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Be Careful
Fund: OpenView Venture Partners
Posted by driveandfocus on 2013-02-18
The usual story "we are different than any other VC." The ACTUAL story, they have a very prescribed formula, an almost cult-like language and process, and very little operational experience. Different? Yes. But be very careful, do your homework, and if you feel uncomfortable with their "stepford wives" approach to "helping" businesses, steer clear. Bad investors are worse than no investors (because with no investors you can keep improving your product until you merit good investors, and with bad investors you are saddled with dead weight and will find it difficult to attract other/good investors should you want additional funding).
PRIVATE: Members Only (63 Characters)Flat Out Amazed
Fund: OpenView Venture Partners
Posted by Pete Gombert on 2010-08-26
As a three time entrepreneur and someone who has raised a fair amount of capital, I have become slightly jaded when it comes to VC's who pitch themselves as "really rolling up their sleeves and helping their portfolio companies. I typically take it as part of the value added portion of why one funds money is better than another.
The same was true when we were raising our last round of capital and started talking to OpenView. They were pitching us on their difference from traditional VC's because of their operating experience and OpenView Labs. Ultimately we decided to move forward with OpenView and I have been simply amazed at how they actually walk the walk.
George Roberts is the partner on the board and Scott Maxwell participates frequently with our company. The value that these two have added along with Labs, has been really amazing. These guys genuinely believe that through operational excellence their portfolio companies will ALL win. They don't believe that Venture has to be a home run business, they firmly believe that all of their portfolio companies will be winners, and if they treat all of them like they have treated Balihoo, then they just might be right.
PRIVATE: Members Only (31 Characters)Nice Story, Entreprenurial Smart Team
Fund: OpenView Venture Partners
Posted by mcob337 on 2010-02-04
We got the standard email and had a 15 minute call. Kept in touch with them as our business expanded, mainly a phone call every quarter or so. We happened to be in Boston and they invited us to visit.
We found them to be straightforward and invest in high growth companies. They were very clear about next steps, typical term sheets etc.
PRIVATE: Members Only
Don't Let Them Waste Your Time
Fund: OpenView Venture Partners
Posted by Anonymous on 2009-06-08
They send out form emails. If you are a VC and you are reading this, stop doing it. Stop wasting our time.
PRIVATE: Members Only (668 Characters)Efficient and Helpful
Fund: OpenView Venture Partners
Posted by vector on 2008-04-20
I was first introduced to Openview when one of their analysts cold called us. We were not actively looking for VC money at the time but had started to consider a future investment. They understood our technology and model faster and better than almost any VC.
Openview is a smaller fund, focused on contributing strategic value to high-growth stage companies. Many firms pay lip-service to "strategic value", these guys jump in and really deliver it.
Ultimately we outgrew their target investment size before finalizing plans to raise money. They've continued to deliver strategic value in the form of great advice and networking ... even though we didn't do a deal together. Impressive.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyGood Pitching and Helpful Attitude
Fund: OpenView Venture Partners
Posted by Paulo Rosado on 2007-12-16
Firas contacted me based on their opportunity discovering process. They are suberb in the way they pitch to companies and very generous with their advice and time. The best first impression I have ever got from a VC firm. No deal with them, though.
PRIVATE: Members Only (485 Characters)Knowledgeable Team
Fund: OpenView Venture Partners
Posted by Luke Brown on 2007-08-22
I know both Scott, Firas and Kamal from a previous venture. All of these guys add significant value to your idea, operation, venture etc... Not only do they assist at board level, they get into the nuts and bolts of the operation and provide good solid advice and guidance based upon experience and not the text book.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyScott Maxwell Added Value
Fund: OpenView Venture Partners
Posted by bcompton56@gmail.com on 2007-08-19
Operational Excellence
Fund: OpenView Venture Partners
Posted by CuttySC on 2007-08-07
Scott and Firas were both involved with the board on my previous company and were tremendous assets as we negotiated an extremely competitive space. OpenView's approach to operational mentoring was a welcomed value-add, especially in the areas of sales process and marketing.
Being a new fund, there aren't several exits to speak of right now, but seeing as Scott and this same team were responsible for the vast majority of Insight's most successful exits over the last few years, it's only a matter of time, as this team identifies the winners early on.
Great Team
Fund: OpenView Venture Partners
Posted by jhi247 on 2007-07-05
Scott invested in our firm when he was still at Insight in New York. He is a great guy, helped us big time - and now assembled a super team at OpenView. I am sure they will do very well.
PRIVATE: Members Only