A white-knuckle drive through a snow storm. Car accidents. A winter wonderland. The Yale Whiffenpoofs. That was a day in my life. I went back for my college’s annual alumni assembly. It was my first time to this event, as I was asked only recently to represent my class. Man, what a tough drive over.
Author: Jo Tango
Thoughts on the Election
Whether your side won or lost last night, there’s one conclusion that is clear: the U.S. is a different country now. The politics of the day used to revolve around winning the “white” vote. Well, Romney carried that vote, and he lost. Women and minorities pushed Obama over the magic 270 Electoral number. In other
When Big Companies Choke
Big Companies struggle to take risk and manage for the long term. Many choke. I know that sounds like a sweeping statement. Admittedly, it is. But, I’ve seen various situations over and over, and that’s my conclusion. The latest example happened last week. An entrepreneur called with an update. A very Large and Known Public
“Making Partner” at a VC Firm
I read recently about another venture capital investor switching firms. I don’t know the specifics behind that move. But, I do think more career moves like this will be commonplace. It’s a stark change from what VC used to be. When I joined the business in the late-1990s, VC firms promoted partners from within. In other
Key Trait of Founders: Loving Ambiguity
Zynga. Internet fortunes won and lost. IPOs. VCs. Victories and colossal failures. That was my morning meal. I caught up today over breakfast with Rich Levandov of Avalon Ventures (one of the Zynga investors). He and I have so many overlapping friends and contacts, and so, it was good to meet up finally with him. We
J.D. Salinger, Ernest Hemingway, and The Smiths
Every fall, I read again J.D. Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye” and Ernest Hemingway’s “A Moveable Feast.” I discovered the books in high school, and for some reason, I’m drawn to them when the leaves turn to brilliant orange and yellow here in New England. I’m not sure why I re-read them, now that I’m