VC Cliche: "You'll Get Funded"

By Paul Kedrosky · Friday, November 25, 2005 ·
Fred Wilson of Union Square has an ongoing series of VC cliches, to which I'd like to add the phrase, "You'll get funded". It is one of those irritating and frequently used bits of VC emptiness, a way of praising you and saying an obscurantist no, all at the same time. On the one hand you're not saying that your firm will fund the company. No-oooooo. On the other hand, you are saying that the company is great, and someone will certainly fund it. Absolutely. Positively.Hey, You'll get funded.

And if it does get funded, the VC will often say, maybe we'll join the syndicate. Or maybe not -- because you will get funded.

oBaside: If you've heard this cliche as many times as I have, and you're feeling prickish, the best thing to do is ask for names, numbers, and references for the other venture guys that said VC is so sure will fund your venture. Nothing makes a VC's eyes roll over more like runaway slots on a one-armed bandit than being called on a bullshit bluff.

Topics: Venture capital