Flatiron Partners: Venture Capital Insights and Strategies from Spring 2001
In this presentation, Bob Greene, Managing General Partner at Flatiron Partners, outlines the firm's venture capital philosophy, investment strategies, and portfolio highlights. Founded in 1996, Flatiron is a leading technology venture capital firm specialized in early and mid-stage IT companies, with investments ranging from $1 to $50 million. The presentation also discusses partnerships, notable transactions, and the current market landscape. Moreover, Greene emphasizes the role of venture capitalists in supporting company growth and strategic decision-making, providing insights for entrepreneurs and investors.
Flatiron Partners: Venture Capital Insights and Strategies from Spring 2001
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Presentation Transcript
Flatiron PartnersPresentation to MIT Spring 2001Bob GreeneManaging General PartnerFlatiron Partnersbob@flatironpartners.com257 Park Avenue South, 15th Floor, NYC 10010212-228-3800
Overview • Who is Flatiron Partners • Investment Philosophy • Flatiron Portfolio • How we work with Companies • The Market Today
What Is Flatiron Partners? • One of the leading technology venture capital firms in New York • Founded in August 1996 • Focused on early and mid-stage, information technology companies • Investment range $1 to $50 million
What Is Flatiron Partners? • 1996 fund capitalized at $150 million with two investors: JP Morgan Partners (JPMP) and SOFTBANK Technology Ventures • Current fund capitalized at $500 million with JPMP as sole active LP
Our Partner:JPMP • A global private equity organization with • approximately $24 billion under management whose sole limited partner is The JP Morgan Chase Corporation. • Since 1984, has closed more than 1,500 individual transactions. • One of the largest most active private equity groups in the world.
Flatiron Partners – the People • Ten Investment professionals • Diverse backgrounds • Decades of VC, technology, Internet and media experience
Our Philosophy • Invest in services, infrastructure/technology and content • Domestic, International • Pervasive Computing • Generally, invest at an early stage • As often as possible, invest locally • Work closely with management • Use the strengths of partner: JPMP
Transactions - Content • Geocities • Starmedia Network • TheStreet.com • Gamesville.com • Onlinepartners - gay.com • Powerful Media – [Inside.com] • Urban Box Office (UBO) • The Industry Standard • The New York Times Digital
Transactions – Services • Multex.com • ITXC • iXL Enterprises • Mainspring • Comscore • Acurian • Electron Economy • Return Path
Transactions–Infrastructure/Technology • Resonate • Ibiquity • Reciprocal • Portal Player • AppGenesis • Eshare Technologies
Transactions – International • Starmedia Network • Sina.com • sportsya • Patagon • Submarino • Mercado Libra • Viajo
Transactions–Pervasive Computing • Vindigo • Fusion One • Vertical One • Quixi • Kozmo • Kinkos.com
The Venture Capitalist’s Role … according to Flatiron • We buy a part of the Company • We are Owners • We are on the Board of Directors
The Venture Capitalist’s Role … according to Flatiron • We become Partners with the founders and management • We think like Owners • We help with …Strategy, Recruiting, Raising money, Opening doors, High level sales intros, Going public, Merging, etc
An Analogy – A VC is a Producer • A VC is like a Movie Producer • We help find money, people, bankers, clients, the Board, etc. • To Management, we are …friend, foe, shrink, cheerleader, teacher, idiot, partner.
The Market Today • To many questionable ideas funded the last few years • Portfolio Triage • Support or Euthanasia
The Market Today • Hard to put together financings • Investors focused on their portfolios • Valuations down – a buyers market
Expectations • Invest more slowly • Spend less & grow within your means • Conditions and psychology start to improve later this year