Abstract launches private alpha to redesign the design process
A few weeks ago, one of our newest portfolio companies, Abstract, launched their Private Alpha. You can read co-founder Josh Brewer’s announcement here. Josh was previously the principal designer at Twitter. Abstract is building a common infrastructure to support the modern design workflow. If you’re a digital designer, you’ve probably run into some or all of these challenges: […]
How to start making sense of your data
Now more than ever, companies are collecting large amounts of data at a high frequency. This is thanks to cheap storage and a multitude of tools available to automate the process (i.e. Google Analytics, Flurry, Mixpanel, etc.). While collecting data is one thing, finding meaning or actionable insights is another task altogether. Over the past […]
Founders’ talents are the essential ingredients for your start-up
Over the years as an investor, I have come to realize just how much a start-ups’s DNA is driven by the original founders. The personalities, strengths, and focus of those first founders shape a business long after the individuals have moved on. In the early days, it is incredibly hard for a founding team to […]
Investors need to actually use their portfolio products
PayPal President David Marcus recently stirred up the hornet’s nest with a memo scolding employees for not installing and using the PayPal app. In part, the email read: “Everyone at PayPal should use our products where available. That’s the only way we can make them better, and better.” (you can read the complete text of […]
A good story is the key to any pitch
When it comes to putting together your pitch deck and preparing for an investor meeting, there are countless articles and advice you can refer to. For example, we have a list of articles on our Resources page (see under “Pitching”). And one of my favourite blog posts is Tomasz Tunguz’ “7 questions a startup should answer […]