3.7
2.9 
3.3 
2.5 
2.9 Weak
Fund: New Enterprise Associates
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-03-23
Four weeks after our third meeting with them, which four partners attended, they announced an investment in a competitor. Maybe they were in the final decision making process and truly considering us, but seems very unlikely that they turned around a term sheet, closed and got a press release out in four weeks with the other guys. So they probably already had the term sheet out when they met with me and drilled me on my business and deal pipeline. One of the partners who sat through my presentation appeared on the board of the competitive company they funded. Great stuff.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyBe Very Careful Especially Of Scott Sandell
Fund: New Enterprise Associates
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-02-16
We pitched a Series B deal to them a few years ago. Scott Sandell was the partner who spent a lot of time with us. They took our positioning plank and re-positioned one of their messed up recapitalized portfolio companies and positioned it identically in a week - with a lot of our content. Easy to look back today and say we told them too much (we probably did) but this was extremely blatant. Watch what you say - especially to Scott.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyPaul Hsiao
Fund: New Enterprise Associates
Posted by cheshirecat on 2008-02-11
Paul Hsiao is a partner at NEA. When we met with him, he was relaxed, personable, and completely attentive. He's extremely smart but, you know, humble... like no ego, no arrogance.
He's a guy I feel like we could work with, who "gets it" and wouldn't generate capricious interference.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyProfessional
Fund: New Enterprise Associates
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-02-07
Got introduced to NEA through a referral. Got a quick response and sent them a company overview. They reviewed quickly and thought we might be too close to one of their portfolio companies. That's all I could ask for and it looks like others in this forum have had similar interactions.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyRe: Pete Sonsini
Fund: New Enterprise Associates
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-12-24
We pitched a Series B oportunity last year to Pete Sonsini. All I can say is that he is not the brightest tool in the shed. Obviously, the family name had a lot to do with him landing a job at the firm. Based on my interactions with him that is the only logical explanation I can support. He didn't understand our business proposition and didn't ask a relevant question that made any sense.
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Good Process
Fund: New Enterprise Associates
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-12-19
The entire team at NEA was very professional. They showed early interest and set proper expectations. We did have to take too many meetings in order to get to a NO and the final outcome did not make logical sense given their prior enthusiasm for the deal. That said, I understand how it is in their best interests to keep us believing that they want the deal up and until the moment that they don't.
The team that they assembled was extremely smart. I wish that we would have gotten in front of the decision makers a bit earlier. This is a big firm with lots of moving parts. There are clearly rock stars in the group but you really need to be careful about how you approach the firm as they will assign you to someone that you may not feel is a good fit.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyMd Office Harry Weller Very Positive Experience
Fund: New Enterprise Associates
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-11-29
Got introduced to Harry through one of NEA's port. company CEOs. He got our business right away, asked very insightful questions and, even though we weren't a fit for them, he made some great intros for me at other funds. He also gave a very compelling pitch about why we should do business with NEA. Not only was this very refreshing, as many other VCs seem to think they don't need to sell you, or they wait until they have term sheet competitors to do so, whereas Harry did it in our first meeting. Additionally, it was apparent that he really believed in the NEA story and model, and he backed his claims up with data. Overall, I was very impressed.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyQuick, Honest Feedback
Fund: New Enterprise Associates
Posted by NKOTB on 2007-11-12
Kittu Not As Bad As Made Out To Be
Fund: New Enterprise Associates
Posted by Complication on 2007-10-02
Kittu has more of a real world perspective having recently come from the "real world" of managing a company. Also, he has a somewhat ironic sense of humor that may not jibe with all.
As such he may not be for a less confident entrepeneur at a seed level or series A, but is definitely a worthwile addition to a more substantiated company.
Peter Barris
Fund: New Enterprise Associates
Posted by ifsngs on 2007-09-11
Peter is one of the finest venture investors in the industry. He brings a wealth of experience and intellect to every situation and he has a great deal of patience as well! I have had a chance to work with him for many years in more than one startup and have never felt that he is too busy to help or that any problem is too insignificant for him to guide me on.
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Patrick
Fund: New Enterprise Associates
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-09-05
Seems like the fund has a good rep - that's the word on the street from ppl I know in the valley - but the particular partner you work with is important too.
Anyone have any dealings with Patrick Chung? He's been very professional, but we haven't set a meeting yet- would love to hear if anyone's worked with him.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyKittu'S A Solid Citizen
Fund: New Enterprise Associates
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-08-31
There's a post in this thread that's pretty negative on Kittu... I disagree.
I found Kittu to be professional, bright and courteous. He didn't ultimately fund our company, but he was quick to engage, detailed and direct. No BS here and a smart guy to boot. I've seen many arrogant, not so smart VCs and Kittu does NOT fit that mold. He's a straight up guy. I also felt good about our interactions with others at NEA. All that said, he made a mistake by passing on our deal ;-)
Excellent Experience
Fund: New Enterprise Associates
Posted by pigratdog on 2007-08-25
I've pitched to them ideas that they have not funded and ideas that they have funded. Regardless of the outcome - I always got great feedback and was treated with respect and honesty. Peter Barris is truly exceptional - one of the few managing partners with a strong operating track record.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyNea Is Extremely Professional
Fund: New Enterprise Associates
Posted by falcon52 on 2007-08-14
NEA is extremely professional from the top down; they take smart risks and walk the talk; they add significant value because of their breadth and contacts
PRIVATE: Members OnlyTivo Founder Now On Board
Fund: New Enterprise Associates
Posted by bootstrapper on 2007-06-23
NEA in Menlo just brought in the Tivo big dog as a venture partner. They have operators and are very up-front.
Sometimes if a partner cannot make it for a meeting, he'll find you another so it may be good to double back to the original with your own recap of the meeting. Keep in touch with these guys as you progress and you never know what can come of it.
PRIVATE: Members Only (148 Characters)