The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch 20 VC 079: BETAWORKS WEEK: East vs West Coast Investing with Peter Rojas, EIR @ Betaworks, Co-Founder @ Weblogs & Engadget
Oct 14, 2015
Peter Rojas, an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Betaworks, co-founded popular tech sites like Engadget and Joystiq. He shares his fascinating journey from tech journalist to venture capitalist. Rojas contrasts the dynamic ecosystems of the East and West Coast, highlighting unique startup experiences and funding environments. He also discusses his role at Betaworks and the growing popularity of Entrepreneur-in-Residence positions. Finally, he delves into the intricacies of venture capital, including deal sourcing and the significance of networks in the industry.
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From Journalist To Founder
- Peter Rojas started as a technology journalist at Red Herring and launched Gizmodo in 2002.
- He later co-founded Weblogs Inc., oversaw Engadget, and sold the company to AOL in 2005.
EIR Role On The West Coast
- Betaworks hired Peter as an EIR to represent their DNA on the West Coast.
- He advises portfolio companies and helps source seed deals while based in San Francisco.
Studio As A Differentiator
- Betaworks differentiates through its studio operations and deep operational expertise.
- Founders gain access to product, acquisition, and monetization know-how beyond typical seed investors.
