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In today's Tech Ticker episode, venture capitalists Sharon Wienbar and Pascal Levensohn explain to Sarah Lacy how entrepreneurs can avoid getting fired during a downturn. We watched and took notes. Below, the clip and notes on the VCs' six essential points:


  • 0:30: VCs need to better set founders' expectations. And vice versa, too.
  • 1:27: Don't spend.
  • 2:15: Don't respond to a bad quarter by doubling-down on engineering. Prune your management team.
  • 2:55: If you take VC, you have to play by their rules.
  • 3:29: Do you want to be rich or do you want to be king?
  • 5:31: Fiduciary duty is the board's concern (not the founder). In other words, they have to look out for all the shareholders.
  • 6:08: VCs make the most money when the founder goes all the way. The suit just wants money.