The Full Ratchet (TFR): Venture Capital and Startup Investing Demystified

Welcome back to TFR for another Cram Session. In these special releases, we have aggregated the takeaways and tips from previous episodes. In this installment, we will be recapping the following episodes: Ep18: Fundraise Types, Sources & Structures (Dave Berkus) Ep19: Due Diligence (Imran Ahmad) Ep20: Non-Unicorn Investing (Jerry Neumann)... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following investors are featured: - Triest and DeMarrais - Polovets - Roes Each investor illustrates a critical lesson learned about startup investing and how it's changed their approach. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of The Cap Table with John Buttrick of Union Square Ventures & Sean Moran of eshares. In this segment we address: John, I've heard from many founders that get caught up in the Option Pool Shuffle. Can you describe what that is and if the eshares... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

John Buttrick of Union Square Ventures & Sean Moran of eshares joins Nick to cover The Cap Table, Part 1. We will address questions including: John, can you walk us through your background and how you became involved in venture capital Can you talk about your experience at USV and... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Welcome back to TFR for another Cram Session. In these special releases, we have aggregated the takeaways and tips from previous episodes. In this installment, we will be recapping the following episodes: Ep11: The #1 Reason Startups Fail (Gabriel Weinberg) Ep12: Advising Early-Stage Startups (Glenn Gottfried) Ep13: The Convertible Note... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following Investors are featured: -Benaich -Tsai -Carter Each investor discusses sectors, drivers and/or trends that may have significant impact in the future and are potentially positioned for outsized-returns. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of Getting Smart on a New Market with Charles Hudson of Precursor Ventures. In this segment we address: How do you look at companies addressing industries where the incumbent product offerings are free. Businesses like Slack that were replacing free options Fresh Eyes… You've written... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Charles Hudson of Precursor Ventures joins Nick to cover Getting Smart on a New Market, Part 1. We will address questions including: What Charles' experience at SoftTech was like and how he made the transition to founding Precursor. What his continuing role as a Venture Partner at SoftTech entails. How... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following investors are featured: Shah Huston Draper Each investor highlights a situation where they decided to invest in a startup and why they said yes. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of Hardware Investing with Avidan Ross of Root Ventures. In this segment we address: Examples of Trojan Horse hardware businesses that Avidan has invested in Many view hardware as very capital intensive, more difficult to commercialize and thus, too risky in an already very risky... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Avidan Ross of Root Ventures joins Nick to cover Hardware Investing, Part 1. We will address questions including: His thoughts on why hardware and physical good brands dominate the rankings of people's favorite brands Why extremes and fat tails are developing today between increasingly digital, connected experiences vs. highly analog, custom,... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of Artificial Intelligence Investing with Nathan Benaich of Playfair Capital. In this segment we address: Can you provide an overview of the funding landscape for AI in recent years and the major things that have changed? What are the primary sectors wherein AI-based startups are... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Nathan Benaich of Playfair Capital joins Nick to cover Artificial Intelligence Investing, Part 1. We will address questions including: Can we start off w/ a simple definition of artificial intelligence? The term 'Machine Learning' is often used when discussing AI. In your estimation, is Machine Learning and AI synonymous or... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following investors are featured: Heymann Wilkins Day Each investor describes their investment thesis and how they evaluate startups for investment. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of No Fun Allowed with Jonathon Triest & Brett DeMarrais of Ludlow Ventures. In this segment we address: Peter thiel has famously asked the question: "What' something you believe to be true, that no one else does?" I'm going to flip it around here an... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Jonathon Triest & Brett DeMarrais of Ludlow Ventures join Nick to cover No Fun Allowed, Part 1. We will address questions including: Jonathon, can you start us off w/ you background and path to investing in startups? How about you Brett. How did you find your way to becoming a... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following investors are featured: - Acunzo - Greathouse - Ramsinghani Each investor illustrates a critical lesson learned about startup investing and how it's changed their approach. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following investors are featured: Moran Rabie Heltzer Each investor highlights a situation where they decided to invest in a startup and why they said yes. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of Virtual Reality Investing with Adam Draper of Boost VC. In this segment we address: VR, in various phases of maturity, has been around for a long time. Why do you think the next few years is the right time for VR to take off... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Adam Draper of Boost VC joins Nick to cover Virtual Reality Investing, Part 1. We will address questions including: Can you walk us through your background and how you became involved in startup investing? Today we are talking virtual reality and investing in VR. Can you start us off by... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following Investors are featured: -Davis -Sanwal -Collett Each investor discusses sectors, drivers and/or trends that may have significant impact in the future and are potentially positioned for outsized-returns. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of Blockchain Investing with William Mougayar of Virtual Capital Ventures . In this segment we address: What are your thoughts on what the future looks like in a much more decentralized environment? What industries in particular are most at risk of being disrupted b/c of... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

William Mougayar of Virtual Capital Ventures joins Nick to cover Blockchain Investing, Part 1. We will address questions including: Can you start off by telling us about your background and how you became involved in both startup investing and studying the blockchain? We hear investors talk about Bitcoin, crypotcurrencies and,... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following investors are featured: Heltzer Goldberg Parker Each investor highlights a situation where they decided to invest in a startup and why they said yes. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of Building an Investor Brand with Jay Acunzo & John Gannon of NextView Ventures. In this segment we address: Jay, how do you approach outsourcing for the Traction Podcast? John, what other elements are important and what other suggestions do you have for newer investors... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Jay Acunzo of NextView Ventures & John Gannon of BEMAVEN join Nick to cover Building an Investor Brand, Part 1. We will address questions including: Jay, can you start us off by talking about why VCs and in some cases angels are attempting to build an investor brand? John, what... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of The Bloomberg for Private Companies with Anand Sanwal of CB Insights. In this segment we address: We hear people say that they invest in marketplaces, education, drones, healthcare, IoT, SaaS, machine learning, etc… all in the same breath. Some classify them as sectors, others... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Anand Sanwal of CB Insights joins Nick to cover The Bloomberg for Startups, Part 1. We will address questions including: Can you walk us through your background and how you became involved in venture and the startup ecosystem? What were the key issues you experienced in analyzing data about private companies... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following investors are featured: Ramsinghani Tsai Gasser Each investor describes their investment thesis and how they evaluate startups for investment. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of From Angel Group to Venture Fund with Maia Heymann of Converge Venture Partners. In this segment we address: What are the reasons why this structure attracts more great entrepreneurs? Have you found that you can move faster from the time you receive a deck... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Maia Heymann of Converge Venture Partners joins Nick to cover 'From Angel Group to Venture Fund, Part 1'. We will address questions including: Can you walk us through your background and how you became involved in startup investing? From your experience as an institutional LP, how did you choose venture... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following investors are featured: Moran Label Corey Each investor highlights a situation where they decided to invest in a startup and why they said yes. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of The Fast No with Mike Collett of Promus Ventures. In this segment we address: Do you approach evaluation like a funnel process and what specific methods do you use to accelerate decision-making? Do you see investors that operate w/ a trigger… where they make... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Mike Collett of Promus Ventures joins Nick to cover The Fast No, Part 1. We will address questions including: Can you start off by walking through your background and how you became involved in venture capital? This has come up in previous episodes but can you start off by refreshing... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following investors are featured: - Shah - Wilkins - Parker Each investor highlights a situation where they decided not to invest, why they passed, and how it played out. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of Diversity in Venture Capital with Christine Tsai of 500 Startups. In this segment we address: You've said "The best thing women in tech can do is to invest in other women," Last fall, 500 introduced its 500 Women AngelList syndicate and pledged to invest... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Christine Tsai of 500 Startups joins Nick to cover Diversity in Venture Capital, Part 1. We will address questions including: The Information recently published their "Future List" study, conducted w/ Social Capital on Diversity at VC firms. They found that 92% of the senior investors top-tier firms are male and... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following Investors are featured: -Greathouse -Medved -Huston Each investor discusses sectors, drivers and/or trends that may have significant impact in the future and are potentially positioned for outsized-returns. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Today we cover Part 2 of Algorithms as a Competitive Advantage with Andrew Parker of Spark Capital. In this segment we address: You've written about your investments in digital healthcare and education. Where do you see the future of these sectors and what areas are still potentially untapped? Are there... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Andrew Parker of Spark Capital joins Nick to cover Algorithms as a Competitive Advantage. We will address questions including: Today we are talking data and algorithm-based startups. You've written a great deal about startups using algorithms as the basis of their value. When and why did you begin investing in... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Mahendra Ramsinghani joins Nick to cover Startup Boards, Part 2. We will address questions including: What cadence/frequency should Board meetings occur? Can you talk about the board meeting itself and how the best meetings operate? How does the startup board's makeup and responsibilities evolve over the course of a startups... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Mahendra Ramsinghani joins Nick to cover Startup Boards, Part 1. We will address questions including: What are the key functions of a board and why should entrepreneurs put one together? When is the appropriate time for a startup to begin assembling a board? What is the ideal makeup of the... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following investors are featured: Davis Carter Struhl Each investor describes their investment thesis and how they evaluate startups for investment. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

John Greathouse of Rincon Venture Partners joins Nick to cover The Hands-on Investor | High-Engagement Investing, Part 2. We will address questions including: The nature and the intensity of your interaction changes over the course of a startups development. At what stages are you pulling back and getting more hands-off?... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

John Greathouse of Rincon Venture Partners joins Nick to cover The Hands-on Investor | High-Engagement Investing, Part 1. We will address questions including: Can you walk us through your background and how you became involved in startup investing? I came across your writing on lessons from surfing for the startup... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following investors are featured: Ahmad Rose Tunguz Each investor highlights a situation where they decided to invest in a startup and why they said yes. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.

Semil Shah of Haystack joins Nick to cover The Path to Series A, Part 2. We will address questions including: We are all looking for great founders and teams at the seed stage. What additional team dynamics and construction may A round investors be looking for beyond what's required at... To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.