Sequoia's Michael Moritz on how he picks companies | Hacker News Reader

Sequoia's Michael Moritz on how he picks companies

mercurynews.com

27 pointsksvs11 comments

Summary: The recession is acting as a great filter that keeps out non-passionate founders. Also, Sequoia does some of its best investments in recessions.

The interesting thing is that this recession is acting as a filter not just for founders but also for VCs. See WSJ's "VCs head for the door" [1]

My favorite part though was this line from Mr. Moritz:

"Oddly enough in recessionary times, customers are prepared to take more risk with a young company if they believe that that company offers them a tremendous advantage that will help them become more efficient or lower their costs."

I have one data point in support of this at my start up but would love to hear if y'all are seeing more.

[1] http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124416376153487535.html

I don't think I understand the significance of this statement. You always buy a product that 'offers a tremendous advantage that will help [you] become more efficient or lower [your] costs.'

Is the significance that in a recession a prospective customer is less likely to buy 'the standard'?

Yes, Moritz is suggesting that companies (at least some of them) are more willing to take the risk of buying from a stratup, if it offers them a tremendous advantage.., during a recession.

I am wondering if there are entrepreneurs who can corroborate this theory based on their experience.

You just used nearly the exact terminology from the original quote. Sorry, I do not think the concept is clear.

Since the advantage over 'the standard' changes depending on what product and what startup we're talking about, this seems to be more of a comment on the likelihood of the buyer to stick with 'the standard'. (additionally, the wording (and paraphrasing) are not making this clearer...some companies...more likely...tremendous advantage...etc)

I'm attempting to make "his theory" concrete in wording so that it's comprehensible. I think you can boil "his theory" down to:

Buyers' preference for 'the standard' is inversely proportional to the current economic state.

What do you think?

I think his theory is more like:

Buyers' appetite for 'the non standard' is inversely proportional to the current economic state.

I think they're emphasizing "become more efficient or lower their costs" as opposed to growing the company, or increasing revenue.

The interview is disappointingly light. Not that I was expecting to read a bunch of Sequoia's secrets, but given their previously good judgment in tough times, more specifics would have been nice.

Another read (though, it discusses the "Talent Scouts" -- not just Moritz): http://www.sequoiacap.com/news/the-secrets-of-the-talent-sco...

I would have thought there'd be more startups looking for funding: "I can't get a job elsewhere so I'll start my own company."

What companies has Sequoia funded that haven't succeeded?

Excellent question - is this survivors bias? We need the negative information to get a sense whether their technique works better than random luck applied to good times.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com