20 VC 070: Do Investors in California Outperform The Rest of The World with Eric ver Ploeg @ Recursive Capital
The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch
The Twenty Minute VC
4.4 • 637 Ratings
🗓️ 9 September 2015
⏱️ 30 minutes
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Summary
Eric ver Ploeg has sat on both sides of the table as an entrepreneur and a VC. Eric started his career as an entrepreneur with the founding of Adknowledge, the 1st internet ad serving company, which was sold for $193m. He then went on to Angara, a Kleiner Perkins backed startup which led to his move into venture with VantagePoint, where he led VantagePoint's investment activities in the mobile arena, leading over $160m in investments. Eric is also a fantastic writer and his articles can be found on Medium here!
In Today's Episode You Will Learn:
1.) How Eric made the move from Angara, Kleiner Perkins company, to his role in venture?
2.) How being a founder affected how Eric interacted and invested in startups?
3.) How can founders learn the skills of interacting with their investors and board?
4.) What makes the hot companies, hot and the others struggle?
5.) Does Eric agree with startups raising a 'warchest' of funds if they can? How can startups determine what is the right amount to raise?
6.) Why are SF angels so much more successful than other investors? What do they have that other do not?
Items Mentioned In Today's Show:
Eric's Fave Book: The Lean Startup by Eric Ries, Crossing The Chasm by Geoffrey Moore
Eric's Fave Newsletter or Blog: Tomasz Tunguz
Research and analysis provided by CB Insights
As always you can follow Harry, The Twenty Minute VC and Eric on Twitter here?
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This is the 20 minute VC with your host Harry Stebbings and following from our interview with the legend Jeff Clavier, |
| 0:06.2 | we are staying firmly in the valley for today's show as we interview the phenomenal Eric Vaplew. |
| 0:11.8 | Eric has exceptional experience on both sides of the table, having started two companies himself, |
| 0:17.8 | including Angara, a Kleiner Perkins back startup, and the first internet ad |
| 0:23.1 | serving company, Ad Knowledge, which was sold for $193 million. |
| 0:28.6 | He then made his move intervention, where he has led over 160 million in investments, predominantly |
| 0:34.1 | in the mobile arena. |
| 0:35.9 | I'm also a huge fan of Eric's writing, which you can find on Medium by searching for Eric Vplu, or by clicking the links in the show notes. |
| 0:43.3 | But before we start today's interview, this is a very momentous episode for the 20-minute VC, as it signifies the end of our sponsorship with hiring screen. |
| 0:52.3 | It has been an honour to have them sponsoring the show, and they've provided me with far more than just my assistant Jackie. |
| 0:58.0 | I can safely say they have become firm friends. |
| 1:01.0 | Hiring Screen, it's been absolutely fantastic. |
| 1:04.0 | And for any potential sponsors, if you feel your product or service would align with our audience, |
| 1:09.0 | hit me up at harry at the 20 minute VC.com, all in letters. |
| 1:14.8 | But back to the day's show, and it is with great pleasure that I introduced to you, Eric Vaplew. |
| 1:20.8 | Three, two, one, zero. |
| 1:26.1 | You have now arrived at your destination. |
| 1:28.9 | Well, Eric Vaplew is an absolute pleasure to have you on the 20 minute VC. |
| 1:33.3 | Thank you so much for joining us today. |
| 1:35.1 | Thanks for having me here. |
| 1:36.4 | I'd love to kick off today's show by hearing a little about your background |
| 1:40.1 | and how you made your move from CEO of a Kleiner Perkins-backed Angara to making your move |
... |
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