Basic Email Etiquette for Entrepreneurs
pluggd.in
pluggd.in
They may have something you want (money, network, experience, maybe even a mix) but the price of dealing with them could be too high. Startups that are solid enough to attract funding from one party are possibly strong enough to make their case to a party that sees these things the way they do.
If it is 'just' the email policy you could ask them what their motivation is, and if it is good enough then you might be able to get past it, if there is no reason (and what reason could there be?) then you may be better off looking at a VC with a more up-to-date view of the way the internet is organized these days. Gmail is everywhere even in places where it really shouldn't be.
Now, to make it a bit more interesting, how would you feel if a VC would disqualify someone mailing from a hotmail or mailinator address?
I have found that the best way to get action is to give the reader a choice...
Poor: Let me know when you want to get together.
Good: What time on Friday should I stop by?
Best: I can be in your neighborhood at either 11 am or 2 pm on Friday. Which is better?
I'm not sure why this works so much better, but I have a theory. This infers that my schedule is filling up. If one time is better than the other (which is almost always the case), then the reader would want his preferred time slot before it's gone. Scarcity and choice and 2 good motivators.
So by giving two choices that are good for you most people will pick either one, not even realize there are other options. People like 'multiple choice' and don't do well on 'open questions', this is probably related somehow.
Most of you probably don't need to read this, but seeing as it's so short and sweet; it probably won't do any harm. It seems as someone is having some sort of obviously worthwhile vent.