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6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

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Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#161

Post by davidu »

ericvorheese wrote: post #104
Anonymous888 wrote: post #47

Binary Capital is a sleazy VC, no ifs ands or buts about it. The valley is really small, and I've heard horrific stories of what this firm has done to their employees and founders. This includes Jonathon Teo as well. This really is just the tip of the iceberg for Binary Capital. I wouldn't take any investments from them ever.

You really need to back up your assertions with concrete examples. Or you'll just be ignored.

I'll say one. I was on a phone call with Jonathan from Binary Capital when they were looking at an investment in a company I am investor in. They were pushing overly onerous terms, and were changing the original terms that had been agreed upon, including requiring the founders to revest 100% of their vested options/equity despite being multiple years into the company building journey.

The company was at a low point and Binary was trying to squeeze them. Now the company is flying, and Binary missed out. The entire experience made me feel compelled to caution to every entrepreneur who has approached me about working with them since, including another who did, and now regrets it for other reasons.

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#162

Post by vkou »

tptacek wrote: post #155
metellus wrote: post #152

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This statement is much more in line with Caldbeck's initial statement: > Obviously, I am deeply disturbed by these allegations. While significant context is missing from the incidents reported by The Information, I deeply regret ever causing anyone to feel uncomfortable. The fact is that I have been privileged to have worked with female entrepreneurs throughout my career and I sincerely apologize to anyone who I made…

Caldbeck appears to have contradicted the firm's claim, harming their own credibility.

The firm claims he didn't do anything illegal.

He hasn't copped up to the assaults, and since they were not employees, the texts may not necessarily have been illegal.

Not entirely contradictory.

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#163

Post by choudanu4 »

novia wrote: post #118
jmcgough wrote: post #32

Really glad to see people like this getting called out. Dealing with sexual harassment/assault from someone in power is the last thing you want as a female founder - you have a million other things you need to do to keep your startup afloat, and you don't want to rock the boat if it affects your likelihood of being funded. Feels like the valley is slowly but surely changing. And yes, I recognize that this hasn't been…

Really glad to see people like this getting called out. This story was posted yesterday and it got flagged. ( https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14613890 ) When I saw that, I thought the Hacker News community did not care. I am glad to see supportive comments like yours in this new thread.

[dead]

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#164

Post by refurb »

V-eHGsd_ wrote: post #80

from the pando article this references: > We are now in a post-Susan Fowler world, I think I know what the author was trying to say, but that's a really weird way to say it. Susan is most definitely still alive and well. Susan wasn't an event, like 9/11. she is a woman with a lot of courage who wrote about a series of terrible things that happened to her.

By putting the word "post-" in front of something, it makes the author sound smart. That's why they do it.

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#165

Post by dragonwriter »

sillysaurus3 wrote: post #140
dragonwriter wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Do you think it's reasonable to destroy his reputation before an investigation has occurred? I think people should be conscious of the uncertainty in the facts when commenting based on limited information, but that he is entitled to no more deference from private actors than, essentially, avoiding libelous statements (those known to be false or made with with reckless disregard for truth.) General private commentar…

Your response changed my mind on the matter, so thank you. It's especially relevant given how all of this played out. (See the other thread https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14621765 and subsequent admission https://www.axios.com/justin-caldbeck-takes-indefinite-leave... ) Any ideas for recognizing situations where a bit of skepticism is warranted vs situations like this? In this case, I'm a little saddened that m…

> Any ideas for recognizing situations where a bit of skepticism is warranted vs situations like this?

Skepticism is always warranted, this situation was no exception (even though the admission that has since emerged seems to implicitly confirm the reports.)

But skepticism doesn't mean don't form and express a view on the facts based on what information you do have, it means be aware that you don't have the whole picture and refrain from action that is too extreme for the information you have, and remain willing to revise your opinion as more information becomes available.

The last bit takes active effort to counter confirmation bias and the desire to avoid having to admit error.

> I think it's still important in general to reserve judgement and to wait for due process,

Even in government, “due process” isn't a binary thing; what process is due varies based on the action being taken and other elements of context. Even if we extend the concept to include private action, things like posting a comment expressing concern would have much less process due than any substantive government action.

Even a government agent acting in their official capacity doesn't have to wait for a conviction to say that they believe someone is guilty.

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#166

Post by tptacek »

vkou wrote: post #162
tptacek wrote: post #155

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Caldbeck appears to have contradicted the firm's claim, harming their own credibility.

The firm claims he didn't do anything illegal. He hasn't copped up to the assaults, and since they were not employees, the texts may not necessarily have been illegal. Not entirely contradictory.

Their statement says that any claims or reports that Caldbeck did anything "inappropriate" with women were "false". That ship sailed with Caldbeck's most recent statement.

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#167

Post by jonstewart »

sillysaurus3 wrote: post #140
dragonwriter wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Do you think it's reasonable to destroy his reputation before an investigation has occurred? I think people should be conscious of the uncertainty in the facts when commenting based on limited information, but that he is entitled to no more deference from private actors than, essentially, avoiding libelous statements (those known to be false or made with with reckless disregard for truth.) General private commentar…

Your response changed my mind on the matter, so thank you. It's especially relevant given how all of this played out. (See the other thread https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14621765 and subsequent admission https://www.axios.com/justin-caldbeck-takes-indefinite-leave... ) Any ideas for recognizing situations where a bit of skepticism is warranted vs situations like this? In this case, I'm a little saddened that m…

What due process are you looking for, precisely? Is it a practical standard to apply? Sexual harassment is not itself a crime, so it's unlikely he'll be indicted and tried. Also, "due process" has a broad meaning that goes beyond "jury trial". A good faith investigation by a journalist with six sources, three on the record, could certainly be viewed as due process.

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#168

Post by philip1209 »

ericvorheese wrote: post #104
Anonymous888 wrote: post #47

Binary Capital is a sleazy VC, no ifs ands or buts about it. The valley is really small, and I've heard horrific stories of what this firm has done to their employees and founders. This includes Jonathon Teo as well. This really is just the tip of the iceberg for Binary Capital. I wouldn't take any investments from them ever.

You really need to back up your assertions with concrete examples. Or you'll just be ignored.

Gillian Morris, Co-founder and CEO of Hitlist, left this comment on The Information's original article [1]:

> I’ve never met Justin but can attest that his questionable behavior extends past allegations of sexual harassment.

> In early 2016, I spoke with Jonathan Teo, Justin’s partner at Binary, about funding Hitlist, my company. In the course of due diligence, I sent bios of the key engineers on my team. Justin approached my star iOS engineer and attempted to poach him to join one of Binary’s portfolio companies.

> There’s something rotten about a firm that holds out the promise of funding while secretly trying to poach your employees. (aside: I’m not sure if Jonathan had anything to do with this and have had nothing but pleasant, professional interactions with him).

[1] (behind paywall) https://www.theinformation.com/silicon-valley-women-tell-of-...

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#170

Post by anothercomment »

jmcgough wrote: post #32

Really glad to see people like this getting called out. Dealing with sexual harassment/assault from someone in power is the last thing you want as a female founder - you have a million other things you need to do to keep your startup afloat, and you don't want to rock the boat if it affects your likelihood of being funded. Feels like the valley is slowly but surely changing. And yes, I recognize that this hasn't been…

The accusations can be true, and at the same time it seems possible that the VC didn't take advantage of his "position of power", but genuinely believed the women liked him for his looks and personality, not because they needed his money.
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