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How to Get a VC's Attention at an IRL Event

This is going to be BIG.

A few years ago, I was at Techcrunch Disrupt and this guy taps me on the shoulder as I was chatting in a group. However, it’s actually worse than an e-mail—especially post-pandemic when the VC is probably still just happy to be out and about with actual humans and you’re raining on the human parade with memorized pitching.

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Some Reflections on VC Investment Decisions

Both Sides of the Table

The ones above are the ones I’ve prioritized this year (other than Disrupt – I never seem to get invited to that one). I know I can’t be in every deal and I know that the easy part of being a VC is writing the first check in a deal. It’s hard enough being an investor in the roller-coaster life that is startups.

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Here is Why Non-Obvious Startup Ideas Can Yield the Largest Results

Both Sides of the Table

Try to imagine if you *didn’t* already know Amazon and the company walking into VC meetings telling people they were going to disrupt the selling of all goods starting with books but then extending into electronics, apparel, toys and so forth. Today’s asset – real estate – is tomorrow’s albatross.

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You Can’t Rely on a VC for Your Hardest Decisions

Both Sides of the Table

*. What is the role of a VC for entrepreneurs? I suppose it can be different for every founder and for different VCs but I’d like to offer you some context on what I think it is and it isn’t. They are unique to you and not to each other situation that VC has faced. Startup Lessons' ” I responded.

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The Problem with Startup Advice

This is going to be BIG.

I have one failed attempt at a startup under my belt as a founder and I don't have any particularly usable skills that anyone would pay for like selling, designing, building, etc. Conferences, startup blogs, meetups--they're all filled with people telling you how to build your company. Most startups fail. Not special?

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Tips on Approaching a VC

This is going to be BIG.

He saw that I was talking to other people at Techcrunch Disrupt to he quickly slips his card in and says "I just wanted you to match a name to a face. He realized that rushed in person pitches don't do your company justice at all--especially when VCs are running to another meeting or trying to mingle and meet as many people as possible.

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In 15 Years From Now Half of US Universities May Be in Bankruptcy. My Surprise Discussion with @ClayChristensen

Both Sides of the Table

Let me start by saying that Clayton is one of the most influential people on my thoughts about markets that led to both the concept behind my first startup and my main theses in investing. Startup Grind was a truly awesome conference and Derek the consumate host. Disruption of Education. So what did he actually say?

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