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1.0 Efficient Seed Round Pitch
Fund: Greylock Partners
Posted by bug on 2012-06-13
I pitched to John for a seed investment. I found that he understood the pitch, was engaged, and that his feedback blunt and honest. I appreciated.
I've found him generally to be polite and to keep the expectations he sets.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyQuick Feedback, Helpful Followup, Fast No
Fund: Greylock Partners
Posted by John Payne on 2011-10-05
Was introduced to John Lilly at Greylock and had a good conversation with him about our business. He was thoughtful, tried to be helpful and gave us a quick no. When I asked him for color on his response he was quick to reply even though wildly busy and gave useful feedback on both our deal's fit (or lack therof) with Greylock and the current state of the market as it affected us independent of the specifics of our deal.
Generally I thought he was helpful and professional and I would talk to him again in a heartbeat.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyJohn Lilly: Efficient, Knowledgable, and Very Helpful
Fund: Greylock Partners
Posted by Steve Kirsch on 2011-07-08
At Reid Hoffman's recommendation, I pitched John Lilly on June 8, 2011 at Greylock on a new identity management startup, OneID. We met for 45 minutes.
I had previously talked to John when he was President of Mozilla.org, but that was only a brief conversation.
John was fully engaged, understood the pitch and the significance, and quickly jumped to the key issue: adoption. I agree. He saw it immediately.
He's also the only VC I've pitched that knew what federated identity is (and other buzzwords that only people deep in my space would know). So he understands the technology.
He said he'd get back to me on Monday and he did. They turned us down and he explained why.
Despite the turn down, he's kept in touch and has been helpful in identifying some top technical talent and to making introductions at some large companies I wanted to contact but wouldn't otherwise be able to meet with.
All in all, I couldn't have been happier. Of the people I've pitched, he's been by far the most helpful.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyJohn Lilly: Rude Behaviour
Fund: Greylock Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2012-05-26
Odd Process
Fund: Greylock Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-09-01
Possibly the worst pitching experience. After weeks of meetings and diligence the sponsor partner brings us in for a Monday meeting and one of the main Greylock partners sleeps through it. Oh well...
PRIVATE: Members OnlyBill Kaiser: Very Straightforward
Fund: Greylock Partners
Posted by mcolli20 on 2008-07-21
I've met now twice with Bill K. who has been very professional, insightful and above board. Though we are a little unclear as to where they stand, my partner and I have nothing but the highest regards for what our experience has been thus far.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyMake Sure You Have Both Bill Support if You Want Deal Done in Boston
Fund: Greylock Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-03-08
I've heard this a few times that Bill Helman has all the power and that both Bills (Bill Kaiser is the other) need to be on Board if you want your deal done. I friend of mine was spend a consider about of time with another partner only to have deal nixed at end. Have other had similar experience"
PRIVATE: Members OnlyGreat Group
Fund: Greylock Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-03-01
Greylock is by far the best group of venture professionals that I have had the privledge of interacting with. They are extremely well connected and do not hesitate to use their connections to help out.
They move fast when they see something they want and they are extremely fair in negotiations. I would recommend Greylock to anyone who has the opportunity to do a deal with them!
PRIVATE: Members OnlyCharles Chi a Class Act
Fund: Greylock Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-01-01
I pitched Charles Chi a few years ago for our Series A, and it was a very good experience as he immediately concluded that it wasn't a good fit and very politely told us why. We didn't waste anyone's time futher.
I stay in touch with Charles from time to time and always find that he is friendly and direct. Its so unusual that I thought I should write up my experience here.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyKaiser Was Rude, Bogan Wasn't
Fund: Greylock Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-11-28
David Strohm is Very Sharp
Fund: Greylock Partners
Posted by Deans on 2007-09-25
Greylock funded one of the first companies that I worked for & I met David Strohm through that association. I kept in touch with him through the years and have always been impressed. He's confident, but not arrogant & he's a real pleasure to deal with.
PRIVATE: Members Only (183 Characters)Very Worthwhile First Pitch
Fund: Greylock Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-09-21
Tom Bogan was smart, candid and insightful.
PRIVATE: Members Only (677 Characters)Bill Helman
Fund: Greylock Partners
Posted by Anonymouos on 2007-09-13
I have heard from folks who have worked with him that he has an ego the size of a football stadium, but that "you know where you stand". I know a few LP's and apparently he's never had the kind of grand slam many of his contemporaries have which might explain the ego issues.
The general word on the street is that the west coast is really dominating the firm and the few deals being done out of the Boston office are late stage deals.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyGo for the Partners
Fund: Greylock Partners
Posted by RuralRoute6 on 2007-08-19
Principals and Associates offered very little if any insights and were unable to grasp simple online advertising concepts. Of all the pitches, they offered the least strategic insights and questions. Good people but just going through the motions of "looking at every deal". Mistake was to assume they would bring in Partners.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyPolite but Sketchy
Fund: Greylock Partners
Posted by beyondfunded on 2007-08-17
I must second all other comments. I met with Bill Kaiser, Eve Phillips and a few associates and while they all were very polite, they were also very arrogant and very aggressive. Also, you could feel the internal tension (my conversation with them always had people from different offices cutting each other off and not agreeing with each other).
PRIVATE: Members OnlyNever Again
Fund: Greylock Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-08-12
Twice is enough, and the same things keep happening there after the people change. They'll change their minds and blame the other partners, they'll make decisions they don't really like then look for someone else to blame. They tolerate bad management for too long and then - wham! - they change everything. All ego, no help, no partnership. It's just not worth it.
PRIVATE: Members Only (409 Characters)