Mobile Point View by Paul Ruppert

Mobile Influencers--VCs in Mobile: Tim Chang, Norwest Partner

Mobile Point View's First Podcast !  Readers--now listeners--here is the first Mobile Point View podcast with my friend Tim Chang of Norwest Partners, a 'silicon valley' venture capital firm with a strong emphasis on the mobile / wireless segment. Tim's a true 'Mobile Influencer' and I couldn't have a more knowledgeable guest for my first podcast.

Click on the arrow  to listen to my podcast with Tim Chang

For you traditionalists, here are my 'show notes' from the podcast:

• How to become a Venture Capitalist
• How Does Norwest Partners Differentiate itself from all the others in the mobile or wireless venture game?
• Are venture cycles aligned with the mobile industry development period?
• Where does the N. American market rank globally?
• What are the hottest segments of mobile right now, i.e., advertising, LBS, search, etc.?
• Why is mobile a 'mid-tail' development period, and what is it's hype cycle
• What is "mobile social placecasting"?

 

VC Funding: 10+ Steps for Fledgling Entrepreneurs

Tip of the hat to three Venture Capital focused bloggers in assisting in the process of securing VC funding.

I've helped raise VC funds in two successful start ups, served two years as an Independent Director on a US$160 million revenue company, and now serve on three advisory boards for mobile tech companies, and I think these three sites provide outstanding information for fledgling entrepreneurs seeking venture funding.

Burnham's Beat is written by Bill Burnham, who runs the hedge fund Inductive Capital. Bill is a former VC, and he provides an excellent illumination of the initial fundamentals in approaching VCs for OPM in his post last month "Ten Pragmatic Steps to Raising Venture Capital."  The post includes basics such as presentation outlines, gaining clues and texture on the VCs you're targeting, and sources of information on paticular VCs and partners.

Another site I've been reading and recommend as well is Soaring on Ridgelift written by Stu Phillips of Ridgelift Ventures. Two valuable recent posts are "The Pitch Deck" which covers how to craft a VC pitch, and "The List of Four Lists" which is a good strategy to pursue before you walk into the pitch meeting.

The Funded, turns the tables on the subject of VC funding and the process behind it. This site provides frontline insight from successful venture fund raisers with a compilation and ratings of over 3600 VCs and the partners they worked with. A very valuable insight to have as you walk into the pitch.

As Sun Tzu said: "Know thyself. Know thy enemy. Do not fear 100 battles." I've recommended all three sites to enterpreneurs who have been approaching me recently me for assistance, and I recommend them to you, too. 

VC Pilgrimage: Sand Hill Road, HBS and Chindia

My Pilgrimage to VC Mecca