3.8
3.3 
3.0 
3.4 
3.1 The Good And The Bad
Fund: Hummer Winblad Venture Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-06-15
HW has been around for nearly 20 years betting on small plays where they put a dollar in and are very happy to get 2-3 dollars back with small valuations and entry level teams. However, they are big and experienced enough now to move into a real first-tier firm, but are still somewhat afraid to "punch up" outside their self-perceived weight class.
The reason why Sequoia and (old) Kleiner have been so successful is their proven ability to weigh larger risks for larger rewards. The talent and dry powder is there at HW to move into the big time-- big potential companies in big markets that can change the world; but they need to step up and move out of incremental businesses for small paybacks to up-market VC where they really belong.
These are very, very smart people, and they have grown enough to evolve in their investments beyond the bush league and take their earned place among the players in building real $B businesses on Sand Hill Road.
PRIVATE: Members Only (79 Characters)My Homework Turned In Late : )
Fund: Hummer Winblad Venture Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-03-24
Recently pitched Hummer Winblad.
I decided to do a little research on their recent investments to see how relevant we were to their strategy (we're essentially an ecommerce company). Omniture (IPO) and Move Networks appear to be a couple hot investments (Utah has been good to Hummer Winblad!).
Here are their investments from 2007 and so far in 2008:
Aria Systems - Billing/customer management - Enterprise
BayNote - Recommendation engine - Enterprise
BSG Alliance - Big and hard to understand - Enterprise
Cenzic - Developer stuff - Enterprise
CITTIO - Network monitoring - Enterprise
Communicado - Voice/collaboration - Enterprise
Elastra - Something to do with clouds - I think weather related
Five9 - Call centers - Enterprise
Global Netoptex - Servers & such - Enterprise
HubPages - Blog stuff - Consumer
Infopia - eCommerce - Enterprise
InMage Systems - Disaster recovery - Enterprise
Krillion - Shopping - Consumer (bingo!)
Kwiry - Text message notepad - Consumer
Move Networks - Video - Enterprise/enabler
MuleSource - Opensource - Enterprise
Sapias - Wireless - Enterprise
SlideRocket - Online presentations - Consumer
Star Analytics - Hyperion'ish - Enterprise
Tizor Systems - Data monitoring - Enterprise
VKernel - Looks complicated - Enterprise
Voltage Security - Security - Enterprise
Widgetbox - Widget directory - Consumer
Generally pretty heavy on the enterprise - but a few consumer/e-commerce companies mixed in.
Probably should have done this research before I went in there ;-)
PRIVATE: Members OnlyQuick "No", Great Feedback
Fund: Hummer Winblad Venture Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-03-16
Recently pitched Ann Winblad. We weren't a good fit, so we got a quick "no". But Ann was great, gave us good advice, and opened some doors.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyGood Talk With Todd Forrest
Fund: Hummer Winblad Venture Partners
Posted by McFunded on 2008-03-04
We had an opportunity to talk with Todd about our business, even though we're not ready for VC funding. He gave us a good hour and a half of his time, and provided some good ideas on how to position ourselves for funding. Not your typical VC who sits back in his chair with his arms crossed...
PRIVATE: Members Only (583 Characters)Pitch Went Well, We'Ll See About The Terms
Fund: Hummer Winblad Venture Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-02-19
Pitched Lars, a nice guy who "got" our space very quickly. He asked good questions and identified a follow-up schedule, something that I definitely appreciate.
PRIVATE: Members Only (133 Characters)VISIT:
Ann Winblad Is Top Shelf
Fund: Hummer Winblad Venture Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-02-06
Recently pitched Ann Winblad. Although we weren't a good fit (stage and geography), she spent substantial time providing constructive feedback and broke out her Rolodex to suggest a few next steps. Her conversational, low-pressure style is refreshing, and I believe, makes for a better pitch.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyQuick Decision And Up Front If You Are Saa S Or Enterprise Software Definitely Pitch
Fund: Hummer Winblad Venture Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-12-31
HumWin contact us after hearing about that our company had a term sheet. We had a meeting the next day and partner's meeting the next day . In the end we were a bit further from Enterprise Software and they passed -- though they liked us and the business enough to refer us over to a firm that's better suited for our target market.
PRIVATE: Members Only (382 Characters)Got To A "No" Quickly
Fund: Hummer Winblad Venture Partners
Posted by mojojojo on 2007-12-28
No wasted time. Twice got a considerate rejection email two days later. I know Mitchell Kertzman from operating roles he's had at other companies as well as some of his venture backed board roles. I find him to be bright and energetic in meetings. HumWin has been burned on a number of industries including interactive television and Internet (natch), and I would suggest only contacting them with Enterprise Software plays that are not too vertical.
PRIVATE: Members Only (80 Characters)Involved With Hw For Years
Fund: Hummer Winblad Venture Partners
Posted by jdavid694 on 2007-11-27
I worked with John more than Ann for a number of years and never once experienced anything except professional support. We were heavily funded by HW and even when things went south the support and professionalism remained. They are smart and know the software industry.
PRIVATE: Members Only (161 Characters)Good Fair Meeting
Fund: Hummer Winblad Venture Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-10-12
They know where their sweet spot is... if you are not a pure software play, then you might want to look elsewhere. Good guys and smart thinkers but they stick to their competance.
PRIVATE: Members Only (259 Characters)VISIT:
Will Price Great Guy
Fund: Hummer Winblad Venture Partners
Posted by Screenie on 2007-09-15
I met Will through an event at which my company pitched. Even though our area is not their area of focus, Will has helped me with a touch point to one of HumWin's portfolio companies, and has done calls with me to help me through some questions I've had. He's a class act, very smart, and a breath of fresh air in the VC industry.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyBizarre Is Right
Fund: Hummer Winblad Venture Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-08-18
I thought this firm's behavior was extreme and yet other comments affirm similar reactions. John H was late, and then abrupt and rude. He embarrassed his associate who called me later to apologize for the behavior and waste of time. This is a second tier firm with first tier ego and third tier character.
PRIVATE: Members OnlySoftware Only
Fund: Hummer Winblad Venture Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-01-13
These folks are in the software space.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyRude Behavior
Fund: Hummer Winblad Venture Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-08-13
Great Partners
Fund: Hummer Winblad Venture Partners
Posted by Trendar on 2008-03-25
As with other commenters, I have to say that Hummer Winblad in general and Ann Winblad in particular offer so much more than just money. Connections, contacts, guidance, high-quality candidates, and unlike other VCs they don't interfere, just help. I think they're especially helpful for early stage ventures and relatively inexperienced executive teams, but they can add value at any stage.
PRIVATE: Members Only (995 Characters)