| Hats Off! »

Eyes closed . . . head first . . .

  • Comments (-)

I spend a reasonable amount of time on-line (or in my RSS reader) and more recently have begun to read an increasing number of web logs. It’s a fascinating phenomenon – a voice for everyone (although not necessarily a listener, but more on that in another post). I work for Mobius Venture Capital and have been interested in the emergence of some prominent VC’s in the blog world (my boss, Brad Feld, has a very popular and I think informative blog; other blogs, including some of the venture blogs I read are listed here on my site). One thing I’ve noticed is that most of the VC bloggers seem to be partners (two notable exceptions are Ryan McIntyre and Robin Bordoli – both colleagues of mine at Mobius). I’m not entirely sure why this is. My initial assumption is that those of us non-partners who work in VC are simply too busy (trying to become partners) to put anything together; or perhaps it’s because in the world of VC people care a lot about what partners think and say and not as much about what the rest of us say. So I decided to test this theory by starting a blog of my own. I’m calling it “VC Adventure (you are in a twisty maze of passageways, all alike”) because I’m intending to muse about the twists and turns of the VC world (points to the first person who gets the full reference). I’d like to talk directly about my view of the world – the triumphs and frustrations I go through with my companies and in my firm as I try to figure out what kind of venture capitalist I’d like to be.

I’ve been at Mobius for just over 3 years – joining just in time for the downside of the bubble. I’ve worked with about 25 companies during my time at Mobius – my current active investments are listed on this site. Before Mobius I worked for what turned out to be a failed internet/datacomm company – Verado Holdings (formerly FirstWorld Communications). I did a bunch of stuff there (m&a; corporate development; investor relations; corporate planning), but most importantly I had the opportunity to run a large portion of their business (at a time when the company had decided to focus elsewhere) while I sold them. This was a fantastic experience – I was responsible for a 350 person, $40m business; a business that was going through significant turmoil. I was pretty green and certainly way over my head but leaned through the help of some outstanding colleagues and by making lots of mistakes. Eventually these businesses were sold and I moved on from Verado about a year before they finally shut their doors.

So . . . there you have it. At least a small snapshot of my business background and a perspective of what I’m hoping to accomplish by writing this blog. There is, of course, a lot more to me than Mobius or business – I’m a new dad; an avid reader; a rabid mountain biker and snowboarder; etc. I’m sure some of these topics will sneak their way into my blog from time to time. I hope you’ll enjoy reading about (and commenting on) my perspective on being a young VC; on business and life.

January 5th, 2005     Categories: Uncategorized    
  • Amy Batchelor

    Seth, thanks for working so hard so that Brad has time to blog and to go on vacation with me. I really appreciate it. :) Seriously, I think it’s great that you’re doing a blog and will be curious to read your writings about life, the universe and everything.

  • Heidi Roizen

    just remember Seth, we’re all going to read it to find out what you are really thinking!

  • Walker

    Get your blog on Seth! So is this just going to be VC musings, or are you going to talk about other stuff as well?

  • Stephen Buck

    Look forward to reading your blog. I’m hoping that, between you and Brad, most of the deep, dark VC secrets will be unveiled. If I get the full reference (Colossal Cave adventure game?) do I get a favorable valuation on my next venture? Pretty please ;-)

  • Dave Jilk

    Seth, be sure that every once in a while you mention in your blog where you are. That’s why I read Brad’s blog — to find out where the heck he is. :)

  • http://www.ventureblogs.com/2005/01/seth_levine_mob.html Ventureblogs

    Seth Levine – Mobius Venture Capital Blogger

    Adding a new blog to the Ventureblogs list: VC Adventure Seth says: “I’m calling it “VC Adventure (you are in a twisty maze of passageways, all alike”) because I’m intending to muse about the twists and turns of the VC

  • http://dwoolstar.blogspot.com Derek

    > twisty maze
    Even though I recognize the general reference (Adventure), Google makes find the specifics rather trivial.
    From:
    http://www.rickadams.org/adventure/d_hints/hint009.html
    Oh, lucky you. You are in one of Colossal Cave’s two mazes.
    If you see “You are in a twisty maze of passageways, all alike,” you are in the Pirate’s Maze.
    If you see “You are in a twisty maze of passageways, all different,” you are in the Vending Machine Maze.

    Anyways welcome to blog world, and to fatherhood, and to all the other adventures now before you. Who wants a boring life anyways.
    Derek Woolverton
    Technical Difficulties

  • http://www.newsgator.com JB

    Belated congrats on your entry to blogging! love the blog title, Seth. And thanks again for all your continued help with NewsGator.