As part of my consulting services, I am tasked with evaluating companies for VC, private equity and angel investors.
I recently attended a private pitch by an experienced entrepreneur to evaluate the potential of the company for some interested investors.
The entrepreneur was the prototype of what many aspiring entrepreneurs or early stage founders wish they could be:
- Silicon Valley startup veteran
- Multiple startups
- VC funded in previous companies
- Had successfully exited and made his investors money
- Talented engineer
In short, he had a sterling track record, impeccable credentials and noteworthy references.
To the run-of-the-mill tech startup founder, he was the poster child for “who gets funded when I don’t.”
And, he failed.