Comments on: Charles River Ventures Trolling For Startups On Facebook

By: توبيكات

توبيكات — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:41:27 +0000

Are those comments fetched from a different post? Or i do i need a sleep

By: James Curry

James Curry — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:03:43 +0000

I thought would add to the discussion, that I submitted a plan to the Quickstart program last summer. CRV replied with this:

Hi James,

Thanks for your interest in Charles River Ventures.

We think this idea is creative. We’ve seen a number of iPhone (smartphone) app business plans in the last few months. We’re really looking for one that has a working demo/live and has a user base. If/when things begin to take off with iTrainer, please get back in touch with us.

Best,
The QuickStart Team

I am going ahead and building a protype with my own funds. However, I was under the impression that the Quickstart program was for exactly that, building a prototype. Rather, it sounds like CRV wants to get in a little after seed, like at “germination.”

By: Venture Capital Firm Hunting For Startups on Facebook

Venture Capital Firm Hunting For Startups on Facebook — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:16:02 +0000

[...] Michael Arrington, “Charles River Ventures Trolling For Startups On Facebook,” December …, Charles River Ventures Share and [...]

By: Curtis Gray

Curtis Gray — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 11:34:38 +0000

This is a good option for startups that want to remain low-key and spend their time building a prototype rather than finding money. I hope more VCs pick up on this.

Up to $250K at 6% is great. If you have a grand idea (and VCs are willing to try LOTS of things not so grand ideas) go for it. It’ll only cost you a 6% loan.

By: Mexy

Mexy — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 13:43:05 +0000

Shafqat, how much equity did the VC take from ur company? What were the conditions?

By: Roundup: NASA awards startups, social network revenues reviewed, and more » VentureBeat

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 05:18:09 +0000

[...] decline on record. Charles River Ventures puts ad on Facebook to find startups — The ad says: “Running a hot startup? Learn more about Charles River Ventures and how we can help you. We are [...]

By: William Blanchard

William Blanchard — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 04:29:25 +0000

It depends on if CRV has the ability to see a few stars out of the 1000’s of executive summaries they shift through.

There are many new ideas and start-ups that will drive the innovation and profits of tomorrow, VCs have the money to accelerate this and should openly recruit new ideas like other companies offer open job postings.

By: William Evan Kasel

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 02:07:54 +0000

Im with Jerrell on this – if they liked your idea enough to “steal” your idea – they would fund you, and if you sucked they would replace you – if you didn’t they would keep you. Also – its not the horse – its the jockey, so if they didnt like you – they wouldn’t fund you. And they have enough ideas thrown at them where yours will get lost in the spree.

Finally – NDA’s mean nothing. Just so you know. Ask a lawyer

By: GiveUpInternet.com

GiveUpInternet.com — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 23:26:37 +0000

Are those comments fetched from a different post? Or i do i need a sleep?

By: George

George — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 22:11:51 +0000

I guess if the amount of money VCs are able to raise decreases, that means that they’ll be able to invest into smaller companies. Its all about return on investment. It would be nice if all VCs have a sort of penny portfolio section.

By: Johnny

Johnny — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 22:04:51 +0000

So what exactly is the locator dude’s business? Link farming?

By: MikeT

MikeT — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:53:53 +0000

Bou-ha-ha!
Hot startups already have VCs lined up at their doors to invest in them. Hot startups actively seek funds if they need them and don’t wait to be found.

Sure enough, every entrepreneur thinks that his/her startup is hot even if it’s worth squat, but really hot ones (the ones that everyone knows about in a couple of months after launch) are already on many VC radars, so CRV’s move is a long shot…

By: Jerrell Jimerson

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:23:49 +0000

have never seen a vc willing to sign an nda. at least not for the first couple of conversations. A firm receives 1000s of ideas/concepts/pitches, across a wide set of partners, often across multiple offices scattered across the country if not the world.

Completely impratical. Maybe an individual angel or very, very small firm might go there, but in general, it just doesn’t happen. And certainly wouldn’t happen through a program where you send your plan in without any pre-conversation (exactly what would they be signing — “we won’t share anything about the idea you’ve told us nothing about … even though we may have already talked to or invested in companies doing similar things…”?)

all of that said, most VCs aren’t out to take your idea and drop into one of their existing portfolio companies or build a new team with their people around your idea. in fact, most VCs will pass or at least tell you up front if they have anything competitive in their portfolios (though you can probably figure that out w/ 15 mins worth of work)

By: mfba

mfba — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 20:53:21 +0000

Bored TC reader spots self promotion marketing wannabe spotting another similar promolocator.com animal and is shocked that he doesn’t realize he is looking at a mirror image of himself.

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 20:40:23 +0000

There’s nothing about a NDA in Charles River QuickStart website and it’s not a good way to talk to a VC without a NDA.

By: pedalpete

pedalpete — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 20:24:54 +0000

I’ve been reading “Innovation: The Five Disciplines for Creating What Customers Want”, and the first section is all about defining customer value, etc. A really good source to get you through defining the pitch.
I wouldn’t farm it out to a consultant, if you don’t know your business well enough to do it yourself, (with the help of resources), then you aren’t going to be able to get somebody else to do it for you.
You’ll learn a ton in going through the process of just getting ready to meet with VCs.

By: Johnny

Johnny — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 20:18:00 +0000

The hardest part in pitching an idea to VC looks like writing the pitch. Any good resources for structuring the initial pitches?

Or is that a terrible idea and I should just hire a consultant?

By: naady.com

naady.com — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 20:00:01 +0000

imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Well wish them luck. I do however get the feeling that facebook is becoming more useful by the day.

By: pedalpete

pedalpete — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:54:58 +0000

Depending on what you are doing, there are Canadian versions.
If you are in the mobile space, the JLA/RBC/Blackberry Fund has what they call the ‘JumpStart Program’, though I don’t know the link for it.
I’m sure there are other similar programs too.

By: Peter Urban

Peter Urban — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:44:17 +0000

interesting, just when we thought the vc game had to take a break.

By: Taylor

Taylor — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:41:18 +0000

I wish there was a Canadian VC version of CRV of Quickstart.

By: Ciprian Patrulescu

Ciprian Patrulescu — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 18:22:16 +0000

What do you guys about creating some sort of a “social conscious” fund similar to Digg that could invest in a startup, turn it around, then sell it or go public with it?
Do you think the masses of people could make the right decisions in executing the plan? Or will they lack the required knowledge to run the company?
This is what I have been trying with my group on facebook:
http://www.face...gid=42683713693

Ciprian

By: Shafqat

Shafqat — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 18:19:39 +0000

We just took seed funding from a similar valley VC firm. who is also starting to get into the early/smaller investments. I think it’s a great model, and the main advantage for entrepreneurs: a few hundred thousand is nothing for these guys, so they cut the check without being a pain. For us, the ease of the pitch and the quick yes was invaluable. Also, our investment came with NO strings attached.

By: ispy

ispy — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 16:28:19 +0000

You have to be kidding me!

By: StartupLocator.com

StartupLocator.com — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 16:07:33 +0000

CRV should troll TC or Vator.tv and they would have better luck, excuse me i mean skill.

startups are gonna evaporate over the next five years. “Startins” will take over where users position themselves with the major established niche players.

KillerLocator.com – easy prey