Andrew Hillman Blog - Latest Comments in It takes a downturn for VC’s to speak up. WTF?

Re: It takes a downturn for VC’s to speak up. WTF?

Vijay — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:45:01 -0000

No his question implies that vc's are not stressing the importance of being frugal. These startups should be staying lean and not forgetting that they are start ups. look at the bold font. He is saying that all these points should be paid attention too until the company is stable. Let me guess you work for a dot bomb. I work for the biggest start up ever - google. Ahillman is on point on this one.

Re: It takes a downturn for VC’s to speak up. WTF?

Allan — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:30:43 -0000

Your question implies that VCs can see what is coming around the corner in the larger macro environment. Sure, a lot of what they suggested is good common sense applicable to startups in good times and bad times. However, when the environment is friendly and the money is flowing, a startup's strategy should be all about growth and gaining market share. In a downturn, it's all about survival. It is not irresponsible for VCs to tell their startups to be super aggressive when macro environment is good.

If we could all see around the corner and detect the impending downturn - we wouldn't be VCs or entrepreneurs. We'd all be hedge fund managers shorting the hell out of this market on gigantic leverage.

Re: It takes a downturn for VC’s to speak up. WTF?

RonConwaysBeard — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:56:42 -0000

Replace country with company.

The joke's funnier then.

Re: It takes a downturn for VC’s to speak up. WTF?

RonConwaysBeard — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:55:20 -0000

Jason Calcanis he was in complete disbelief that people actually PAID money to hear his opinion on how to SUCCESSFULLY run a country.

At one point, he started to cry.