For founders: to cheerlead or not to cheerlead? I think the answer is both. Investing in a company is about more than giving a blank check and saying, "go you good thing." It's a fine line to walk when pitching to back someone's company: you're wholly optimistic about the opportunity, but once you invest there is a healthy tension between that optimism and realism. IMO it's the job of the investor to help the founder think about downside, and cover all their bases. If I take money from someone I respect, I also expect direct honesty so I can look around corners, iterate faster and plan better. At BBG Ventures we love founders who do too. We'll always be your cheerleaders, but love includes tough love.
Here's how we work at BBGV:
Make change and make money. Hand in hand. Venture capital kindles the future. We want to make it matter.
Diversity is personal to us. We started BBG Ventures because the problems we face today can’t be solved by same-same thinking.
All in and high conviction. We lead or co-lead rounds and help find the right investors to round out your syndicate.
Here for you on the regular. We’ll meet up frequently as part of a Year One Sprint to get you leverage where you need it – from brand strategy and business model to recruiting and PR.
Connections get you there faster. We’ll share the network we’ve built over decades – friends and allies, both old and new.
Always think ahead. As you set milestones, we’ll help shape a compelling story and find the right investors for your next chapter.
Tough love. Founders need support, but they also need honesty, feedback, and the occasional reality check.
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