No they're a small investment business. There's a lot of small businesses that aren't "startups" that do a lot of the same things that Startups do but opening a McDonald's franchise isn't a startup either. I run a small agency of about 10 folks, I'm sure I do a lot of the same things as a startup founder does, we work with startups all the time, but that doesn't make my business a startup.
A startup is any business which is starting up (as in starting its primary revenue-generating business activity). Technology has nothing to do with it. Your agency isn't a startup because it has already doing its primary revenue-generating business activity.
This is, and for many decades has been, the definition of "startup" in the tax code. (Some tax codes limit the "startup" period to the period before the startup becomes generating revenue from its primary business activity.)
This post just helps reinforce the opinion that most VCs don't really know what startups do. Yes, they both raise money and some even have a website. That's where the similarities end.
With some outliers, most VCs don't try to create new value, they just try to create new money. The risk they take is minimal compared to startups - it's not their money (it's their investors), and a nice cushy salary is all but assured for several years. Even when they fail (and they fail a lot - like most businesses do) - they barely feel each failure compared to how the startups feel it (I guess their reputation / pride takes a hit?).
If you want to self promote - as an entrepreneur, I would much rather read about how you are adding value instead of convincing me you don't know what I do either.
"most VCs don't try to create new value, they just try to create new money."
I'd argue that many startups try to create new money too.
"The risk they take is minimal compared to startups - it's not their money (it's their investors),"
Not true. General partners also invest in the VC firms. It's not completely OPM
"and a nice cushy salary is all but assured for several years."
Also not true. In NYC, for example, 100K isn't exactly "cushy".
"Even when they fail (and they fail a lot - like most businesses do) - they barely feel each failure compared to how the startups feel it (I guess their reputation / pride takes a hit?)."
Back to the previous point, they lose the money they personally invested and they feel the failure when they turn around and try again.
before you make assumptions i'd check facts and/or inquire. our first fund was all of our own capital. we took 100% of the risk. didn't take ANY salary let alone a "cushy one" as for our added value, feel free to reach out to ANY of the founders we've invested in.
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.
VC fundraising is very similar to startup fundraising at least. Lots and lots of rejection, continuous pitching and substitute "traction" for "track record".
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.
[+] [-] mikeryan|13 years ago|reply
Hey we're all entrepreneurs though.
[+] [-] gamblor956|13 years ago|reply
This is, and for many decades has been, the definition of "startup" in the tax code. (Some tax codes limit the "startup" period to the period before the startup becomes generating revenue from its primary business activity.)
[+] [-] pytrin|13 years ago|reply
With some outliers, most VCs don't try to create new value, they just try to create new money. The risk they take is minimal compared to startups - it's not their money (it's their investors), and a nice cushy salary is all but assured for several years. Even when they fail (and they fail a lot - like most businesses do) - they barely feel each failure compared to how the startups feel it (I guess their reputation / pride takes a hit?).
If you want to self promote - as an entrepreneur, I would much rather read about how you are adding value instead of convincing me you don't know what I do either.
[+] [-] niggler|13 years ago|reply
I'd argue that many startups try to create new money too.
"The risk they take is minimal compared to startups - it's not their money (it's their investors),"
Not true. General partners also invest in the VC firms. It's not completely OPM
"and a nice cushy salary is all but assured for several years."
Also not true. In NYC, for example, 100K isn't exactly "cushy".
"Even when they fail (and they fail a lot - like most businesses do) - they barely feel each failure compared to how the startups feel it (I guess their reputation / pride takes a hit?)."
Back to the previous point, they lose the money they personally invested and they feel the failure when they turn around and try again.
[+] [-] unknown|13 years ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] jtriest|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] msandford|13 years ago|reply
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.
[+] [-] jtriest|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] robk|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] _bpo|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jtriest|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] chaselee|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] 2pasc|13 years ago|reply
Cool portfolio of Companies though!
[+] [-] ISL|13 years ago|reply