4 ms·

I love MGs writing and from what I know of him (admittedly just online through TechCrunch), he seems like a cool guy. But I'm failing to see how being a (great

by timjahn 15y ago

I love MGs writing and from what I know of him (admittedly just online through TechCrunch), he seems like a cool guy. But I'm failing to see how being a (great) writer translates into being a VC?

staunch 15y ago
They'll do well because they'll be able to get into the hot deals.
vaksel 15y ago
yeah agreed, in fact I'd say it's the wrong type of person for the job. a writer on techcrunch tends to cover hype products with no real value a VC on the other hand invests money into products that have to make money
- jasonshen 15y ago
  That's a pretty cynical view of TC writers and a pretty generous view of VC's. I'd say on balance both tech writers and investors have overlapping considerations. Writers want to cover important / relevant companies, which sometimes means writing about what "everyone is talking about". VCs want to produce returns for their LP's, but just as often get fooled by "hype" by products that are unlikely to make money.
- phil 15y ago
  Being a good investor is basically about "deal flow" and good judgment. Seems like writing for the tech press gives you lots of practice at both.
  - vaksel 15y ago
    yes, but all of that is brought to the table by Arrington
    - lurker19 15y ago
      MG has been a successful Arrington employee/teammate for years, so... Jessica never sold a startup, but seems to do fine on a VC team.
  - timjahn 15y ago
    Good point. Definitely makes more sense after some of the points folks have brought up here.
rhizome 15y ago
Access to gossip. Startups helping other startups by integrating the other's or the same technology(s) is a very real force of business. Knowing how the board is wired has investment benefits.
- timjahn 15y ago
  Very true. I suppose the knowledge gained from writing about the companies can be as useful as the knowledge gained having run his own company.
flocial 15y ago
Every VC needs an Apple columnist. He has a good eye for what's hot and lots of leads so that should be useful to a VC, especially with these inflated valuations a service's "hotness" just might be the determinant for high returns. Wouldn't trust his analytical skills though.
pg 15y ago
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Moritz http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Moritz
- abiekatz 15y ago
  Mike Moritz' biggest mistake (according to a 2000 interview with Forbes): Not getting into the VC business sooner. http://www.forbes.com/asap/2000/0529/098_4.html http://www.forbes.com/asap/2000/0529/098_4.html

by timjahn 15y ago

I love MGs writing and from what I know of him (admittedly just online through TechCrunch), he seems like a cool guy. But I'm failing to see how being a (great) writer translates into being a VC?

staunch 15y ago

They'll do well because they'll be able to get into the hot deals.

vaksel 15y ago

yeah agreed, in fact I'd say it's the wrong type of person for the job. a writer on techcrunch tends to cover hype products with no real value a VC on the other hand invests money into products that have to make money

jasonshen 15y ago
That's a pretty cynical view of TC writers and a pretty generous view of VC's. I'd say on balance both tech writers and investors have overlapping considerations. Writers want to cover important / relevant companies, which sometimes means writing about what "everyone is talking about". VCs want to produce returns for their LP's, but just as often get fooled by "hype" by products that are unlikely to make money.
phil 15y ago
Being a good investor is basically about "deal flow" and good judgment. Seems like writing for the tech press gives you lots of practice at both.
- vaksel 15y ago
  yes, but all of that is brought to the table by Arrington
  - lurker19 15y ago
    MG has been a successful Arrington employee/teammate for years, so... Jessica never sold a startup, but seems to do fine on a VC team.
- timjahn 15y ago
  Good point. Definitely makes more sense after some of the points folks have brought up here.

rhizome 15y ago

Access to gossip. Startups helping other startups by integrating the other's or the same technology(s) is a very real force of business. Knowing how the board is wired has investment benefits.

timjahn 15y ago
Very true. I suppose the knowledge gained from writing about the companies can be as useful as the knowledge gained having run his own company.

flocial 15y ago

Every VC needs an Apple columnist. He has a good eye for what's hot and lots of leads so that should be useful to a VC, especially with these inflated valuations a service's "hotness" just might be the determinant for high returns. Wouldn't trust his analytical skills though.

pg 15y ago

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Moritz http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Moritz

abiekatz 15y ago
Mike Moritz' biggest mistake (according to a 2000 interview with Forbes): Not getting into the VC business sooner. http://www.forbes.com/asap/2000/0529/098_4.html http://www.forbes.com/asap/2000/0529/098_4.html