Hacker News Reader

Comment by timjahn | Hacker News Reader

I love MGs writing and from what I know of him (admittedly just online through TechCrunch), he seems like a cool guy.

But I'm failing to see how being a (great) writer translates into being a VC?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Moritz

Mike Moritz' biggest mistake (according to a 2000 interview with Forbes): Not getting into the VC business sooner. http://www.forbes.com/asap/2000/0529/098_4.html

Every VC needs an Apple columnist. He has a good eye for what's hot and lots of leads so that should be useful to a VC, especially with these inflated valuations a service's "hotness" just might be the determinant for high returns. Wouldn't trust his analytical skills though.

yeah agreed, in fact I'd say it's the wrong type of person for the job.

a writer on techcrunch tends to cover hype products with no real value

a VC on the other hand invests money into products that have to make money

That's a pretty cynical view of TC writers and a pretty generous view of VC's. I'd say on balance both tech writers and investors have overlapping considerations. Writers want to cover important / relevant companies, which sometimes means writing about what "everyone is talking about". VCs want to produce returns for their LP's, but just as often get fooled by "hype" by products that are unlikely to make money.

Being a good investor is basically about "deal flow" and good judgment. Seems like writing for the tech press gives you lots of practice at both.

yes, but all of that is brought to the table by Arrington

MG has been a successful Arrington employee/teammate for years, so...

Jessica never sold a startup, but seems to do fine on a VC team.

Good point. Definitely makes more sense after some of the points folks have brought up here.

They'll do well because they'll be able to get into the hot deals.

Access to gossip. Startups helping other startups by integrating the other's or the same technology(s) is a very real force of business. Knowing how the board is wired has investment benefits.

Very true. I suppose the knowledge gained from writing about the companies can be as useful as the knowledge gained having run his own company.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com