How to get funded by Howard Hartenbaum

Forbes Midas List VC and partner at August Capital says it's a good time to invest


Investor interview by Bambi Francisco Roizen
December 8, 2009 | Comments (3)
Short URL: http://vator.tv/n/c40

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It's often said that startup founders should choose their venture capitalists wisely because the partnership is like a marriage. The two sides have to work together and stick it out with one another for better or worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, until... a funding gap or exit do they part. 

That's why for Howard Hartenbaum, venture capitalist at August Capital who's also on the Forbes Midas List of top Venture Capitalists, the team is the biggest factor when considering an investment in a startup.

"Once you put money in, it’s like a marriage. Once you’re in, you’re hooked," said Howard, in this second part of our three-part interview. (See first interview, in which Howard talks about why he invested in Swoopo and Pixazza)

Many investors consider "big market, core technology and defensible position," he added. "The big focus [for me] is on the people... the hardest thing is to have the right people there."

In this segment, Howard, who's well known as the first investor in Skype, also talks about "what sets him off."

And, what turns him off is simply stupidity. 

Surprisingly, many entrepreneurs admit that the reason they're starting a company is because they "want to make a lot of money," he said. They even explicitly say, "It's my turn to make money." This is a "No, No." And, a definite turn off. In many ways, it's akin to a woman saying to a man that the only reason she's in the relationship is to be married. 

He also doesn't like people or teams who just come together and decide to build a new company. These type of teams tend to never last, he said.

What he's looking for are people who've been experts in a space and who've discovered a new and improved way of doing their jobs or the process.

In this interview, Howard also talks a little bit about how the venture capital world has changed and why it's a much more interesting time to invest today than it was two years ago.

 


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Description: Founded in 1995, August Capital is a leading venture capital firm actively investing in entrepreneurial teams throughout the information ...
Bio: Howard Hartenbaum joined August Capital in 2008. 

Prior to joining, he served as a General Partner at Draper Richards LP where he was t...

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3 comments

MyLocator.com  ®
MyLocator.com ®, 101 days ago
a friend of a friend to bring a vc a game changing startup is like waiting to get hit by lightning. this may explain why the valley is full of funded garbage startups and their failure rate is as high as 80%. you need a "broad view" and "open mind" as to where tech is going and postition your investments to capitalize on the ever changing landscape. keeping windows of opportunity closed and waiting for a friend to knock on your door with a game changer startup is wishful thinking.

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Comment_gbg
Patrick Moore, 100 days ago
2 Questions to Howard: 1)How are you giving back to the entrepreneur community? How are you making it possible for anyone to check you out and interview you? Good or bad - I am not spending effort trying get to anyone who makes it difficult. I understand that you are busy, but other VCs make an effort to accessible. For example, Rick Segal, while he was a VC, offered 30 minute no-harm-no-foul meetings. ( http://ricksegal.typepad.com/pmv/2005/10/web_20_a_check.html ) The understanding between Rick and the entrepreneur was that the meeting was NOT a pitch, but rather an opportunity to get a pitch vetted. Do you do something that contributes back? 2) If August Capital will investing in any good idea with a good team, it sounds like August Capital brings little operational knowledge to the table. Is this correct, or did I miss something?

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Jennifer Christian
Jennifer Christian, 87 days ago
At least Howard is telling it like it is...Getting funded is largely who you know and who knows you! Angel groups and their multitude of 30-60 second "pitch" contests were always a waste of my time because few people in the panels knew anything about my industry, but my Friends and Family investors far exceeded my expectations because they do know me, my integrity, and my expertise in my field. I know I am not the only Entreprenuer who has wasted too much time trying to break into the venture community without knowing some of the players and I wish more of the angel and venture community shared some of Howard sentiments. In my experience, there has seldom been enough attention paid to where the business ideas originated, what stage of the business we are in, or our team's heart, commitment and character.

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