Was there something to spark this post? Or is it simply a reminder?
Nothing too specific. I read this article last week and found it appalling: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2014/08/07/what-it...
A Reminder To Investors
31–40 of 290 posts
Re: A Reminder To Investors
#32Did it ever happened any investor to YC startups tried to take advantage of the founders before, or this post is just an act of prevention?
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Re: A Reminder To Investors
#33I perfectly understand intolerance towards sexual harassment but I wonder what qualifies as "inappropriate romantic behavior" in this context. You can not ask a founder "on a date"? What's if is the other way around? EDIT: of course this is coming from a nobody. I'm just curious.
Correct: if your interactions with a founder are cabined by professional settings --- demo days, funding pitches, going for coffee to talk about their company --- romantic overtures are inappropriate. Similarly: if you're in process, at any stage, with a company, overtures to their founders are inappropriate.
What about simply asking for his number?
Re: A Reminder To Investors
#34Such a simple thing to write, but so useful. Waiting excitedly to see who else will follow suit. Good call.
Is it a big problem then? I'm waaaay out of start up circles so I'm surprised it even needs to be stated.
Re: A Reminder To Investors
#35I perfectly understand intolerance towards sexual harassment but I wonder what qualifies as "inappropriate romantic behavior" in this context. You can not ask a founder "on a date"? What's if is the other way around? EDIT: of course this is coming from a nobody. I'm just curious.
You wait until after demo day and the conflict of interest has cleared, before asking someone on a date. It's not that tough.
How about: You just don't do it, period.
Re: A Reminder To Investors
#36Did this really need saying? Is there ascandal going on here somewhere?
This happens all the time in the startup world. It's not something you'd see on the tech blogs.
"all the time" in the mind of Shanley Kane, et. al. Disclaimers like these are mainly CYA statements such that the rabid hordes of social justice warriors don't throw Y Combinator under the bus on Pando because of a disgruntled founder looking to capitalize on feels where capitalizing on actual talent or acumen failed.
Re: A Reminder To Investors
#37Not working with them is a great step. Will you also publish names of people who act inappropriately (assuming it is safe and legally in the clear) so others can steer clear as well? Not only would that be further discouragement, it seems like an area where keeping the knowledge internal isn't a competitive advantage and would likely lead to a backchannel of gossip floating around (I hear x can't work with yc compani…
I'm guessing most lawyers would never give you the "all clear" to allege sexual misconduct in a public venue. The liability for libel is high.
Re: A Reminder To Investors
#38Such a simple thing to write, but so useful. Waiting excitedly to see who else will follow suit. Good call.
I'm curious what you mean by "so useful."
YC is one of a small number of organizations who can write something as simple as this and have this impact, because VCs compete for their dealflow. It's not the writing itself, so much as the realization that they could have this impact by writing it.
Re: A Reminder To Investors
#39Earlier quoted context omitted.
This happens all the time in the startup world. It's not something you'd see on the tech blogs.
"all the time" in the mind of Shanley Kane, et. al. Disclaimers like these are mainly CYA statements such that the rabid hordes of social justice warriors don't throw Y Combinator under the bus on Pando because of a disgruntled founder looking to capitalize on feels where capitalizing on actual talent or acumen failed.
Sigh. Let me guess - you're a white dude, aren't you?
Of course you don't see this happening. Of course you don't see discrimination in the workplace. Maybe - just for once - accept that the people who actually do face this stuff are telling you that it does happen, and that we should do something about it. Maybe try listening to a perspective - any one will do, really - that is different from your own.
Re: A Reminder To Investors
#40Earlier quoted context omitted.
Correct: if your interactions with a founder are cabined by professional settings --- demo days, funding pitches, going for coffee to talk about their company --- romantic overtures are inappropriate. Similarly: if you're in process, at any stage, with a company, overtures to their founders are inappropriate.
What about simply asking for his number?
Nope. The implication of quid-pro-quo would make any potential date/relationship/other an ethical mess.