3.8
3.3 
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3.4 
3.1 Dan: Rough Around The Edges But A Good Guy
Fund: Opus Capital
Posted by lbc on 2008-04-09
He can be blunt and aggressive, but can also be very helpful. In our case, they didn't fund us but he did connect us to prospective partners for our company, something he obviously didn't have to do.
PRIVATE: Members Only (405 Characters)Insightful, Quick, And Ethical Opus Came Across Very Well
Fund: Opus Capital
Posted by JSJ on 2008-04-07
I've been working to raise a seed fund, my first experience raising money as an entrepreneur.
The team at Opus I met with was sharp and in the top-third of VC's I've met in terms of crisp operating experience and insight. Not just numbers guys, they desire and push a more operational discussion, which I find useful. They were efficient and very respectful of my time. Finally, and very important to me, they have handled themselves with exemplary ethics and integrity with me.
I'd stack them high in terms as a group I'd seek to work with again.
PRIVATE: Members Only (1085 Characters)Decent Bunch Of Guys
Fund: Opus Capital
Posted by joshsegal on 2008-02-28
Have had a history with two partners during their Lightspeed days. Gill Cogan is a strong leader and Isaac Applbaum has a well-deserved reputation as a loyal guy. Was also introduced to Ken Elefant as part of an ongoing due diligence process. They didn't invest at the end of a thorough due diligence process but were very engaged.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyUnfocused Fund, As A Result Hard To Know If They Are Right For You.
Fund: Opus Capital
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-12-31
Opus is trying to find themselves with a wide array of deal types -- the day we were in a networking startup was coming in after our consumer play. Carl Showalter is smart, blunt, and straight up. Dan Avida is rude and not helpful. Though both are honorable guys. All in all, a good fund to use as a warm up before going to your targeted firms to learn from Carl; get used to trial under fire from Dan; and if you are what they are looking for that week, you might get a term sheet quick -- they are very efficient to pitch to.
PRIVATE: Members Only (217 Characters)Ken Elefant Is Worth Talking To
Fund: Opus Capital
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-12-18
I did a pitch awhile back to Ken and he came across as a fairly down to earth (for a VC) investor who asked good questions, took the time necessary to understand our business plan and did not come across as arrogant at all.
I'd recommend taking a meeting with him if you have the opportunity
PRIVATE: Members Only (403 Characters)VISIT:
Co Founder Of Spock
Fund: Opus Capital
Posted by jaybhatti on 2007-10-28
Ken Elefant is great to work with and takes the time to make the right introductions to poeple within your field and academia. Several of our hires are a direct result from introductions by Ken and the Opus team.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyNice First Call, No Follow Up
Fund: Opus Capital
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-08-16
We had a very pleasant call with Ken Elefant. We didn't immediately follow up and neither did he. If we'd been in the Valley we'd have been banging on the door.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyQuick And Polite Response
Fund: Opus Capital
Posted by ceoinvestor on 2007-07-24
Recently introduced an opportunity to them. The decided to pass and informed us quickly and with good commentary as to why.
A pleasant experience
PRIVATE: Members Only (375 Characters)Very Unpleasant Pitch
Fund: Opus Capital
Posted by valley_vet on 2007-07-03
We pitched a Series A plan to Opus (Ken Elefant and Dan Avida) late last year. The meeting was fairly painful, as Dan fiercely attacked our plan based on what I believe to be mis-information about competitive products. We were not given any opportunity to respond to the competitive claims, and as a result the meeting was waste of time. Very disappointed as an experienced entrepreneur that I was not even given an opportunity to reply to the claims.
PRIVATE: Members Only (457 Characters)Quick Answers And Willing To Help Either Way
Fund: Opus Capital
Posted by bootstrapper on 2007-06-23
The partners look at your deal behind the scenes and get back with you very quickly. They may want to "watch" and they certainly will so keep in touch. If it's a "no" move on. Ken Elefant knows the mobile space as well and if you get a chance to meet, take it.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyVISIT:
Age Bias In Favor Of 20 Year Olds?
Fund: Opus Capital
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-06-07
We felt that the only reason we did not get to pitch is because they wanted a younger looking team.
PRIVATE: Members Only (256 Characters)Ken Elefant
Fund: Opus Capital
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-05-08
Ken Elefant is one of the few vc's i've met who seemingly hasn't turned into the typical silicon valley vc robot (pompous, master of the universe, etc.). He's a good listener, good background in consumer media and technology and always willing to help.
PRIVATE: Members Only (286 Characters)Quick Decisions
Fund: Opus Capital
Posted by OtherPeoplesMoney on 2007-05-04
Tight team that can make decisions reasonably quickly. Several of the partners have deep security backgrounds, which is good if you are that type of company. One of the more polite firms that will actually give you a "not at this time... we need to see X Y and Z before investing". Most firms just stop answering emails.
PRIVATE: Members Only