1.8
2.0 
1.8 
2.3 
1.7 Better Be A $100 M+ Exit, Otherwise Don'T Bother
Fund: Accel Partners
Posted by Anonymous 17 minutes ago
Good Guys, Very Knowledgeable
Fund: Accel Partners
Posted by emmdubbs on 2008-06-30
Introduced to Peter Wagner initially. Quickly scheduled both phone then on-site pitch. In Palo Alto, Peter brought in In Sik Rhee. I must say, Peter's legendary reputation is well-deserved. He was extermely astute and grasped the concept and value add of our technology very quickly. In Sik is the technical guy in the room and really knows his stuff. Good experience. They passed on us - we were really too early for them. But they asked to keep in touch with potential to do a Series A post the angel round. I have since visited them twice now for updates with good experiences on both occasions.
PRIVATE: Members Only (1227 Characters)Avid Larizadeh Very Supportive But Not Interested In Seed
Fund: Accel Partners
Posted by Dashford on 2008-05-20
Before we were even ready to raise any funding we approached Accel in London and specifically identified Avid Larizadeh because of her experience at eBay.
We asked for a conference call with her to validate our plans, ie "we're not ready to ask for funding yet but we want to start a dialogue with you early to ensure we are going about things the right way".
She replied promptly and we ended up holding an hour long conference call where we went through our plans. She provided some great feedback, especially about our choice of technology, the type of metrics that are important and our financials. In general, I think she liked our concept but stressed that it is all about the metrics and not really about whether anyone likes our concept!
We took on board her feedback and made some changes.
We've kept Avid updated on our progress and plan to approach Accel for series-A funding in 3 to 6 months.
PRIVATE: Members Only (462 Characters)Kept In Touch, Pretty Good Uk Pitch Experience
Fund: Accel Partners
Posted by Jyri Engeström on 2008-05-14
Excitement With One Dne Excitement With All
Fund: Accel Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-03-31
I just had to post this. When we raised our first round, Accel took a look and I got some great focused feedback from Kevin Efrusy. We contacted him when looking at our next round, and he eagerly introduced us to Commoli. Commoli's assistant told us six weeks out is the first time he could meet. I guess times are good over there. ;-)
PRIVATE: Members OnlyVISIT:
Busy
Fund: Accel Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-12-19
Unable To Understand Customer'S Business Needs
Fund: Accel Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-12-13
Overall, they were good and spent a fair amount of time. But they couldnt transcend the prevailing shallow "IT" and application orientation of enterprise software to a business context or purpose oriented one.
"What space are you in...?"There isn't one. This is an emerging area - something that allows storage, organization, communications, and access through search in a unified way. For emails - data, and documents! It is the future!.
"No - it cant be; you've got to decide are you in emails? or Document management? or data management?" But we are all of that and process automation...
"No, that is a different space ...."
Anyway, thats how the conversation went for about 4 or 5 sessions and then we got the no-phone call no-email brush off. I wonder how new ideas can florish if they must fit into a specific shoe box in a pigeon holed cupboard.
Thoughtful And Considerate Team
Fund: Accel Partners
Posted by mans.hultman@qliktech.com on 2007-11-20
Accel has been an investor in my company for three years now. It has been a pleasant experience from day one. They showed good understaning in our industry and business already when we pitched them and we didn't have to explain why our industry needed another vendor - they already knew when I met them the first time.
We were primarily looking for an addition of competence on BOD level, and they really provided it. Bruce Golden has been on my BOD, but the rest of the team has stood behind him every time we needed the power of the whole firm. I know them all very well now.
Secondarily, we were looking for capital. They were sensitive to the specialities of our business and cap table and we managed to organize a win-win situation for both existing shareholders and investors.
This is a world class team, in my humble opinion.
PRIVATE: Members Only (80 Characters)Great Pitch Experience.
Fund: Accel Partners
Posted by ronpaul on 2007-11-18
We pitched Kevin Efrusy on taking a round and he provided excellent advice ...
He liked what we were doing but suggested to NOT take funding since we were profitable.
He was concerned that our exit wouldn't be high enough to justify their investment but thinks that we'd probably get acquired in the next year.
Being a serial entrepreneur I'll certainly pitch Accel again and recommend them to others.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyPositive Experience With Accel London
Fund: Accel Partners
Posted by RalfM on 2007-09-18
We pitched with one of my German clients (Web 2.0 business) to Accel Partners in London.
While Heikki Makijarvi (Venture Development at Accel London) has a difficult to pronounce Finn name (you better practice before you meet him ;-) is he a very smart and nice guy. Heikki has quickly setup a productive meeting with Kevin Comolli (Managing General Partner at Accel) a very experienced VC. Heikki and Kevin assessed the opportunity and drilled deeper into the subject. Even while they finally decided to not invest, gave they us some hints of how to better bring our message across and informed us honestly about their decision logic.
VISIT:
Good Pitch Experience With Simon Levene
Fund: Accel Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-08-25
Simon was very engaged, agreeing to meet on a number of occasions. He is very attentive, listens carefully and lets you finish, before bringing up his concerns and views. Very open and honest, overall, a very nice experience, would definitely pitch again.
PRIVATE: Members Only (325 Characters)Uk Practice Not On Par With Us
Fund: Accel Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-08-17
I have met Accell on both sides of the pond and there is a clear divide -- with the UK on the losing end (soft ethics).
As an example, Accel still publisizes the hiring of the X-CEO of Sonera (incumbant operator from Finland). He left in a wave of shame - I beleive he even served jail time for his activities at Sonera. Bad corporate culture spreads -- I know them to back a company in Europe that is far from scrupulous and I oft wonder how far they go for deals. I would be leary of the UK branch.
US has some really good people - some of the best I've met in the industry.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyEngaging But A Bit Odd
Fund: Accel Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-08-11
We had a very good conversation with them - thoughful and observant. But then they vanished - simply never responded to calls or emails. I've presented to many firms, both large and small- and found that at the very least you get a pass. But radio silence is a first. Not sure what to make of it. Tried to contact them a few times - but never did get a call back. Weird.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyAccel Uk
Fund: Accel Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-08-10
We got a quick response once we'd emailed our business plan. Invited us in for a quick chat. They passed. If you're in the UK and working on 2.0 project then pitch them...they don't do seed.
PRIVATE: Members Only (293 Characters)Speedy Response
Fund: Accel Partners
Posted by anonymous on 2007-07-20
An initial query got a request for more info within a couple of days. Very straightforward and businesslike.
PRIVATE: Members Only (165 Characters)