VC Minute Weekly Recap: Startup Maxims
Ask for money, get advice. Always Be Fundraising (ABF). Lines, not dots, Do things that don't scale. All the maxims you could ever (or never) need, clarified like butter on a hot stove.
I’ve been wanting to do this theme for a while. There are so many startup maxims, some good, some bad, some unclear. What really kicked it into gear for me was a founder at one of the Thunderview CEO Dinners who exclaimed, “Ask for money, get advice. Ask for advice, get money… I’ve been asking for advice but I’m still not getting any money!!”
I didn’t have a good answer for him on the spot, and had to think about it. My ultimate response, as well as others, are in the episodes below.
One interesting thing that I didn’t expect was that a common theme emerged.
Fundraising is about relationships.
That became clear as I started recording. I hope you enjoy these takes on startup maxims.
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Episode Summaries
192. Startup Maxims: Ask for Money, Get Advice
This week I'm covering startup maxims—those little phrases we all repeat to each other as common wisdom but may or may not be true, helpful, or relevant.
Today's maxim: "Ask for money, get advice. Ask for advice, get money."
193. Startup Maxims: Always Be Fundraising. Really?
ABF: Always Be Fundraising. Should you really always be fundraising? Here are some tips on how to evaluate if this is right for you.
194. Startup Maxims: Invest in Lines, Not Dots? Investors Invest In Relationships.
What's really at the core of the "lines, not dots" maxim? Relationships.
Mark Suster's classic post: Invest in Lines, Not Dots.
195. Not ABF. Instead, Always Be Cheerleading
The last episode on ABF. I promise. Maybe. But we're definitely missing the founder's perspective on this one, which is why I was glad to have Liz Giorgi's input.
196. Startup Maxims: Do Things That Don't Scale
This is probably my favorite startup maxim of all. It ties in with the Lean Startup Methodology, and is core to figuring out what you should be building and for whom.
Do you know someone that needs to hear this week’s advice? Share it with them!