THE BEST ACCELRATOR EVER!?!?!?!
Some of you might know that we love our investors. They make us who we are today. Many people ask us. "But isn't it all about money". In some cases investors can be all about money, but for us it was important that we have the same values as our investors.
INVESTOR VALUES???
Oh yah. Investors shouldn't just a "cut a check and go on your merry way" kind of relationship. That's called "dumb money" and it's the worst kind. Sometimes you just need cash and that helps but we would rather do client projects for that. No, investor relationship is about everything. Connections to other investors, business advice, technical advise, a shoulder to cry on when things get hard. A good investor has time to ensure that you, as a found are, ok. They make sure that you know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel how to get there.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD INVESTOR?
1) One you can count on - I don't know how many times our investors ensured that both Alex Porter and I were taken care of. Business advice, ideas, heck even food. A good investor is your corner man, like in boxing. Sometimes you come back with a black eye and you're head isn't in the game. A good corner man (investor) ensures you screw your head on strait, cleans up your eye, and puts you back in for another round
2) They get you - They provide you advice that is inline with your values. How to deal with customers, vendors, and employees. It's a balancing act with no end. They can give you the outsider view BECAUSE they have the experience. AND they spend the time knowing about your company and what you are doing.
3) They know when you should pivot or change direction - I know this sounds like the above but it's totally different. It comes from a deep knowledge of the outside world and what's happening in the world around you. Those market ripples are VERY VERY hard to read but a knowledgeable VC should be able to read all of it.
4) They let you fail - Not all the lessons are theirs to give. They know when it's time to let you move on assumptions. After all you are the one who's in the middle of it right? They can recommend, they can be communicative, but they will let you fall.
Thank you Joe Merrill Oksana Malysheva and Sputnik ATX VC for being amazing!!! AND CONGRATULATIONS!
Our Sputnik ATX VC started seven years ago today. Well, Happy Birthday to us!
Perhaps, today is a good day to look back and see how far we've come.
But first, let's hear from our managing partner, Oksana Malysheva.
Today, in a class for the founders of our 13th (sic!) cohort, she shared the story behind our name.
VC Investor & General Partner at KCRise Fund
2moThanks again to Stead Burwell for sharing the major milestones achieved by Outbound AI. An incredible growth story in digital health happening and KCRise Fund is proud to be involved.