Comments on: Seattle’s Top Entrepreneurs Band Together To Invest In Local Startups http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/ Startup and Technology News Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:52:54 -0800 hourly 1 By: Seattle’s Top Entrepreneurs Band Together | Business Idea of the Day http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2515135 Seattle’s Top Entrepreneurs Band Together | Business Idea of the Day Tue, 28 Oct 2008 03:27:02 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2515135 [...] TechCrunch: Seattle has has a heck of a tech scene, but isn’t so big that the community breaks down into cliques and haters as Silicon Valley often does in the boom times. Maybe that’s why I spend so much time up here. [...] [...] TechCrunch: Seattle has has a heck of a tech scene, but isn’t so big that the community breaks down into cliques and haters as Silicon Valley often does in the boom times. Maybe that’s why I spend so much time up here. [...]

]]> By: Judy’s Book Under New Management, Back From the Dead http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2514752 Judy’s Book Under New Management, Back From the Dead Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:12:08 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2514752 [...] three investors work with the original Judy’s book founders, Andy Sack and Chris DeVore, at Founders Coop. [...] [...] three investors work with the original Judy’s book founders, Andy Sack and Chris DeVore, at Founders Coop. [...]

]]> By: Techvibes | Blog | Calgary, Edmonton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Montréal, Ottawa, Portland, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2504267 Techvibes | Blog | Calgary, Edmonton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Montréal, Ottawa, Portland, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:17:54 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2504267 [...] in an angel round. To date they’ve made three investments totalling $700K. Last week they announced that they raised an additional $1.8 Million from a number of well-known Seattle entrepreneurs bringing their total fund to $2.5 Million. The [...] [...] in an angel round. To date they’ve made three investments totalling $700K. Last week they announced that they raised an additional $1.8 Million from a number of well-known Seattle entrepreneurs bringing their total fund to $2.5 Million. The [...]

]]> By: Slag http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2496040 Slag Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:09:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2496040 Ouch! Very nice. Ouch! Very nice.

]]> By: Travis http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2495939 Travis Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:33:11 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2495939 Seattle only sucks if you hate money, technology, and pretty women. Seattle only sucks if you hate money, technology, and pretty women.

]]> By: Travis http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2495932 Travis Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:28:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2495932 Seattle is an awesome place to live. Great motivating atmosphere which is why Tech startups thrive there so much. Compared to the Valley, everyone in Seattle not only wants to succeed, but they want you along for the ride as well. A happy surrounding makes for an even happier you - Hate all you want on rainy, Starbucks infused Seattle; but with the likes of Microsoft, Amazon, Redfin etc. all sprouting from the area, expect to be seeing left field ideas take flight. Hard work, and the ability to sell a simple idea really go a long ways in today's society. Seattle is an awesome place to live. Great motivating atmosphere which is why Tech startups thrive there so much. Compared to the Valley, everyone in Seattle not only wants to succeed, but they want you along for the ride as well.
A happy surrounding makes for an even happier you -
Hate all you want on rainy, Starbucks infused Seattle; but with the likes of Microsoft, Amazon, Redfin etc. all sprouting from the area, expect to be seeing left field ideas take flight.
Hard work, and the ability to sell a simple idea really go a long ways in today’s society.

]]> By: BJ http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2495838 BJ Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:43:17 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2495838 It's very important to determine what your marketing budget is as well. You should probably talk to a graphic design company so that you know how much it will cost to get your custom logo together, as well as a website that really sets you apart and lets your customers know you are the real deal. Check out www.anchormd.com for more information on some great graphic design. It’s very important to determine what your marketing budget is as well. You should probably talk to a graphic design company so that you know how much it will cost to get your custom logo together, as well as a website that really sets you apart and lets your customers know you are the real deal. Check out http://www.anchormd.com for more information on some great graphic design.

]]> By: kfan http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2495395 kfan Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:51:06 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2495395 If there is one thing, one thing, that the history of mankind has taught us, it's that human innovation will never stop. Descartes might as well referred to the human spirit. I think, therefore I am. If there is one thing, one thing, that the history of mankind has taught us, it’s that human innovation will never stop. Descartes might as well referred to the human spirit. I think, therefore I am.

]]> By: B http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2495184 B Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:25:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2495184 That's true don't move here just come visit and spend a lot of money please. That’s true don’t move here just come visit and spend a lot of money please.

]]> By: Allan http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2495146 Allan Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:51:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2495146 B - I'm very familiar with this model and you're absolutely right. It tries to get everyone in the same boat where everyone wins if someone wins. It also allows a "founder" to diversify his risk a little. Conventionally, a founder would have all his eggs in one small basket (his startup). With this "co-op" model, he could spread his eggs around in several baskets (albeit still risky baskets). The symmetry of risk has to be managed carefully here. Someone working on a big idea with a long harvest horizon will be a little concerned that his counterparts are working on small hits that make just decent returns. Nevertheless, this in itself is a form of diversification. B – I’m very familiar with this model and you’re absolutely right. It tries to get everyone in the same boat where everyone wins if someone wins. It also allows a “founder” to diversify his risk a little. Conventionally, a founder would have all his eggs in one small basket (his startup). With this “co-op” model, he could spread his eggs around in several baskets (albeit still risky baskets). The symmetry of risk has to be managed carefully here. Someone working on a big idea with a long harvest horizon will be a little concerned that his counterparts are working on small hits that make just decent returns. Nevertheless, this in itself is a form of diversification.

]]> By: October 8, 2008 | next media update http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2495107 October 8, 2008 | next media update Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:07:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2495107 [...] Seattle’s Top Entrepreneurs Band Together to Invest in Local Startups TECHCRUNCH Like other tech hubs, successful Seattle entrepreneurs tend to become angel investors and help the next crop of companies come of age. An example: Pressplane , which recently announced a long list of Seattle angels.Now those angels are getting a little more organized by investing in the relatively new early stage fund Founder’s Co-op . The fund was first launched last March by (now-deadpooled ) Judy’s Book founders Andy Sack and Chris DeVore , and focuses on early stage investments. They typically invest $100,000 - $300,000 in an angel round. To date they’ve made three investments for a total of about $700,000. Source> [...] [...] Seattle’s Top Entrepreneurs Band Together to Invest in Local Startups TECHCRUNCH Like other tech hubs, successful Seattle entrepreneurs tend to become angel investors and help the next crop of companies come of age. An example: Pressplane , which recently announced a long list of Seattle angels.Now those angels are getting a little more organized by investing in the relatively new early stage fund Founder’s Co-op . The fund was first launched last March by (now-deadpooled ) Judy’s Book founders Andy Sack and Chris DeVore , and focuses on early stage investments. They typically invest $100,000 – $300,000 in an angel round. To date they’ve made three investments for a total of about $700,000. Source> [...]

]]> By: LupusYonderboy http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2495077 LupusYonderboy Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:52:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2495077 Seattle totally sucks! Don't move here. And don't bring your car. Seattle totally sucks! Don’t move here. And don’t bring your car.

]]> By: B http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2495072 B Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:50:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2495072 Love the movement towards structured earlier early stage investing, but I'm suprised nobody has brought up the "Co-op" part of their investment model? What do people think of it?? On top of their investment they take 5% common stock and put it into a pool that each of the companies in the portfolio 'owns' and benefits from should one company (or hopefully all) have some sort of exit. It's either really cool or really annoying for the founders. Thoughts? The arguement of course is that if there's a big exit, everyone involved wins, making each company 'invested' in helping the others succeed.... But the companies they seem to look to invest in are the smaller, efficient, quick to get to cash flow positive (I love these types of companies) but not neccesarily ones with a big exit in their future. What's the incentive for the company with a big idea and a potential exit if the other companies in the portfolio are those pesky 'lifestyle, as the valley likes to call them' businesses that keep generating cash year after year with no big exit in site? I think the type of fund (which is very creative and unique as far as I know) deserves more discussion than Seattle (which rocks). Love the movement towards structured earlier early stage investing, but I’m suprised nobody has brought up the “Co-op” part of their investment model?
What do people think of it??

On top of their investment they take 5% common stock and put it into a pool that each of the companies in the portfolio ‘owns’ and benefits from should one company (or hopefully all) have some sort of exit.
It’s either really cool or really annoying for the founders. Thoughts?
The arguement of course is that if there’s a big exit, everyone involved wins, making each company ‘invested’ in helping the others succeed….

But the companies they seem to look to invest in are the smaller, efficient, quick to get to cash flow positive (I love these types of companies) but not neccesarily ones with a big exit in their future. What’s the incentive for the company with a big idea and a potential exit if the other companies in the portfolio are those pesky ‘lifestyle, as the valley likes to call them’ businesses that keep generating cash year after year with no big exit in site?

I think the type of fund (which is very creative and unique as far as I know) deserves more discussion than Seattle (which rocks).

]]> By: When Banks Stop Lending Money : The Get Smart Blog http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2495052 When Banks Stop Lending Money : The Get Smart Blog Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:34:11 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2495052 [...] you down where do you go to get the help you need? Yesterday I read an article on Tech Crunch about Seattle’s Top Entrepreneurs Banding Together To Invest In Startups and after today’s news it got me thinking where can you go to get [...] [...] you down where do you go to get the help you need? Yesterday I read an article on Tech Crunch about Seattle’s Top Entrepreneurs Banding Together To Invest In Startups and after today’s news it got me thinking where can you go to get [...]

]]> By: GeniusLocator.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2495029 GeniusLocator.com Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:10:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2495029 I know no one want's to talk about "inevitable innovation" that will automate everything and put majority of tech workers out of a job. the innovation well is drying up as we speak. imagine someone trying to create a leading app or website 5 years from now competing with the 10's of thousands apps and millions of websites created by then. Not gonna happen. Like diving into a Deadpool. TC 50 is a great example of grasping at straws innovation. Look who won. Lammer a business form of twibber (business text messaging). You get 1500 tech people paying $3000 each in a room to watch blahgirls and Lammer as leading innovative companies chosen out of over a thousand entries from around the world. Come On. Dont get me wrong I admire MA's work. Sheer Genius. Proves there are alot of sheep out there. Very few if any true leaders in tech. Followers. I know MA will one day put his arm around me and share with the world how my game changing billion dollar startup debuted on his website. Blowing away Powerschlep as the MVP of TC startups. My specialty is predicting the future by creating it. Inevitable Evolution- can you smell it? FollowLocator.com I know no one want’s to talk about “inevitable innovation” that will automate everything and put majority of tech workers out of a job.

the innovation well is drying up as we speak. imagine someone trying to create a leading app or website 5 years from now competing with the 10’s of thousands apps and millions of websites created by then. Not gonna happen. Like diving into a Deadpool. TC 50 is a great example of grasping at straws innovation. Look who won. Lammer a business form of twibber (business text messaging). You get 1500 tech people paying $3000 each in a room to watch blahgirls and Lammer as leading innovative companies chosen out of over a thousand entries from around the world. Come On. Dont get me wrong I admire MA’s work. Sheer Genius. Proves there are alot of sheep out there. Very few if any true leaders in tech. Followers.

I know MA will one day put his arm around me and share with the world how my game changing billion dollar startup debuted on his website. Blowing away Powerschlep as the MVP of TC startups.

My specialty is predicting the future by creating it.

Inevitable Evolution- can you smell it?

FollowLocator.com

]]> By: Anti Matter http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2495000 Anti Matter Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:40:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2495000 Nothing wrong to want to support your city or state. Sure those outside will be left out. But you have to also look out for your own otherwise no one will. Nothing wrong to want to support your city or state. Sure those outside will be left out. But you have to also look out for your own otherwise no one will.

]]> By: nitsuj http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2494920 nitsuj Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:36:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2494920 James hit the nail on the head. From what I've heard in talking with potential investors in various "2nd rate" tech communities there is a lot of money WANTING to be invested, but no real path for the startups to find the money. Something like this seems like a no-brainer, wouldn't be surprised to see more of these little funds sprouting up. BTW to all, Seattle sucks, don't move there. Please. James hit the nail on the head. From what I’ve heard in talking with potential investors in various “2nd rate” tech communities there is a lot of money WANTING to be invested, but no real path for the startups to find the money. Something like this seems like a no-brainer, wouldn’t be surprised to see more of these little funds sprouting up.

BTW to all, Seattle sucks, don’t move there. Please.

]]> By: nitsuj http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2494916 nitsuj Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:35:01 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2494916 "puting there blinders...." 'nuff said “puting there blinders….”

’nuff said

]]> By: nitsuj http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2494914 nitsuj Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:33:57 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2494914 LOL! I heard from a high-level Ford exec in the early 00s that this whole internet thing is a fad. LOL! I heard from a high-level Ford exec in the early 00s that this whole internet thing is a fad.

]]> By: Alex http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2494866 Alex Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:36:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2494866 Who is this damn 'locator' loser??? Who is this damn ‘locator’ loser???

]]> By: James Hurst http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2494791 James Hurst Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:14:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2494791 We need more of this in other areas and countries. Best of luck to them. <a href="http://www.michrome.com" rel="nofollow">Find start-up businesses in the UK - www.michrome.com</a> We need more of this in other areas and countries. Best of luck to them.

Find start-up businesses in the UK – http://www.michrome.com

]]> By: William Kapke http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2494740 William Kapke Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:34:49 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2494740 Yep, Seattle's tech scene has been quite surprising. I walk around Seattle/Bellevue/Redmond and it feels like one big tech office. When I moved here 6 months ago: 1) I couldn't believe how many coffee shops could fit on 1 block, and 2) the number of people sitting around laptops collaborating on "the next big thing" in those shops. To "MasterLocator.com".... come to Seattle, bring your laptop and hang out in the closest Starbucks (although it might be hard to decide which is the closest) for a few hours-- I doubt you'll still feel the same. There are MANY MANY MANY people here with great ideas, good hearts, and will work until they collapse. In contrast, having just moved out of L.A. where there are MANY BAD ideas and tons of money hungry hustlers... it is a no-brainer: my investments are far more solid with a Seattle based company just based on the community that surrounds them. -William Kapke CEO, "the next big thing" ;) Yep, Seattle’s tech scene has been quite surprising. I walk around Seattle/Bellevue/Redmond and it feels like one big tech office. When I moved here 6 months ago: 1) I couldn’t believe how many coffee shops could fit on 1 block, and 2) the number of people sitting around laptops collaborating on “the next big thing” in those shops.

To “MasterLocator.com”…. come to Seattle, bring your laptop and hang out in the closest Starbucks (although it might be hard to decide which is the closest) for a few hours– I doubt you’ll still feel the same.

There are MANY MANY MANY people here with great ideas, good hearts, and will work until they collapse. In contrast, having just moved out of L.A. where there are MANY BAD ideas and tons of money hungry hustlers… it is a no-brainer: my investments are far more solid with a Seattle based company just based on the community that surrounds them.

-William Kapke
CEO, “the next big thing” ;)

]]> By: Frank http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2494641 Frank Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:00:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2494641 Man I miss Seattle.. The tech/startup community is great. Man I miss Seattle.. The tech/startup community is great.

]]> By: www.landofpics.blogspot.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2494637 www.landofpics.blogspot.com Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:56:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2494637 Investments at this moment,No way Investments at this moment,No way

]]> By: Joel Strellner http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/07/seattles-top-entrepreneurs-band-together-to-invest/comment-page-1/#comment-2494622 Joel Strellner Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:37:05 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=23090#comment-2494622 I wish there was one if these in the Sacramento, CA area. I am looking for funding now and it seems the economy is scaring away many of the smaller investors that typically invest in the range I am looking for. I am looking for exactly the range of funding that the Founder’s Co-op is seeking to fund. It sucks that their region is so narrow. I wish there was one if these in the Sacramento, CA area.

I am looking for funding now and it seems the economy is scaring away many of the smaller investors that typically invest in the range I am looking for. I am looking for exactly the range of funding that the Founder’s Co-op is seeking to fund. It sucks that their region is so narrow.

]]>