Comments on: VC Crisis? What VC Crisis?

By: Venture Capital is Still Out There at MJM Consulting

Venture Capital is Still Out There at MJM Consulting — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 19:11:56 +0000

[...] Alex Saunders – VC Crisis? What VC Crisis? [...]

By: Alec

Alec — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:36:02 +0000

Paul – I don’t want to pick a fight. Apparently you didn’t see it from the front of the room, but among those of us in the cheap seats, you provoked a strong reaction. Inaccurate? Not from where I sat. Inflammatory? Perhaps. And for that I apologize.

I’m still interested in understanding more details on your views about how the current climate will impact VC’s abilities to make investments. Speaking as an entrepreneur, that’s top of mind for me at the moment.

By: Suzie Dingwall Williams

Suzie Dingwall Williams — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:51:16 +0000

We are definitely on the same wavelength today – must be that Semantifind vibe. I just wrote about the same issue, but asked a different question: with all the effort the venture capital industry is putting forth lobbying for federal aid, where is the entrepreneur’s share? What will happen to the current generation of innovation and innovative companies if thjere’s no direct bail of high growth companies hitting the VC funding gap?

By: Paul Dawalibi

Paul Dawalibi — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:16:12 +0000

Not sure this portrayal of my talk is entirely accurate. All of the feedback I got was overwhelmingly positive. The presentation was direct and to the point – what most entrepreneurs should be expecting from the VC they work with.

I think entrepreneurs have the best job in the world, and I want to see them succeed.

I have a full blog post coming soon on the downturn, but needless to say, I was giving my portfolio companies the same advice Sequoia is, when the markets turned a few weeks ago.

By: Paul Dawalibi

Paul Dawalibi — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:21:57 +0000

What was "abrasive", "confrontational", and "hostile" about the message? Other than trying to help entrepreneurs to get inside the head of VCs everywhere (not just me).

I just don't agree with your choice of words.

The irony is that this blog post is far more abrasive and hostile than my message of "the 7 things VCs look for". But I'm smart enough to know that an inaccurate and inflammatory blog post gets more attention than an accurate and honest one.

By: Alec

Alec — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:46:53 +0000

Thanks for dropping by Paul.

I agree that your presentation was very direct. I'm sure you got some great feedback. You're also smart enough to know that nobody hoping to get a check from you would be directly critical.

Looking forward to your blog post!

By: Ian Graham

Ian Graham — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:56:12 +0000

Hey Alec, good to see you at the event last night and appreciate the mention in your post.