Secrets of venture capitalists with r. adam smith, founder & ceo, circle peak capital

For Immediate Release Trang Nguyen Media Relations Coordinator Golden Networking +1-516-761-4712 tnguyen@goldennetworking.net http://www.goldennetworking.net Secrets of Venture Capitalists with R. Adam Smith, Founder & CEO, Circle Peak Capital Venture Capital Happy Hour (http://www.VCHappyHour.com), September 4,6PM, Will BringTogether Venture Capitalists, Angel Investors, Seeders, Entrepreneurs, Technologists and Visionaries for an Evening of Networking and Cocktailsin New York City(August 24, 2012, New York)There is no game with higher financial stakes than the one venture capitalists playevery day.A ceaseless flood of hungry entrepreneurs are constantly knocking on the door, seeking funding tohelp their business advance to the next level and succeed. The most frequently used word in the VC vocabularyis "no" but the real trick to the job is figuring out when to say "yes". What does it take for them to say yes? AskR. Adam Smith, Founder & CEO, Circle Peak Capital, presenter at Golden Networking‘s Venture CapitalHappy Hour (http://www.VCHappyHour.com), on Tuesday September 4, 6:00pm.CNBC’s Chris Morris suggest asking most VCs how they pick a winner and theyll say it all comes down to thepeople making the pitch. Ultimately, theyre not investing so much in the product or idea (though that, ofcourse, has to be exceptional), but in the people behind it. And as they evaluate both the people and their ideas,there are a few characteristics that tend to jump out."One thing we look for is a Pied Piper, someone who others will follow," says Jeff Bussgang, general partner atFlybridge Capital Partners. "So if I find myself thinking that this person is very compelling and I would gowork for them, then I [can] imagine other talented people going to work for them and them sealing customerseffectively. Thats someone you know will be successful."Unique charismatic qualities, in fact, are a common refrain among the VC community as they describe howthey know theyve got a potentially lucrative investment opportunity in front of them. Its a rare combination ofpassion, drive, confidence and humbleness that perks up their ears.Too many entrepreneurs make the mistake of thinking they need to have all the answers when they speak withVCs. In truth, investors often toss out difficult questions they dont expect the applicant to be prepared for.When

the business owner tap dances out an answer, it can be their undoing. The entrepreneur who admits they donthave that answer, but will find it, generally stands a better chance of obtaining financing.Meanwhile, at the Foundry Group, entrepreneurs go through a series of interviews with each of the companysfour partners — all of whom must agree before the company makes a venture offer. "We go very, very deep,assuming something fits, on two things: the people and the product," says co-founder Brad Feld. "Were nottrying to evaluate the people against a well-defined set of criteria. Were trying to decide if we want to bepartners with them for the long term. Its [also] not just doing a bunch of reference checks. Its actually doingstuff with them and getting to know them. … We want people on a mission."R. Adam Smith is an experienced investor and advisor to small and middle market private companies, withapproximately 20 years of experience in private equity and mergers & acquisitions at leading private investmentand advisory institutions, including Caxton-Iseman Capital, Castle Harlan, Inc., Salomon Brothers and LehmanBrothers. Prior to forming Circle Peak, Mr. Smith served in principal capacities at two leading private equityfirms based in New York City, Caxton-Iseman Capital LLC and Castle Harlan, Inc., each with over $2 billion inmanaged equity capital. At these firms, he worked directly with senior management teams and institutionallimited partners, co-investors, and lenders in the acquisition and growth of $25 million to $1 billion companiesin food, beverage, restaurant, distribution, industrial, and asset management sectors. Mr. Smith has beeninvolved in control-stake private investments collectively representing approximately $1.5 billion in sales, $200million in EBITDA, and $400 million in equity commitments.Venture Capital Happy Hour, featured in The New York Times, is produced by Golden Networking(http://www.goldennetworking.net), the premier networking community for business executives, entrepreneursand investors. Panelists, speakers and sponsors are invited to contact Golden Networking by sending an email toinfo@goldennetworking.net ###

Secrets of venture capitalists with r. adam smith, founder & ceo, circle peak capital

by Golden Networking on Aug 29, 2012

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Secrets of venture capitalists with r. adam smith, founder & ceo, circle peak capital Document Transcript