Quora has been exploding. There’s a ton of valuable content and high quality contributors on the site, but it’s definitely getting harder to find the best threads. On that note, here are some of my favorite threads across venture capital and startups. This is by no means an exhaustive list so feel free to add suggestions in the comments.
Venture Capital / Financing
- How do you run a good board meeting? – This is an invaluable topic for young VCs. Many VCs contributed to this topic including Mark Suster who nails it.
- What are the top qualities to look for in angel investors? – Great commentary by Reid Hoffman, several entrepreneurs and VCs.
- What are the best ways to manage relationships with VC contacts prior to fundraising? – Balanced thread from both VCs and entrepreneurs on how to best engage before you are fundraising.
Startups
- Two must read posts on startup failure: why and #1 reason.
- Among your lessons learned as a young entrepreneur, which are the greatest? – Good practical advice from PayPal founder Max Levchin.
- What is the perfect startup team? – A very important topic as you are getting your company off the ground. Comments from Bill Gross, Saul Klein and a few other valley veterans.
- How focused should a startup be on being acquired? – Jeff Clavier, Paul English from Kayak and others weigh in on how *not* to focus on acquisitions while building a company.
- How big a factor is luck in startup success? – Nice thoughts on luck and startup success from Jim Breyer, Marc Andreessen and many other entrepreneurs.
- What are the most common mistakes 1st time entrepreneurs make? – Long thread with great suggestions from many experienced entrepreneurs.
Company Stories
- How did you arrive at the decision to sell the Loudcloud business to EDS and become Opsware the software company? – Ben Horowitz discusses some of the reasons why they shifted their business model.
- Why did Wesabe shut down while Mint did so well? – Good perspective from early Mint employees on why they were successful.
