October 2008
16 posts
Gaming Space Is Really Hurting...
Really good article in the WSJ today on how some of the larger deals in the gaming space aren’t panning out [in particular Harrahs] so well. A few friends in the PE space are more focused now on looking at gaming assets than they were some time ago. Interesting.
This is an industry that is going through an unprecedented change and most of these stocks are down 70-100%. Development...
Interesting...
I’ve recieved more funding requests at the seed and early stage level in the past 2-3 weeks than I have in quite a long time. Thinking that most of the presentations from Sequoia and others have really hit home with many entrepreneurs.
Sequoia Knows Best...
Really good read on Sequoia Capital’s take on the current downturn. Seems like their mandate to portfolio companies is to hunker down, preserve capital and weather the storm.
Requirements of their companies.
You must cut expenses. Now and deep.
Your product should reduce expenses and drive revenue
Honestly assess your solution vs. your competitors.
Cash is king [have you gotten this...
Not a Good Situation...
I’ve had a few friends at start-ups recently tell me that their banks are shoring up liquidity and calling in any outstanding loans. While most of the companies will probably be OK and will likely negotiate terms to not have to pay the note on demand, it is really indicative of how bad this economic crisis is getting.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if, in 10 or 20 years, video games are creating...”
– Interesting article in today’s NY Times on the future of reading. Thinking a lot lately on commercial game creation for educational means. It seems like Civilization and Sims can actually teach kids something. Opportunity?
Reading is Good for You
Currently reading some interesting stuff:
Predictably Irrational - Dan Ariely. Fralic recommended this book and I read it once before without paying much attention so now I’m going back to read it again. Lot of lessons within and a great read for anyone interested in why customers behave the way they do, and why you behave the way you do.
Gang Leader for a Day - Sudhir Venkatesh. ...
Musings on Offset Market...
Been looking heavily into the carbon offset space recently with a colleage. Very interesting things going on there right now. As you may know, Virgin has made a pretty serious committment towards sustainability and we think this is an interesting market at about $1B in the US and tripling y/y (voluntary offset market). What I find interesting is that I don’t think anyone has really...
WatchThis is actually happening…
You can find the full transcript here. It’s kind of funny that serveral republican folks in our office have actually changed their minds and probably will vote for Obama