3 ms·

just because you're good at one thing, doesn't mean you're good at everything. Marc has a terrible record as an entrepreneur and director. 1. Netscape = crush

just because you're good at one thing, doesn't mean you're good at everything. Marc has a terrible record as an entrepreneur and director. 1. Netscape = crushed by Microsoft 2. Loudcloud = six years as a publicly traded company. ZERO profit[1]. 3. Ning = raised $119M. crashed and burned (acquired by glam)[2]. 4. HP = "he's been there since HP's recent descent into chaos: firing CEO Mark Hurd, hiring Leo Apotheker, the $11 billion Autonomy acquisition debacle, firing Apotheker, hiring Meg Whitman, and the accusation that HP found $5 billion of alleged fraud on Autonomy's books. Last month two HP board members stepped down and Ray Lane resigned his chairmanship after they were almost ousted directly by shareholders at the company's annual meeting. Shareholders slapped Andreessen's wrist, too. Thirty percent voted to fire him."[3] [1]http://www.siliconbeat.com/2009/06/17/the-curious-case-of-marc-andreessen/ http://www.siliconbeat.com/2009/06/17/the-curious-case-of-ma... [2]http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-20002611-36.html http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-20002611-36.html [3]http://www.businessinsider.com/marc-andreessen-loves-meg-whitman-2013-4 http://www.businessinsider.com/marc-andreessen-loves-meg-whi...

dkuntz2 13y ago
But there's at least some proof that you're able to do something. With Siegler, there isn't proof that he's able to do something. I'm not saying Andreessen is good at everything, all I'm saying is that he's done something before.
- sinnerswing 13y ago
  Then explain Michael Moritz's success.
ghshephard 13y ago
The companies he's founded have done pretty darn well for shareholders though. Netscape was sold for $4Billion, and, on the last day of trading, was worth $10Billion. Not bad for a 5 year old company. Loudcloud/Opsware (which was really managed more by Ben than Marc) started it's growth spurt _just_ as the entire dot com bust took place. Loudcloud Went public as the market was in freefall - it's amazing they even got it out. About 1/3 the company was sold to EDS, and another 1/2 was laid off - leaving only 100 or so employees to form the ashes of OPSW. I remember Marc's infamous "Sharp Left Turn" speech (this what before "pivot" became part of the common vernacular in the valley) before the company the next morning, when he rallied the troops around the idea of building a software company - where He and Ben basically executed an emergency maneuver, and converted the services/platform/hosting company into a Software Company. Sold for $1.6 Billion, all cash deal. Took eight years for that exit. There aren't that many entrepreneurs who've had two $1B+ exits, so I would suggest your statement, "Marc has a terrible record as an entrepreneur..." - is flawed.
- sinnerswing 13y ago
  I have to say I agree with you. Selling businesses at the brink of collapse for $1B+ is admirable.

dkuntz2 13y ago

But there's at least some proof that you're able to do something. With Siegler, there isn't proof that he's able to do something. I'm not saying Andreessen is good at everything, all I'm saying is that he's done something before.

sinnerswing 13y ago
Then explain Michael Moritz's success.

ghshephard 13y ago

The companies he's founded have done pretty darn well for shareholders though. Netscape was sold for $4Billion, and, on the last day of trading, was worth $10Billion. Not bad for a 5 year old company. Loudcloud/Opsware (which was really managed more by Ben than Marc) started it's growth spurt _just_ as the entire dot com bust took place. Loudcloud Went public as the market was in freefall - it's amazing they even got it out. About 1/3 the company was sold to EDS, and another 1/2 was laid off - leaving only 100 or so employees to form the ashes of OPSW. I remember Marc's infamous "Sharp Left Turn" speech (this what before "pivot" became part of the common vernacular in the valley) before the company the next morning, when he rallied the troops around the idea of building a software company - where He and Ben basically executed an emergency maneuver, and converted the services/platform/hosting company into a Software Company. Sold for $1.6 Billion, all cash deal. Took eight years for that exit. There aren't that many entrepreneurs who've had two $1B+ exits, so I would suggest your statement, "Marc has a terrible record as an entrepreneur..." - is flawed.

sinnerswing 13y ago
I have to say I agree with you. Selling businesses at the brink of collapse for $1B+ is admirable.