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I am a junior angel in Silicon Valley. AMA

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Re: I am a junior angel in Silicon Valley. AMA

#181

Post by jedc »

joshu wrote: post #146
johns wrote: post #145

Has working at Google while being an active investor ever led to any conflicts of interest?

I generally avoid stuff that relies on heavy SEO or otherwise obviously directly competitive. Although I'd avoid some of that stuff merely because it is bad for the ecosystem before I worry if it bothers my employer. I'm pretty clear where I work and what my burden of responsibility is. So entrepreneurs will end discussions when they learn where I work if I wasn't aware. Usually if there is a conflict issue it ends t…

> Although: Yahoo compliance forced me to pass on the first round of Twitter. Yet another reason I am annoyed at them.

Ouch. I would have thought you'd use a stronger word than "annoyed"!

Re: I am a junior angel in Silicon Valley. AMA

#183

Post by coffeemug »

Do you get many business proposals from friends or relatives that you consider bad or uninteresting? How do you tactfully reject them? In general, did you have relationships with friends or relatives that changed in a significant way once you acquired a non-trivial amount of wealth?

Re: I am a junior angel in Silicon Valley. AMA

#184

Post by christonog »

joshu wrote: post #22
grandalf wrote: post #14

What value do you add (besides the money) to a project you invest in?

My product sense, mostly. My connections, a little. I try not to bother the founders unless they ask for help.

How much are you willing to be available to the companies you are invested in? Does your bandwidth allow for companies that would like some product advice, but aren't interested in funding at the moment? If so, what's the best channel to ask?

Re: I am a junior angel in Silicon Valley. AMA

#186

Post by xg »

Three questions:

1) Why do you find it harder to code these days? Does that bother you? It seems like you're still keeping up with a lot of python stuff from your delicious tagging.

2) Why hasn't anyone advanced the ball past delicious with bookmarking? I'm still a delicious nut, but I really want good search tied into it. Is there no business model or no real use to the data?

3) Do you believe in the Ron Conway style of angel investing? IE. invest in many interesting companies for better returns? Do you ever participate in follow-on rounds?

Re: I am a junior angel in Silicon Valley. AMA

#187

Post by samd »

joshu wrote: post #119

So far I'm surprised that a) nobody has really asked about exits or returns b) people that have asked questions about their own situations have been incredibly vague c) no questions about background or current work or d) no questions about delicious's creation, founding, and later sale.

I think a lot of us have read Founders at Work.

How about this, has your wealth made you happier?

Re: I am a junior angel in Silicon Valley. AMA

#188

Post by agoric »

joshu wrote: post #169
agoric wrote: post #166

What are the prevailing terms for angel deals you've seen recently, and what do you consider to be "market" right now?

Lots more convertible debt lately, which I am not thrilled about. Or do you mean numbers? Every deal is different.

I've heard of more capped valuations for convertible debt with negotiable interest and discount rates (and no warrant coverage), but also seen some angels openly demanding priced rounds. Are such capped convertible notes a good middle ground for debt that works like equity? Have you seen any that provide an alternative conversion if no priced round follows?

Re: I am a junior angel in Silicon Valley. AMA

#189

Post by budu3 »

joshu wrote: post #169
agoric wrote: post #166

What are the prevailing terms for angel deals you've seen recently, and what do you consider to be "market" right now?

Lots more convertible debt lately, which I am not thrilled about. Or do you mean numbers? Every deal is different.

Are you saying that you're not a fan of convertible debt?

Re: I am a junior angel in Silicon Valley. AMA

#190

Post by jimboyoungblood »

joshu wrote: post #74
johns wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How much equity does that usually get you?

Valuations are often in the $2mm-$5mm range. Sometimes much higher. Never lower. Calculate it out.

What do you understand the valuation to be when the financing is done as convertible debt?
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