3.2
2.7 
2.7 
2.0 
2.6 Interested But Not Ready To Talk Seriously
Fund: Clearstone Venture Partners
Posted by rcwhiting on 2008-04-07
Liked The Team, Disagree With Their Business Mo
Fund: Clearstone Venture Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-03-23
I had an introduction to them and really liked them. They took the time to do the right research and asked good, intelligent questions.
PRIVATE: Members Only (334 Characters)Your Mba School Vc
Fund: Clearstone Venture Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-02-21
We pitched to Sumant, This guy has no technical clue, he kept asking boiler plate MBA school questions. Also no real world logic either. I wish he would have invited a technical guy along. Stay away on Semi-space from these guy's.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyTop Of My List
Fund: Clearstone Venture Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-01-15
For frame of reference, in the past few weeks I completed a successful Series B funding process where we were able to meet all of our targets. While I came into Clearstone with an introduction, I had no prior relationship with the firm or its partners. I can say without reservation that of more than a dozen firms I met with, Clearstone was the best experience I had. Jim Armstrong was prompt, professional and direct from the first meeting. No games, no posturing - just a professional investor interested in entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial ideas. The team we interacted with, including Phil Ressler and Anil Patel, were absolutely top notch - I would look forward to working with folks like this over the long term. One of the best pitching and due diligence experiences I have ever had - I highly recommend Jim and Clearstone if you are pitching a big idea.
I was not solicited by anyone to write this review.
PRIVATE: Members Only (96 Characters)Who Is In Charge??
Fund: Clearstone Venture Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-12-19
Clearstone is widely regarded as one of the best funds in Southern California. Jim Armstrong is clearly the reason. Jim is a great guy. The problem is that Jim often refuses to take a stand with his partners. Bill E. and William Q. are fundamentally different personalities and have a very different view from Jim. As a result it is tough to understand who is really in charge and who you should pitch. Going to Clearstone without having Jim involved would be a mistake but keep in mind that you *also* need to spend time with the other partners. They are smart investors with a relatively good track record and reputation. They are just a bit quirky. I also think that this issue will get better in time as Jim takes a more prominent role and gets more comfortable taking a firmer stand with his partners.
On a personal note, everyone at Clearstone is very nice. They are smart and can be great validation in addition to a good long term investor. They tend to be a bit emotional at times (so be sensitive to this) and they do have a bad habit of going dark for weeks at a time which is always extremely frustrating when you are trying to close a financing.
PRIVATE: Members OnlySUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:
Co Founder Of Spock.Com
Fund: Clearstone Venture Partners
Posted by jaybhatti on 2007-10-28
The Clearstone team has a good combination of consumer internet balanced experience with business know-how.
David Stern is one of the most detailed and engaging VCs to work with. He takes the time to understand your business model and give proactive advice and introductions to the right people. He focues on the right issues.
William Quigley, given his deep experiences is really good at helping us think through strategic issues affecting the business. From business development to boardlevel decisions, William's experience and his mentality to do what's best for the company is really valuable.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyA First Class Vc
Fund: Clearstone Venture Partners
Posted by faddante on 2007-09-28
Having done 7 deals with VCs in the past ranging from very small VCs to Sequoia Capital. I have to say that my experience with Clearstone has been extremely positive on all fronts. They are one of the best VCs that I've worked with.
I have received two term sheets from Clearstone in the past (and closed on one). Both times, they were very professional throughout the process, very open and honest and came to a quick decision. Overall, a very high integrity firm.
They are entrepreneur-friendly and the entire firm gets behind a company when an investment is made. You can tell that not only are they strong as individuals, but they work really well as a team.
Sumant Mandal is extremely intelligent and has an uncanny knack for asking the right question at the right time to help point a team/company in the right direction. David Stern is very well connected and respected in Silicon Valley. And Steven Kan has made more introductions for the company than we can handle.
Overall, a first class VC that I would very highly recommend.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyVery Professional
Fund: Clearstone Venture Partners
Posted by anonymous on 2007-09-14
I remember pitching to Jim Armstrong awhile ago and he was one of the most professional VCs we have met with; with great follow-through. No bad feelings even though they did not end up investing
PRIVATE: Members OnlyNot A Good Experience
Fund: Clearstone Venture Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-08-22
Vish was quick to respond and fixed up a time to interact. Never called up at the appointed time and the secretary mailed to indicate that he was busy. Then finally called after an hour only to say that he is running late for another meeting. Less than 10 min chat with no response later.
PRIVATE: Members Only (338 Characters)Professional And Courteous
Fund: Clearstone Venture Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-05-08
Met with this firm very recently and only have positive things to say. Our team was impressed with their team and their thoughtful approach to our presentation. They asked good questions and followed up with additional ones.
PRIVATE: Members Only (361 Characters)SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:
Clearstone Silicon Valley Office
Fund: Clearstone Venture Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-05-08
David Stern is very aggresively trying to build Clearstone's presense in seattle and the valley given their traditional LA focus. As a former entrepreneur, he's very understanding of the challenges that come with running a company. Good guy - absolutely always looking to help his companies. Very, very smart with regards to online advertising - probably one of the best thinkers in the VC space when it comes to online advertising.
PRIVATE: Members Only (433 Characters)Phil Ressler
Fund: Clearstone Venture Partners
Posted by ricey on 2007-05-05
Phil has strong operating experience which is rare for a VC. He works most closely with Jim Armstrong and helps package his deals.
PRIVATE: Members Only (490 Characters)Focus On Jim
Fund: Clearstone Venture Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-05-09
Jim has a great reputation, but some of the others are less valuable.
PRIVATE: Members Only (134 Characters)Peter Lee At Clearstone Is Top Notch.
Fund: Clearstone Venture Partners
Posted by primefactor on 2007-04-26
Clearstone is an excellent firm and I strongly recommend Peter Lee who is an associate there. He is an extremely sharp guy that understands business and technical aspects equally well. If your idea/company is really good and you are having hard time with 2nd tier VCs, approach him. He will get it and if he likes what you are doing, you will receive a lot of hlep and he will become your champion inside Clearstone. You will need that help as top tier firms like Clearstone get way too many pitches every day. Watch out for him, in a few years he will be one of the big names in VC world.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyHad Choices; Glad I'M With Clearstone
Fund: Clearstone Venture Partners
Posted by sv on 2007-04-19
Clearstone and specifically William Quigley have been relentless supporters of my company. Clearstone thinks big and helps bolster early stage ideas into standalone businesses. I interact with a few of the portfolio companies and everyone feels the same way. Quigley is a great guy, deeply interested in the dynamics of the business and has seen just about everything before. This is important because he is the type of guy that just wants things on the table so they can be addressed. If you can get in I'd seriously consider going this direction.
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