Comments on: Venture Hacks: The Cheat Sheet

By: Koorosh

Koorosh — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:15:24 +0000

I just got to thank you guys for providing such valuable advice. To be honest with you my partner and I began a startup and if it were not for people like you, we wouldn’t have know where to begin. Granted you cannot cover everything and all tricks in couple of paragraphs, but you guys have managed to give us a starting point. Any information in invaluable.

Thanks again,
Koorosh

By: How do the sample Y Combinator Series AA financing documents differ from typical Series A financing documents (or what’s the difference between seed and venture financing terms)? : Startup Company Lawyer

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 09:07:11 +0000

[...] of Series A financing terms. If you don’t, please educate yourself on this site, Venture Hacks and the term sheet series by Brad Feld/Jason Mendelson, among other [...]

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 05:01:23 +0000

Does having a product (basically a prototype) and some customers make a significant difference in pre-money valuation? The case in point is for a startup company that is not-funded yet. We are wondering if it is worthwhile to live on mac and cheese and build a prototype first before we approach VCs for series-A funding. It the impact is not going to be significant we would prefer to accept a lower valuation now and take the money. Thanks.

By: The (pre-) entrepreneurial process « Tech IT Easy

The (pre-) entrepreneurial process « Tech IT Easy — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:25:57 +0000

[...] Venture Hacks’ Term Sheet Hacks – on investors, mostly [...]

By: VentureHacks wants to help you get “venture-hitched.” « FoundRead

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 19:18:25 +0000

[...] can still read Venture Hacks for Nivi and Naval’s funding advice, under Hacks. For more, read Nivi’s early Found|READ series on Vesting Hacks: Vesting Hacks: Part I [...]

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 23:15:03 +0000

Naval & Nivi,

Thanks for your excellent site.

Do you have any thoughts on where to find information on various industry ratios — e.g., for the internet media industry?

Related — how does revenue and growth projection correlate with valuation for a given industry?

Pretty sure investors would have a handle on this. How do we mortals on the other side of the table find out?

Thanks!

By: Richie

Richie — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:53:27 +0000

Easy way to avoid getting railroaded by investors: BREATHE.

Seriously, take a step back and relax, don't be over excited and think a few days before agreeing to anything.

Then ask questions.

Then BREATHE again.

Try Yoga. It helps.

By: DT

DT — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 02:37:54 +0000

Josh, Blue Ray-

Unfortunately, it (usually) takes years of “ass-kickens” before you truly begin to understand and learn the “art” of negotiating. I really don’t see a great value in reliving the experiences of others especially when it concerns the complexities of human emotion.

As for the “code-words”… they’re all over this site, compliments of Nivi and Naval.

My advice is to get out there and start taking as many meetings as you can (prepare to the best of your ability of course) but just get out there.

I think a lot of entrepreneurs underestimate just how difficult it is to present yourself and your product succinctly.

When you become skilled at presenting yourself and your product, you will no longer be worried about “you”. And, with “you” out of the way, you’re free to concentrate on the subtle cues of the individual your negotiating with. Believe me, even the most skilled negotiators “blink” during negotiations. You just have to have the eyes to see it when they do.

Wish it were easier, but then you wouldn’t have all those funny stories to tell to your buddies on the golf course once you start hitting the big time.

Good luck guys!

Nivi, Naval-

Amazing site guys. Keep up the great work!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 16:48:07 +0000

I would LOVE to have a significant section dedicated to teaches us the pressure tactics and the posturing that experienced investors do! If you don’t know that something is just a “posture” then it is easy to cave in because you are afraid of losing the deal.

This would help many of us get better deals if we understood this area of negotiating.

Thanks! I hope to see this soon! Please email me when you are able to do this.

Josh

By: Sidney Strachan

Sidney Strachan — Sat, 12 May 2007 03:49:39 +0000

I have been reading and following your articles I am very excited at the potential some of the information you have outlined can hold for the Bahamas.

We have yet to create a strong and effective VC and Angel investor market here in our very lucrative economic environment. The Bahamas is a rich country with numerous off-shore investors capitalizing on the benefits of major investments while locals struggle to get a slice of the burgeoning market.

I would like to see our Domestic Investment Board become more effective or as effective and active as our International Investment Board. This can only be so with the addition of strong VC firms and Angel Investors with a good incubator to help young energetic and well qualified locals to get from Start-up/R & D to completing there dreams.

Business under capitalization and lack of funds to do effective research and development, business plan and due diligence is also a key factor for the failure of Bahamian businessmen to efficaciously attack the local and international business markets.

I would like to discuss with you a plan to host a VC workshop here in the Bahamas which can open the door to setting up an ongoing VC fund managed here in the Bahamas.

I am certain that a proper plan presented to the Government through my contacts would meet favourable reception.

Thank you I look forward to your response!