Archive for August, 2011

Disruptive Companies in Asset Management

 
We recently hosted an idea dinner on "Disruptive Companies in the Asset Management Industry". 
 
The most attractive industries to disrupt are highly profitable ones, and asset management is traditionally a highly profitable industry.  IMHO, the most successful disrupters in this area to date have been Vanguard (who popularized index funds) and the ETF industry.  We Read More...

Posted By David Teten Comments Off
On August 29th, 2011

The value of a CFA

 
We took our interns out for dinner last night and one of the topics we discussed was their career planning.  Walking to work today, I saw the woman below at 38th & Broadway.  According to her T-shirt, "I survived the CFA exam." 
 

Posted By David Teten Comments Off
On August 19th, 2011

Free Government Money for Startups

 

A few weeks ago, Fred Wilson discussed the role of government grants in helping launch tech companies.  Fred is not a fan and argues that evaluating and aiding early-stage companies is not a core competency of government organizations. He concludes by asking his readers to look into grant programs available for startups.
We find it hard Read More...

Posted By David Teten Comments Off
On August 8th, 2011

Our Lending Library Principles, and overdelivering on an assignment

 
 

  One of the first steps I took when I joined ff Venture Capital was to launch a lending library (the original social media). It's a very cheap employee benefit and more important, a way to promote a culture of both learning and knowledge-sharing. I think every company would benefit by having a small lending Read More...

Posted By David Teten Comments Off
On August 5th, 2011

Notes from PluggedIn Ventures Real Time Data, Content, & Analytics Roundtable

 

 
Gregory Sanzone, an intern at Parse.ly, took details notes on today's Real Time Data, Content, & Analytics Roundtable, hosted by PluggedIn Ventures.
 
Real Time Data
 
Real time data is valuable in two ways, mainly. The first is that it crudely allows content providers to recognize spikes in popularity of pieces of content, so they can "double down" Read More...

Posted By David Teten Comments Off
On August 3rd, 2011
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