3.8
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3.1 Jo Is A Great Guy And A Straight Shooter
Fund: Kepha Partners
Posted by orchid1_Scott A. on 2008-06-04
I met with Jo in November on what was then a very early stage idea. He was very generous with his time and very straightforward. He made it clear early on that my company was probably not a fit, at least at its current stage (current then).
He had great insights and feedback and I left very impressed with his knowledge of the internet space.
Did not formally pitch him on a deal, but he is certainly someone I would go back and speak to once we are looking in the VC direction.
Overall a great guy who you can trust.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyQuick No
Fund: Kepha Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-02-01
Tried to entice Jo to take a look at our fabless semi play but he respectfully declined.
PRIVATE: Members Only (406 Characters)Timely, Right To The Point
Fund: Kepha Partners
Posted by jumpingElvis on 2007-12-18
Jo did not invest in our company but we had a great meeting with him. We enjoyed the meeting, had an open discussion about the challenges we face and the exec team's track record (or lack thereof).
He responded back to us that he wasn't going to invest with a straight forward answer, not a rambling dissertation of what we needed to do to change our business.
We would consider him for follow on rounds or our next company.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyQuick And Courteous
Fund: Kepha Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-11-27
I was able to get a referral from a member of this website so I am guessing that made a difference.
Jo made the effort to contact me first and reviewed my bplan basically overnight. He came back with a "no" but instead of a short email he called with his answer - a very stand up move in my opinion.
PRIVATE: Members Only (249 Characters)Value Add, Honest Vc
Fund: Kepha Partners
Posted by anonymous on 2007-11-13
I have pitched several projects to Jo over the past few years and found him the only VC who:
a) added value to my proposal with good questions and suggestions or connections even if he himself decided not to invest
b) was up-front and honest with me throughout the entire process. with Jo, you always know where you stand. He doesn't play any games - he's trustworthy and to me as an entrepreneur, that's key.
VISIT:
Tango Is A Great Vc
Fund: Kepha Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-10-10
Jo Tango's example should be followed by more VCs. The posts here show that with a little bit of respect for the entrepreneur, a VC's reputation can become golden.
PRIVATE: Members Only (171 Characters)Upfront And Direct
Fund: Kepha Partners
Posted by snickers on 2007-09-21
I emailed Jo with an Executive Summary and, while it wasn't in his area of current interest, he responded immediately and decisively. There was no waffling or waiting to get a firm answer. There would be a lot less time wasted if more VC's were this honest.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyJo Tango Is Excellent
Fund: Kepha Partners
Posted by Duncan@cilk.com on 2007-09-07
Jo Tango is an absolute prince. He as honest, hard-working, and well-connected a VC as a Boston-area startup could ask for. He didn't fund my deal, but he was one of my top choices.
PRIVATE: Members Only (611 Characters)Jo Tango/Kepha Partners: The Real Deal
Fund: Kepha Partners
Posted by n00bie on 2007-08-30
Unlike other posters I’ve only met Jo three times – the most recent being a pitch meeting where I was reminded once again that Jo’s the Real Deal.
IMHO Kepha Partners fills a big void in the VC landscape – delivering the next wave of entrepreneurs precisely what they need: a solid starting point. I found him to be approachable, direct and as willing to quickly vet an idea conversationally - as he is to confront head-on a weak spot in the model.
What Kepha Partners has set out to do is a much needed departure from traditional firms. Unlike an earlier poster: At the end of the day raising a seed/series A round for my company is a pretty personal thing – I want to get to know the people that may own a piece and talking about politics, business and even the meaning of life _should_ be part of it.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyJo Tango Is First Rate
Fund: Kepha Partners
Posted by bandrews on 2007-08-29
I have known Jo Tango for 9 years. He is one of the most honest people I have ever met. Jo's integrity is the highest a person can have. Jo backs his entrepreneurs and is always trying to help him. Jo has a great network of contacts to help his entrepreneurs success. He is smart, articulate, hard working and extremely supportive. Jo is a true early stage entrepreneur's best asset. Jo was on a a board of Directors where I was CEO and Jo is top notch. I highly recommend Jo Tango.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyVISIT:
Value Added After The Deal
Fund: Kepha Partners
Posted by cereal on 2008-01-17
Jo fought hard to get into our first round. It takes moxie and pull to get a first round completed through a big partnership, and you can't be afraid of first stage risks, of which there are plenty. You have to walk the walk. Jo actually rushed from behind, in terms of due diligence, and he impressed me with his ethics, risk tolerance, connections, and zeal. That was when Jo was with Highland.
When he mentioned starting Kepha, I applauded him since I think Boston desparately needs some smaller funds, which can move more aggressively to grab very early/exciting deals. And Jo can do early stage well.
After his investment was completed in my company (a few years ago), we started to see an amazing amount of value at the board level. I thought he would be helpful, but I frankly underestimated the degree. Jo's personal contribution was critical in helping us recruit other board members, find and hire key executives, help me push for measured growth at the board level, help us land more rounds with more top-tier firms, and perhaps most impressive: my company is still using sales leads which were derived from leads he gave us years ago! Those are things he did for us pretty much solo, by himself.
I highly recommend that all entrepreneur CEO's reference check your prospective funders. You are going to be married to your VC's for a while. The feedback I got for Jo was excellent, and painted the picture of a very different kind of VC. He will work very hard for you, and he won't give up. He has also seen things gone very wrong, as all experienced early stagers have also, and he is known for fair and often generous problem resolutions. That is important to me. Things will go wrong. Finally, he is known for not doing anything rash. I value that too. All that feedback resonates with my personal experiences with him.
Finally, Jo is known for supporting people over several companies, and over many years. He can be a powerful booster for you out there on your next deal, even if he doesn't invest in your last one.
He has a big fan club. Ask around. You can't miss them. That says a lot right there.
PRIVATE: Members Only (1628 Characters)A Well Connected Startup Coach
Fund: Kepha Partners
Posted by dave on 2007-08-25
Jo Tango operates differently than most VCs. Jo looks for people that could be entrepreneurs and he assists/coaches them during the pre-funded period to be successful in getting their company off the ground. He's also very well connected with many CIO/IT/Business Development people, and his introductions were critical in opening doors at the right time for my company.
PRIVATE: Members Only (257 Characters)More Than Money
Fund: Kepha Partners
Posted by boba1 on 2007-08-25
Talking with Jo, you had better have your act together- he is very smart, and will tell you exactly what he thinks in a fair, no-nonsense way. There is nothing ambiguous about his approach, a refreshing antidote to many of his peers. His ethics are also unimpeachable from my experience (and obviously I am not alone, as he was able to oversubscribe a fund in very little time!)
PRIVATE: Members Only (231 Characters)A Vc Who Truly Loves To Start Companies
Fund: Kepha Partners
Posted by pigratdog on 2007-08-25
Jo is truly unique among the Boston VC community. He is an exceptional person who treats all entrepreneurs with respect - regardless of the quality or stage of their idea. He has a phenomenal network and leverages it for every one of his companies. In my experience working with Jo directly, he loves the process of starting companies and just happens to be a VC. There are few VCs in Boston that have the patience and commitment to work with startups - most have become what Jo calls "Venture Bankers" - but Jo is committed to working on great ideas with the best people and he embraces the uncertainty and ambiguity that makes startups both fun and terrifying.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyA Prince Among Froggs
Fund: Kepha Partners
Posted by Software Cowboy on 2007-08-24
We have to kiss a lot of froggs to find the prince.
Not so. Getting funded is about taking a complete and unique product to the right buyer. It's our job not theirs.
Jo had read all my stuff when I showed up, knew it cold, send me to one sharp guy, and made his commitment in a week. I was one guy with an idea and too early stage for everyone else. Jo had the expertice to see the value and the guts to act.
That was my experience and it was great.
PRIVATE: Members Only