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Quick, Solid
Fund: Apex Venture Partners
Posted by tmc on 2010-07-30
Meeting to closing with Apex was the fastest venture deal I've ever seen done. Lon met with us, got us through the partner meeting, read the docs and closed and funded the deal in just about two weeks. The circumstances were extraordinary, but I was incredibly impressed by the efficiency.
Since then. Lon's been good to work with an remains one of the very few truly serious VCs in the Chicago area. He's been supportive and constructive. I'm also friends with other entrepreneurs he has backed and he is widely respected. I recommend him highly.
PRIVATE: Members Only (1056 Characters)Great Experiences with Apex
Fund: Apex Venture Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-07-21
Presenting to VCs can be like visiting an angry proctologist. It's their job to poke and prod, but some VCs seem to relish your discomfort a little too much.
I recently had the pleasure of approaching Apex about a new business concept. I've had prior dealings with Lon Chow and was reminded, after our meeting, why I want to work with them again. The Apex team is one of the more collaborative and down-to-earth groups I've encountered.... maybe it's the midwestern values or something. Lon thinks like a team member who's trying to help you figure out your business and make it better. He very quickly shifted from 'listening mode' to 'collaboration mode', and was full of helpful advice on next steps and potential hires.
In my mind, that's what distinguishes good VCs from bad ones: the best VCs are collaborators who are out there on the front lines with you, shoulder-to-shoulder. As I'm pitching my 'next big thing', I want collaborators on my board -- not proctologists -- and so Apex is on my shortlist.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyFair Weather Fund: Any Problems and Will Throw You to the Lions
Fund: Apex Venture Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-08-28
I worked with this fund and they pushed other much more credible investors out of deals - they did not protect or reward the team; they were always in the grey area of structure - with a proper investment they could have reached 50% IRR but refused to get diluted.
PRIVATE: Members Only (479 Characters)