3.8
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3.1 They Genuinely Tried To Help
Fund: El Dorado Ventures
Posted by Entrepreneer on 2008-03-17
Shanda led our A round in late 2005. I was a cofounder, and I had reservations about raising so much capital given how little time we'd spent exploring the space. My cofounder said that ours was a play that all VCs would soon make a bet in, and it was better to choose our dance partners early. As a dance partner, El Dorado offered real help. Introductions to important players in the space, an emphasis on measurement, and peer sessions, where the CTOs or CEOs from their portfolio companies would come together to discuss topical issues. All of this was clearly valuable, and offered something far better than I'd received from prior boards, where you were lucky to get the investor to come to a board meeting once a quarter.
In the end, we failed. The market we were anticipating has not yet developed, and we used the capital too quickly. Shanda remained engaged the entire time. She never became desperate. She's level-headed, and a bit of a hard ass; which is just what we needed sometimes.
When something fails, there's lots of places to spread the blame, and someone more bitter than I could probably smear El Dorado, but I think the real failure rests with the CEO and me. Nonetheless, there is some intangible that I cannot place that makes me reserved about seeking El Dorado as a partner again. Perhaps it is just that having failed with them, I'd rather go with someone with a good reputation with whom I have no failures.
PRIVATE: Members Only (1059 Characters)Funded My A, B And C Rounds
Fund: El Dorado Ventures
Posted by Jim Fowler - CEO of Jigsaw on 2007-12-10
We have raised $18M in three rounds. EDV led our A and participated in the B and C. Tom Peterson is on my board and has added extreme value to our company, and to me personally. As EDV is a relatively small firm I have come to know all the partners well. What most impresses me is how much they invest in their portfolio companies. They have consultants on staff from most disciplines (finance, engineering, marketing, netops, etc) who are available to portfolio CEOs and help in everything from strategy to interviewing a candidate in their discipline.
This investment team is honest, will tell you like it is, but are strong believers that CEOs need to run the company. I would highly recommend them and am happy to take reference calls (my direct contact info is in Jigsaw).
Helped Us Grow From $2 To $16 Million
Fund: El Dorado Ventures
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-10-17
The EDV team is very bright, straight-forward and high integrity.
Shanda is great person to work with. She is very grounded, supportive and experienced.
Some VCs are immature, egotistical and insecure. Shanda is not.
PRIVATE: Members Only (570 Characters)Build A Company With Them!
Fund: El Dorado Ventures
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-08-24
El-Dorado came in on Series A, and helped build the company step by step. Excellent experience during pitching, term-sheet, close, and ramp. Extremely valuable on a board- always asking the right questions at the right time, and wanting to focus on is the strategy correct and is execution as good as it can be. Will definitely want to build another company with them- no question about it.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyGood Partner For Entrepreneurs
Fund: El Dorado Ventures
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-07-23
I worked with El Dorado on a company recently. They moved very quickly from initial pitch in the seed/A round to a term sheet, and they were completely supportive in later rounds of financing and through our eventual acquisition. Although a particular patner sat on my board, at EDV, unlike other firms where I have been financed, I always felt like I could call any of the partners for help at any time. Unlike other firms, EDV was always completely above board and trustworthy.
EDV will be the first firm I approach when I start the next one.
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Just A Comment.....
Fund: El Dorado Ventures
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-07-20
I can't say much as I didn't get past our pitch. I have heard very good things about them, and Shanda in particular, from a very good CEO friend who is very experienced.
However, I pitched Scott Irwin and he said he would have to "Study the space to see where the white space is". What the hell is he talking about? A $ 3B industry that I have built a leader in and HE is going to tell me where the "white space is". I just hate VCs who think they know it all.
If you can pitch Chanda, I think you will get a fair shake from an experienced VC. El Dorado seems very well regarded.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyQuick Response
Fund: El Dorado Ventures
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-07-19
A very prompt, courteous pass from a group principal, including a few words about why in response to an initial query.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyEdv Is A Great Firm To Work With
Fund: El Dorado Ventures
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-06-15
I have raised money for several companies and over a $100M in funding. EDV is one of the best. They are easy to work through the term sheet phase - and fair. Post investment they are appropriately involved and add significant value - as much as any VC I have worked with. From an experienced entrepreneur - I would give them my highest marks and recommend them to any entrepreneur.
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