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How to Make Better Reference Calls

Both Sides of the Table

Reference calls. Ask for at least 5 references. As your candidate for at least 5 references. Ask for at least 5 references. As your candidate for at least 5 references. Don’t worry about the fact that these are the references that the candidate has hand-picked – that’s part of the process.

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Some Reflections on VC Investment Decisions

Both Sides of the Table

I started in 2007 with a thesis that my primary investment decision would be about the team (70%) and only afterward about the market opportunity (30%). But they are also a tax on your time with portfolio companies, looking for new investments, running your shop and honestly they are a tax on your family life.

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Please Help Me Congratulate Jordan Hudson as @UpfrontVC’s Newest Investment Principal

Both Sides of the Table

Most associates need some entrepreneurial experience before actually making investments. Great networking skills, which are critical when you want to be about to reference entrepreneurs & concepts and bounce your ideas off of other people in the industry. And effective immediately Jordan will have the authority to make investments.

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Trust But Verify: The Importance of Reference Checking

The Seraf Compass

At Launchpad, we like to follow this advice when it becomes clear that we like what we are hearing, and we believe there is solid investment opportunity with the company. It came to summarize the approach the US would use after the signing of a landmark nuclear disarmament treaty.

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Three Weeks to Money: How long a seed investment should really take

This is going to be BIG.

Because I''m in my market and in the flow of top teams and networked with the right folks, I''m never more than a character reference away through someone I trust and know well to just about all of the people I''ve backed. The people I''ve backed don''t really come out of nowhere.

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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. VC can’t don’t invest in these kinds of companies because they can’t get out (no liquidity event). Freemium.

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The Audacious Plan to Make Electricity as Easy as WiFi

Both Sides of the Table

With Meredith I did every on-reference-sheet call I could make and many off-reference-list calls. I followed my playbook on reference calls making sure to ask both positively worded as well as skeptical questions. It was impressive.

VC 418