Craigslist 挑战沙丘路Craigslist takes on Sand Hill Road
我喜欢风险投资，真的喜欢。而且即便是在当下的泡沫里，全世界最绝望的风险投资人维杰也有点夸张了。
但我在 Craigslist 上发了一则招聘启事，却收到下面这样的回复，我还能说什么呢？
“我叫 XXXX XXXX，是 XXXXX 的负责人，XXXXX 是一家总部位于 XXXXXXXX 的风险投资公司。我是在 Craig’s List 上了解到你的创业公司的。我们公司管理的活跃资金略多于 XXX 百万美元。我们投资早期的软件和互联网公司，很有兴趣进一步了解你的项目。”
这种事你编都编不出来。
其实，我还挺佩服这位仁兄的。在风险投资中取得成功需要三样东西，其中之一就是独家的项目来源（另外两样是获取资本的渠道和良好的判断力）。这些人早早扑向 Craigslist，做着别人不屑一顾的跑腿苦功——他们在主动寻找下一个 Skype，而不是把脚跷在红木办公桌上，坐等交易送上门来。欢迎！
I like Venture Capital. I really do. And even in the current bubble, Vijay, the World’s Most Desperate Venture Capitalist is a little exaggerated.
But what am I supposed to do when I put a job posting on Craigslist and get the following response?
“My name is XXXX XXXX, and I am a Principal with XXXXX, a venture capital firm based in XXXXXXXX. I learned about your startup on Craig’s List. My firm manages just north of XXX million in active funds. We invest in early-stage software and Internet companies, and I would be interested in learning more about your project.”
You can’t make this stuff up.
Actually, I have to hand it to the guy. One of the three things you need to succeed in Venture Capital is proprietary deal-flow (the other two are access to capital and good judgement). By hitting Craigslist early, these guys are doing legwork that others eschew – they’re hunting for the next Skype actively rather then putting their feet up on Mahogany desks and waiting for the deals to come pouring in. Welcome!