Want to give a shout out to some of my favorite programs that help teens to have agency in their education! I recommend these to teens who are looking to do an independent study high school year.


Worked with a 14 year old whose private high school said she could take a gap year but wouldn't count any of her time away from the classroom towards her 10th grade year. Total bullshit. Enroll somewhere that counts project/real life learning for credit.


Great groups for teens!

Entrepreneur/maker groups: @theksociety; @NextGenHQ; @beondeck; @MLHacks (get sponsored to travel and go learn at hackathons!)

Schools that will consider outside learning for educational credit:
@soraschools
@AcademyIndustry
beachhigh.education/


What favs am I missing?


I love Hack Club so much!!! Great addition! Can't believe I forgot them!


Also reading The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education written in 1991. Curious to see how it holds up over time! If anyone wants to bookclub this with me, grab a copy (sadly out of print so expensive) and we'll do a Clubhouse on it.


Already done!


@InquilineKea Fascinating! Yeah I’m curious to see what I think of it. Did you like anything else in the same vein?


Rest rest rest!


Love SPARC!


@ReichartsRant @InquilineKea I did not know this about you -- fun new Reichart fact! When? Why? etc? Details!


How does this differ from T&I?


@ReichartsRant @InquilineKea I knew I always liked you :)


Fabulous!!!


This makes me very happy :)

Replying to @Ki_fun_thoughts @InquilineKea


YES!!!! <3


Was just telling my dad last night that I used to forge my mom’s signature on my failed spelling test.

Ana Lorena Fabrega

                    @anafabrega11

                  28 May 2021

                Not failing as a kid sets you for failure as an adult.


@InquilineKea It really is child abuse and neglect.

How corporal punishment in K-12 isn’t federally banned is beyond me.

And this doesn’t even go into the emotional manipulation of things like “behavior modification” or the cruelty of bullying.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_corporal_punishment_in_the_United_States


Lol *tests* rather. Wish it were just one!


Never got caught and my third grade teacher thought I was the fair haired wonder…little did she know :)


Or successful. One of the best skills for founders to have.


💗💗💗

Favs! @2048vc @HustleFundVC @PrecursorVC

Alex Iskold | 2048.vc

                    @alexiskold

                  29 May 2021

                Someone asked me about up and coming / less obvious pre-seed and seed funds I recommend investing in:

Here is my list:

@FirstStarVC
@MatchstickVC
@1517fund
@ThisIsDynamo
@onewayvc
@startinglinevc

Who are your favorites (besides @2048vc of course 😃)?


Thanks brother! (will be in NYC next week — let’s do this!)

Replying to @alexiskold @FirstStarVC @MatchstickVC @1517fund @ThisIsDynamo @onewayvc @startinglinevc @2048vc


@shaklakhani Competition debate does have issues for sure (like all the stupid speed shit and winning on technicalities over actual argumentation) that spill onto the debaters into annoying characteristics.


Kinda reminds me of when I meet people who identify as “rationalists.” (And yes, I do love some of you but some of you…puh-lease)


@ReichartsRant


Did last night! So good!


@erikabim Gotta try it before recommending it! I have seen this whole tea + hot sauce thing, I’m intrigued!


@erikabim Ah yes! It’s 100% your fault that I know anything about this. So cool! Let me know how to order some to try! I love tea and I love hot sauce so I hope to love this :)


Visiting my dad’s family. My uncles are 81 and 86 — can’t hear well at all and are talking past each other. It’s kinda like a live zoom call — “CAN YOU HEAR ME?!?!”


My dad (71) was telling a story when my uncle (86) started talking over him. My dad, in typical Bostonian fashion yells, “Would you shut up?! You’re talking over me!” Without missing a beat my uncle exasperates, “But is it interesting?” Best show of not giving a fuck evah.


Who is giving out permission? I think founders and LPs make us investors. I’ll take a company tshirt over the uniform any day.

Replying to @Profentpscott @ComebackCapital @dunkhippo33 @BrianBrackeen @Jason @jaimalik @MacConwell @mowheeler


I can help with credits that can cover this if that’s helpful! Have the student DM me!


I’m anti establishment, not anti student. Thanks!


@alliemeka @prmurphy 🙏


Can someone invite me to Texts.com? Super excited to use this!

cc @TextsHQ


@dennismuellr @TextsHQ


@shriyanevatia could use one too!!


@prmurphy Hmm I have thought that Gen Z is quite anti establishment. Curious as to what you’re seeing!


Twitter, more of this please! 🦢 🐦

Michael Ashcroft

                    @m_ashcroft

                  1 Jun 2021

                Please enjoy some birdsong to cleanse your timeline


That was so lovely! Thank you!

Replying to @TheDanGreenwald @m_ashcroft


@octal I only trim the front claws and never had a problem skipping the back.


Where I fits I sits!


Definite no!


Eric Bahn 💛

                    @ericbahn

                  2 Jun 2021

                Who is making the ‘Impossible Foods’ for lumber?

We need something other than trees to build the homes of the future.


Considerate!

Shahed Khan

                    @shahedkhan

                  2 Jun 2021

                What is the term for someone who always stops the microwave at 0:01?

Asking for a friend.


@meiokubo Relationship with yourself is a relationship that always could use some work :)


Ja’dan Johnson

                    @jdanjohnson

                  3 Jun 2021

                My younger self would be so proud of who I am today.


To those who stayed with their parents over the pandemic — I salute you! Been home for a week and I had no idea the place was littered with eggshells. To make matters worse, the WiFi cuts out when the landline rings. Where am I? 1998?


@PezeshkiCharles


@PezeshkiCharles You’re not wrong!


Want to work on something important?


@joulee I’d make all bathrooms multi-stall. In the last couple of years I developed a little bit of a phobia about being locked in single stall bathrooms because the hardware malfunctions from over/improper use.


Happens all the time — so used to this narrative especially at Series A. Diversity in the cap table matters and the big dogs urging founders to push out smaller groups (which are often more diverse) from pro rata or to be included in a new round should be ashamed of themselves.

Jamie Lee Melzer@jleeku
                  4 Jun 2021

                I recently learned that a diverse group of angel investors that I am a part of had an opportunity to invest in an attractive growth stage deal... and the lead investor pushed them out (yes, they can do that).


My parents also started texting again over the pandemic. Kinda a trip!


All the feels!

Steve Schlafman

                    @schlaf

                  5 Jun 2021

                My parents got divorced in 1986.

I just went out to dinner with the both of them for the first time in 35+ years.

Talk about a mind fuck.


I’ve also seen it happen where not only is there zero allocation for others but that “their buddy who is such a value add” must be made room for. Really sickening behavior.


When we raised Fund II we pitched an endowment that focuses on diversity and inclusion. On the plus side, they took a meeting. But they won’t go in on funds under $100M. If D&I is truly important you can’t insist that your underrepresented GPs start at the top. Grow the group!


@joelgrus Yeah I don’t think it’s personal, but it is on purpose. It astounds me how much investors up the stack don’t care about who was there to get the company off the ground.


“Liberals see more school, the way republicans see tax cuts, as the answer to everything”

Bill Maher

                    @billmaher

                  5 Jun 2021

                Is it really liberal for someone who doesn't go to college and makes less money to pay for people who do go and make more? #LiberalGrift

                        The College Scam
                        HBO Real Time June 4, 2021


@karensalay I think it’s tough for them too, just in different ways.


Shriya Nevatia

                    @shriyanevatia

                  5 Jun 2021

                Does anyone else who isn't in fintech always read POS are "piece of shit" instead of "point of sale" 😂💀


@razorfang @jgarzik I know the group working on this and they have a whole KYC process to negate this.


@razorfang @jgarzik Most important things are scary in bad actor’s hands.


Guilty as charged!

John Tough@JohnJTough
                  7 Jun 2021

                Just made my first pre-seed investment ever.

You super early stage people are CRAZY. 😜


@memetzgz @dagreen77 @TimStodz So great!


Sending lots of care Cullen!


Joie de vivre!


Keep sharing your progress! I hope to be able to do a pull-up by the end of the year. Never been able to do one!


@schmatzarella Sold!


Hot water and lemon


In a cafe, an absolutely striking woman with a shaved head was sitting with a group of dudes. All of us were in our early 20s. When I left I stopped at their table, “If none of the gentlemen here have told you today, you are absolutely stunning.” She blushed and I walked on.


“Our field selects engineers using a process that is worse than reading chicken entrails. Like interviews, poultry intestine has little to tell you about whether to hire someone.”

sockpuppet.org/blog/2015/03/…


This explains a lot.


So proud that @ephemeraltattoo has launched in NYC. Can’t wait to get my first made to fade tattoo. Their IG account has some really fun work.

Ephemeral Tattoo@ephemeraltattoo
                  2 Apr 2021

                Tattoos? For Spring? Groundbreaking. 🌹

@thisisihannahcruz’s Ephemeral was applied in Springtime, will be faded by Fall, and gone by Winter.

How would you coordinate your ink to the season?


Real talk

let me know how i can be helpful

                    @vcstarterkit

                  12 Jun 2021

                Raising a bridge round        “Pre Series A”


And Tokyo has zero trash cans and zero trash (at least this was true about ten years ago).


@giladrom Cuff links and pocket squares!


@giladrom I was just in NYC and was reminded how shabbily we dress in the Bay. Bring fancy back!


@giladrom Then it won’t be hard to up your game!


One of our founders said something great recently. “People invest in narratives that can grow with minimal backable proof.”


How’s your breakfast taste? :)


Make that “takes” and could be my LinkedIn bio 😆

Justin Kan

                    @justinkan

                  13 Jun 2021

                Take bets on young people!


There’s a term for this type of partner — an “over functioner.” And it’s not uncommon for over functioners to be the children of alcoholics. I don’t recall the stats but ADHD is highly correlated with divorce. So coupes therapy early should be a good practice.


Who is running an in person hacksthon in the fall? I want to visit!


@dagreen77 It’s how we meet makers :)


@VCbackedSloth It can mean a little flexibility in runway but generally the money you raise should be used within about a year or two years. So if you raise $10M you’re expected to use it to grow quickly — not take 5 years on something.


@Zakaria44623794 Start building things!


People are 3D, decks are 2D. Interface with people. medium.com/1517/a-1517-anti-…

Replying to @Profentpscott @ComebackCapital @mowheeler @dunkhippo33 @cyantist @BrianBrackeen @jaimalik


And I think about myself more like a boxing coaching encouraging the person to get in the ring. Do I have advice to offer about how to box? Or ideas about if they are in the right ring? Sure. But my job is to get out of the way and keep them motivated and hydrated.


Yes love those types of questions!

Replying to @mowheeler @ComebackCapital @dunkhippo33 @cyantist @BrianBrackeen @jaimalik


@jeremybornstein @SFWeekly Kah-ute!


I can still see the CompuServe loading screen. I met one of my oldest friends in a classical music forum there when we were 15 and 14 years old. Was one of the few rooms without an a/s/l check 😆

drew coffman 𝕚𝕤 𝕠𝕟𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕖 🟢

                    @drewcoffman

                  17 Jun 2021

                what’s your earliest memory of using the internet?


@DrewCoffman Yes!


Your moment of zen

Guildfather

                    @tasshinfogleman

                  17 Jun 2021

                i had some friends come over to hang out in my backyard as a surprise just now 😩😍🥰


Happy to chat with your brother! I love throwing spaghetti :)


I volunteer as tribute!


Eh, as an investor I have to say that managing ones inbox is complex. So much coming in daily, plus lots of spammy messages, plus lots to reply to and if there is travel, forget it. So yeah 3 months is really long but I can understand how it happens sometimes.


Hot 🔥


@tasshinfogleman Oh fun! Count me in ❤


This brightened my day! Thank you!


This may be the most important tweet you ever read. Cannot emphasize this enough!

Tommy Collison@tommycollison
                  23 Jun 2021

                People with strong follow-up games rule the world.


Also in my experience people with the most intense number of asks also seem to match it with extreme quickness on following up/responding.


Another pro tip is that when I want to follow up with someone I make sure to get their info. Even if they take my info, people are SO bad at this that I never leave it to chance or outside my purview. Get their info, follow up.


I’ve seen people treat who follows up as a really stupid power move. “I’m more powerful than X, they should follow up [or in general do the next action first like sending calendar details]” — this is lame and lazy thinking. If you have work to do with someone, make it happen.


Genesis round!

Paul Graham

                    @paulg

                  22 Jun 2021

                If I were running a startup today, I don't think I could bring myself to use a term as bogus as "pre-seed round," even if it was common practice.


I love when cats do the “I want to be close but not too close” dance. I personally see it as a sign of trust when cats begin to do this “you’re cool, I can touch you.” But I’m curious if anyone has studied this phenomenon.


I think for women “the odds are good but the goods are odd” is a pretty on point take.


@nickcammarata @deepfates


“The truth just sounds different.”

Learning to be more forthcoming about when a project just isn’t our jam. I’m humbled when founders thank us for the clear and quick no. Even though it’s highly subjective, it’s better than bs reasons to shoot down a company.


@LexHuntsman That’s a great point!


There's a lot of talk about getting investment. But what about post investment? Here's how we work with founders and lessons about getting started.

1517fund.com/post/moving-ahe…


Also, fun side note -- Zak and I are the craziest ATV drivers on the 1517 team. Mike is our grandpa equivalent "woah woah woah slow down!"


@Quan What about the go kart track in SF? :)


Thank you for reading and resonating!


@Quan Sweet! We will have to plan this. I’ve never been!


One of the coolest things about our portfolio as it ages is talking to the younger siblings of our founders as they start thinking about their futures.


Oakland forever!!!!!!


Invited a founder to run with me tomorrow morning around Lake Merritt for a catch up (no pitch runs, I can’t breathe and talk much at the same time)

His response, “Hahaha Danielle you’re crazy, I love you”

We are gonna meet for coffee instead but if anyone wants to jog hmu 🏃♂


@JonShanny Sold!


@JoelMontanoo Yes, I deadlift too!


@mattschaar Sold!


@mattschaar I’m also loving the travel run ideas. Keeping fit on the road is hard so this is great!


@JoelMontanoo Game on!


We do a lot of ice cream at 1517 — many of our founders aren’t old enough to drink. Plus I think alcohol sucks.


That means a lot coming from you Adam! Thank you!


We are jogging siblings. I’m also 12 minutes. Want to do tomorrow at 7am at the lake? :D


@dustin_dettmer Awesome! Let’s meet at Mud Cafe 440 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610. See@you at 7am! Parking is great a round the meters around there since they don’t start until 8am.


Thank you @dustin_dettmer for jogging with me! Anyone else interested in a jog around Lake Merritt on Tues/Thurs mornings at 7am? We talked about overcoming fears, new hobbies (like plane flying), Bitcoin/crypto, and running of course.


Holy moly! Congrats Dylan and the Figma team! My favorite moment was seeing Figma used at a women’s hackathon as a teaching tool for getting started two years ago. But closing $200M isn’t bad :).

Dylan Field

                    @zoink

                  24 Jun 2021

                Beyond excited to share that @figmadesign has closed a $200M Series E funding round led by Durable Capital! Morgan Stanley’s Counterpoint Global is also participating along with other new and existing investors. (1/5)

bloomberg.com/news/articles/…


A kindred spirit! I hate the word kid!

Los Feliz Daycare@LosFelizDaycare
                  21 Jun 2021

                Never refer to anyone as a “child” and “kid.” They are slurs. Call them “young travelers,” “growing minds,” or “little activists.”


@Quan Lol not meant at you! Just funny timing!


@Quan Totally!


@snigdhar0y Been meaning to visit! Just hard to get down there spur of the moment but we will have to plan something.


@retttx That’s not too far off!


Will dig in more soon! Busy day. I’m not so sure that young people need to see what else is working (but there are a lot more options now than 10 years ago) so much as really seeing how broken college is.


@giladrom No no no ugh so sorry.


@karensalay Hikes are always great!


Check is out! We have our Invisible College program for this exact thing :)

Replying to @chanoouttathere @pryceandstuff


Ok Twitter, I need some creative help. I’m going to an alien abduction themed dinner party tonight. We are supposed to come prepared with a story. What happened when the spaceship beamed me up?


The 80’s kid in me wants to go as Mork and Mindy. But I don’t have the props for it. And if @William_Blake were here we would go as Mulder and Scully since we are them.


@tintuhd This is pretty good. If anyone wants to expand here, go for it.


Well this party is hosted by my housemate at my house so the activation energy is low :)


Lol this is good and accurate!


@visakanv Keep going! So the aliens beamed me up to pitch for preseed funding? Aren’t they post capitalist?


@twrobinette I love this one!


@andrewfielding True! Such as?!


@visakanv That’s pretty good.


@octal Yes! This is on brand. Ok why do aliens want cats? Is it because they know them to be a truly superior life form?


Let me know when you’re in the Bay. My housemate hosts the best things. Last month was a cult party (come and present as a cult leader).


@LucasCohen12 Very good! I like where this is going.


@ronaldmannak BORING. Such a cop out!


@octal We have a winner folks! I’ve got the cat ears to wear for the party already. Keep going!


@visakanv I like this. Will have to integrate with the cat theme that’s going on another thread.


@cullend @andrewfielding Will have to look it up!


We are gonna by to look back at this as barbaric and absurd — football goes in this category too.

Matteo Franceschetti

                    @m_franceschetti

                  25 Jun 2021

                Human beings driving cars is one of the most dangerous things we still allow in our society


@octal I went as Toxo Kitty Clan — guided a meditation to get us all in touch with our feline nature.


@octal We are going to take a minute to get in touch with our true nature. I know how much suppression we all go through, out there in the default world.

3 deep purrs.


@octal Raise your left arm in the sky. And repeat after me as you lower your hand to your toxo brother or sister’s back to your left. Your eyes meet.
“The feline in me bows to the feline in you.”

Now put your right hand on your heart. Close your eyes.


@octal As you purr deeply. Envision the cats who have graced your life. The smiles they have brought to you. Their playful nature. And the power you feel them exude.


@octal Take in your true divine kitty energy. You might have a sudden craving for salmon or tuna, let yourself experience that craving.

Now bring your left hand back to your heart.

As we take our last breathe we will sound a group meow.

/end


@octal Agreed!


Love the continuation of the story! (And Rachel, I have an investor lead for you! More in a couple days!)


@tiffanydemers Good good good!!


@JonShanny @thesnaxshot I need that!


@ReichartsRant @William_Blake Always!


Yes please!

Max Hodak

                    @maxhodak_

                  25 Jun 2021

                only disorganized sports please


@bubs Good meta play


Excellent!


@meiokubo @dustin_dettmer Cool! Always happy to run the lake if mornings work for you!


The one and only @William_Blake (who thought Twitter was going to be for haiku so named himself aptly)

Patri Friedman 🌆

                    @patrissimo

                  27 Jun 2021

                Replying to @nic_carter
                Mike was the founding editor of Let A 1000 nations bloom @thousandnations, involved in early seasteading and now doing interesting vc stuff @1517fund with @DStrachman. Been working with him for almost 15 years now.

Ofc I proposed Byzantine for transactions in 2002 :)


Alright, 7am fun run around Lake Merritt tomorrow morning! Who’s in? 🏃♂


Trust too!

Eric Bahn 💛

                    @ericbahn

                  28 Jun 2021

                Kindness is a wonderful differentiator.


@liamport9 Have fun!


Wonderful! One taker so far -- the not yet met @irhumshafkat. I'm loving this say hello over fitness. So good!


@noor_siddiqui_ @robgo @regardthefrost 🙏 💗


It’s hard to get me in SF but it happens sometime! Next time I’m overnighting there I’ll text you for a morning run :)


@Sashi Unlikely! I’m kinda glued to east bay.


@jprato Fine by me!


.@snigdhar0y @irhumshafkat y’all should meet! You’re both very enthusiastic, positive, and DIY types.


@GavinYua Not today!


@shardulgo @irhumshafkat @Nov_Project_SF @Nov_Project_OAK Haven’t been yet but my bf loved that group!


@GavinYua Definitely warmer here!


Would help! We almost ran a camp this summer.


What pro rata?


@NPDeMember Breathe!


Love this! We have thought about putting out 1517 schwag too! Funds with a mission make great tshirts :)

Hustle Fund 🦛🌽💛

                    @HustleFundVC

                  30 Jun 2021

                Welp, it's officially--today we are announcing the launch of the Hustle Fund merch store!

Why the heck would a VC fund launch a lifestyle brand apparel line? Please read on below...


So here for this story!!! Rooting for the happiest ending whatever that may be 💗

Mel Fellay@melfellay
                  1 Jul 2021

                1/ I had the craziest thing happen to me in the last 48 hours. I was going to journal about it because I like keeping my life private but I figured, what the heck, they see all my boring biz stuff, let me give them a glimpse into my personal life. Come on this journey with me.


Just talked to the founder of this group and I am head over heels in love with what they are doing! Check them out!

“Kids are taught not to talk to strangers,
but should adults be doing it more?”

Go watch this video by @TheFeedSBS and @VICE featuring our #FreeIC Sydney team! 🙌👏

https://www.facebook.com/thefeedsbsviceland/videos/615596638774046

“Kids are taught not to talk to strangers,
but should adults be doing it more?”

Go watch this video by @TheFeedSBS and @VICE featuring our #FreeIC Sydney team! 🙌👏

https://t.co/52dG2hP6R5 https://t.co/98gbjPZOFP

FreeIC

Free Intelligent Conversation is a non-profit organization that facilitates engaging conversations in public places.

 🗣 #FreeIC


@Leann_Abad I love seeing our shirts out in the wild!! Makes me so so happy :)


@ngeloxyz Me too!!


@HustleFundVC


Would love to chat about this! danielle@1517fund.com

Replying to @hungvpham @HungVPham @ericbahn


This is my godchild Nova rocking 1517 gear. Start em young!


@umeruber That she is!!!


@snigdhar0y Lol you haven’t seen me and Mike sing yet :)


@soyalkhanaj She’ll be helped anyway :)


Just figured out that it's Say Geronimo and not Safety Mambo -- I like mine better.


@FritzTheDev That I am — takes me a while to notice lyrics. Usually someone else points them out to me :)


Is there a way to setup a filter in gmail where emails from people you have never received an email from go to a different folder or get tagged? I can see how to do it for a given email address but I'm wondering if there is something more high level I can do here?


Have you checked out Ephemeral Tattoo in New York? :)


@jordanplows @lieselvaidya @Superhuman Thanks for the info! What is a split inbox? I’m totally fine with these emails going to an “other” folder that I check later.


@jordanplows @lieselvaidya @Superhuman Thanks! danielle@1517fund.com


VOPWB -- I like it! Happy 4th!


Thanks for hosting me @rohitmal and giving me the chance to talk about lessons learned running @thielfellowship, our thesis at @1517fund, and how Gen Z is approach their education!

youtube.com/watch?v=RcxD7K-8…


"The individuals were all doing from a young age, as opposed to merely schooling. And while they may not have wanted to work, the work was nonetheless something that both they and society felt was useful. In a sense they had useful childhoods."

simonsarris.substack.com/p/t…


What will "fire season" bring this year?

"How much of California should burn, given what Californians care about? Rather than accepting the default amount of acres burned in a pristine California untouched by us."

nintil.com/wildfires-califor…


A friend gives his children about 10 middle names (of varied normal to weird) so that should they want to use an already legal name of theirs without having to change it, they can.


His children are now in their teens/early 20s. I should find out what came of this experiment


Loving this newsletter for finding new music!

Underwater Sunshine Fest@UnderwaterSuns
                  29 Jun 2021

                The music and the human are both superb! Sunshine Spotlight here with @MikaelaDavis to give your Tuesday some extra rays! The best way we can rebuild is to massively support talented artists like this one right here! Show our lovely singer, songwriter and harpist some love✍


@hassank65497999 @1517fund We typically aim to come in fir 5 - 7 % with our initial check!


My kinda productivity geeks!

"If you found your significant other but still consistently miss doing important but not urgent things, you’re using your SO wrong."

Add to this relationship checkin time and you're golden.

guzey.com/personal/how-to-us…


@hassank65497999 @1517fund We have invested in solo founders but it's more rare. And we help all of our teams with hires.


@hassank65497999 @1517fund We back companies working in US markets and are incorporated in the US. You can live anywhere.


Happy to meet!

Replying to @jamessinka @InquilineKea @shagun_mm


We have a prominent established fund LP (personally, not the fund) and he said “We are Walmart and Amazon, you come to us when you need a ceiling fan or anything. Y’all are Gucci and Soulcycle.” We actually asked him to clarify and he spoke exactly about mission/brand.


@therealbrom @ericbahn Exactly Eric’s point!


Spammy is never a good look. Use our contact form to get specific. 1517fund.com/take-action

"I found your contact in the No-Warm-Intro-Required List. After doing more research, it seems to me that *** might be a good fit for 1517 Fund investment thesis."


@InquilineKea @km @matthuang Thanks Alex!


100% agreed and so here for it! Gen Z is ridiculously savvy and Gen Alpha is going to look unrecognizable as “children.”


Michael and I said this about 100X after that meeting.


tiny cat asleep on me. it is raining outside. i need to pee. i cannot move. i must persevere.

Ms. G 💖

attention architect; lover girl extraordinaire; flirtcraft coach; international socialite; on the badder side of the bitches spectrum;


@lorakolodny Lol my mouth started watering as soon as I saw the packaging. Should we order some, meet in person, and record the reaction? :)


@lorakolodny @magicsilicon Hm spicy skittles seem wrong to me. I think I associate gummy as potentially a better conduit for heat.


@lorakolodny @magicsilicon Fair enough — intriguing is a good word for it!


@ReichartsRant You’re not wrong!


I read this as I lay on my futon that is only inches off the floor.


@dannibles https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_Alpha


1517 is high on Noots today. So far so good on focus without jitters.


@giladrom thank you for making a product to make my kitties safer!


Also wish me god speed in getting a collar on my other cat 😆


More kitty modeling :) safety and style in one!


“What are non obvious writes of passage for children and teens? I’ll start…

Taking public transit…🚌

Building a stool in wood shop…🪑

Managing a yard sale…💰”


What are non obvious rites of passage for children and teens? I’ll start…

Taking public transit…🚌

Building a stool in woodshop…🪑

Managing a yardsale…💰


Bartering for the first time (I still have the marble I bartered for at 10 years old)


My sister used to pick neighbor’s flowers and sell them back to them when she was 5 😆


@aidanminded She’s pretty brilliant and charming :)


Hot take: if you’re in a serious relationship and there is a difference in savings/earnings, expenses can be negotiated on percent of net worth rather than 50/50. Splitting a $100 meal when you work and bring in little income is very different than if you have $2M in the bank.


Having a heated conversation about this and think it’s totally reasonable for couples to divvy expenses differently to growth the net worth of both partners rather than draining one partner more significantly even when society views it as equitable.


100% agreed and very happy to have figured this out when I was a teacher barely able to make ends meet and my old partner was used to really nice multi-course dinners/etc. A few months in we had a big talk about it and worked out something that worked for both of our needs.


@Taytus I think married people **maybe** find this more palatable/normal but I find serious partners/daters find this to be a novel idea.


@adrianalbus I mean, people can agree with whatever they want. But I can also understand wanting some finance piece to be present.


I also think each person brings different things to the table. 50/50 across areas (let’s say emotional support and finances) is great. Doesn’t need to be in each slice of the pie. If the whole is balanced that’s great!


@Taytus 💯


Congrats! @ephemeraltattoo

bloomberg.com/news/articles/…


Love the defending someone one! I remember my first time doing that and it was really special.


@srinitude @ephemeraltattoo We don’t do much in consumer but the R&D (really more a deep tech play for us) component when we backed them years ago is what got us excited!


@TheCaptain_Nemo I think what I’m trying to get at is it would be nice for people in that position to start the conversation of “Here is what fairness could look like between us” — I haven’t seen the more resourced person preempt that convo. N is small though :)


@infi1trate @adrianalbus Whatever people want to agree too is fine — I just think this conversation doesn’t happen enough because people don’t think about it. Society has put us in a “if you don’t do 50/50 you’re a gold digger (for women)/loser (for men)” and I don’t think that’s the only approach.


Would love to see this for book and music collections too.

Andrea

                    @iiiitsandrea

                  7 Jul 2021

                Want to launch a show called Pantry Raiders where you get to inspect pantries of people you just started dating to see if they pass the vibe check

hey @netflix @hulu @hbomax HMU!


First thing I usually do in anyone’s home is check the book shelf. Fridge swag says a lot too.


@friedmandave Sorry, you’re doing it wrong. At least print the Kindle list and tape it to the bookshelf.


Just saying but men’s fashion would be FAR better embracing jewel tones. Show me your sapphire, emeralds, and ruby! Subtle pieces or go all out!


@friedmandave Totally printable!


@haidaa Not a problem but you’re going to have to show me both your bank accounts, past history with money, etc :).


@friedmandave NICE! Picture?


Was talking with a friend a couple months and casually mentioned that he’d look great in jewel tones and he asked me “what’s a jewel tone” — and this guy knows more than average fashion sense. I was floored.


@friedmandave Ready for the runway! Thank you!


@friedmandave I concur — lol and was going to say as much but kept my yapper shut. But you’ve clearly got this!


@roxkstar74 As the book says:


@roxkstar74 Have you read Self Therapy?


@roxkstar74 Lol ok maybe something lighter is better


@roxkstar74 Self-Therapy: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Wholeness and Healing Your Inner Child Using IFS, A New, Cutting-Edge Psychotherapy, 2nd Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/0984392777/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_Q6Q3J5ZENADHTCTSJS2D


Every parent should read this!!

Simon Sarris

                    @simonsarris

                  1 Jul 2021

                The Most Precious Resource is Agency

The world is a very malleable place.

simonsarris.substack.com/p/t…


@roxkstar74 Reading. You want to go slow and digest and practice as you go.


@roxkstar74 Read this too: Do Nothing and Do Everything: An Illustrated New Taoism https://www.amazon.com/dp/1557788898/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_MJG84AS4EAG735108JQY


@JoinBionic @made_in_cosmos @thielfellowship


So glad you chimed in here since I think your relationship is a great example of this working!


@DNAutics Ouch, I’m sorry. I like the strategy though!


@batraatin @ericbahn Happy to talk to your wife since she and I aren’t married :)


@JoinBionic @made_in_cosmos @thielfellowship I can’t lie. That’s a great gif!


🤯indeed

sarah guo

                    @saranormous

                  8 Jul 2021

                1/ I was today years old when I was advised for the 2nd time in my career to “be less stylish” because l might “intimidate engineers” I am working with. 🤯


@permjotvalia What is normal to you? 50/50? Brad winner pays for all?


@preston_ojb Yup! An easy way to handle it. That said, in my experience having a shared account can diminish happy surprises/treating each other. But yeah, overall good!


@batraatin @ericbahn @ashi219

Replying to @batraatin @ericbahn @ashi219


Challenge accepted!

Ginger@gingerbrigade1
                  7 Jul 2021

                You can’t wreck a home that’s already wrecked.


My housemate and I are trying 3 of 4 today.


Exercise in the morning


Lol I listened to Hobo Johnson’s Tiny Desk concert also 1K times!


Older white man, with a PhD (outside our thesis since we are all about no BA and no BS), emailed me about his “disappointment” not being able to get on my schedule earlier. He’s in a campus accelerator and CCed the prof in a reply to me about his displeasure. Bless his heart!


@_lfausto Thank you!


@ReichartsRant Is that a movie or show? :)


Mike Mendelson

                    @mrmendelson

                  9 Jul 2021

                Guess what. Your best teacher is the person who just mastered what you're actively struggling with.

What's something you've learned recently?


@ReichartsRant Will check it out! Thanks!


LAME!

Roshan Patel

                    @roshanpateI

                  8 Jul 2021

                I just had a 30 min meeting with a VC:

- They showed up 12 mins late.
- They spent 18 mins telling me about their background.

That's it.

That was the meeting.


💯 brilliant! I will have to try the breezy indifference of emoji retort in the future.


This is making me laugh so much. Can’t wait to try it!


I think they are mostly offended by the wind on their faces. How dare the breeze tickle their upper lip!


You’re too kind!


Lol you are always game…I gotta post one of these before I respond. Y’all are good! The prof wrote back to me mortified and so far no response from Brad.


Maybe speak for yourself. It’s over the net to assume that others don’t want to be in the room.


Was chatting with a teen who is mystified about how much alcohol, weed, and psychedelic use happens regularly in the Bay under the guise of personal development. The rabbit hole is deep and some never return. There is a growth minded sober contingent. Where my fam at? 🙋♀


My sense is that straight edge has a really mixed history.


@ReichartsRant You're high on life as it is!


Wait never coffee? How about caffeinated tea?


@cullend I stopped using my pillow around that age and the back pain went away and has not returned.


What are your favorite company mission statements?


I love mission statements that go far beyond product and users. A great mission statement has an asymptotic nature:

SpaceX: Making Humanity Multiplanetary

Zappos: Our purpose is simple: to live and deliver WOW.


@lpolovets That’s a great one!


@ReichartsRant Lol we are all better off with an undrugged Reichart! And your hate of the British is amusing :)


@georgelee001 Yeah, there is a time and place for most things! I’ve had some great experiences with psychedelics — but only a couple times a year at most.


Remembered one of my favorite messages in video form tonight — such a great message that truth is beauty: youtu.be/yhxr0JgYpok


@ReichartsRant So you’re liking the whole no makeup makeup look then? :)


@ReichartsRant Feeling good in one’s skin!


Excited to be part of the Raise Conference this year!!

RAISE Global@raiseconference
                  1 Jul 2021

                The RAISE Market Map for Emerging Venture Funds is here. Congratulations to the featured firms. hubs.la/H0Rs8Fg0. #venturecapital #RaiseSummit2021#emergingmanager


“A founder shares the calculous on closing a deal:

5 months & 23 days
+64 emails
+10 texts
+4 calls to CFO and VP of __
+5 zooms with CFO
+1 zoom with CEO
+2 zooms with VP of __
+1 reference check

= Their biggest contract to date.”


A founder shares the calculus on closing a deal:

5 months & 23 days
+64 emails
+10 texts
+4 calls to CFO and VP of __
+5 zooms with CFO
+1 zoom with CEO
+2 zooms with VP of __
+1 reference check

= Their biggest contract to date.


@ReichartsRant Maybe some of these were in those emails and calls, but yes, more specificity is great!


@moatazr @ReichartsRant Good guesses. Fintech.


Asking for a founder: What are your food hacks? (Meaning on time, prep, and expense)


When I opened my charter school, was working 80+ hr weeks and was broke, I did two things:

1. Ordered a super veggie pizza and would eat about one slice a night for dinner 🍕

2. Had a potluck once a month to 1.) see friends 2.) clean my place 3.) scoop the leftovers 🍱


@CLabanz I’m finding batch pork chops and veggies to be awesome these days.


“Mommy, daddy, look at me
I went to school and I got a degree
All my friends call it the big D
I went to school and I got the big D”

…she’s not wrong.

open.spotify.com/track/7iqAu…


@uchiuchibeke Fav way to cook a steak?! I cook mine fat down for a couple min, then on each side until browned and then in the oven for 5 min at 450. I do the same with pork chops but also bread it in panko crumbs and do 12 min in the oven.


This is one reason I want more leaders to be like @zoink — freely giving credit where it’s deserved. Thank you!

Dylan Field

                    @zoink

                  13 Jul 2021

                Today at @figmadesign we shipped a fix for one of my longest standing pet peeves about the product — now you can edit frame names directly on the canvas! Just double click and start typing.

Thank you to Linda Zhang for making this happen!


I'm having a delightful time jogging and walking with founders. For anyone who wants to join, we've got a jogging group going on Thursdays at 7am around Lake Merritt in Oakland and on Fri I'm taking a couple twitter fam hiking in Oakland at 7am. Shout if you want to join!


@jhardin925 Sure!!


OMG AND WE HAVE THE SWEEST GERMAN SHEPARD PUPPY NOW JOINING US ON THURSDAY! I AM SOOOOOOO EXCITED! (and the owner seems really cool too)


@uchiuchibeke Keep it simple. Lots of salt. Let it warm to room temp!


@colmdotcom Message me :)


Me in real time

Justin Hardin@jhardin925
                  14 Jul 2021

                For those wondering his name is...

Emperor Kuzco Mitchell Serrano Hardin 😊

Kuzco for short ❤


We are going to get along great — my first cat was named Her Royal Highness Queen Ursula Honey Bear I.


@srinitude Yup! (Or you can visit)


@jhardin925 Absolutely not. That’s why we serve!


Ugh terrible!


That is a great idea! I have my binocs in the car.


@dagreen77 Neat! Downloading.


Challenge your own self image

Dr Aniruddha Malpani, MD

                    @malpani

                  14 Jul 2021

                You don’t know what you’re capable of until you do something that you didn’t think was possible.


Wish you were here!


Awesome!


@steventey Would be great to have you join! Hit me up when you're back!


Was reflecting with a founder today that it is so hard to tell when are you screaming into the abyss or getting work done that will lead towards an outcome (especially when trying to close a sale or do fundraising). What are your sanity checks?


How so? So curious what might be eating my brain now.


@erikpavia When you are working on closing a customer — how do you know when to keep trying to close then vs back off?


@meeshbhoombah That’s awesome — I love that everything is working towards an outcome even if it’s not the main desired one.


@founderannie Total fan of serendipity over here too.


@erikpavia This is a great perspective! Keeps you out of being needy too. If you only need this one customer/investor, you’ve already lost.


Touching call with a founder whose company went off the rails a couple years ago. The founder reached out to reflect. So today marks a yearly calendar reminder for myself and Michael to reach out to old founders that we haven’t touched base with in a while 📞


Times are changing. I’m at a deep tech company investor meeting and over half the investors are women!


I do a lot of work to connect companies with GPs, so pretty saturated there! But where I would love more support is on the LP side from @beyondbillion

Replying to @SarahChenGlobal @WXRfund @1843Capital


@LiveSimulator Omg I love your brain!!


@daniellenewnham I was happily surprised!


@tayjett13 @uzoart 8 investors present, I believe 5/8 were white, 5/8 women, 2 women of color, 1 man of color.


@meiokubo And I'll let it be known that Mei was ahead of the pack today! Kicked ass!!!


@jack_schorsch Yup! If a founder on the team doesn't have a BA or BS, would love to talk! danielle@1517fund.com


Four years ago, a female investor spoke at a conference about how backing overlooked founders was great for their books since the deals were often underpriced. Um, it's our fucking job to educate these founders and help them price according to market -- stop taking advantage!

Brandon Brooks

                    @OfficialBBrooks

                  15 Jul 2021

                Prediction.

Many VCs will start to focus on overlooked founders to avoid ridiculous mark ups.

Those founders will choose the emerging VCs who’ve always had their backs.

Founders will lead the market change & the ecosystem is better for it.


@jack_schorsch It's our crazy thesis, but we do break it for what we call sci-fi tech. Email me and we'll either take a look or I can refer to another female investor.


I was so pissed -- was shaking while asking her about her ethics in front of the group. Her out was "Oh well we don't lead so we don't set the price" -- SHUT UP -- educate the founders anyway so they don't take a shit deal from shitty people.


@jeremybornstein Exactly


@BryceJohanneck Lol expand on this!


@BryceJohanneck Hmmmmm food for thought!


Very well said!


@mespiderman 🙏


Whose mum?


The tough part with benchmarks is that they are based, at least in part, on traction but also market demand. Before it got really frothy, I was seeing founders sell between 20 and 25% of their company in a round. Right now it’s pretty wild and I’m seeing anywhere from 10 - 25%.


Maybe you both had headaches?


I see we were both crying on the launch over the weekend.


@srinitude Choked up a few times.


@pragueyerrr


@srinitude Sounds like you’ve found your calling bro


@slouischarles @jesslivingston They broke the mold on her!


My housemate just said that they are too cheap to buy it. But maybe if it came with an eight ball of cocaine you’d have a winner.


…but,she adds, if it’s in the Bay replace coke with ketamine. In her words “gotta know your market.”


You know you have more characters right?


Don’t let your economics kill you in the short term.

Elizabeth Yin 💛

                    @dunkhippo33

                  15 Jul 2021

                Replying to @dunkhippo33
                5) But there are high expectations for performance when you’re now worth say $90m and have < $1m runrate.


Great thread!

Elizabeth Yin 💛

                    @dunkhippo33

                  15 Jul 2021

                Every conversation I have with early stage VCs seems to lead to how crazy the market is.

And whether the frothiness will continue or stop in the next year

More >>


@HarveyMultani I don’t know what you’re drinking this evening, but I want one!


The problem with outliers like these is that founders then believe it’s normal — go out to market with crazy expectations and spend far too much time chasing a round that doesn’t exist.

Caroline Casson

                    @carolinecasson_

                  15 Jul 2021

                Today I was sent a startup that has $300k ARR and is raising on a $50M pre-money valuation 🤯.... what is happening in the world⁉

I'm curious if others are also seeing crazy high valuations or if these are just one-off situations? 👀


@HarveyMultani pst…what is it?!


@meetdux @Katie_Roof


Said “have fun storming the castle” today w/ a founder who’s smitten with the idea of raising a crazy round w/ little traction. I’m all for giving something a go — but taking months to raise a round that sets a team up for extreme stress and likely failure isn’t strategic.


@SpeakerShinjini A gorgeous smile!


What sort of plants do you put in them?


What sort of plants do you put in them? 🌱 🍓 🪴

Keith Wasserman

                    @Keith_Wasserman

                  16 Jul 2021

                Just bought these. AMA


True! Join us for our slowbie group on Thursday mornings in Oakland. Group is 5 strong now!


@Taytus


How fun to see Girard fall into memetic rivalry!

Luke Burgis

                    @lukeburgis

                  16 Jul 2021

                “Deep down, Sartre was very comfortably petit bourgeois, a lover of tourism, and too even-keeled to become a true genius.”

—René Girard, c/o @chaven’s “Conversations”


@andyreed Or dyslexic


MIL advice would be a great Twitter account.


@giladrom Do it!


Sounds like K-12 to me

owen cyclops

                    @owenbroadcast

                  15 Jul 2021

                cant really get over the fact that some people with degrees started telling moms to put their babies in the other room and ignore them when they cry and multiple full nations of people were like “yeah that sounds legit”


And some are also speculating that ADHD is an attachment disorder.


Adulting 💪🏼

Supreme grown-up move: dropping off all of your knives for professional sharpening

Jon Shanahan

Exceeding in mediocrity. Head of Marketing : @trxtraining


@LexHuntsman I’ve seen some research in this but nothing conclusive yet. You?


Not aware of Bradshaw's work -- will have to check it out!


First time founder question: I'm working on a deep tech company and seeing carnivorous undervaluing. I don't want to take these valuations but the same situation keeps coming up. The technology is life changing, but nobody gets it. What's going on here?


1. You're right, a given technology might be so incredibly valuable that it is worth many billions or even trillions in the future. That said, to GET to that future takes a lot of hard work, execution, innovation, pivoting, bringing on the right team, doing sales, etc.


2. The value that is decided upon is based on both where the technology is at now, the potential for value in the future, the execution and metrics completed (traction), and what the market will bear today.


3. e.g. we invested in a deep technology company when it was two students starting with a big idea to change the energy landscape as we know it and truly change society. But there was not much execution, no POC, a whole lot of passion, and a whole lot of risk.


4. We invested $50K to help them get enough cash to prove out the first few steps. Maybe those steps never make it to the next one and that's highly likely, or maybe those steps do make it. Either way, your investors need to be incentivized for taking risk alongside you.


5. With $50K we invested at a $1M cap in this very risky deep tech company. Later we put in $250K at a $4M cap and right now we are likely to raise more money for the company at a higher valuation. With more proof, the value of the company goes up.


6. The price is based on the current value of the actual company, not the value of the future of the idea (though that certainly plays a role in figuring out valuation).


7/7. Ideas are cheap -- anyone can have one, but not anyone can execute on it. That's where the magic of founders come in. They are the few and far between people who have ideas, believe they can build them, and get started.


@alex yum!


Have you heard about blockchain?


@matiaslt DM me where you’re at :)


Everything pre 25 is pretty easy to remember. Post, not so much :)


@snigdhar0y Everything is novel and more highly charged which is great for episodic memory.


Contextualizing failure with our founders is very important. We have a company going through a merger and they aren't super happy with the outcome but they've given it their all. Startups are part work and part luck. Onward and upward! youtube.com/watch?v=e2cjVhUr…


It's official, I'm going to stop correcting "fir" in autocorrect. Everything is better with plants🌿


Drinking a tall glass of water in one go with a utensil in it with the blunt end on the bridge of your nose also cures hiccups.

Cullen

                    @cullend

                  20 Jul 2021

                I think the best life hack anyone ever gave me was if you turn a lighter to 90°, heat up the metal part for about 30 seconds, then press it to a mosquito bite for like 3 seconds it cooks the itch causing protein and poof problem solved!


@ReichartsRant With or without a healthy dose of trauma?


It works!


@ReichartsRant That would be terrifying!


Founders, don't waste your time on homework for follow-on funds. The thing that gets them the conviction to get the deal done is that you've done the deal with someone else. Homework for leads -- no problem. Push the follow-ons off b/c that's exactly what they're doing to you.


Gonna lose my mind: Two female founders with over $1M in ARR, fabulous traction, full year contracts with big players and they're being told it's too early to raise a Series A and have even been asked if maybe their traction to date is "lucky" -- seriously?!?!


They have a meeting with a top tier VC this week who I hope will validate them so much that these other jokers beg to be let into the round and I hope these ladies go back and tell them that "it's not a fit."


If anyone else has appetite to lead for a great company with great traction, DM me.


Agreed! And can’t wait for this big meeting that they have coming up!


I hear that. The beatings are real.


@DaleJStephens Will DM you.


Because revenue can’t float how much they want to scale.


@SickEconomics @caroljsroth But yes, founders should be very mindful of how much of the company they sell.


And that the business stays smaller longer. But everyone has different goals. ✌


Lols. This isn't entitlement, this is having real traction and doing real work and being told bullshit lines about "luck" (because of gender) when it's about work and strategy which they fully have.

Replying to @ana_analytics_ @SickEconomics @caroljsroth


Or you could start building real value in the world instead of being a troll on twitter. But you do you!

Replying to @SickEconomics @ana_analytics_ @caroljsroth


@ana_analytics_ @SickEconomics @caroljsroth They aren't complaining -- I am! And doing it on their behalf because there's a lot of bullshit out there that needs to see the light. Rock on good VCs, but piss poor ones need to go!


@ana_analytics_ @SickEconomics @caroljsroth You can't name call a faceless person...this is clearly a trolling account.


Similar things irk me too (just check out my pinned tweet on entitlement) -- this case isn't one of them.


@NoemiTitarenco Same


@neuezeite Focus on building and bootstrapping your MVP and then let’s talk about funding since it usually come after the first part is started.


@DaleJStephens @paigefinnn Mine is retiring! No leads!


Nope! Thx though!


BRB gotta reach my cat goals of six kitties! 🐈 🐈⬛ 🐈 🐈⬛ 🐈 🐈⬛

Erik Bernhardsson

                    @bernhardsson

                  21 Jul 2021

                My dumbest tax idea is to get lots of cats and set up a pet trust (which is a legal thing in the US) for each one of them and invest it into qualified small business stock (QSBS) which is exempt from cap gains tax.


@ryangillshares It’s already a lot of work to fundraise, basically be efficient with your time and energy. Follow-ons don’t come in before a lead so focus on that lead!


@fpontaza 🙏


Happy to DM but they aren’t open!


@karenappleton Happy to share more info DMs are open.


@LexHuntsman YES


@Tiggersdad2 @ana_analytics_ @SickEconomics @caroljsroth I’ve seen it a bunch of times where our underrepresented founders have a harder time raising money. I’m pretty sure. Also attributing skill to “luck” for women is a pretty common bias.


Agreed! I’m actually overwhelmed by the amount of support!


@DaleJStephens @KatieS That would help!


To everyone who has replied and DMed with support, y’all are renewing my faith in humanity! I’m going to have the founders look over the replies and make intros where appropriate for them! Thank you all so so so so much.


The cilantro hummus is amazing! Totally overlooked item.


One of the best parties I ever threw was a TJs snack party. Everyone brought one to two items. We got to eat everything and then had new fav items thereafter.

Greg Caplan

                    @gdcaplan

                  20 Jul 2021

                What is the best single item at Trader Joe’s?


@JustBeJanice 🙏


@JustBeJanice I mean, I was really just pissed and Twitter is my vent machine. Glad I’m not yelling into a void but what can be an awesome support network :)


[media-only post: gif]


Well, I was going to go to sleep. And then out of the corner of my eye it looked like a spider climbed on my shoulder. Tore my bed apart but don’t see anything. Must mean I should burn it 🔥


@InquilineKea @LauraDeming @MathPrinceps Thanks Alex!


@shagun_mm Sold!


@audeobk Interesting observation! Is there anything you’d like women in VC to discuss more?


@AnnaIvey Haters are boring — too easy to spot at this point. Just ignore them!


Ask them what inspirational hobby they have! Ice breakers are great abs humanize people!


@pattimmons_ Got chills! Love the title!


100% YES!

Elizabeth Yin 💛

                    @dunkhippo33

                  21 Jul 2021

                Unpopular opinion: we should get rid of all fundraising round names and just use numbers.

Eg: “I’m raising $5m”

Vs

“I’m raising a pre-seed, seed, mango seed, post-seed, avocado seed, pre-A, series A depending on who is interpreting.”


I heard “post seed, pre Series A” the other day and almost spit out my drink!


The moment when you realize the person DMing you is your LP’s dad


@dunkhippo33 You’ve got this! Hope the voice memos are working out!


@ReichartsRant Limited Partner!


@ReichartsRant I’m usually pretty good at jargon alerts! Whoops!


@ReichartsRant It renders you a great question asker and clarifier! This is a VERY important lesson I learned from you probably 15 years ago and it has changed my trajectory. So thanks for being “an idiot.”


@snigdhar0y I love it!


Let’s take this a step further. What are your favorite ways to celebrate small wins? I find a lot of people have a hard time doing the actual celebrating!

Shahed Khan

                    @shahedkhan

                  21 Jul 2021

                Celebrate small wins.


@shahedkhan Fav ways to celebrate these?


@ReichartsRant Lol you have no idea how much I needed to hear that right now!


@audeobk Seeing fathers who care the way newer dads are caring for their girls gives me great hope! Thank you!


I respond first mostly to get through my inbox and so I don’t have to deal with calendly :p

Josh Felser

                    @Joshmedia

                  21 Jul 2021

                Really trying to respond first when I am introed to a founder vs the more typical VC power move which is sitting back until the founder responds. Small thing but hopefully it's received well.


@cullend Soft landings are important!


@retttx @cullend @Camp4 @yogawithadriene She is great!


@therealbrom


Hugs all around!!!!


First meeting went well fam!!! And thanks everyone for the support. Will follow up early next week with some intros that the team is game for.


I have the greatest privilege


I’ve been thinking of this as having grace for one’s self.


This is really important. I had burnout in the last year and didn’t know it. Started treating it as burnout instead of motivation issues and I’ve done a 180.

Hustle Fund 🦛🌽💛

                    @HustleFundVC

                  23 Jul 2021

                Burnout is not the same thing as Stress. Burnout is far more chronic, and requires much more care/attention to pull yourself out...

Full video: youtu.be/d_raNNhTbBA

Thank you @netsuite for sponsoring this session on preventing burnout!


Looking for an awesome badass lady engineer (full stack, react, reactive native, node js) ideally in LA to work full time with one of our startups (female founder/CEO) that is launching a product in the wellness space.


@erikabim DM me your LI and/or resume!


Badass = can execute from day 1, self starter, passionate about the space (when you learn more), loves the feedback/iteration process.


@LiveSimulator This is great!!


Acupuncture once/month has been HUGE. Even just after the first session.


@FritzTheDev Thank you! Happy to share more specific details.


I have had 100% with anything I’ve treated with acupuncture.


@erikabim Listening to this podcast really queued  me into what was happening. https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-with-emily-and-amelia-nagoski-on-burnout-and-how-to-complete-the-stress-cycle/


@RogerDaSilva1 @jointechladies Thank you!


Paging @William_Blake


Truth!

Replying to @Quan @roybahat @William_Blake


Mine is in Oakland and I think she’s worth the trip! DM me for her info!

Replying to @startuployalist @LexHuntsman


@tasshinfogleman curious what you think of this piece. I thought it was very thoughtful.


Apparently moderation is for monks!

“Britton theorized that the effects of mindfulness might follow an inverted U-shaped curve, where at some point therapeutic returns not only diminish but mindfulness could have negative side effects”

danlawton.substack.com/p/whe…


OH in SF: She thinks poly is dating multiple people until she finds the one.


Le sigh Livejournal


That time when you post about gifting follistim to a woman in need and your aunt thinks you’re donating family material 🤦♀ 🥚


Watched Hook last night after a 30 year hiatus. Given cultural cycles, it’s time to bring Bangarang back! 🏴☠ 🧚♂


Urban dictionary win:

3. General exclamation meant to signify approval or amazement.

4. Used as an exclamation, use in place of words like YEAH! or IN YOUR FACE!


Ohhh yes!


Zen and the Art of Msking a Living — jumped off the grad school train and started my first company.


@AdamPerschke So so good!


@AdamPerschke That is so terrific 💗


@Leann_Abad It’s never too early to buy art.


@Leann_Abad And what sort of art?


This family office site inspires me to go crazy with our website in the future. I'm thinking graphic novel style for us. y-n10.com/


If you could give one person or org a noogie, who would it be?


@CoryMoelis @jihadkawas +1


@jhardin925 Perfect!!!


@jnconkle Nice! We used to be just a black background, white numbers, and our email. Somedays I think we should go back to that. People thought it "meant something" but it was really just that we had no clue what we were doing. Sometimes having no clue works!


Yes!


@hassank65497999 @KuraTechAR DM me!


How To Not Sabotage Yourself As a Young Non-Conformist

medium.com/1517/how-to-not-s…


An oldie but goodie!


@neuegeist That’s a really really good point!


“I'm not saying that the Renaissance geniuses who came together during Medici's reign are the same as the Thiel Fellows. The idea of patronage seems to not have transmitted…helping people achieve greatness, seems to have disappeared.”

strangeloopcanon.com/p/on-me…


At heart @1517fund is an anti-establishment education institution. Scaling patronage is why @William_Blake and I left our stable jobs @thielfellowship to start 1517. Big plans brewing to Medici up what we started!


Great write up!! I used to say that Thiel was one of the few Medicis out there (backing people directly) when I worked at the foundation. Glad others notice too but wish there were more out there.

Replying to @krishnanrohit @1517fund @William_Blake @thielfellowship


Amazing job opening!!!

Long Now Foundation

                    @longnow

                  28 Jul 2021

                We're hiring for a full-time Membership Associate position. We are looking for a new team member who is detail oriented, values excellent customer service and is always willing to go the extra mile for our members and donors. Learn more and apply here: longnow.org/jobs/#membership…


@ZacharyHundley I got a cat emoji and it was free!


What’s your instrument?


Good reminder

Where is your attention?

Where is your attention?

Cyan Banister

Tizz Venture Artist @longjourneyvc, joy amplifier. subscription fees go to Inflection Grants: https://www.inflectiongrants.com.

Tizz Venture Artist @longjourneyvc, joy amplifier. subscription fees go to Inflection Grants: https://t.co/uSqtEEfmpv.


@jim_bisenius Strong lungs and body!


@kaimicahmills I am in love!


@kaimicahmills Those stripes!!!


YES! Gotta meet him (and I love animal training if you need any help)


@AdamPerschke


@vhmth Roger that


Just heard my new favorite phrase — Vibe Capitalist 🤣


@Sashi Nice!


Fuck yeah


Lol yeah, I never say that the Bay Area is safe. But I do talk to parents a fair amount about viewing education as part experimentation and that taking some time off the normal path can be a huge growth experience.


David Huffman in SF. Has worked with some of the big players. linkedin.com/in/davidkhuffma…


@grgelee @InquilineKea You are taking the leap, but parents get a lot of questions. Most value opportunities for their children and when framed that way, taking a leap looks nerve wracking but not reckless. Having a narrative that they can share with others is helpful and meaningful.


Voice and exit darlings! @cindygallop urges us to make boatloads of money and put it back into the people and systems we support.

thewiesuite.com/post/cindy-g…


I’m reminded of the time that we held a session at @ghc called “Lead the C Suite” urging women to start their own companies (most of the sessions were about how to get into upper management). Why fight to climb the ladder when you can kick it off the roof from the top?


Would likely offer a grant to her if she is sent my way!


Yeah let’s chat off Twitter about this. We find teens with grants but I have other grant resources for all applicants! Danielle@1517fund.com


@Zanth_ @ghc I meant women kicking off the ladder from the top by starting their own thing!


@Zanth_ @ghc Glad the analogy is spurning creativity!


Gonna be in Austin early next week and would love to meet with students and dropouts in the area. Might host one of our ice cream socials too!


@ericgrafstrom Thank you!


@karanbhangui Let’s do it! Great to hear from you!


Every woman should have a wife

emily freeman

                    @editingemily

                  5 Aug 2021

                Sometimes I think about how much easier my life would be if I had a wife.


I’ll be in Dallas on Thursday! Let’s do it!


@neuegeist You never know!


@ReichartsRant I want to see the man that becomes your man’s man lol. It is quite literally a tall order.


@LexHuntsman I’ve just started working with a PA three hours a week and it’s glorious and such well spent money!


Adrenal fatigue?


Why is getting a rental car still one of the worst things ever?


@andrewfielding I always assumed I had to be a super user to get that access. Will check it out!


@DriveKyte @danielandrews43 Pretty great!


I’m all for exiting systems but I also wonder about what work might be like if all these people early in their career becoming coaches just became really great managers.


It kinda reminds me of when I went to the National Forensics League competition and discovered that the best people there went into law but they’d make killer entertainers.


I’m eating baked oatmeal for my first time and my mind is blown. Can’t wait to make my own version with less sugar. allrecipes.com/video/1379/ba…


@ReichartsRant


@dannibles Haven’t tried it!


Hosting social fitness in Austin 🤠

Tuesday morning hike! ⛰

Wednesday morning jog! 🏃♀

Holler if you want in 💗


@abettertake Sweet! Shoot me your email and I’ll put you on the invites :D


After witnessing an “influencer” at a wedding this weekend, I much prefer your planting arse.


Thanks for jumping on board!!


@thejcad Shoot me your email and I’ll add you to both things!


@GavinYua Trying! 💪🏼


A hike and dip in a swimming hole. Great way to start the day! Join tomorrow at 7:30am at The Line hotel in Austin for a slow jog and breakfast tacos after!


@RenzoeRene When that watermelons 🍉 came out! Such happiness! Thanks @DNAutics!


@karanbhangui @RenzoeRene @EricMichaud


To this point, can someone explain to me why there isn’t more competitive governance between Bay Area cities?


Priming a 17 year old mentee for potential sexual exploits is wrong, manipulative, and twisted. I’m equally disgusted by commenters who claim not to understand courtship over predatory behavior.

Laura 🌲 ⛰

                    @LauraDeming

                  10 Aug 2021

                Replying to @LauraDeming
                I had one bad experience with him when I was 17 - he told me in writing that he had an ‘adventurous love life’ and that it had ‘always felt quite jarring’ not to let conversations with me stray in that direction given that ‘[he] could treat [me] as an equal on every other level’.


I suspect that many are long term fans of his and don’t care about the age and power differences.


Yeah some ignorant commenter is going on about “women getting rich” off these accusations. WTF

Replying to @celinehalioua @martyrdison @geri_kirilova


Thank you for speaking up


In the instances of sexual harassment I’ve seen in tech, I’ve also seen after the fact are men coming forward with stories about unprofessional, inappropriate, and sometimes harassing behavior. Men, speak up about these issues so maybe women won’t have to be the first to do so.


Example: coming drunk to meetings, VCs asking founders if they are just “jerking off” all day, belittling ability, etc.


Terrible! Also, should a divorce occur, I’ll be right there to offer side eye.


There are lots of great letters from famous folks to their daughters.

"The main thing is the you beneath the clothes and skin—the ability to do, the will to conquer, the determination to understand and know this great, wonderful, curious world." - W. E. B. Du Bois


Oh I’m so sorry :(


Agreed! Would add this one to the book too! thesimpledollar.com/financia…


@DaveQuartey @LettersOfNote Thank you! Just signed up!


Never stop!


Walking!


Ohh ouch. Well, this can also be a time to show how to make amends and to make family agreements about things like this so hopefully it won’t be a surprise. Assuming you’re already doing this but saying it for those in the back.


@DFWAirport I had a piece of exercise equipment confiscated from the TSA on Friday at DFW in Terminal C and I believe that it may have been stolen by TSA staff and not sent to lost and found as per protocol.


The agent told me that if a friend could come and get it that she would hold it for the day and hand it over to my friend. She said that if my friend didn't pick it up, that it would be thrown out that same day.


My friend went to all three terminals in C and was told that there wasn't anything waiting for her.


It looks like lost and found is supposed to hold confiscated items for 30 days. I have reported to lost and found and so far they have not received the exercise equipment. I have the name of the agent that I spoke to on Friday. Please contact me to rectify the matter.


And if you have heard this song -- now it's BACK in your head! Baaaaaby Shark do doot dee doot 🦈

Cullen

                    @cullend

                  16 Aug 2021

                I see parents complain about that Baby Shark song all the time and not having kids had no idea what it was. DO NOT LISTEN TO IT. It will be stuck in your head for DAYS


@michellepencz May the baby shark gods bless you with riches beyond your wildest dreams. You are a saint!


@AskTSA please view this thread. I have the name of the agent who gave me a whole lot of incorrect information about items confiscated at TSA. Thank you to @dfwairport for the fast response.


Meditated for ten minutes today — haven’t done it in months. 10/10 would recommend 🧠


@rogerdickey Gorgeous!


Practice off the mat is the practice.

Nick

                    @nickcammarata

                  17 Aug 2021

                I come out of a two hour meditation and remember why people have been saying thousands of years this is nearly all that matters for life quality and then promptly forget twenty min later and when I’m triggered when my tea shop is out of boba and think it’s the boba’s fault


Great post by my friend Stephen @HITInvestments  about anxiety and decision making!

hitinvestments.com/choice-ov…


@HITInvestments Thank you brother!


@tiffanydemers ??


@snigdhar0y It’s great!


Smells like Teen Spirit turns 30 today but is still living with 14 other roommates, hasn’t learned to cook, and plays too many video games.


@LazyBeeScripts Nope. Couldn’t get through 2 seconds of it!


I love hearing Austin talk off the cuff about @luminartech. I’m very long on this company and what it will bring to the future of autonomous driving and impacting our world. So excited!

Luminar

                    @luminartech

                  16 Aug 2021

                Thanks for having #Luminar CEO Austin Russell on to talk about #lidar for #safedriving and our Q2 results. $LAZR


“I’m gonna cut straight to the chase. XYZ is a dog dating app basically like tinder but for your dog. Its a unique take on dating. We all deserve love so why doesn't your dog is our motto. Combine your love of dogs with another person.”

Twitter, you’re up. Response please!


Also in the same email…

“I know you have a TON of emails in your inbox (Monday’s are crazy for me too)”

…today is Thursday 🤔


@eshita They don’t really frame it that way — seems more like a way for dog lovers to find other dog lovers to date each other.


@kaimicahmills Same!


A founder friend is spending the summer in Vermont -- I'm brought back to intense cravings to have a maple creamy (maple soft serve). Go get one and post your pics, make me jealous!


Happy to chat but we don’t do much with consumer markets. Congrats on the first check! One of many!


@davjzhou @Philfog @MacConwell @lolitataub @packyM Can’t make it :(


Congrats!!!! (On working with a great group in the past and now in the future!)

Replying to @minney_cat @BloombergBeta @beondeck


Hardware founder ask: How do I run an effective Series A process right now?

For context: $2M in ARR, sensor based.

I feel like Series A is all over the place right now so what are your in the field learnings?


One more point: they are thinking of raising $10M. Hard to know right now if this is the new seed or smaller Series A.


@gigaj0ule Will DM you!


@augierakow Can't wait to see what you write Augie!


Attempting to mentor a founder raising $3M on a $25M cap on why this is terrifying to me.

He adds, “I don’t think Series A investors care about our safe caps…I don’t believe there’s much downside for the company if we can’t 2x our highest safe cap.”

?!?!?! 🤯🤦♀☠


@mrcasualhipster


He doesn’t get that narrative really matters over time both for fundraising and company morale. So clearly little concern for if they can meet the milestones everyone will expect them to hit in a year to get to $75M. This is a prelaunched product in a regulatory space.


Great idea!


Uncapped on a discount can make some sense sometimes (but we don’t do them as a fund). At least with uncapped a question is still being held about what a company is worth. I just think this particular round is setting up the team for a ridiculous task.


I actually think that is less ridiculous than what is going on here.


If the facts work the facts work. But when the facts don’t work and the raise is ridiculous I think it’s delusion.


@NormaPadron__ @DanielleFong It’s not!


I mean, they can do this…but typically in the past investors weren’t hot on bridges. Hard to find people to believe in you when you’re putting yourself outside market. My hot take lately has been “have fun storming the castle!”


I haven’t done a full diligence on the company but no more than $15M and even that I this is steep. I also think they should be raising $1.5M and not $3M.


I don’t know enough about what you are doing to give specific advice but we wrote a while post on fundraising here: medium.com/1517/a-1517-anti-…


This is srsly how I feel about it. And this person is young — they are going to take a year of their life and potentially wind up anxious and defeated. It is important to learn that something won’t work fast but artificially putting one’s self in that zone seems hazardous.


@webgeek Appreciate the compliment!


@MarkRHUcoincom I think just some beta testing.


You took the words right out of my mouth :)


Pre priced round.

Replying to @BexelInitiative @DanielleFong


Basically


@augierakow Any pro tips on this?


Yeah but for those 10 there are many more that never got to Series A. Execution is super important. If you can’t execute towards the goals you set with fundraising something is off.


@jessziyuezhang Outlined in the rest of the thread :)


@jessziyuezhang I think it’s setting one’s company up for success. To raise the next round the expectation is to grow to a point where one’s company is 3X the value that it is now…they are pre launch so becoming a $75M+ valuation/priced company in the future is a Herculean task.


@jessziyuezhang And if you can’t do this, few investors want to come in for bridges — so a company can run out of money and just die at that point.


OnlyValves@valves_only
                  2 Sep 2021


@grgelee great photo!


Having an ice cream social on Sunday afternoon, Sept 12th in SF outside. Would love to meet students and dropouts who aren't yet part of our community! If you're a maker, hacker, artist, or otherwise social geek join us! DM for an invite!


@fpontaza @1517fund It was so fun to have you last time! Miss you brother!


@jdanjohnson @1517fund Thank you!!


@FrankieS2727 More like 🍨🍦🍨🍦 We don't really do booze :D


Thank you!!!


@gpcastle12 It's such a good one! Had it for over a decade.


Doing it right!


Please ask me your cat trouble shooting questions (ok fine, and investor questions, education questions, life advice, etc.)!


Looking forward to seeing Austin on here for the next 14 years!

fortune.com/40-under-40/2021…


Answer: Why aren’t you getting up at 4am? Productivity hackers say a morning routine is very important. Your cat is just trying to make you a better person.


@JoinBionic Nope! I am super analog.


I'd think that you should think for yourself!


More of this type of polarization please!

Monica Byrne@monicabyrne13
                  8 Sep 2021

                let's fight over pasta shapes


@RockstarExcel Toilet train!


@RockstarExcel But don’t teach them to flush — they can start doing it for fun :)


@jterrell Only if you serve it up on a gold platter :)


I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream -- tomorrow (Sunday) in the north east corner of Dolores park from 1 - 4pm. Bonus points for those who bring cute dogs or a hobby to show off (juggling, musical talent, etc.)!

Danielle Strachman 💗 🐈 💃 🪴 🎸 🎨 🐕

                    @DStrachman

                  6 Sep 2021

                Having an ice cream social on Sunday afternoon, Sept 12th in SF outside. Would love to meet students and dropouts who aren't yet part of our community! If you're a maker, hacker, artist, or otherwise social geek join us! DM for an invite!


Super great day for a 1517 social in the park! Thanks for joining y’all!


@augierakow Thanks for joining friend!!


Hello!


100% true! When I need to catch a super busy person, Sunday is a shockingly good day to catch them!

Jarrid Tingle

                    @jarridvtingle

                  12 Sep 2021

                Sundays are a great time to connect with busy/wealthy people.

Many use their Sundays to get ahead on work and are more responsive since they’re not in meetings and less likely to be traveling

When fundraising, we called them “Billionaire Sundays” given the higher response rate


Seed investors — what traction do you all want to see for B2B SaaS (in fintech) these days? And what raise size are you calling a seed round?


@lpolovets super curious to hear from you on this!


Thanks for chiming in! I’m seeing “preseed” anywhere under $2M and sometimes $3M. So I’m assuming the new “seed” has pushed up to $4M minimum. This company has a handful of customers — definitely not fully in PMF but getting there. Trying to decide on raise vs inside round.


@AngeloRobertsJr It was super fun!


@andrewfielding So fun! Thanks for asking me!


@ryanmyher It’s how we roll 🍦


What’s something that you love that the rest of the world doesn’t?

Mine is getting my teeth cleaned. I nearly fall asleep in the chair 🪥 🦷


@andrewfielding Hmm what do you like about them?


@octal Boy do I have a job for you! (I don’t mind doing my younger cat but my older one, nope)


@giladrom Ah interesting! I find blood drawing to be neat. Doesn’t feel good to me but not bad either.


@octal Godspeed to you good sir!


@AdamPerschke @octal Of falling asleep in the chair?


@jordanplows @giladrom Is the sensation different?


@octal @AdamPerschke This person doesn’t understand what a real psycho cat looks like.


@aidanminded That is endearing!


@jordanplows @giladrom Learned something new today. How did you come across this?


@ShaunFromLA Love this one! Thanks for sharing.


@ChrisBaylor5 I always knew that there was something different about you :P


So excited for the future of Aura! And always great to hear Steve speak about the business!

The mental health crisis is a massive problem we must fight, and we believe the answer may be enabling the creator economy among therapists & coaches.

Thank you @Mixergy and @AndrewWarner for leading the interview in such a fun way! https://mixergy.com/interviews/aura-with-steve-lee/

The mental health crisis is a massive problem we must fight, and we believe the answer may be enabling the creator economy among therapists & coaches.

Thank you @Mixergy and @AndrewWarner for leading the interview in such a fun way! https://t.co/Yq8vA8kueV

Steve Lee

Co-founder/CEO, @AuraHealthHQ. Restoring the world's mental well-being.

Mixergy

Business tips for startups by proven entrepreneurs


Why do people say "You're gonna kill it?" Why not "You're gonna flourish it!" Let's get away from the competitive war analogies -- more gardening please🌿


I feel so seen

paddington stan account@adriyoung
                  14 Sep 2021

                tim cook: the iphone 13 is incredible and i can’t wait to see what you do with it!
what we do with it:


@naseem028 I was having flossing zoom parties to help people keep up with dental hygiene -- I hope you're keeping up at home!


<3 and hello my friend, didn't know you were around these parts!


I prefer to slay an audience so hard that they sprout another bud.


and...

FINE...

ok.


@AdamPerschke Ohhh haven't seen that one yet!


@JenniferJHirsch Flourishing inspired by Jenn! Thank you lady!


@ReichartsRant


What's a piece of advice that you learned early in your career that has paid dividends?


.@ReichartsRant taught me that it's ok to ask lots and lots and lots of questions. I paid that one forward to a mentee today who is starting her first job -- felt good to see that it's paid off a lot in the long run since my job is way better off for asking tons of questions.


:) I just find it super relaxing. I had zero cavities as a kid and only good dental experiences which I think plays a lot into this. But I also find it's time that I totally allow myself not to do anything else -- kinda reminds me of acupuncture...just kinda gotta meditate.


Yes! This was my second tip to a mentee I worked with today.

If you want the contact, make the first move. If I want to follow up with someone I DO NOT give them my info. People are terrible at following up.

I take their phone, email myself, and then get back to them.


@indysofian @dunkhippo33 I just love it, I even kinda love the scratching sound. It means they are doing the work and getting my teeth clean. I'm sure it's like nails on a chalkboard to most but I'm into it.


@ReichartsRant Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?


Hmmm today I'm seeing that the average length of being at a job is no more than 2 years and I'm seeing lots of bouncing around -- but this may be specific to the cohorts I work with. What are you seeing?


It's honestly selfish -- if I want to make contact with someone (maybe a future portfolio company, maybe a hire for one of my companies, potential LP, etc.) why would I risk that the chance?


Hmmm how much do you drink? I've been drinking it for months and don't notice much. Do you drink it with breakfast? While fasting? Curious!


@pineappled_sun Love it!


Nothing against competition but would rather see competitive gardening than war.


@azeemk @shriyanevatia This is a great one!


@LexHuntsman Say more!


@naseem028 Dental health wtf!


@dagreen77 Say more!


@cindywu You’re doing it right!


Super pro tip…

I didn’t learn this until a few years ago but gel nail polish is amazing!

A friend in her 30s just got her first set and is also wondering how she didn’t know about this magic.

I used to be afraid to treat myself to “girly” things. So over that! 💅


@AlexandruTerbea Based on the language being used with them. Men are less likely to be told that their efforts are based on luck. Also based on my experience as a VC and seeing this type of bias over the years.


@JonShanny @fllorencekwok Nice!


@gigaj0ule I am not as familiar with the different types! Just enjoy it as a category but some definitely stick more than others!


Reminder that we offer $1K grants to high schoolers, college students, and dropouts to get ideas off the ground.

It’s a Venmo payment and no other paperwork plus the support of our team and portfolio founders.

Say hello: 1517fund.com/take-action

Mat Sherman

                    @Mat_Sherman

                  17 Sep 2021

                There should be a startup grant ecosystem as robust as the seed capital ecosystem. Early players are:

@thielfellowship
@startupschool
@1517fund

Who else is innovating in the “grants for startups” world?


Thank you!! It’s such a fun program to run too — people’s eyes light up when they can see that someone believes in them and is taking a bet on their future :)


@araghougassian Thank you!!!


Thank you!


@sbspalding We’ve been running it for six years and works out fabulously. 20% of our companies have started as grantees with us. And one in particular is really taking off right now but I can’t say which one 🤫


@sbspalding Yes! And we learn a lot about future potential portfolio founders and industry areas in the process.


Jeni’s is so good!


In our six years of giving these out we had one team tell us “nah, it does t get is far enough” — alrighty then, free cash for someone else!


@vhmth @loom Go big or go home. Also, you could Loom your first reaction! 🤣


They have the $1K to supply themselves with :)


Sexy af. Takes a lot of trust.


@HITInvestments Lol — but if your kids need money $$$


@marlo_safi Done!


@vhmth @loom Here for it!


@JabulaniOz Thanks for asking! Sadly it’s very rare that we do international funding. We would like to expand more there in the future!


@JabulaniOz And we would certainly take a look at an application. If we have connections we can make we are happy to do so.


My tweet about gel nails did terribly — I must be on to something!


The not paperwork is easy — I don’t send any paperwork. We trust people to buy the things they need for their projects. We have developed a keen taste for what a person who genuinely wants to work on something behaves like and we look for those behaviors in their character.


I stopped sleeping with a pillow or only a very nice thin one around 30. Back problems gone!


It’s a solution. Also if you can sleep on your back that is best for most people. I’m a stomach sleeper which is terrible for the neck. Give no pillows or a very thin one (or fold a towel) for a couple weeks and report back.


@jordanplows Kill the pillows! And try to start training yourself on your back. On your back you can also kinda cuddle the pillow and that’s nice.


.@HackTheNorth, my favorite hackathon, does it again! Fabulous hacks and so incredible what teams are making and especially for a remote event. Super impressed!


Some fav hacks: an automated dumpling maker, speech therapy app, and a guitar hero game but for real drums.


This may be my favorite funny and totally not PC hack -- the demo at 2:20 is the best part.

devpost.com/software/immigra…


@nickarner https://devpost.com/software/viva-re-imagining-speech-therapy It's a start! Definitely more to develop!


@jnconkle Where is your family from?


Four square! Yours?


@tricksyrix Four square!


Not in SF but I love Pets in Berkeley. They are an emergency clinic.


Do know that vets and emergency services are extremely understaffed. I had to take my kitty in last week and it was an eight hour wait for anything that they deemed not a total emergency. Give them a call before you go!


Went to bed at 9pm to wake at 4:30am to take my boyfriend to participate in the SF marathon. Now it’s making me wonder if it would be worth it to move my sleep times ahead a bit to get up at 5:30ish. Any early risers want to endorse this? Are the extra morning hours worth it?


As reference I get up between 6:30 and 8:15 now. Mornings kinda feel rushed and I’m not a fan of that. Also my evenings are definitely more bad habit inducing (scrolling) — so seems like a no brainer to do this with the exception of that social stuff goes late often.


@iAbheejit Bring it home! Sell it to me! What are these wonders? I almost stayed up today but crashed back out for two hours around 6am.


@srinitude Mmmm tempting. Can you describe what the productivity was like?


When I was a student I would sometimes stay up until 4am. I loved those hours where no one else was around. This kinda sounds like that as a benefit. When do you nap?


@iAbheejit Alright, you got me. Gonna try this!


I have a hard time with the while, get up before the sun comes up thing. Any tips?


@eclubb What time do you go to bed? Any protips for waking before sunrise? That’s the tough one for me.


Oh gosh it’s so terrible. What will happen at Pets is that they will do vitals (it might take an hour or two) and determine if it’s an emergency (I’m assuming they shaking will be seen sooner). If not, they will have you go home and then come back in later. Best wishes to puppy!


My kitty is almost 100% better. Was really glad I brought her in!


@startuployalist The vets there are fabulous once they see you. They take as long as is needed and can do emergency surgery there too. And they are very warm and caring.


Yes I need 8 hours for sure!


@SawyerJerry 🤔


@iAbheejit If you nap, also try yoga nidra (upside of nap without the downsides of a nap like grogginess) — there are some good Spotify sessions.


@JonShanny Yeah that seems pretty doable for me if I can get myself IN bed at 9:30.


Ohhh just caught a fun follow number. I don’t care much about the 10K mark. Repdigits and palindromes are much cooler in my book.


Ohh and with one unfollow I have two palindromes! Hurray!


@aarjav @startuployalist Yes they seem wonderful too! At least a couple weeks ago they also had long waits but they told me that 6 or 7am is their least busy time.


Pretty ironic that the evening before an early morning flight -- I'm on United customer service working out an issue. Would really like to be sleeping now so I can get up at 3:30am tmw. Oy!


Sorry it's a rough one :/


@erikpavia Yup! I’m a fan of them both.


Met with Marc Andreessen about 2 years ago and he said exactly this.


He said they are like Amazon or Walmart — you go to them for anything. But the people who find the entrepreneurs are the smaller funds with a theme. The implication I drew was that all these midsized funds are going to be extraneous and goners.


@boomereng @alex I think he knows what’s up — was really wonderful to meet him. Great conversationalist and very thoughtful/kind.


We have invested in founders in TX with investments and grants. We visit the ecosystem pretty regularly!

Replying to @MaxMoralesChile @Carina_B_P @SplashCoWork


Theirs is once/year but you can check out all the hackathons going in with @MLHacks

Replying to @NPDeMember @HackTheNorth @markorussiver @MyDailyPosts @dannibles @m_rlons @DanielleFong


@FrankieS2727 This sounds like torture!


@FrankieS2727 Lol didn’t have to be first but he did best his previous time by an hour and a half!


@Tawheed I love chai! Do you have a fab brand or way to make it? So are you actually doing the 5am thing now or no?


@FrankieS2727 For you!


@Tawheed I have a guilty pleasure of drinking Lipton with Fluff (marshmallow cream) :). Yes going to sleep early is very important!


@made_in_cosmos This would be huge!


Holding a warm drink also has a positive effect on the holder’s feelings towards the person they are with — always serve drinks hot!


Count me in!


@Quan @dunkhippo33 I like it!


These were part of the snacks on a regular economy flight today. What the what?!


Srsly bougie


Denver Airlines — small commercial plane!


So if you had a tshirt or mug that you had the design for that you wanted to sell, where would you put it?


Denver Air — little regional planes.


Great question!! Been wondering about this for years.

Geoff Shullenberger

                    @g_shullenberger

                  20 Sep 2021

                When exactly, and how, did the intense stigmatization of “selling out,” so central to gen X culture and the 90s, become obsolete and even incomprehensible? I don’t think people now worry about their heroes, or themselves, “selling out” in at all the same way as they did then.


My friend who is a homeschool mom and scientist made such a great lesson for her blooming chemist.


Truth! I didn’t eat it :)


My colleague is convinced that 5 bucks should always buy two slice and a coke.


Wrong take. The most busy people I know are some of the fastest responders. I think they get great at not letting a no mean something about them.

Tim is solving himself

                    @MasterTimBlais

                  20 Sep 2021

                something i've noticed about friendly, sought after people

if you make a request of them, they don't say no; they just don't respond

later they carry on communicating with you like nothing happened

they have no time to do the thing, no time to say no, no time to get offended


We started the fellowship supporting 19 year old makers who barely had an idea or a couch to crash on. They were extraordinary young people to back. So disappointed to hear about applicants getting interviews who are 24, have seed funding, and are married. Really?! C’mon🐴 💩🤯


I’m especially mad that this 24 year old has applied multiple times. The time for support was **years** ago — not when they have signals from others.


I am proud that long ago we saw the greatness in believing in people’s abilities over degrees and signals. It’s made us wildly successful as a fund. @1517fund is a top decile fund because of this ability to take a chance on you.


Side note: The table flip is the mama bear energy I’ll bring to anyone doing wrong by people I care about including portfolio founders. I will go to the mattresses for you.


@TUNGAMUKWENA Best of luck!


@MasterTimBlais I wouldn’t call your type friendly and certainly not kind.


Great teachers inspire!


@LouisAnslow I accept cookies, brownies, and other homemade treats as comp.


@LouisAnslow I also don’t think there is anything inherently wrong with having programs for those who are more established with funds and more established lives. It’s fine. It just wasn’t the starting premise here and I think it can be confusing for applicants.


@benjamingreeley No no exactly! But backing a person who has raised venture capital to me is past that “seed” stage.


@martin_dimov Well, I think another more charitable view is that after we departed they had a much larger applicant pool since the program was more established. It’s understandably hard to manage that. But yes, I believe that part of having a great process is clearly and timely communicating.


I will look in your fridge like I view your bookshelves, looking for  depth. Do you feed your soul or are you a barren wasteland?


For the record, I’m conflicted. @William_Blake has amazing books and an empty fridge. Luckily other friends who are here stocked it, disaster averted.


@martin_dimov The scope is broader now which has pluses and minuses. Backing a 17 yo who hasn’t finished high school, lives at home, and is starting a project is categorically different than a 23 yo with VC backing and lives in an apartment in NY with established connections. Identity = tough.


Would also like to point out that I can love a program while also critiquing. The fellowship isn’t done doing great things, I just think mission drift is real. Being more clear about who they serve and communication around the identity of the program would go far with applicants.


@William_Blake 💯


@martin_dimov Much love you Martin! 💗💗💗 Ran into Taylor Wilson in the airport today and we are going to plan a get together. More soon!


You get a pass for being a great cat parent.

Replying to @kaimicahmills @William_Blake


@kaimicahmills @William_Blake But why no cooking?


Worked on my own burnout in January and it’s a complete game changer. Take a close look, your funk is more than motivation issues that the productivity fiends would have you believe.

Elizabeth Yin 💛

                    @dunkhippo33

                  20 Sep 2021

                Today's tweet storm is on my learnings on burnout. Burnout is real and can't be ignored. I've faced it a bunch - when I was at Google, during my startup, and even now.

Most founders and busy professionals get burned out at some pt (or multiple pts) in their career.

Read on >>


If you ever want tips on how to start cooking, happy to make recs but also respect your current conundrum.


Made your own fellowship!


Funny timing — sitting down to home cooked dinner. More soon if I remember. But start with Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat (the book)


@codingwithjamie Gotta move to CO!


They also had these!


@codingwithjamie Ok pro question. Do you freeze them or have them room temp?


@Bryan_Barton @1517fund @William_Blake @yevbar @augierakow @justinsselig So great to reconnect!


@codingwithjamie Love frozen fruit! Cotton candy grapes frozen are perfection :)


@dannibles A bold statement! I haven’t thought about the concept of social mobility — that’s an interesting one. What do you think it is? The ability to be accepted into a group? I’m unclear but think this sounds like an interesting concept.


.@djbaskin is a national treasure. Never change!

Danielle Baskin@djbaskin
                  20 Sep 2021

                Today we opened a Spirit Halloween at the vacant Google Headquarters.


Fake news from WSJ and the author:

“Some of Mr. Chafkin’s arrows appear to me to hit their mark. He may be right that the Thiel Fellowship was a failure born of Mr. Thiel’s desire for favorable press attention.”

More bloviating here: wsj.com/articles/the-contrar…


The author of the book reached out to myself and @William_Blake and we declined because we knew the aim was for a hit piece.

If you want an inside story and nuanced perspective, just you wait for @William_Blake’s book to come out next year.


It’s gonna be awesome! The amount of additional research he’s doing is unreal.


@gigaj0ule You got me in the feels Joule -- it was an absolute pleasure. You have a mind and heart, both made of gold.


“But the thing that was depressing when I read the book was that he had taken the facts that I told him, and put an attitude to them that was not remotely right.” Bingo — this is why I mostly refuse interviews.


@codingwithjamie Saw! Haven't processed yet!


Hating on Thiel and others seems to be a favorite past time these days — so easy to throw around false criticism.


@cullend And if he did make a ton of money it would also mean that you made a shit ton more. Some investors are predatory for sure but Thiel isn’t one of them and I think it’s pretty rare in professional investing. The circles are just too small.


@TimothyStiles What do you think happened here?


@Slowest_Sloth_ I have a philosophical stance that nonprofit dollars should inherently be for supporting orgs and people without means, not used as prize money for already making it ahead of your peers.