When to Raise Capital

11th July, 2013 No Comments Blog , Fundraising

Entrepreneurs often ask, “when is the right time to raise capital?”  Generally, they are asking about the best timing for approaching venture capitalists and/or professional angel investors for a new equity financing. I think there are really only three answers to this question, though there are nuances to each answer: To accelerate growth:  You are […]

Smart Data, the Next Big [Data] Thing

21st January, 2013 No Comments Blog , Fundraising , Portfolio

Sailthru, a current Gotham Ventures portfolio company, just announced a $19 million Series B investment led by Benchmark Capital.  Gotham participated in the funding, having led the seed round for Sailthru in 2010 and participated in the A round last year.  Prior co-investors RRE and AOL Ventures also participated.  I’m excited about the funding and […]

The VC Seed Bogeyman

22nd November, 2012 No Comments Blog , Fundraising , Venture Capital

There is a popular discussion, which occasionally becomes a debate, about the risks inherent in taking seed financing from a venture capital firm (as opposed to taking it exclusively from angel investors).  The most commonly-cited “risk” is that of signaling:  if the VC firm does not invest in the company’s subsequent (Series A) financing, no […]

Financing as a Means to an End

3rd September, 2012 No Comments Blog , Fundraising , Venture Capital

All too often, I read or hear about a company receiving angel or venture capital financing as if the new funding were an end in itself – an accomplishment indicating success.  Stories in the popular press and casual observers might remark that a company has been “funded,” as though its future is thereby secure.  To […]