All Blog Comments

Daniele Mesker - How to Minimize Politics in Your Company

Daniele Mesker — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 18:12:36 +0000

My cousin just emailed me a link to this post and I have to say that it's been a while since I read something through from start to finish. I am a blogger myself and there is a lot of bad writing out there. Thanks. It was a brilliant way to start my day.

bhorowitz - Why Andreessen Horowitz Just Raised $650,000,000

bhorowitz — Thu, 4 Nov 2010 18:17:52 +0000

Thanks. Just to be clear, all of the women in the firm, most of all the incomparable Margit Wennmachers are there because they are the best in the world at what they do. It's an honor to work with all of them.

bhorowitz - Why Andreessen Horowitz Just Raised $650,000,000

bhorowitz — Thu, 4 Nov 2010 18:12:43 +0000

I am a big fan. In fact, the hiphop quote often comes first and the post second :-)

bhorowitz - Why Andreessen Horowitz Just Raised $650,000,000

bhorowitz — Thu, 4 Nov 2010 17:54:51 +0000

Thanks!

bhorowitz - Why Andreessen Horowitz Just Raised $650,000,000

bhorowitz — Thu, 4 Nov 2010 17:54:31 +0000

We look forward to it!

bhorowitz - How to Minimize Politics in Your Company

bhorowitz — Thu, 4 Nov 2010 17:53:04 +0000

I really don't have relevant experience running non-profits, but people tell me that the dynamics are quite complex.

Dave Govan - Hiring Executives: If You’ve Never Done the Job, How Do You Hire Somebody Good?

Dave Govan — Thu, 4 Nov 2010 14:36:20 +0000

Excellent blog. I mentioned the post in my latest blog series on establishing credibility for new companies.

Ken Chuah - How to Minimize Politics in Your Company

Ken Chuah — Thu, 4 Nov 2010 08:05:54 +0000

Great article to share!! How about minimizing politics in a non-profit organization? Can you share your thought on this topic?

Guest - Why Andreessen Horowitz Just Raised $650,000,000

Guest — Thu, 4 Nov 2010 05:24:05 +0000

Ben, You were also wise to hire a very bright, capable woman into AH. Double kudos for making her part of your premier investing team. AH is among the first movers in this regard -- the rest of Valley and Alley should take note. Rock (and invest > exit) on!

@BrianSHall - Why Andreessen Horowitz Just Raised $650,000,000

@BrianSHall — Thu, 4 Nov 2010 04:53:43 +0000

Because of the smartphone. The future of personal computing. "The smartphone is the computer!"

Andrew - Why Andreessen Horowitz Just Raised $650,000,000

Andrew — Thu, 4 Nov 2010 00:53:09 +0000

We're about to go live with our beta at the end of this month. It is good to hear of a potential for new funds. Used to be that startups could stand on their merits but nowadays without solid investment many great ideas never see the light at the consumer end of the cables. We'll be one of the cue at your door very shortly :)

Jason Calacanis - Why Andreessen Horowitz Just Raised $650,000,000

Jason Calacanis — Wed, 3 Nov 2010 22:52:44 +0000

Well done! Also, a very well thought out strategy in terms of stage agnostic. I think we'll see other firms follow this strategy and companies whip from angel around to exit/scale rounds in under five years (like Groupon, Facebook, Twitter and Zynga did).

@TRONlX - Why Andreessen Horowitz Just Raised $650,000,000

@TRONlX — Wed, 3 Nov 2010 22:49:17 +0000

Thanks for answering the questions that were on everyone's mind. After reading this post, and seeing that you guys take the wise position of being stage agnostic, I've taken the liberty of sending an email regarding PennyGrabber as an investment opportunity. Hopefully you like what you read and hope to hear back from you.

Steve Turner - Why Andreessen Horowitz Just Raised $650,000,000

Steve Turner — Wed, 3 Nov 2010 19:47:39 +0000

Wow--

Congratulations!!

Got a real "outlier" of a mobile infrastructure staert-up for your your Big Mind:

It has a carrier-grade solution for Mobile Data-Tsunami Offload-to-Super WiFi (not FCC "white space" version, but true 802.11n/xx WiFi): Blu-Linx Technology

Founders have a proprietary technology, (comercial roll-out ready R&D done) to run Metro-Wide Super WiFi Network with 3G/4G functionality (mobile operator-branded value added services-over-WiFi,):

subscriber experiences transparent automatic roaming, like CDMA-to-GSM.

The super WiFi antenna (1-2 mi range) are out of Tel Aviv: GoNets, check it out; "enterprise-facing" per-IP session-based rev. model. With est. 700% incr. data traffic in 5 yrs., LTE/4G = not enough

[apologies for the impertinance, but we have no connect into you really awesome personages/sages, so "faint heart never won fair game"]

Again, Congratulations on the Awesome Money Raise

Matthew Davis - Why Andreessen Horowitz Just Raised $650,000,000

Matthew Davis — Wed, 3 Nov 2010 17:24:04 +0000

I guess my comment didn't make the cut. What if we took a look at investing from a different view. What if there was people with so many good ideas and the management skills to follow through on alot of them happen. Then the investment would be in the person and not in any single company. I realize this investment model is more risky, but if you could find someone who proved themselves, then the pay offs could be far great. Just a thought from an entrepreneur who finds making money and products easy without any investment.

Tom - Why Andreessen Horowitz Just Raised $650,000,000

Tom — Wed, 3 Nov 2010 16:59:15 +0000

4) Gee, that was fast. Have you even invested fund 1 yet? -- That leads to a few questions: Is all of the $300M gone from the first fund? Was some of the $650M already spent before you received it? Are there other companies from your angel days that you plan to invest more in with this fund or were all of those accommodated in the first fund? 5) Looking forward: -- Adding entrepreneurs in residence will expand AH's capabilities without adding GPs or partners. IMHO.

Tom - Why Andreessen Horowitz Just Raised $650,000,000

Tom — Wed, 3 Nov 2010 16:58:56 +0000

1) Why raise $650M? -- Good size for three general partners. 2) Why raise $650M? I heard you guys could raise at least $1.5B? -- There are those that become overwhelmed with more funds, but your Angel experience gives you added experience and your high profile would not have let you slip on quality investments. 3) Why only one fund? Why not separate growth and venture funds? -- Investors are well aware of the risks of different funds, but they also know that all the eggs in one basket carry its risks as well. Separate funds also let investors choose which amount goes into which fund giving them more control as to how their money will be risked. AH does not give investors that option. The comeback is that they do not have to invest with AH, but history has given us examples of "Holier than Thou" VCs who have fell from their perch. I think that you guys should review the multiple fund approach. You could also hire GPs that have specific experience for each fund; allowing you (F/MGP) to expand your effectiveness.

hdemott - Why Andreessen Horowitz Just Raised $650,000,000

hdemott — Wed, 3 Nov 2010 16:28:12 +0000

Thanks for the post today. There are very few people who can do all stages of investing because very few people actually have experience across all the investment classes. As someone who has worked at various hedge funds - and done everything from seed stage VC to distressed debt at the end of a company's life (Pandora to Tribune currently) and everything in between, I'm always amazed by the stratification in the investment world. Investing is investing - and while the role of the investor changes as the companies become bigger (more governance issues) - the basics of making good investments don't change - great teams, great products or services, great execution. You may focus more on one of this spectrum depending on the investment - but it is always the same. Congrats on the fund.

MrStartup - Why Andreessen Horowitz Just Raised $650,000,000

MrStartup — Wed, 3 Nov 2010 16:16:05 +0000

Hey Ben - Congrats on the fund! I do have a random question though. Are you a huge fan of hiphop? That little Wayne quote is a pretty popular song and I noticed that every post you find a quote thats just awesome!

Matthew Davis - Why Andreessen Horowitz Just Raised $650,000,000

Matthew Davis — Wed, 3 Nov 2010 16:06:49 +0000

I laid out the plan to be the very best company with the vision, follow through and leadership to make it happen. Hope to chat soon.