10/9/19 edit: VMware has acquired Carbon Black for $2.1 billion. So, we will increase the number of startups we will back. After Carbon Black went public, Mrs. T. and I had some discussions. What should we do with my personal winnings (I co-led the first institutional round when it was called Bit9; details here and
Resilience and Fish
I was so glad to read that Ben Watson is rejoining the Patriots. He’s a favorite player for me, both because of his thoughtfulness (example here) and his resilience. Here is a video of a “never give up” play that he made, which I’ll never forget. Also, thanks to Mrs. T. for letting me go
Our Family Angel Program: Update
We are expanding our “leverage capitalism for altruism” family angel program. I feel a variety of emotions as I write that: gratitude, disbelief, and joy. As I told Mrs. T: “This doesn’t feel real!” I fortunately co-led Carbon Black’s first VC round, back when it was called Bit9 (more here and here). When the company went
Versions
I think people are a lot like software versions. As we grow, change, and develop, we become a different version of ourselves. We can take the best parts of v. 1.0, leave behind the worse parts, and add on new “features” for v. 2.0. Sometimes, the change is voluntary, due to a new job, going
Tipping Points
Gradually, eventually, but inevitably, tipping points occur. They don’t seem obvious ahead of time, but with 20/20 hindsight, they are glaringly clear. I think there are two recent examples. First, is the pulled WeWork IPO. From what I’ve seen over the past 20+ years as a VC, every IPO cycle has the same cadence. During
Angel Investment: Cobu
We’re happy to announce that our family angel program (back 80+ entrepreneurs over eight years and donate all gains to charity; details here) has invested in Cobu. It is our 14th investment so far (portfolio here). We were introduced to Founder Ben Pleat by Bob Preble, who was the first VP Engineering at Bit9 (now
Father-Daughter Fishing 2019
“Dad, can we go fishing?” Well, of course we can! When one of your college-aged children, whom you now rarely see, asks that, you make it happen. So, off we went for a Labor Day weekend trip to northern New Hampshire, to the same spot where I’ve taught fly fishing to Mrs. T. and all