Comments on: You Be The VC: Reality Programming Comes To Venture Capital http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/ Startup and Technology News Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:25:51 -0800 hourly 1 By: Joe Budde Jr. » Venture Capital Reality Show Finalists http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-2281346 Joe Budde Jr. » Venture Capital Reality Show Finalists Wed, 07 May 2008 17:18:06 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-2281346 [...] because Mike @TechCrunch talks about youbethevc doesn’t mean it’s legit. PR/marketing for the finalist selection has been minimal at [...] [...] because Mike @TechCrunch talks about youbethevc doesn’t mean it’s legit. PR/marketing for the finalist selection has been minimal at [...]

]]> By: Big Shot Live Makes A New Hollywood Star Each Day http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1924936 Big Shot Live Makes A New Hollywood Star Each Day Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:47:37 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1924936 [...] of the week for the chance at hitting it big. It’s similar to other online reality shows like “You Be The VC” or [...] [...] of the week for the chance at hitting it big. It’s similar to other online reality shows like “You Be The VC” or [...]

]]> By: Micro-Funding.com: The Easiest Way To Spam VCs With Your Lame Business Ideas http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1793663 Micro-Funding.com: The Easiest Way To Spam VCs With Your Lame Business Ideas Mon, 26 Nov 2007 20:04:49 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1793663 [...] have a feeling that if You Be The VC takes off and buying into micro-financing investments ever approaches the price of a latte, a [...] [...] have a feeling that if You Be The VC takes off and buying into micro-financing investments ever approaches the price of a latte, a [...]

]]> By: Corrections http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1670112 Corrections Thu, 11 Oct 2007 17:14:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1670112 The CBC version is with angels not VCs. The CBC version is with angels not VCs.

]]> By: DanL http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1653060 DanL Sun, 30 Sep 2007 22:30:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1653060 We also had a Dragons' Den in the UK, except it was with angel investors rather than VCs. We always like to do things on a smaller scale... We also had a Dragons’ Den in the UK, except it was with angel investors rather than VCs. We always like to do things on a smaller scale…

]]> By: /++//++//++//++//++//++/ » Blog Archive » Tõsielu ja elu piirist http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1652514 /++//++//++//++//++//++/ » Blog Archive » Tõsielu ja elu piirist Sun, 30 Sep 2007 08:55:41 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1652514 [...] “You Be The VC is a new competition from New York based Bang Ventures that brings an American Idol style popular voting format to seed capital raising. Wannabe startups put forward their startup ideas to an expert panel, and then the best of those ideas are presented to the public for voting.” www.techcrunch.com… [...] [...] “You Be The VC is a new competition from New York based Bang Ventures that brings an American Idol style popular voting format to seed capital raising. Wannabe startups put forward their startup ideas to an expert panel, and then the best of those ideas are presented to the public for voting.” http://www.tech...runch.com…; [...]

]]> By: Ibrahim http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1649680 Ibrahim Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:37:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1649680 Theres a similar show on CBC in Canada its called the "Dragon's Den" where contestant pitch their business ideas to "cut-throat" venture capitalists. The second season shall air on Monday October 1st at 8:00 P.M. So this show's idea is not necessarily new when looked at from a global perspective (also considering the Flemish one). Theres a similar show on CBC in Canada its called the “Dragon’s Den” where contestant pitch their business ideas to “cut-throat” venture capitalists. The second season shall air on Monday October 1st at 8:00 P.M.
So this show’s idea is not necessarily new when looked at from a global perspective (also considering the Flemish one).

]]> By: Paul http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1648933 Paul Thu, 27 Sep 2007 14:41:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1648933 I think people focussing on the $15k are missing the point. Anyone can raise $15k, but how many people can also get a free development team, top-notch lawyers and marketers (WPP for goodness sake!), and this kind of attention and publicity? The cash is beer money; the value is in the package. It takes a lot more than a good idea to make a go of it. It takes connections. I think people focussing on the $15k are missing the point. Anyone can raise $15k, but how many people can also get a free development team, top-notch lawyers and marketers (WPP for goodness sake!), and this kind of attention and publicity? The cash is beer money; the value is in the package. It takes a lot more than a good idea to make a go of it. It takes connections.

]]> By: ZFactor http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1648815 ZFactor Thu, 27 Sep 2007 13:18:06 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1648815 15K?? Go raise it on your own, if your idea and solution is so compelling why participate in this contest when the industry has plenty of very high caliber investors willing and able to invest in new startups. This contest has one intention, to draw attention to the VC firm backing it and attempt to generate free buzz for them. 15K?? Go raise it on your own, if your idea and solution is so compelling why participate in this contest when the industry has plenty of very high caliber investors willing and able to invest in new startups. This contest has one intention, to draw attention to the VC firm backing it and attempt to generate free buzz for them.

]]> By: TechCrunch Japanese アーカイブ » 「You Be The VC」、リアリティ番組がベンチャーキャピタルの世界にもやってきた http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1647884 TechCrunch Japanese アーカイブ » 「You Be The VC」、リアリティ番組がベンチャーキャピタルの世界にもやってきた Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:53:01 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1647884 [...] [原文へ] [...] [...] [原文へ] [...]

]]> By: The Angel Project http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1647836 The Angel Project Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:25:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1647836 Guys, this is a great idea; I launched something similar some time ago which takes a different approach at incubator-type capital see www.tapcapital.net. In my scenario, you really 'be' the vc and you avoid alot of the headache of working with the Capis. I've also got some ideas for some of your sponsors like vator.tv I can be reached at: tapcapital@gmail.com youbethevc people, let's talk Guys, this is a great idea; I launched something similar some time ago which takes a different approach at incubator-type capital see http://www.tapcapital.net. In my scenario, you really ‘be’ the vc and you avoid alot of the headache of working with the Capis.

I’ve also got some ideas for some of your sponsors like vator.tv

I can be reached at: tapcapital@gmail.com

youbethevc people, let’s talk

]]> By: F Mark Modzelewski http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1647804 F Mark Modzelewski Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:54:57 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1647804 Hey Folks I thought I'd provide some color as I couldn't get all the info across on CNBC or in the release. First the contest arose out of my time teaching tech entreprenuership and dealing with a bunch of b plan commpetitions --as well as my time investing, starting companies, or being part of them. I thought it would be fascinating to see how it worked on a national level and also to see what the "wisdom of the crowds" would be as far as selecting the winning firms. Second, as to "what the value of the prize is" --this isn't simple. Our attorneys advised us not to put a dollar figure on it for a variety of reasons, but I will gladly let you all decide what its worth. The 3 winners will get: 1. Office space admin support for the summer 2. All their programming will be done by a great firm we recently acquired in Poland --or they will act as collaboratorss depending on the skill set. 3. All accounting and corporate structuring work nexxt summer will be done by Deloitte & Touche 4. Foley & Lardner will handle all their legal filings from ip to business registration and incorporation and anything else that pops up while we are developing them next summer 5. There will be travel budget, pr, web hosting, marcom materials, branding and position, and $15k stipen/prize in cash per winning start up for the summer. The companies providing these services will be named in the coming weeks 6. Many of the judges will serve as advisors to the start-ups. We are also naming a number of additional advisors over the next several months --these include everything from seasoned investors and start-up execs to senior service industry execs 7. We are wonking on dozens of additional leaads to provide even more services and items for the winning teams. Whats the price of this, organizing it, mentoring the firms, getting together all these free services from top firms, plus developing publicity and an audience of already interested support -- pick your number. Are we doing this for free? No. We state clearly we are taking 25% for the summer and will reserve certain rights for follow on investing. What is our experience, we'll check the site bio page and the announcments of the judges and advisors to continue to come over the next few weeks. As to some of the other points. Yes the website is ugly as Hell. It is having a facelift that didn't survive the beta and is being redone. Alas due to announcement commitments we couldn't hold off launching yesterday. We did it very grudgingly. Next week there will indeed be a new look, additional content, and likely some more announcements on sponsors, judges and such. On privacy, we have a statement or 2 on the site. Long story short no one see your application answerss except the Bang Team and the judges. Your idea will only be made public if you are one of the 20 finalists and only in the video elevator pitch (which we will help craft for maximum protection. These will be available online for the 2 weeks of voting. At the end of the summer the start-ups will have a beta or better company, with all the programming, marketing planning, legal , accounting, etc done and a chance for more funding after that --plus $15k each. We are looking for additional partners on everything from air travel to office equipment to clothing for that matter which we hope to add to the prizes going forward., They will be announced over time. Frankly we are doing this to a great part to have some fun and stipulate interest and activity --and to provide money and support for early stage start-up ideas. I think its pretty cool and a damn good deal, but you are welcome to disagree. If you all have any suggestions on improving it, changing the contest, the rules, the questions, hey I am totally open. We likely can only change so much to this version (Contest 1.0) but in the future we are game for very new things. If you have any thoughts, ideas, complaints, questions, etc -- don't be shy --I won't be in answering -- shoot me an email at: mark (at) youbethevc.com and I will do my best to provide you an answer or opinion. Hey Folks I thought I’d provide some color as I couldn’t get all the info across on CNBC or in the release.

First the contest arose out of my time teaching tech entreprenuership and dealing with a bunch of b plan commpetitions –as well as my time investing, starting companies, or being part of them. I thought it would be fascinating to see how it worked on a national level and also to see what the “wisdom of the crowds” would be as far as selecting the winning firms.

Second, as to “what the value of the prize is” –this isn’t simple. Our attorneys advised us not to put a dollar figure on it for a variety of reasons, but I will gladly let you all decide what its worth. The 3 winners will get:
1. Office space admin support for the summer
2. All their programming will be done by a great firm we recently acquired in Poland –or they will act as collaboratorss depending on the skill set.
3. All accounting and corporate structuring work nexxt summer will be done by Deloitte & Touche
4. Foley & Lardner will handle all their legal filings from ip to business registration and incorporation and anything else that pops up while we are developing them next summer
5. There will be travel budget, pr, web hosting, marcom materials, branding and position, and $15k stipen/prize in cash per winning start up for the summer. The companies providing these services will be named in the coming weeks
6. Many of the judges will serve as advisors to the start-ups. We are also naming a number of additional advisors over the next several months –these include everything from seasoned investors and start-up execs to senior service industry execs
7. We are wonking on dozens of additional leaads to provide even more services and items for the winning teams.

Whats the price of this, organizing it, mentoring the firms, getting together all these free services from top firms, plus developing publicity and an audience of already interested support — pick your number.

Are we doing this for free? No. We state clearly we are taking 25% for the summer and will reserve certain rights for follow on investing. What is our experience, we’ll check the site bio page and the announcments of the judges and advisors to continue to come over the next few weeks.

As to some of the other points. Yes the website is ugly as Hell. It is having a facelift that didn’t survive the beta and is being redone. Alas due to announcement commitments we couldn’t hold off launching yesterday. We did it very grudgingly. Next week there will indeed be a new look, additional content, and likely some more announcements on sponsors, judges and such.

On privacy, we have a statement or 2 on the site. Long story short no one see your application answerss except the Bang Team and the judges. Your idea will only be made public if you are one of the 20 finalists and only in the video elevator pitch (which we will help craft for maximum protection. These will be available online for the 2 weeks of voting.

At the end of the summer the start-ups will have a beta or better company, with all the programming, marketing planning, legal , accounting, etc done and a chance for more funding after that –plus $15k each. We are looking for additional partners on everything from air travel to office equipment to clothing for that matter which we hope to add to the prizes going forward., They will be announced over time.

Frankly we are doing this to a great part to have some fun and stipulate interest and activity –and to provide money and support for early stage start-up ideas. I think its pretty cool and a damn good deal, but you are welcome to disagree. If you all have any suggestions on improving it, changing the contest, the rules, the questions, hey I am totally open. We likely can only change so much to this version (Contest 1.0) but in the future we are game for very new things.

If you have any thoughts, ideas, complaints, questions, etc — don’t be shy –I won’t be in answering — shoot me an email at: mark (at) youbethevc.com and I will do my best to provide you an answer or opinion.

]]> By: My Bad 101 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1647799 My Bad 101 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:46:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1647799 My company is producing a very similar TV series in New Zealand. we're already in Production and have 6 Start-up companies that appearing in the television series. The program has attracted major backing from some very high profile corporate sponsors and will go to air in NZ in March 08. I'm very happy to see this type of format of Reality TV being established in the U.S as we intend to license our program internationally next year. My company is producing a very similar TV series in New Zealand. we’re already in Production and have 6 Start-up companies that appearing in the television series.

The program has attracted major backing from some very high profile corporate sponsors and will go to air in NZ in March 08.

I’m very happy to see this type of format of Reality TV being established in the U.S as we intend to license our program internationally next year.

]]> By: Stealth Mode http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1647626 Stealth Mode Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:26:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1647626 Would looking like your VC help? I am referring to this advice: http://smartstartup.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/09/secrets-of-rais.html Is this hot on the east coast too? Would looking like your VC help? I am referring to this advice: http://smartsta...ts-of-rais.html

Is this hot on the east coast too?

]]> By: holly http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1647561 holly Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:36:37 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1647561 Uh isn't there already a show called "American Inventor"?? Uh isn’t there already a show called “American Inventor”??

]]> By: Taylor http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1647308 Taylor Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:18:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1647308 I had the interesting misfortune of going onto a similar show here in Canada called "The Dragons Den" with my site bikinizero.com It became very apparent that these shows have very little to do with investment but everything to do with TV drama.... In my case it will generate alot of viewership due to the DD being the top show in Canada....so in a painful way it was worth it. Man their webdesign is SO painful.... I had the interesting misfortune of going onto a similar show here in Canada called “The Dragons Den” with my site bikinizero.com
It became very apparent that these shows have very little to do with investment but everything to do with TV drama….
In my case it will generate alot of viewership due to the DD being the top show in Canada….so in a painful way it was worth it.

Man their webdesign is SO painful….

]]> By: Jeff O'Hara http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1647166 Jeff O'Hara Wed, 26 Sep 2007 13:34:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1647166 15k won't even buy you a spot at Demo! :) $15k is kinda insulting if you ask me. -Jeff O'Hara http://blog.zemote.com 15k won’t even buy you a spot at Demo! :) $15k is kinda insulting if you ask me.

-Jeff O’Hara
http://blog.zemote.com

]]> By: Austin Startup http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1647160 Austin Startup Wed, 26 Sep 2007 13:22:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1647160 <strong>FluidInnovation Debuts New Product at DEMOfall...</strong> Austin-based FluidInnovation is at DEMOfall this week launching the first virtual game that lets players act as venture capitalists to predict the success or failure of real technologies. The team has been working incredibly hard to prepare for the lau... FluidInnovation Debuts New Product at DEMOfall…

Austin-based FluidInnovation is at DEMOfall this week launching the first virtual game that lets players act as venture capitalists to predict the success or failure of real technologies. The team has been working incredibly hard to prepare for the lau…

]]> By: Reed Hedges http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1647107 Reed Hedges Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:51:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1647107 Woo! $15,000! That's like, four or five months rent in Boston! I guess your could live in your office space. Woo! $15,000! That’s like, four or five months rent in Boston! I guess your could live in your office space.

]]> By: Cem Basman http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1647057 Cem Basman Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:20:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1647057 Great. Crowdwisdom goes showbiz! Great. Crowdwisdom goes showbiz!

]]> By: chrisco http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1647019 chrisco Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:50:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1647019 PS: I've got a better name for them: Be The Grasshopper (http://www.bethegrasshopper.com). PS: I’ve got a better name for them: Be The Grasshopper (http://www.beth...grasshopper.com).

]]> By: chrisco http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1647014 chrisco Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:47:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1647014 Sucks they want to force relocation to Boston... and the $$ seem pretty low... and I'll bet the equity % they grab is pretty high... and the terms pretty onerous. -chrisco Sucks they want to force relocation to Boston… and the $$ seem pretty low… and I’ll bet the equity % they grab is pretty high… and the terms pretty onerous. -chrisco

]]> By: Duncan Riley http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1646987 Duncan Riley Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:26:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1646987 Derrick I left out mentioning that 1996 called and they want their web design back :-) Derrick
I left out mentioning that 1996 called and they want their web design back :-)

]]> By: Derrick http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1646968 Derrick Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:13:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1646968 Oh and I forgot to add, if you see their website http://youbethevc.com/ they really need to find a good web designer. Unless they are saving costs. Oh and I forgot to add, if you see their website http://youbethevc.com/ they really need to find a good web designer. Unless they are saving costs.

]]> By: Ian http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-1646966 Ian Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:11:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/26/you-be-the-vc-reality-programming-comes-to-venture-capital/#comment-1646966 I really agree with #4, £7,500 is self funded, not VC money. I was always told VC is $1million+. Why bother with this, apart from the obvious bonus of free marketing. I really agree with #4, £7,500 is self funded, not VC money. I was always told VC is $1million+. Why bother with this, apart from the obvious bonus of free marketing.

]]>