Do you think that events like the CleanTech Opens can help companies and innovators with finding investors? It seems like it might. I know the Australian CleanTech Open is accepting entries until June 26th for this year (http://www.cleantechopen.com.au/enter.html).
It's difficult to say for the Australian market. I would think that many of the larger investors would be well known by entrepreneurs because the community is so small. On the other hand, a lot of smaller investors, angels, family offices, and others, might not be easy to find and thus it would be good for them to attend. Good to see the Cleantech Open has made its way to Australia!
2:06 PM
A lot of venture money was raised in the late 90's, before the burst of the first internet bubble (2001). There has been a lot of talk [citation needed, but I can't find right now] that, since most VC funds are 10 years in duration, we would see a great VC contraction sometime around 2010. In fact, I had a list of firms that hadn't made any investments in years, and I haven't gone back to check if they are still around.
However, anecdotally, I have witnessed a contraction of another sort. Good firms, that are still around, losing good partners. As I've been speaking to investors lately, I've discovered no less than sixnine different partners that I knew personally, mostly senior, from very good firms, have moved on. They have all taken senior operating roles with technology companies (no surprise, as that is the typical path in and out of VC), but what's interesting is that this seems to be more than the typical gas diffusion mechanic between VCs and tech companies.
What does this mean for the investing landscape, and how those firms operate? I'm not sure, but I'll certainly be watching.
"VCs moving on?"
3 Comments -
I've seen exactly the same thing. Big structural shift happening...
4:49 PM
Do you think that events like the CleanTech Opens can help companies and innovators with finding investors? It seems like it might. I know the Australian CleanTech Open is accepting entries until June 26th for this year (http://www.cleantechopen.com.au/enter.html).
12:46 PM
It's difficult to say for the Australian market. I would think that many of the larger investors would be well known by entrepreneurs because the community is so small. On the other hand, a lot of smaller investors, angels, family offices, and others, might not be easy to find and thus it would be good for them to attend. Good to see the Cleantech Open has made its way to Australia!
2:06 PM