It’s a good time to be an Entrepreneur – Is it also a good time to be an investor? Jason Wood says: “I spoke to several colleagues in the industry today and there was a consensus of disappointment in the current landscape. I’m hardly the only one who’s been saying there’s excess capital in the VC industry for some time [in fact, there’s excess capital everywhere], but with entrepreneurs more willing [and able] to bootstrap their way to product launch and with GoogleYahooMicrosoft unafraid to throw fractional portions of their cash hoard at interesting startups, I’m not sure I see the light at the end of the 2005-2006 vintage VC tunnel.”
At the Software 2006 Conference yesterday I found myself in the middle of an interesting conversation betwen 2 VC Partners and an Angel Investor – they basically shared the above view, adding that startups either bootstrap their way to acquision, or take Angel funding, than the GYM jumps in before an A-round.
Angel investment is back big time, and this is the subject of the SVASE event tonight at 6pm in Palo Alto.
Seeking Angel Funding, want to become an Angel?
This lively panel discussion will explore current trends and panelist opinions on topics including:
• How have the dynamics of Angel investing changed in recent years?
• What are the current trends in Angel investing?
• Is Angel Investing still interesting for High Net Worth Individuals?
• What type of people are becoming Angel Investors, and why?
• What are the metrics Angels look for in their investments today?
• How are Angels working with Venture Capitalists?
• What technologies and deals are most attractive to Angel investors right now?
The Panel:
• Stewart Sonnenfeldt, Managing Director, Sand Hill Angels
• Laura Roden, Managing Director, The Angels Forum
• Randy Williams, Founder & CEO, Keiretsu Forum
• Antonio Salerno, Deal Selection Committee, Band of Angels
Moderator: David Frazee, corporate/IP shareholder, Greenberg Traurig
Thursday, April 6
6.00-7.00 pm: Networking and Dinner
7.00-8:30 pm: Panel discussion and Q/A
To reserve an Exhibit Table
Contact Info@svase.org, $500 Members, $1,000 Non-members.
Location:
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (WSGR Campus), 950 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, 94304
PRE-REGISTERED RATES (All Rates Include Hors D’oeuvres)
Members – $20; Affiliates who advertise this event – $29;General Public – $49
WALK-IN RATES: Add $10.00 to the listed price
Tags: svase, startups, entrepreneurship, angels, angel investing, angel investors
Zoli,
At some point soon I’m going to have to come out West and partake in one of your SVASE events. In the meantime, it’s interesting to hear that VCs at SW2006 shared my views. As primarily a public equity investor (with an admitted interest in venture funding where appropriate), I recognize that my interpretation of things might not jive with the VC community in many cases. It’s all about what lens you’re viewing the world through.
One thing is crystal clear, it’s a great time to be a startup. Not only are VCs now competing with GYM, but as the WSJ talked about yesterady, the hedge funds are willing and able to get into the game despite the lack of domain expertise.