Mike Casey :: Random thoughts on Startups

Today was a first for me, as we were contacted for the first time by a VC firm in California to talk about our company. It was a pretty interesting experience, and one that I am hoping we will get to repeat a few times this year. To summarise, they really liked what we were doing and where we are heading at GradConnection but it is still too early for them to invest in us.

What it did make me realise was 

• The VC market is huge, this VC fund had 800 million USD alone and there are hundreds of similar firms
• Private equity VCs are the best - not at mercy of interest rates
• Be responsible with your growth - don’t jump before you can swim

When it comes down to it, if you run your company well, people will want to invest. The point is that you must have a well defined strategy for this investment. It is easy to bleed money and when you are being offered lots of money it pays to have thought about how you are going to spend it.