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Tips of the Week

The Ecosystem Network Effect

We often talk about startups that are leveraging network effects.  Some investors, like Union Square Ventures, have built some of the most successful firms with a network effect thesis.   For those new to the concept, a simple way of thinking about network effects is that the value for all…

Access is Everything

In the recent interview where Colin Keeley interviewed me, he asked me for the most important lesson I’ve learned after 100 episodes and three years of investing… and my answer was Access. In today’s interview, Lindel also cited the value of access. In his list of six things he’s looking…

Dumb Money Breeds Lazy Behavior

Below is the ‘Tip of the Week’ from Ep 99. Public Policy for Angel Investors, Part 2 (David Verrill) In today’s interview, David warned about the potential hazards of crowdfunding.  His take is that startup investing is a very risky asset class.  One where experienced angels can still lose a lot…

Vote Early, Vote Often

Below is the ‘Tip of the Week’ from 97. Student-Focused VC Funds, Part 2 (Peter Boyce II) With a tip title like this, you may expect that I’ll try to say something clever about the unprecedented political race for the US presidency. But no, this is not a show about…

Customers… Forever or Fleeting?

Below is the ‘Tip of the Week’ from Ep94: What’s Wrong with Venture? Part 2 (Dave McClure) Today Dave talked about sectors and trends that are hot and attract many investors. Even LPs are wooed by the new, sexy tech trends; which has influenced the thesis of VC fund managers….

Discounting Inertia

Below is the ‘Tip of the Week’ from Ep88: Fintech Investing, Part 2 (Sheel Mohnot) In today’s interview, we spent some time discussing payments and the lack of innovation therein.  The most common medium used in payments is the credit card, which is technology that was developed in the 1960’s.  This…

A Simple Capitalization Table

Below is the ‘Tip of the Week’ from Ep85: The Cap Table, Part 2 (John Buttrick & Sean Moran) Instead of the standard tip this week, I’ve decided to put together a very simple version of cap table. As discussed, these things can get quite complex after factoring in various…