A VC in Vacationland
Seeking the next gen supply chain technology breakthroughs
recent posts
- The Role of Generative AI in Supply Chain Investment Strategies
- AI’s Impact on Supply Chain Investment Strategies
- The ‘New Normal’ is now the ‘No Normal’ in Supply Chains
- SRR—Sustainability, Resilience, Risk Management: The Latest Supply Chain Buzzwords & Investment Opportunities
- 3PLs–Investing in the Next Generation of Outsourced Supply Chain Solutions
about
Category: Venture Capital
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For at least as long as I am alive… Supply Chain Ventures is both an early- and late stage investor. AI is having a significant impact on how we evaluate potential startups as well as mentor existing portcos. The following thoughts focus on how we are going to have to manage our investment decision processes…
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We are often asked why we don't invest in 'hot' supply chain spaces–digital freight networks, local delivery companies, etc. It's just not true that we do not invest in these spaces. We just do not invest in 'me too' companies that have no differentiation among the competitors. We have looked at over twenty-five DFNs in…
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"The invention of the ship was also the invention of the shipwreck" Paul Virilio French Technologist and Philosopher, 1932-2018 We've always used the principle of…
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There is no one way to manage portfolio companies. In some, we are on the BOD and in almost daily contact with the founders; in others, we are a passive investor getting quarterly updates, and in others somewhere in between. Why the difference? Some companies need a lot of help, especially if they are fast…
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Like a lot of due diligence questions, it depends. There are different approaches depending on the level of advancement of the startup. I’ll focus here on what I call ‘Day One’ startups. This is when someone approaches you with an idea but has done no work building anything. I have a number of companies like this…
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This is a question I answered today, probably for the 4th time. The anonymous person asking said: "They asked for your deck, never read or open it, tells you off or too early." Sigh…aside from not commenting on the lack of care in getting the language right, here's my response: I ALWAYS am polite to…
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The amount of Due Diligence (or DD, in VC parlance) done on founders and entrepreneurs varies widely among investment firms. Some do deep Kroll background searches, others a quick Google name check or use a cheapo service like Been Verified, or…do nothing. The risk of following the 'do nothing' strategy was highlighted in an article the morning…
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I get asked this question a lot. Here's a short list They keep their promises–like taking their prorata and/or leading subsequent rounds They provide strategic value–introductions to other investors, potential clients and channel partners They keep their nose out of the operational side of your business–they focus on helping you define the right strategy for…
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We often get asked the question: What do you look for in an investment? Although I’m sure every VC can have a different take on the subject, here are our key factors: Idea— we rarely see a bad idea, but often a poor business model. The idea, however, is the driving force behind what will…
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cbinsights had an interesting article on startups investing in startups recently. What caught my eye was the investment by Flipkart and Accel Partners in Zinka Logistics. What's this all about? Poor logistics operations by FlipKart, it seems… According to inc42.com, Bangalore-based online marketplace for freight transportation booking Zinka Logistics (formerly Blackbuck), has raised about $6 Mn from Flipkart and…
A VC in Vacationland 