They are Not Venture: but Bank...
Fund: 3i Group plc
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-01-03
Pitching 3i a venture early stage is waisting their and your time. I was told directly by one of their partners (Chris Rowlands) that they are not really interested in early stage and venture any more, but only solid companies with big track records, kind of like Index. MBOs, M&As and the likes. Maybe series C if you have traction.
They seemed very honest and polite and followed up as scheduled and promised.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyVery Slow Road
Fund: 3i Group plc
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-11-09
We pitched 31 informally at least a half a dozen times. Each time, they expressed interest, and each time the process dragged on... It was like they were taking meetings to look busy. They then made an investment in a related space. I would recommend that you qualify the interest before wasting time, and, if it moves slow, pull out.
PRIVATE: Members Only (239 Characters)Pillar to Post, but Direct
Fund: 3i Group plc
Posted by MudPlugger on 2007-08-16
We were asked to submit a pitch, was then passed about a bit, and then told that they couldn't invest because of other things in the pipeline. Clearly they knew about them when they first came to meet us, so why did they ask for a pitch"
PRIVATE: Members OnlyThey Can't Invest
Fund: 3i Group plc
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-04-17
They have a bad reputation to start with, though they swear they have got better.
PRIVATE: Members Only (329 Characters)Spreading Money Around
Fund: 3i Group plc
Posted by Y2K on 2007-03-16
One company founder I met had a terrible experience with these guys. They were mainly focused on getting the deal done and put complex conditions which a start up making it unfavourable for the portfolio company.
PRIVATE: Members Only (392 Characters)