Live data from Hacker News

VCs are startups too

ludlowventures.com

21–26 of 26 posts

Re: VCs are startups too

#21
post #19
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I'd argue that many startups try to create new money too. Obviously, startups are usually a business too. The difference is what they actually do to make money - by creating value or by putting in money. > Not true. General partners also invest in the VC firms. It's not completely OPM When you have enough money to invest in a VC fund, typically have enough to get by without the returns (at least if you're a smart i…

"The difference is what they actually do to make money - by creating value or by putting in money." Are you seriously telling me that the next XYZ social media startup is creating more value than the VC that's investing in new technology? the 2010-2013 landscape is much different than you seem to think. " most entrepreneurs put it all on the line when they try to bootstrap a startup (remember most startups don't succ…

It's pretty shocking to me the different worlds we live in. You honestly think that most startups are created by people with FU money?

And while your personal experience may differ, the vast majority of VCs are strictly "dumb money" and add very little value beyond investment. Those that do are the exception, not the rule.

Re: VCs are startups too

#23
post #21
post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"The difference is what they actually do to make money - by creating value or by putting in money." Are you seriously telling me that the next XYZ social media startup is creating more value than the VC that's investing in new technology? the 2010-2013 landscape is much different than you seem to think. " most entrepreneurs put it all on the line when they try to bootstrap a startup (remember most startups don't succ…

It's pretty shocking to me the different worlds we live in. You honestly think that most startups are created by people with FU money? And while your personal experience may differ, the vast majority of VCs are strictly "dumb money" and add very little value beyond investment. Those that do are the exception, not the rule.

"You honestly think that most startups are created by people with FU money?"

Let's put it to a poll: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5404986

Re: VCs are startups too

#24
post #3

Everyone's life FEELS hard, especially compared to the lives of those a few rungs up the ladder. That said, not everyone's life IS hard. If you can afford not to take a paycheck for a few months to work on a dream, perhaps you should recalibrate your "how hard life is"-o-meter.

Was simply explaining how we as a firm view our relationships with founders of other startups... I'm grateful for everything I have.

Sure, I'm not saying that you don't provide value and you don't go to work every day. But remember, your business is much more about idea/team/market/execution arbitrage in a fairly illiquid environment than it is about doing the actual dirty work. VC is much more a meta-business than a "regular" business.

Re: VCs are startups too

#25
Jonathon's had a lot of portfolio success, has a great sense of humor, and is awesome to work with. Whether or not he runs a startup, I don't know, it's mostly semantics IMO, but I do know I'd go back to him at every raise. I think the point he's trying to make is that he's "one of the guys" and therefore an entrepreneur-friendly VC. I'd agree wholeheartedly. He also has a ninja-like backhand in table tennis.

Re: VCs are startups too

#26
post #23
post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's pretty shocking to me the different worlds we live in. You honestly think that most startups are created by people with FU money? And while your personal experience may differ, the vast majority of VCs are strictly "dumb money" and add very little value beyond investment. Those that do are the exception, not the rule.

"You honestly think that most startups are created by people with FU money?" Let's put it to a poll: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5404986

[deleted]
Post reply on HN