DAVE McCLURE FUND BRANDING STRATEGIES 11.18.21

THESIS:

what/how you plan to invest

BRAND:

use your value-add to attract companies

MARKETING:

activities that generate dealflow

EVALUATION:

filter dealflow before taking mtgs

MEETINGS:

in-person evaluation and DD Qs

DEAL MEMO:

document deals you want to do and why

NEGOTIATION:

specify terms and make / close offer

INVESTMENT:

wire the money!

. . .

. . . (then wait . . . 7-15 years) . . .

. . .

EVALUATION

MEETING

DEAL MEMO

VC Dealflow Funnel

BRAND + MARKETING = STORY

THESIS + 'VALUE-ADD' = DIFFERENT



1


Your Investment Thesis

What kind of VC do you want to be?

• · Stage, geography, industry vertical?
• · Fund size, check size, follow-on checks?
• · Will you lead rounds? Take board seats?


Q:

Why you? Can you do this (>3x and 20%)?

• · Can you raise money?
• · Can you get dealflow?
• · Can you help companies? How?

Are there competitors with a similar thesis? Why are you different or better? Why will great companies come to you instead of other competitors?


How You Help: Brand + Competitive Positioning


Branding + Marketing: How to Generate Dealflow

BRAND

What's your name / logo / soundbite / unique value proposition?

• ü What's the story you're going to tell the market?

SUPERPOWER

MARKETING

What makes you special? Why are you different?

• ü Is there something you can do that will make companies come to you?

Activities /communications to LPs, founders, press, etc.

• ü Content: Writing/blogging, speaking, training
• ü Services: Are there services you can provide to startups to generate interest?
• ü Founders: Where do the founders you want to invest in hang out? FIND THEM!
• ü Networking: Who do you need to know in the industry? VCs? Scientists? Partners?
• ü PR Strategy : Who can help generate news about you / your firm / your strategy?
• ü Events + Conferences: Should you speak? Attend industry events? Run industry events?
• ü Online Platforms / Other Investors

Help Framework: Why, Who, When, What + How?

Define your 'Help Framework.'

• · What will you do?
• · Who will you help?
• · For how long?
• · Until something happens? Or forever?
• · Tell them what you expect to get back.

What is your unique Help Superpower?

• · Product development
• · Marketing / sales
• · People / recruiting / hiring
• · Operations / process
• · Raise more capital. [helpful but not unique]

Why help companies?

• · Just help them win! (goodwill)
• · Help them with something you're good at (value-add)
• · Find out how they are doing (metrics)
• · Build your reputation (better dealflow)
• · Earn right to participate in future rounds.

Who should you help? For how long?

• · Only winners? Everyone? Even losers?
• · Until next round? Forever?
• · Until they 'win' (or fail to win)?
• · Board seats / advisor seats?
• · Define when and how you will pull the ripcord.


Fundraising: Key Slides in Your Pitch Deck