Comments on: Chief Shit Disturber

By: Scott Francis

Scott Francis — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 17:45:00 +0000

is that fortunately or unfortunately? I think it isn’t about necessarily bigger stake, just puts some skin in the game – which some startups will really appreciate. depends on the relationship, i suppose

By: davidcrow

davidcrow — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:32:00 +0000

The part that concerns me is how much the access relies on personal reputation and not necessarily the quality of the company/idea/pitch. Not that is fair in love and war (or fundraising), the educational practice for most founders is pretty straightforward, i.e., winning is 90% preparation and 10% execution (maybe 5% tiger blood). I have often thought that this is the benefit of an incubator. Look at the YCombinator folks, it was the pedigree and the editing along with the extremely selective input process that guaranteed better output.

The second concern is the “fire breathing”, sounds too much like a Dragon or possibly a Shark

I think there are some basic economics that change with scale, i.e., capital allows you to “invest” in these companies and take a larger percentage. I’m wonder how @seanellis charged before Qualaroo. I should ask.

By: Boris Mann

Boris Mann — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 05:17:00 +0000

No, you don’t need to change Focusing all of that intent on just one company is a little relentless — and there is the balance of letting them learn to run their own business.

Too many engagements at once can be draining.

There is something about being a funding broker. Except broker is not the right word. Some of the old school programs have names like “Investor Ready”. If they can get past the fire breathing David Crow, a company is investment ready. And many would be happy to pay to go to that kind of boot camp.

We have to kill pay-to-pitch, but someone still has to prep companies on one side, curate them in the middle, and bring the check writers to the table on the other. I’m convinced we need to burn down the non-existent networks that exist around this now (at least, those that are pay-to-pitch) and create new ones.

By: davidcrow

davidcrow — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 15:52:00 +0000

@sfrancis:disqus unfortunately, I am able to make some investments, i.e., according to my AngelList profile I target 2-3 investments/year @ $10k each.

I haven’t seriously done the consulting game since I lived in Austin. Part of the challenge is that my offering has changed in the past >10 years. I’m not longer the most effective bit pusher. I think revisiting the product/offering and trying to iterate along with the perceived value.

By: sfrancis

sfrancis — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 21:14:00 +0000

Another approach is to offer some of this help for “free”. Offer the help, have them pay you what they think it is worth, in whatever currency makes the most sense for them – equity, cash, etc. If you don’t need the money in the short term, this may be a good way to build some currency with people who will recommend you. When you settle on the “right” way to be compensated, you’ll have a list of referrals to back up your value.

Yet another way is to offer the advice, and let it lead you to investments. There are a few folks who appear to do that in Austin. This assumes you have enough $ to be involved in angel investing I suppose… But it is definitely an interesting way to see more companies and pattern match and challenge them.

Thanks for the cross-link, btw. Wondered why I was suddenly getting traffic from the chief shit distributor er, Disturber

Good luck, David!

By: davidcrow

davidcrow — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:45:00 +0000

Agreed on all points.

I think the challenge is that over the years I have focused on helping early stage, pre-product/market fit companies with a variety of things. And that this market is a terrible market unless you are a founder of these companies. It’s part of the reason that I decided to join OMERS Ventures. An opportunity to change the game I am playing, i.e., to see later stage companies.

My fear is that for a lot of founders, it’s scary/difficult to have a guy like me helping/calling bullshit and engaged. I should ask Mark Organ or Marc Castel. Because I can be relentless. Maybe I need to change.

By: Philip Papadopoulos

Philip Papadopoulos — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:32:00 +0000

David,

A couple of quick thoughts:

Consulting to start-ups is a tough business. They usually don’t have the money to pay a market rate. Compensation based on outcomes is hard, since how are those outcomes measured? If you are selling advice, like a lawyer, and maybe aiding in the implementation of that advice, then the client should have no problem with paying for that advice. They don’t stiff their lawyers. If the client does not want to pay, then they have not seen the value in the advice you are providing.

As for the role of a funding broker, how do you capitalize on the network of investors (people, groups etc.) that you have built over-time and the mutual trust? Rather than charging a commission / fee based on the funds received, maybe if you have some capital, be part of the investment round?

Philip