VC Stationery for Evaluating Startups
In the startup world, it’s common to poke fun at the “Startup” language and optimistic spin so common in early-stage founder pitches. I was joking with a fellow angel investor a few weeks ago about how the pitches we hear often start to sound the same, and how therefore I’m constantly writing similar words and phrases down in meetings with founders (because I’m old-school and take hand-written notes). That was the inspiration for this satirical early-stage investor “stationery”, ideal for taking notes during your first meeting with a founder (soon to be offered on Amazon.com for $14.99 for a 20-sheet pack — “the ideal gag gift for that VC that doesn’t need anything!”).
About the Author
Victor Gutwein is the managing director of M25 Group, a micro-VC firm he started with his family in 2015. M25 Group’s focus is on seed rounds for Midwestern startups. He has worked in corporate retail in both the fashion and ecommerce industries in a wide variety of cross-functional experiences, from marketing to merchandising, international to omnichannelretailing. Victor has a passionate history with startups, including a vending machine business and kick scooter company, along with being on the board of the University of Chicago’s first student-run venture fund.
Victor lives with his wife on the South Side of Chicago and loves staying active with backpacking, water polo, rugby, ultramarathons, and triathlons. If he can’t convince you to workout with him though, he’ll usually succeed in getting you to try out a Euro-style board game (like Settlers of Catan) with his friends.
