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4.0 
Ravi Belani: Insightful And Helpful
Fund: Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-07-21
I recently met with Ravi to discuss a nascent new business concept that's promising but still a bit fuzzy in the details. Ravi got it immediately. He quickly began offering very creative insight that helped me flesh out the concept, explore related ideas, and understand my most important next steps. True to DFJ's reputation, Ravi was particularly insistent that I 'think big' and consider ways to turn this concept technology into a platform. He was also very considerate to my position as the entrepreneur and respectful of my role as the keeper-of-the-vision. Overall I came away very impressed with Ravi's intellect and creativity. I would be very pleased to have Ravi on my board and I'm looking forward to formally pitching DFJ.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyFocus On Getting The Deal Done
Fund: Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Posted by generalist on 2008-06-14
We have recently received a term sheet from DFJ. The term sheet was extremely clean, and focused on preparinf the company for success. No BS, no irrational preference, cleaned the previous investors' awful terms and pratically restructured the company in a way that made everyone focused on a large success.
During the negotiations they were very open, and agreed to many requests as long as they did not create a conflict of interest on the big items.
I look forward to get a closing. I will post another comment upon closing to describe that experience.
Ravi Belani, Josh Stein
Fund: Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-06-05
While I have met and had multiple meetings with many top tier VCs, I could not have been more impressed with DFJ. First, I have to agree with the prior comment that Ravi Belani is a rising star. He is insanely smart, has a deep understanding of his industries and is well connected. I was further impressed by his interest in doing the right thing. In this case, it included introductions to executives at companies funded by other VCs, and bringing in a key strategic investor that would limit his ownership stake, but substantially improve the company going forward. Another unique trait is that he is focused on empowering and advising the entrepreneur, not controlling and overpowering the executive team. DFJ moved very quick -- after an initial meeting, they assembled the right people and quickly arrived at a decision. I appreciated the speed with which they reached a conclusion and was impressed by their bench depth--everyone I met including Josh Stein, Steve Jurvetson, Andreas Stavropoulos and Emily Melton (to name a few) was an A player as well.
I am confident that we choose the right partner in growing our business. I would definitely put DFJ on your short list of VCs to talk to provided that they have deep expertise in your particular market space and that you establish a good relationship with the partner taking the lead.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyGreat Knowledge Of Web 2.0 And Willing To Take Risks
Fund: Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-03-04
I have pitched several companies to DFJ over the years and Emily Melton's knowledge of companies and business models in the web 2.0 space is second to none. I would value her advice on any consumer/web business plan.
PRIVATE: Members Only (109 Characters)Power Analyst
Fund: Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-02-29
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Tim Is Awesome But Don'T Get Bogged Down With Associates
Fund: Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-02-10
Tim may come off as a bit crazy but I really liked him when I spoke to him. He's sincere and really believes in what he's doing. He said that when he asks entrepreneurs why they are doing their start-up, he doesn't fund the 8/10 who say, "To make myself rich" or the 1/10 who say "To make my investors rich", but rather the 1/10 who say "Something is wrong and I have to fix it." Tim is great.
PRIVATE: Members Only (273 Characters)Radio Silence...
Fund: Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-02-07
After a review of our executive summary, was asked to send a detailed business plan, now over a month ago. No response despite email follow-ups.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyArrogant
Fund: Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-01-21
Tim Draper is a guy I've known for twenty years. He's a spoiled daddy's boy who never worked a hard day in his life. I've never met a more arrogant individual in my life. It's the sorry side of Venture Capital.
PRIVATE: Members Only (48 Characters)Josh Stein Great Guy
Fund: Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Posted by anonymous on 2007-11-29
I agree with the post below i had the chance to pitch Josh Stein, was very thorough and fair. Didn't do a deal with Draper because they had already exited a deal in the space i was currently targeting.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyDfj India
Fund: Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Posted by beaupeep on 2007-10-26
We've met all the big name VCs in India. We got termsheets from a couple & closed on one.
I met Tim Draper a couple of years ago, and he was bright. But, DFJ India's Sateesh Andra is the biggest loser I've seen amongs tens of VCs I've met. I'm not sure how such a reputable firm made him a venture partner.
As the VC process is fairly new in India, and what with the booming economy, He's basking more in the attention that he garners as a partner with DFJ, and not on bringing good deals to the fund.
Goto Mohanjit Jolly (newly stationed in Bangalore) if you can. Avoid Sateesh like plague.
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Josh Stein Is A Class Act One To Try To Get Into Your Company
Fund: Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Posted by jasonlk on 2007-10-04
I actually cannot speak to all of DFJ, but Josh was pretty unique when we pitched him. First of all, he was both confident and thoughtful enough (a rare combo) to listen to a pitch and during it go from disposed against investing to disposed in favor. That's rare. Second, in what sounds like a small gesture but was a first for me, he liked our deck enough to ask if he could share it with another non-competitive portfolio company. I've seen so many 'confidential' decks passed around over the years -- but Josh was the first to actually ask if he could forward. Class act.
PRIVATE: Members Only (258 Characters)Warren Packard
Fund: Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Posted by ivanivanobrockovich on 2007-09-12
DFJ is one of the first firms I go to when I am in the early stages of a project. I generally deal with Warren Packard. I've also met with many other associates there, and have always had good experiences with them. They are generally smart, insightful and honest. Many of my colleagues have been funded by DFJ, and all speak highly of the firm. They seem to be best matched for consumer Internet companies, where their "throw it against the wall" strategy seems to work. If you're in a more traditional business, that's not really their area of expertise.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyTrue Venture Investors
Fund: Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-08-23
DFJ is a truly entrepreneurial venture firm. They look for great entrepreneurs and big ideas, and are comfortable with pushing the envelope and the inevitable strategy swings in the early days of a company. Emily Melton is a great board member, always available to provide assistance and support but allows me to build the company.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyMight Waste Your Time
Fund: Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-08-16
We got an e-mail of interest direct from Tim; directed us to work with Nate his associate. Never heard from Nate, then got an e-mail later from staff passing. Odd slightly schizo behavior. On the upside time wasted was not that much, just weird.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyDfj Wants "Passion"
Fund: Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Posted by 5hundy on 2007-08-14
A few months ago we presented to Ravi Belani at DFJ. He's a really sharp guy, he got the idea and gave us some good insight. Later we came in for a second meeting (again with Ravi), were he told us they really loved the idea but they probably weren't going to do the deal because we didn't have any passion other than for making money.
Our business is a pure economic play - we are not making single moms happy or feeding the homeless. Their argument was that the companies they invested in that did really well were the ones that set out to change the world.
PRIVATE: Members Only (307 Characters)