film DARE starred Emmy Rossum and was an official selection at Sundance.