Navigating Investor Involvement in Startups | 14min snip from "Turpentine VC"

Get the app

E41: Do VCs Add Value? With Parker Conrad and Parker Thompson

"Turpentine VC" | Venture Capital and Investing

chevron_right

notes

CHAPTER

Navigating Investor Involvement in Startups

This chapter explores the complex role of investors in startups, discussing the balance between advice and decision-making. It touches on the value investors can bring beyond finances, including insights on recruiting, branding, and reputation management. The conversation also warns against overestimating the influence of individual investors and emphasizes the importance of strategic investor relationships.

00:00

Transcript

chevron_right

Play full episode

chevron_right

Transcript

Episode notes

Today's episode of Turpentine VC is a throwback to a conversation Erik Torenberg recorded with Parker Conrad and Parker Thompson that debates how much "value-add" investors can offer founders, issues around the misalignment between investors and founders, and the underdiscussed factors that influence VC deals. Parker Conrad is the co-founder and CEO of Rippling (and co-founder/CEO of Zenefits) and Parker Thompson is a current partner at SAX Capital (formerly Partner at Angellist). The conversation was recorded in 2018. Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.

🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj

SPONSORS:

🧲 Learn why Craft, Bedrock, NEA and 100s more trust Harmonic’s data to source deals. Harmonic is the most complete startup database, finding new companies as soon as they incorporate and tracking them through IPO. Head to https://bit.ly/harmonicturpentine (and make sure to mention Turpentine VC during your demo.)

💥 Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to https://choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.

This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.

RECOMMENDED PODCASTS: The 10x Capital Podcast

If you like Turpentine VC, check out our show The 10x Capital Podcast with David Weisburd, where David talks to the investors behind the investors: https://10xcapitalpodcast.com/.

ECON 102 W/ NOAH SMITH

Keeping econ entertaining - Noahpinion author Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg break down business news and politics every week.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1696419056

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6q7Gn5lP8TTtBPuV1NJSGs

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

00:46 The Mystery of Startup Bill Jackson: Unraveling the Twitter Persona

(02:11) Investor Insights: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

(05:51) The Role of Investors: From Therapists to Strategists

(08:18) Brand Power and The Investor's Influence

(09:15) The Board Pleasing their LPs

(18:57)Navigating Founder-Investor Dynamics: A Real Talk