OpenVC Blog

Evaluating competition as a VC

Venture capital is in the business of disruption. Naturally, the job of an investor necessarily includes evaluating how new startups will compete with existing incumbents. Learn how VCs think about competition in an uncertain environment.

Posted by Shaun Gold | January 29, 2025

Judah Taub: From Leading Data at a $20 Billion Hedge Fund to Running Hetz Ventures, a $300 Million Venture Fund

Judah Taub, co-founder of Hetz Ventures, a $300M Israeli VC fund, shares insights on identifying market gaps, evaluating founders, and navigating seed-stage investments. He discusses reducing sales lead times, negotiating with corporations, and leveraging data for smarter decisions. Plus, he explores the concept of local maxima in business growth and his journey of writing a book.

Posted by Harrison Faull Judah Taub | January 26, 2025

32 signals VCs use to eliminate founders

Signals are small hints used by investors to make a quick decision about your company. This post lists down all 32 signals used by VCs and investors to quickly eliminate founders.

Posted by Stéphane Nasser | January 23, 2025

How to build a standout brand for your startup

A strong brand silently attracts leads and builds trust, acting as your silent salesperson. It's your best asset as an early-stage startup. here's how you can build a standout brand from scratch.

Posted by Max Fleitmann | January 21, 2025

Jens Lapinski: From Founding $200m Angel Fund to Backing 100x Return with One Investment Every Week

This is episode 16 of the OpenVC Podcast. In this episode, Jens shares insights on identifying high-potential startups and managing a fast-paced investment strategy. He discusses strategic exits, coaching founders, and navigating challenges in early-stage ventures. Plus, he reveals the secret behind Angel Invest’s success and lessons from missed opportunities.

Posted by Harrison Faull Jens Lapinski | January 12, 2025

Why VCs won't sign your NDA

Should founders ask investors to sign a NDA before sharing their deck. The answer is no. Here are the 6 reasons why, and here's how you can actually protect your startup without a NDA.

Posted by Stéphane Nasser | January 11, 2025

How to validate your startup idea - 7 methods explained

Market validation is the process of determining if there’s a need for your product in your target market. In this post, we break down 6 methodologies that will help you validate your startup idea and the market you want to address.

Posted by Shaun Gold | January 8, 2025

The Stages of Startup Funding: From Pre-Seed to IPO

As a founder who is going to be raising capital, it is essential to know what stage your company is in. This post covers all funding stages from boostrapping and pre-seed to seed, Series A series B, and late-stage.

Posted by Shaun Gold | January 6, 2025