DISQUS

jonsteinberg · 2 months ago

One of my favorite sayings about idea theft is: "this risk of your idea being stolen is far lower than the risk of your idea not happening"

ceonyc · 2 months ago

+1 on that

Nick Giglia · 2 months ago

Amen

Nick Giglia · 2 months ago

Great post, and something I wish I had taken to heart long before I did. I used to guard my ideas like a maximum-security prison, but I realized that the whole point of having an idea is to make sure it becomes the best it can possibly be. At this point, I am far more comfortable sharing details of my current business concept with anyone who asks, and I believe the idea has been better for it.

Shared brainpower is the best way to take an idea to the next level, and it can even solve issues surrounding execution.

Kevin Marshall · 2 months ago

+1 on this post!

quirk · 2 months ago

Hey, can we meet up this week? I'd love to bounce a couple things off you.

ceonyc · 2 months ago

Tennis Saturday morn?

quirk · 2 months ago

Can you do Wed, Thurs, or Fri morning? I'm leaving town Friday night.

wd40 · 2 months ago

didn't know you played charlie - which courts do you usually make use of?

ceonyc · 2 months ago

I dont play that much... would be better with practice. Quirk and I have
played at Ft Greene Pk and I can play at Fordham LC.

wd40 · 2 months ago

Right on Charlie - haven't played since the end of august myself - your comment reminded how of close we are to the end of the outdoor season - if you're still looking to hit sat. (or sun. if it rains), hit me back :)

Dan D · 2 months ago

Hey,
I'd like to meet up with you to discuss and get your ideas about my "few week old" idea but my full time job has me all over the place. Any way we could meet for coffee sometime after business hours? How should I get in touch with you?

phineasb · 2 months ago

Charlie-
I agree with your points but would add one:
When these meetings are successful, the entrepreneur also gets a view into what it would be like to work with the investor as a board member or adviser.

But, while It is never to early to grab time with an investor who has the ability to add value to your process and to begin to understand their view of what you are doing and the space in which you are doing it. However, I have seen times where expectations are not shared and one party or the other thinks the meeting is a pitch (no matter what was said in the set-up) and this can lead to problems -- a meeting where someone is asking for an investment decision (or trying to make one) is very different than a meeting where someone is asking for feedback (or trying to give advice)-- and when it is not clear, no one wins.

EricFriedman · 2 months ago

This is why I have things to share back. It makes the dynamic much easier and shows that I understand what they are going through while setting expectations that you don't always get to see a final, done, stellar, live project.

Matt Johnson · 2 months ago

Hey Charlie
Great post and I fully agree with most of the points you made. One of the challenges in introducing an idea early to a VC is when they say no and even if they compliment you it brings you down.
Also it takes a lot of time and effort on many people to set up a VC presentation so if it's not ready yet it just keeps punching you to the ground. Other than that great post.