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On Thu, Dec 14, 2006 at 09:27:14AM +0000, Aaron Trevena wrote: > That's still very few and far between. I don't think there is a single > UK open source company with VC Backing. > > I've worked for a few of VC Backed companies (before, during and after > the dot.com bubble), not one of them seemed to have backers who > understood what they had invested in, and at least one managed to do > more harm than good by interfering in how the business was run. > That does not surprise me. From the VC perspective if the business seems good they will invest: remember they are looking at it from a portfolio approach. Don't look at VC funding as dumb financing. You are basically selling your company to them and agreeing to work for them. If you are not happy with that then do not accept the money from that VC. Find another (easier said than done) Question: is an opensource company a software company, or a service company? The company cannot get rich selling software: that is free. In my opinion the revenue can only really come from providing support and if so that is a totally different model and different company. Take for example RedHat: I still do not understand that company's business. Microsoft I can understand but not RedHat. As an example I note Oracle's decision to start selling linux software and support (or did I read that wrong) > I also worked with some friends on a business plan, seeking VC > backing, dealing with the networking companies that 'connect you' with > backers was a joke, the agent was more interested in investing than > the VC he was showcasing the project to. There are a lot of horror stories. Any middleman will try to get their cut of the cake and I do not really understand what value they add to a good VC. If they are a source of funds and you are happy with them.. > > Sorry, but UK VC lacks the vitality, quality and availability of what > is available in the US - I don't think we have a single UK based VC > that you could compare to those in the US like Guy Kawasaki, and the > ex-microsoft/hp/etc business angels. > Yes it is a much bigger market and while competition can be much tougher there are more niches to occupy. -- Henry Thu Dec 14 10:03:51 GMT 2006
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