blog de edgar arvizu vega

Run, One Stride at a Time

2011-11-07T09:32:00.000-08:00

To the whole world! Get out there and run! It is absolutely possible to run and run and run injury free! Get out there, and take me with you! Read the article and read other running books on the joys and benefits of running.

Chere here for NYT article: The Once and Future Way to Run, 11/2/11

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2011/11/02/magazine/100000001149415/the-lost-secret-of-running.html

Water (Focus) puts out Fire (Stress)

2011-08-19T20:54:00.000-07:00

For all those people out there who may be feeling overwhelmed: "just focus."

Just as water puts out fire, focus puts out stress. Try to recall the last time you were in a crisis. Remember that focus you had? Well, that is real focus. It's not easy to reach. But when you do, you forget about everything else and do one thing at a time, and you do it well because you know that it's what you are supposed to be doing. We can only truly do one thing at a time.

David Allen says it best:

"...most teams work best in crisis. Simply because it gets them focused, it gets them galvanized. High performance doesn't come from crisis. Rather it comes from the focus that crisis forces you to have. High performance people and organizations tend to be the people in organizations that know how to get that kind of galvanized focus before crisis forces them to...

...the truth is, when you are in your zone (when time disappears), you are not feeling overwhelmed. If you really are doing what you really know that you need to be doing at any point of time, there is no sense of being overwhelmed. You can only do one thing at a time, so it's either half empty or half full: you either feel crappy about all you are not doing or you feel perfect about the one thing you are."

- David Allen -

Connect, Join and Balance through Yoga

2011-06-07T09:05:00.000-07:00

I finally tried Yoga for the first time last night, after more than two years of living in San Francisco. I am glad I did and will be adding it to my weekly running and core exercise routine. While I continue to truly learn and understand yoga, last night was a great introduction into what it can mean and become. There is great learning achieved when connecting, joining, and balancing one's mind and body as you detach from the world around you for at least just a few hours a week - I highly recommend it!

Most importantly, I wanted to share a quote that I heard during class, and it relates to a question I've asked my self in that past: "Why do people work?"....well, here's part of the answer....

"Always you have been told that work is a curse and labor a misfortune. But I say to you that when you work you fulfill a part of earth's furthest dream, assigned to you when that dream was born, and in keeping yourself with labor you are in truth loving life and to love life through labor is to be intimate with life's inmost secret." by The Prophet

TheRelay - A Must Do!

2011-05-03T11:34:00.000-07:00

If you like to run, this is a must-do! You get to experience California at its best!

You run through some of the most wonderful landscape the state has to offer with great people, and for a great cause. I rant at 7pm through vineyards with a sunset through the hills, at 4am next to a river under the starts, and then at 1pm starting in the woods and finishing by the beach in Santa Cruz. I can't wait for next year!

My Results:

Leg: 12, Type: Hard, Miles: 4.8, Pace: 07:40 min/mil, Start: 7:19PM PST

Leg: 24, Type: Mod., Miles: 5.9, Pace: 07:55 min/mil, Start: 4:17AM PST

Leg: 36, Type: Easy, Miles: 6, Pace: 07:11 min/mil, Start: 1:21PM PST

TheRelay.com

Igloo

2011-03-08T09:59:00.000-08:00

I learned how to build an Igloo this weekend to snow camp near Carson Pass, California. It is an incredible experience. It was still cold but it gave us shelter for the storm we got over night.

Que viva the Inuit people!

Click here to see video

Solar Photovoltaic Sunset

2010-12-17T00:29:00.002-08:00

California sunset over my first Solar PV investment in distributed energy generation. Aerial photos coming soon.

Failure and Imagination

2010-11-18T10:11:00.000-08:00

A must see or read speech from J.K. Rowling at Harvard on the fringe benefits "failure" and the importance of "imagination" in life.

J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement from Harvard Magazine on Vimeo.

Happiness Diagram

2010-09-24T11:52:00.000-07:00

Ultimate happiness comes from 5 sources. But remember: "Happiness is not a goal"

Why are we irrational sometimes?

2010-04-27T20:11:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to recommend a book I just read: "Sway" by Ori and Rom Brafman. It's a quick read that I picked up in the airport between flights.

The book is essentially about the sub-merged mental drivers (undercurrents) that can undermine rational action (i.e. make us behave irrationally). For example, why do we drive crazy sometimes just to save a few seconds? Why can't we sell a falling stock? Or why can't some people get out of domed relationships?

In summary, they explain 5 psychological undercurrents that cause this irrational behavior:

1) Loss Aversion (Desire to avoid loss): People don't like to lose and thus may not know when to cut their losses or know how/when to lose. It's okay to lose; you can make it up on the next one. Don't dig yourself into a bigger hole. Don't get caught by this fear of loss, it can make you lose a lot more. Have a long term view. e.g. Running a yellow light to save a few seconds, in the long-term, has absolutely no major impact in your life.

2) Commitment: This is about our reluctance to alter a plan or action that clearly isn't working because it has always worked for us in the past. Let go of the past, be open. Ask yourself: If I were to walk into the situation, fresh, would I still be pursuing this strategy?

3) Value Attribution: This is when we judge a book by its cover (i.e. diagnosis bias). We all have different lenses we see things through. Perceive someone or a situation beyond your initial impression. Take time to test your intuition -> learn about something or someone -> make a tentative opinion -> test your opinion -> give it time to sync -> and then finally make a final judgment.

4) Fairness: As humans we want something to be fair. Our decisions are driven by our convictions and emotions, that’s why sometimes we make bad decision. This factor is even more important when a decision affects other people. The key here is to weigh things objectively, not involving our emotions or moral judgment. When it does involve others, make sure you involve them in the "process" and keep ongoing two-way communication.

5) Ignoring Dissenters: This is essentially about not ignoring the "devil's advocate" and taking into account all the evidence. Hearing out everyone only leads to better decisions as every point of view will have been considered. Give a voice to the dissenter.

Be aware of these 5 undercurrents the next time you face a pivotal decision - swim across these undercurrents, not against them!

How to become a VC

2009-11-17T16:04:00.000-08:00

I think Fred Wilson, summarizes it well:

“If you want to make top tier returns in the venture capital business….The way you do that is you work for at least 10 years in the industry, getting operating experience, building a killer rolodex, and learning how the business works from the inside. Then in your mid-to-late 30s, you can make the move to the venture capital business, as a partner, not as a wet behind the ears associate who doesn’t know anything other than how to push numbers around a spreadsheet.” -Fred Wilson, a partner at venture capital firm Union Square Ventures

Thoughts on Keys to Success

2009-11-05T16:58:00.000-08:00

Here's a list of keys to success that I've gathered from various recent leadership readings, including from Jack Welch, Art Williams, Jim Collins, TED speakers, etc.

Winning Attitude. Life is all about attitude, you have to be in the right mind-set to most positively react to everything happening to/around you.
Mental Toughness. This will separate you from the pack.
Excitement. Bring major excitement to everything you do, pour your hear into it.
Dream. You have to believe you can do anything you want; belief is incredibly powerful, you have to believe.
Stand For Something. You have to stand for something. This fuels your belief and determination.
Make A Total Commitment. It's about that extra ounce of courage needed during tough times; your ability to compete, stand-up and go bat one more time.
Treat People Good. This is what ultimately fulfills your life, helping and treating others with compassion.
Right Priorities. Personal life, then work life.
Pay The Price a Little Bit More. Do a little bit more than others.
Be Tough. You cannot quit.
Gotta Be A Leader.
Do It, And Do It, Until The Job Gets Done.
You Can't Do It Alone. You need a team and support.
Have Mentors. Your sounding board, keep measuring your progress, people you admire and respect.

TED-ings

2009-10-06T14:33:00.000-07:00

"Success is a continuous journey," Richard St. John, 2-2009, TED [3:55 min]
"8 secrets of success," Richard St. John, 12-2006, TED [3:30 min]
"The power of time off," Stefan Sagmeister, 7-2009, TED [17:40 min]
"The Future of Countries," Parag Khanna, 7-2009, TED [18:53 min]
"How food shapes our cities," Carolyn Steel, 7-2009, TED [15:41 min]

Strangers, Work, Attention, Success, Slowness, Leadership

2009-09-12T08:54:00.000-07:00

Interesting conversations on life matters:

Strangers - The Importance of 'Consequential Strangers,' 9-7-09, Talk of the Nation, NPR [radio, 30min]
Work - Why we love or hate our work, 9-7-09, Marketplace, NPR [radio]
Attention - Horizon of Attention, 9-2009, Human Media, [radio]
Success - A kinder, gentler, philosophy of success, 7-2009, TED [video, 17 min]
Slowness - Carl Honore praises slowness, 6-2005, TED [video, 20 min]
Leadership - Patrick Awuah on educating leaders, 6-2007, TED [video, 18 min]

High-Speed Rail in the US: Dream or Reality?

2009-09-05T09:48:00.000-07:00

There has been lots of talk at the Federal and State level about revamping and building high-speed rail in a number of corridors in the U.S. President Obama has already approved $8 billion dollars in funding. If you have traveled to Germany, France, Spain, and Japan, you know what it's like - but is this feasible in the US with it's landscape and car-centric culture? Is it worth the investment?

Here's some food for thought:

Comparing U.S. Trains To Foreign Lines, 9-4-09, All Things Considered, NPR [radio]
Traveling on fast trains in Europe, 9-3-09, The World, PRI [radio]
Obama talks About High-Speed Rail Project, Federal Railroad Administration [video]
California Edges Ahead In High-Speed-Train 'Race,' 9-3-09, All Things Considered, PRI [radio]
California High Speed Rail Blog
High-Speed Rail Skeptic Outlines Position, 9-3-09, All Things Considered, NPR [radio]
A Hitch For Rail Riders: Getting To Final Destination, 9-2-09, All Things Considered, NPR [radio]
Some Regions Better Prepared For High-Speed Rail, 9-1-09, All Things Considered, NPR [radio]
U.S. High-Speed-Rail Proposals, 8-31-09, All Things Considered, NPR

Payment Start-ups with funding in 2009

2009-08-18T11:26:00.000-07:00

The financial crisis has increased the interest in "alternative payment" start-ups as consumers (particularly younger generation), merchants, and financial institutions are now more receptive to new payment methods that help cut costs. Further driving this is a shift away from "pay-later" to "pay now" alternatives, increase in mobile commerce and micro-payments.

According to the VCJ, more than a dozen payment start-ups have raised over $200 million in VC funding.

Here's a list of start-ups that have received funding in 2009:

1) Bling Nation

2) 99Bill Corp.

3) GreenDot

4) PayDay One

5) Xoom

6) Vindicia

7) Obopay

8) Century Payment

9) Acculynk

10) enStage

11) FSV Payment Systems

12) Boku

13) OneTxt

14) Revolution Money

15) PaymentOne

The U.S. CleanTech Map

2009-08-17T21:52:00.000-07:00

View 101 Cleantech Startups in a larger map

Music: Song about leaving home

2009-08-09T08:50:00.000-07:00

I have to share this. I heard a song yesterday by Blick Bassy, a new artist from Camaroon, who moved to Paris to find life as an artist. One of his new songs, "Bolo," really resonated with me because it talks about people who leave thier family/home behind and move to a new country to find a better life. Blick only sings in his local language, Bassa. He was on NPR yesterday, listent below.

(he talks about Bolo starting in minute 6:29).

Chart Of The Day

2009-08-03T21:49:00.001-07:00

1/3rd of the top 12 biggest companies (by market capitalization) are from CHINA, even after adjusting for the sharp declines due to the financial crisis.

Talking Green

2009-07-23T23:22:00.000-07:00

Tensions rise over water shortages, 7-20-09, The World
Climate change and water supply, 7-21-09, The World
Water and cooperation in the Middle East, 7-21-09, The World
Carbon accounting is big business, 7-20-09, Marketplace
Big carbon appetite, 7-23-09, The World
Amsterdam's green streets, 7-23-09, The World

25 Most Intriguing Cleantech Startups

2009-07-22T12:05:00.000-07:00

1) Achates Power, San Diego, CA. Achates is testing a clean-burning diesel engine it plans to license to automakers next year. Conventional engines have one piston in each cylinder. Achates' design has two, an approach that delivers more power in less space, and that boosts mileage up to 100 miles per gallon. Key investors: InterWest Partners, Madrone Capital Partners, Rockport Capital Partners, Sequoia Capital

2) AltaRock Energy, Sausalito, CA. By boring wells as deep as four miles, AltaRock is confident it can tap geothermal energy almost anywhere in the U.S., not just in geologically active areas. In fault prone areas, such as its first project in California, the company must prove it can do so without causing earthquakes. Key investors: Khosla, Kleiner Perkins, Google, Advanced Technology, Vulcan

3) BioFuelBox, San Jose, CA. Using a micro-refinery loaded onto the back of a truck, BioFuelBox converts oil-laden sludge from sewage systems, industrial plants, and animal processing factories into clear, odorless diesel fuel. Its first project is to convert waste from potato-processing plants in Idaho into fuel. Key investors: Element Partners, Draper Fisher Jurvetson

4) Bridgelux, Sunnyvale, CA. Thanks to a dime-size chip embedded with tiny diodes that emit white light, Bridgelux believes it is on track to sell LED-based lighting comparable to 60-watt incandescent bulbs for under $10 that use a fraction of the energy and last for years. Key investors: DCM, El Dorado Ventures, Vantage Point, Chrysalix, Harris & Harris

5) BrightSource Energy, Oakland, CA. BrightSource is importing its solar thermal technology from Israel. There, using scores of mirrors to concentrate the sun's heat, its plants have been transforming heat from the sun into electricity for decades. Contracts with Southern California Edison (SCE_pe) and Pacific Gas & Electric call for BrightSource to build 14 plants in the sun-soaked Southwestern U.S. by 2017. Key investors: VantagePoint, BP, DraperFisher, Morgan Stanley, DBL, StatoilHydro, Google, Chevron

6) Clean Current Power Systems, Vancouver. Clean Current develops underwater turbines that can transform ocean tides into electricity. The French power-plant maker Alstom has signed on to commercialize this technology, starting in 2012 in Nova Scotia's Bay of Fundy, where tides cause water levels to rise and fall by some 50 feet. Key investors: EnCana Environmental Innovation Fund, Sustainable Development Technology Canada

7) Coulomb Technologies, Campbell, CA. In cities from San Francisco to New York and Europe, battery-powered cars can plug in at Coulomb Technologies' curb-side charging stations while parked. A secure hatch prevents the plug from being yanked until the driver O.K.'s the removal with a custom key fob. Coulomb's ChargePoint Web-based software handles billing, utility links, and helps drivers find charge points via mobile device. Key investors: Estag Capital

8) eMeter, San Mateo, CA. As smart meters pop up in millions of homes and businesses, utilities have to be ready to handle a flood of digital data. To help, eMeter offers a sort of rosetta stone: software that links some 20 million next-gen meters, helping them talk with utilities' often decades-old billing, operating, and maintenance systems. Key investors: Foundation Capital, DBL Investors. Siemens

9) Enphase Energy, Petaluma, CA. Solar panels pump out direct current, not household alternating current. The "iinverter" that makes this switch from DC to AC can be one of the most costly parts of a solar system. Enphase has managed to shrink the size and price of its inverters so low that each panel can have its own. This boosts overall power output and helps identify panel problems sooner. Key investors: Madrone Capital Partners, Bay Partners, Third Point Ventures, RockPort Capital Partners, and Applied Ventures

10) Fat Spaniel Technologies, San Jose, CA. Commercial businesses—not homeowners—have been the first and biggest buyers of solar panels and other advanced energy technologies. To help these big buyers, Fat Spaniel provides sensors, software, and services to manage their energy use and to automate the exchange of data with utilities and third parties such as carbon credit programs. Key investors: Ignition Partners, Element Partners, Chrysalix Energy, PCG Asset Managemnet, Applied Ventures

11) GreatPoint Energy, Cambridge, MA. Thanks to its proprietary catalyst, GreatPoint can transform coal into high-grade natural gas using far less energy than current methods. The approach also isolates most of the CO2 from the coal, making it a neat fit for efforts to stash the greenhouse gas underground. GreatPoint's first industrial-scale plant is going up in China. Key investors: Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Vantage Point, Kleiner Perkins, Khosla Ventures, Dow, Suncore, Peabody Energy, AES

12) GridPoint, Arlington, VA. GridPoint makes a software platform that allows utilities and their customers to manage more effectively a myriad of devices that both generate and use energy: rooftop solar, plug-in electric vehicles, smart appliances, fuel cells and other energy storage devices, and more. Key investors: Altira Group, Craton Equity Partners, Goldman Sachs, New Enterprise Associates, Perella Weinberg Partners, Quercus Trust, Robeco, Susquehanna International Group

13) Ice Energy, Windsor, CO. To help buildings lower their energy costs, Ice Energy's Ice Bear freezes water in a big tank at night, when electricity is cheap and plentiful. During peak heat periods in the day, air conditioner coolant runs through the ice blocks, cooling it down, and dramatically reducing the work the air conditioner must do. Key investors: Second Avenue Partners, Energy Capital Partners

14) InEnTec, Bend, OR. Using ultra-hot plasma, InEnTec can convert waste—medical, radioactive, industrial, municipal, and even old tires—into syngas for use in producing transportation fuels such as diesel and ethanol. In June, the company launched a venture with Waste Management (WMI) to transform waste from commercial and industrial sources into clean fuels and electricity. Key investors: U.S. Energy Dept. and private investors

15) MiaSole, Santa Clara, CA. Despite a rocky start that led to the ouster of its CEO in 2007, MiaSolé is a leading maker of thin-film photovoltaic modules using copper indium gallium selenide. Within two years, it hopes to be mass-producing modules on flexible polymers that can be used as roof tiles and can generate electricity as economically as gas-fired power plants. Key investors: Kleiner Perkins, VantagePoint, Garage Technology, Firelake

16) Silver Spring Networks, Redwood City, CA. Silver Spring, sometimes dubbed the "Cisco of the smart grid," creates technology allowing every major energy-using device to have an Internet address so it can be controlled by both building occupants and utilities to maximize efficiency. The company has garnered major investors, along with partners and customers such as ComEd, General Electric (GE), FPL (FPL), and PG&E. Key investors: Foundation Capital, JVB Properties, Kleiner Perkins, Northgate Capital

17) SmartSynch, Jackson, MS. SmartSynch is making electric meters smarter and cheaper, using public cellular networks and commodity chipsets instead of costly, proprietary technologies. By teaming with AT&T (T)—and its huge salesforce—SmartSynch is delivering power management and billing services to utilities, big commercial customers, and even an Indian tribe's wild-west theme park. Key investors: Credit Suisse, Battelle Ventures, Beacon Group, JP Morgan Partners, Nth Power, Siemens Venture Capital, and Duke Venture

18) SolarCity, Foster City, CA. To avoid the headaches and expense of buying and installing their own panels, homeowners or businesses can instead sign a 15-year lease with SolarCity, for no money down. The company designs the system, processes permits and tax incentives, and monitors electricity use. SolarCity has a new deal with U.S. Bank to finance solar systems for small businesses. The company designs the system, processes permits and tax incentives, and also monitors electricity use, even guaranteeing that customers save money on utility bills. Key investors: Draper Fisher, Elon Musk, FirstSolar

19) Solazyme, San Francisco, CA. Solazymeuses microalgae biotechnology—marine microbes—to produce clean and scalable fuels and "green" chemicals, among other things. It developed an algal-based jet fuel that last fall passed a test by a major independent lab, a feat the company says it will use to enter the jet-fuel market. Key investors: Braemar Energy Ventures, Energy Ventures, Harris & Harris Group, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Roda Group, VantagePoint Venture Partners

20) Solicore, Lakeland, FL. In the first quarter of 2009, Solicore produced thin-film lithium polymer batteries at the rate of two every three seconds. These million-plus batteries go into medical devices, sensors, smart cards, and other high-value applications. Its technology uses fewer toxic materials to comply with European Union laws. Key investors: Air Products, Braemar Energy Ventures, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Emerald Technology Ventures, Firelake Capital, HQ CapiTech, Rho Capital Partners

21) Solyndra, Fremont, CA. Solar panels don't have to be flat black rectangles. Solyndra broke this mold by forming solar material into a cylinder, about the size of a fluorescent tube. The shape helps the tubes collect light from more directions. What's more, they're lighter, making them easier and less costly to install. Key investors: Argnonaut Private Equity, Artis, CMEA Capital, Madrone Capital Parners, MASDAR, Redpoint Ventures, Rockport Capital, USVP, Virgin Green Fund

22) Southwest Windpower, Flagstaff, AZ. For wind turbines, bigger is usually better. Southwest Windpowers' micro-turbines are just a yard or two wide, all the better to fit onto rooftops, in parking lots, or even along highways. The company has shipped more than 500,000 of its backyard windmills to date. Key investors: Altira Technology Fund, RockPort Capital Partners, and Chevron Technology Ventures

23) Tendril Networks, Boulder, CO. In the future, when even dishwashers will talk with the grid, Tendril Networks' software may play the role of operating system, giving consumers and companies a Web-based way to manager their devices, utility costs, and energy options. Key investors: Vantage Point, Good Energies, RRE, Appion, Access, Vista

24) Verdant Power, New York, NY. Six of Verdant Power's squat, slow-moving underwater turbines sat on the bed of the East River for much of the past year, converting the water's flow into electricity for a nearby community. The company hopes to scale up the operation, increasing the turbine count to 30 turbines and setting up a second site in Ontario. Key investors: Raptor Investors, NYSERDA, Sustainable Development Technology Canada and Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation

25) Verdiem, Seattle, WA. This maker of enterprise software enables companies and government agencies to monitor and control energy use constantly by PCs on their networks, cutting waste. With Cisco (CSCO), Verdiem is developing tools to control power in entire buildings. Customers include Turner Broadcasting, Random House, and the cities of Chicago, Seattle, and Honolulu. Key investors: Kleiner Perkins, NCD Investors, Catamount, Angeleno Group

Note: 14 of these are based in California, and Kleiner has invested in 5 of 25.

Source: BusinessWeek

The Government Is Good at 3 Things

2009-07-14T09:53:00.000-07:00

1) When it sees something Growing: it will Tax it.

2) When it sees something Moving: it will Regulate it.

3) When it sees something Broken: it will Subsidize it.

VC Readings

2009-07-07T22:23:00.000-07:00

Hey, Fred, the VC model is broken!, 7-6-09, The Funded
VCs Head for the Door, 6-5-09, WSJ
VCs Look for a Return to the ABC's, 7-6-09, NYT
A Second(ary) Chance for VC, 7-6-09, BW
Made Me: Why VCs sponsor other VCs, 7-7-09, BW
Brazil: VCs Next Hotbed?, 6-28-09, BW
The VC Model, The Funded, The Problem with Associates, 7-7-09, Many Niches Blog
Is VC too Fat and Happy?, 7-8-09, Mark Suster Blog
Do Young VCs have an Advantage, 6-8-09, NYT
U.S. VC Industry Must Shrink, 6-10-09, Kauffman Foundation
VC is Dead, Long Live VC!, 6-29-09, Seth Levine's Blog

To Be Prosperous You Need To Consume Energy

2009-06-17T21:44:00.000-07:00

This interview with Paul Deninger, Vice Chairman of Jefferies & Co., re-enforces my previous post on the next big tech breakthroughs. Paul also believes that in IT we have pretty much done it. The next big thing is green technologies, "energy is the great big challenge of the next 50 years."

Vinod Khosla likes to refer to this next big thing as "Main Tech," not Clean Tech or Green Tech, but main-tech, referring to the fact that we need to entirely re-engineer all of our materials, food, production, and distribution systems to reach sustainability.

Paul points to the fact that there is a direct correlation between the per capita consumption of energy and the GDP of a country. In other words, for a country to prosper, it must consume energy. But the problem is that the cost of energy today is beyond the reach of the developing world, while the main countries going green are in the developed world.

I agree that developing countries will need to consume more energy to become more affluent, but there is a limit and an inflection point where we can consume too much energy and the issue becomes a "demand problem" as opposed to a "supply problem." For example, the nominal GDP per capita of the U.S. and Germany are almost the same, but the U.S. consumes TWICE the electricity that Germany consumes on a per capita basis per year. The U.S. consumes and waste too much energy. This is why investors have recently shifted their investment focus away from "power generation" to "energy efficiency" (i.e. smart metering, grid technologies, etc). In my prior post I mentioned that almost HALF of the energy produced (electric and transportation) in the U.S. is lost because of inefficiencies and other transmission and distribution issues.

As renewable sources are built to replace/complement legacy sources of energy (which in themselves face tremendous environmental, infrastructure, policy, and economic problems) to meet increasing energy demand, there is an equal opportunity to supply more energy by optimizing demand (i.e. using it better and not waisting it).

NVCA 4-Pillar Plan to Restore Liquidity in the U.S. Venture Capital Industry

2009-06-17T21:20:00.001-07:00

I can't comment on the 4-pillars, but the presentation does have interesting data points, check it out:

NVCA 4-Pillar Plan to Restore Liquidity in the U.S. Venture Capital Industry

View more Microsoft Word documents from NVCA.

Top 20 VC Blogs (according to Google reader)

2009-06-01T11:31:00.000-07:00

1. Guy Kawasaki, Garage Technology Ventures, How To Change The World (17,555)

2. Fred Wilson, Union Square Ventures, A VC (11,821)
3. David Hornik, August Capital, VentureBlog (7,060)
4. Brad Feld, Foundry Group, Feld Thoughts (6,434)
5. Marc Andreessen, TBD, Blog.pmarca.com (5,099)
6. Josh Kopelman, First Round Capital, Redeye VC (3,310)
7. Ed Sim, Dawntreader Ventures, Beyond VC (3,239)
8. Jeremy Liew, Lightspeed Ventures Partners, LSVP (2,973)
9. Bill Gurley, Benchmark Capital, Above The Crowd (2,257)
10. Jeff Nolan, SAP Ventures, Venture Chronicles (1,528)
11. David Cowan, Bessemer Venture Partners, Who Has Time For This? (1,261)
12. Christopher Allen, Alacrity Ventures, Life With Alacrity (1,194)
13. Seth Levine, Foundry Group, VC Adventure (1,154)
14. Rick Segal, JLA Ventures, The Post Money Value (795) – Canada
15. Jeff Bussgang, Flybridge Capital Partners, Seeing Both Sides (727)
16. Mike Hirshland, Polaris Venture Partners, VC Mike’s Blog (726)
17. Tim Oren, Pacifica Fund, Due Diligence (661)
18. Jeff Clavier, SoftTech VC, Software Only (656)
19. Mendelson/Feld, Foundry Group, Ask The VC (587)
20. Matt McCall, DFJ Portage Venture Partners, VC Confidential (432)

TechCrunch

Taleb's Top 10 Life Tips

2009-05-31T23:50:00.000-07:00

VC/PE Readings

2009-05-31T18:03:00.001-07:00

How PE could Rev Up the U.S. Economy, BusinessWeek, 5/7/09
Super Angels, BusinessWeek, 5/21/09
LPs Get Tougher on Due Diligence, SVB Capital, 5/09
What's Broken - VC or Venture Perception?, EarlyStageVC, 5/09

10 Ways Your Job Will Change

2009-05-27T09:43:00.001-07:00

High Tech, High Touch, High Growth
Training Managers to Behave
The Search for the Next Perk
We're Geting Off the Ladder
Why Boomers Can't Quit
Women Will Rule Business
It Will Pay to Save the Planet
When Gen X Runs the Show
Yes, We'll Still Make Stuff
The Last Days of Cubicle Life

"The Way We'll Work," Time Magazine

Home Ownership in America

2009-05-26T20:41:00.000-07:00

No surprise, today the S&P Case-Shiller home-price index showed that nationally home values continue to decline. NPR's Marketplace also had this report:

In it, they report the following:

On average, nationally prices are back to late 2002 levels
Gains made from 2002 to 2006 have been lost
Declines are not over
Foreclosures will continue and will hit all elements of the market (prime and sub-prime)
Job losses will make it worse
Going forward, the "go-go" days are over; even when home sales turn around we can't acount on the gain in home values like we used to

The last bullet point is what I wanted to focus on because it relates to what I hear people say all the time, and I am sure you have too: "Prices are low, its a great time to buy." I have long advised friends to NOT ignore the non-financial aspects of their decision. While it could be a great investment, you are making a major purchase that comes with significan lifestyle changes. For example, buying a house roots you into a community and makes you less mobile. In April, I read the articles listed below from the economist that speak to the bigger picture of home-ownership and how govenments play such a big role in pushing home buying because of the presumed positive social side-effects. I encourage you to rea them, but here are two quotes that I like:

" ...until the crash in 2008, Americans were coming to see their homes as financial investments rather than as places to live."

"a dwelling house, as such, contributes nothing to the revenues of its inhabitants. -Adam Smit"

Shelter, or burden?, The Economist, 4-16-09

Building castles of sand, The Economist, 4-16-09

Business Environment Ranking 2009 - 2013

2009-05-26T11:55:00.000-07:00

According to an Economist survey released today, the following countries will fair better the next 5 years.

China
Saudi Arabia
India
Cuba
Iran
Angola

Is there a pattern here?

5 Ways Leaders Motivate Themselves

2009-05-25T11:16:00.000-07:00

Look in the mirror every morning and gear yourself up
Step back from the block-and-tackle to dwell on the big picture
Fight to stay connected to your people
Envision your challenges not as intractable problems, but as exciting puzzles to solved
Let others inside, reach out to supportive friends and colleagues

The Welch Way

Solving Problems with Pictures

2009-05-21T14:15:00.000-07:00

I just read Dan Roam's book "The Back of The Napkin" and highly recommend it. It's about how to solve problems with pictures by using your "visual thinking" abilities. It applies to any sort of problem. Your drawing/creative abilities are irrelevant, if that's a concern to you. I am a center-left brain person (i.e. more analytical), and can't really draw at all, but I do understand the power of images as a communication tool and am always looking for opportunities to draw business concepts on a whiteboard. In fact, I have dreams of being a probessional "business artist." But it doesn't matter which side of the brain you are in, the best thing about this book is that it gets you thinking towards both ends. It's a quick and simple read.

Below is an example of one of Dan's pictures from his blog where he, in just one sketch, shows Twitter's position in the online world. Coincidentally, the same day I read an article about Clique, a Japanese company that allows you to twitte based on Morse code, could that be what comes after Twitter?

Also, here is a presentation by Dan at the Commonwealth Club in San Fransisco, where he explains his book. It's 1 hour in length. But I recommend you read the book too.

Money and Morality

2009-05-21T11:11:00.000-07:00

Dan Ariely's research offers some insight into how and why so many on Wall Street and Main Street kept on giving and taking on all those sub-prime mortgages that largely led us to our current economic crisis. The bottom line is that the farther you move people away from money, the more likely they are to do something that is generally considered wrong and not feel bad about it.

On Wednesday's NewsHour, Ariely talks to Paul about morality and money in the current economic crisis. Ariely has designed and carried out dozens of experiments all over the world dealing specifically with the concepts of stealing and cheating. His conclusions: People cheat just about the same way all over the world -- with one exception.

H2O

2009-05-13T17:17:00.001-07:00

In my earlier post about the next big thing I mentioned "water" as one of the burgeoning areas of interest to meet the needs of our expanding population and urbanization. Here's an excerpt from an Economist article (see below) concerning the topic which might further pique your interest.

"It takes 2,000 litres (530 American gallons) of water to grow a kilo (2.2lb) of vegetables but 15,000 litres to produce a kilo of beef—and people are eating more meat. The problems also have global implications. Without a new green revolution, farmers will need 60% more water to feed the 2 billion extra people who will be born between now and 2025.

Yet there is, globally, no shortage of water. Unlike other natural resources (such as oil), water cannot be used up. It is recycled endlessly, as rain, snow or evaporation. On average, people are extracting for their own uses less than a tenth of what falls as rain and snow each year.

The central problem is that so much water is wasted, mainly by farmers. Agriculture uses three-quarters of the world’s water (urban use is trivial: most people drink two or three litres a day, on average, but 2,000-5,000 litres are used to make the food they eat). Because water is usually free, thirsty crops like alfalfa are grown in arid California. Wheat in India and Brazil uses twice as much water as wheat in America and China. Dry countries like Pakistan export textiles though a 1kg bolt of cloth requires 11,000 litres of water."

Later on I will post more comprehensively on renewable energy topics. But today I was motivated to make you aware of these articles regarding the global water problem because I heard Daniel Goleman talk about his new book "Ecological Intelligence" where he speaks in detail about "how knowing the hidden impacts of what we buy can change everything." [listent below]

"Sin Aqua Non," 4-8-09, Economist

"Awash in Waste," 4-8-09, Economist

"Shaved Heads Keep Barbers Idle as Drought Sears CA," 5-6-09, Bloomberg

Cognitive Cash

2009-05-08T18:40:00.000-07:00

Multitasking is a myth. According to researchers and to Winifred Gallagher's recent book, your brain can only truly perform one task at a time. Otherwise, it is only switching from task-to-task, making it less effective and prone to errors (remember that email you sent with a typo while you were on the phone?). Cognitive cash is the notion that our attention is finite. We only get 173 billion bits of information to process in our lifetime. Like cash, we have to spend it wisely. How are you spending them? Read more here or listen below.

Who sleeps the most?

2009-05-08T18:29:00.000-07:00

According to a May 2009 report released by the OECD, the French sleep the most. And then Americans, believe it or not (see graph). The data showed that Americans on average sleepls 8hrs 40min. Who has the most fun? The Nordics, according to the survey. Who has the least fun? The Turkish and Italians. Apparently high levels of trust in strangers leads to higher levels of satisfaction. Who eats better? 1 in 3 Americans is obese versus 1 in 10 Japanese. Hear more here>>.

Corp. America's Fight of a Lifetime: Tax Increases

2009-05-07T16:59:00.001-07:00

The world has started to react to President Obama's proposed corporate tax increases or end to corporate tax breaks (Bloomberg).

In this discussion, KQED looks at how the changes may impact companies in Silicon Valley:

Spain and India where also quick to react. Spain said "its short-term gains, for long-term pains" [listen]. U.S. companies make lots of money in Europe. For example, in Spain, business generated by U.S. companies equals 8% of the country's GDP. India has also expressed concern. More than 60% of India's 2.2 million employed in IT outsourcing are by U.S. corporations. United and Delta airlines recently terminated their contracts in India [listen].

The U.S. already has the highest corporate tax rate in the world after Japan (as illustrated below), but this is for "on-shore" profits. The aministration aim is to crack-down on "off-shore" profits. In 2004, U.S.-based multinationals paid $16 billion in U.S. taxes while earning $700 billion overseas. But what will this do to "comparative advantages"?

Read-ings

2009-05-07T12:52:00.001-07:00

"VCs Dilemma," 5-1-09, Forbes
"Japan VC Funds Face Mergers as IPOs Fade," 4-6-09, Bloomberg
"The Loss Generation," 3-08-09, The Boston Globe
"Jailed Billionaires Show New Face of China as Markets Unravel," 2-24-09, Bloomberg
"VCs Have Flashbacks as Institutions Dump Stakes, " 11-14-08, Bloomberg
"Unprecedented Biotech Bankruptcies Erupt Amid Finance Crisis," 11-21-08, Bloomberg
"As Cash Stops Flowing, VCs Get Creative," 11-28-08, WSJ
"A New Track for Private Equity," 11-27-08, WSJ
"Harvard-Led Sale of Private-Equity Stakes Hits Values," 12-1-08 Bloomberg
"Schwarzman Promises 'Wonderful Time' for Buyout Deals," 1-28-09, Bloomberg
"Another View: VC Investing Not Dead, Just Different," 2-9-09, DealBook
"With Jobs Tight, M.B.A.s Head for Home," 4-21-09, WSJ
"Canada's VC Breakdown," 5-8-09, Globe & Mail

TED-ings

2009-05-07T12:30:00.000-07:00

"Do schools kill creativity?," Sir Ken Robinson (TED, 19:24 min)
"How I'm trying to change the world," Bill Gates (TED, 20:17 min)
"Why we know less than ever about the world," Alisa Miller (TED, 4:29 min)
"The best stats you've ever seen," Hans Rosling (TED, 19:50 min)

Chart of the Day: Sell in May, Go Away

2009-05-05T23:05:00.000-07:00

I wouldn't trade on this data, but it sure is interesting to look at. [Bloomberg]

Happy Cinco de Mayo(factoring)!

2009-05-05T15:42:00.000-07:00

In commemoration of Cinco de Mayo, I am posting a cover story by BusinessWeek from April 9, 2009 that highlights a Wave of Investment in Mexico's manufacturing sector. Having grown up in Tijuana, I am fairly familiar with the up-and-down's of the "Maquiladora" business -- Tijuana was once known as the TV capital of the world.

Amidst all the complexities of Mexico, BW does a fair and honest job of reporting on the situation in the country. Of note are the observations that, compared to a decade ago, Mexico is a much more stable economy, has a much more sophisticated workforce, and never before have the benefits of being a "near-shore" partner been more important to its business partners.

However, the article was written before the swine flu outbreak. Today, The World/PRI reported (audio here, 3:30) that Mexico's finance minister estimates that the swine flu will cost the country more than $2 billion dollars. Mexico's three largest revenue sources are petroleum exports, tourism, and remittances.

Where are the next big tech breakthroughs?

2009-05-04T21:18:00.000-07:00

According to Tom Siebel in his speech (video, 1h) at Stanford, the next big technological breakthroughs will be in Energy, Water, Healthcare and Food. He pronounces the IT sector nearly stagnant. He says, "in IT we have pretty much done it." True, how much more do we really need our phones to do for us? It is amazing to think about what we can do on our phone today vs what you could do only 4 years ago. What other "major" IT breakthroughs can come after the semiconductor and the Internet?

But Tom points to the fact that our global population is expanding faster than ever, aging, and increasingly becoming more affluent. There is a threatening need to be able to power, feed, and care for our growing communities. What's more, we've not truely focused on the sustainability of these essentials (just ask Al Gore), and there is ample room for us to improve how we produce, use, manage and think about them. For example, in the U.S. approximately 50% of all the energy produced from all sources (i.e. oil, natural gas, coal, etc.) is lost during transmission and distribution, according to LLNL.

I wanted to put all of this into perspective. I pulled the following population figures.

In 1750 - 1 billion - it took a long time to get to 1b

In 1930 - 2 billion - it took 180 years to double

In 1970 - 3 billion - it took 40 years

In 1999 - 6 billion - it took 29 years to double

In 2020 - 9 billion - est., it may only take us 21 years to double

It gets even more interesting when you look at cities. In 1750, only 3% of the 1 billion lived in cities. By 2000, nearly 50% of the 6 billion lived in cities. It is estimated that by 2020, there will be more than 500 cities with populations above 1 million and more than 20 mega cities (> 20 million).

Two excerpts from the Wilson Quarterly report concerning world demographics:

a) "...In 2050, according to UN projections, it is possible that nearly as many babies will born in the U.S. as in China."

b) "...The world is aging in an unprecedented way. A milepost in this process came in 1998, when for the first time the number of people in the developed world over the age of 60 outnumbered those below the age of 15. By 2047, the world as a whole will reach the same point." Hear more here>>

One last quote from Tom: "when I graduated, I came to Silicon Valley because that's where the action was; today if I was graduating I would be on a boat to Shanghai."

Lastly, this talk reminded me of a quote from the scientist Jonas Salk. It's a bit depressing, so be warned:

"It's interesting to reflect," he said, "that if all the insects were to disappear from the earth, within 50 years all other forms of life would end." "But, Salk went on, "if all human beings were to disappear from the earth, within 50 years all other forms of life would flourish." - Jonas Salk

Small is the new big. Sustainable is the new growth. Trust is the new competitive advantage

2009-05-04T14:10:00.000-07:00

So says Peter Bregman of Harvard Business Publishing in a recent blog post that discusses how small companies are beating out the big companies. He mentions how the gap of confidence between small companies and big ones is growing. While this notion is not new, never before has the playing filed been more leveled than in today's new economy. It's worht a quick read.

Another Day, Another Entrepreneur Starts A Venture Fund: The University Funds

2009-05-04T14:05:00.001-07:00

peHUB post about another new seed/early-stage venture fund: Another Day, Another Entrepreneur Starts A Venture Fund: The University Funds

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LP to VC: Won't some of you please go away?

2009-05-04T13:27:00.000-07:00

Interesting post from Reuters Blog about a panel discussion at the recent NVCA conference where Rebecca Connolly, a partner at Fairview Capital (FoFs) commented that she hoped that several VCs went out of business. But more interesting is Donald E. Tuttle's response to the post, where he underscores the ultimate importance of quality start-up CEOs in the first place in order to (ostensibly) maintain superior returns in the venture asset class. Donald's comments made me wonder about the actual pool of second time start-up CEOs available (size and composition)? What are the stats on moving from a 1st to 2nd time CEO?

Unemployed and not giving up on your dream job in a recession?

2009-05-04T11:30:00.000-07:00

There's a recession, jobs are scarce, you're jobless, but you have a dream. You have to determin your choices and decide which direction you really want to go. It's a difficult decision, particularly if you have many non-financial and financial obligations, responsibilities and people that depend on you.

I think Jack Welch summarized the alternatives pretty well in his recent post to "MBAs without a job." There are essentially 3 options: (A) to settle for a job, and learn to love it, (B) to keep the dream alive (and keep going crazy), or (C) to start your own company.

Alternative B is about not giving up on the job that is right for you, right now. The benefit to this approach, to the extent that you can afford it, is that you would be starting your next job in the "right place" and that you would have experience the "hunger" needed to succeed (i.e. you test yourself again and further build character). But it all depends on where you are in your career and what you truly feel like doing next.

Another tool that may help in your decision is Suzy Welch's 10-10-10 method to decision making. In it, she suggests thinking about the consequences of your potential decisions in the following way: the next 10 minutes, the next 10 months, and the next 10 years. Try it!

When you are in a sinking ship, you are not necessarily thinking about what to take on your next sailing trip (you are thinking survival). But don't neglect "the tomorrow." The upturn will arrive - in 1, 2, or 3 years - and the business landscape will be brand new. Will you be ready? I suggest you consider your next move with the idea that you are shaping your future today.

I embarked on option (B) four months ago and crafted a 6-month plan based on six key points of direction. I'll share them here, in case they are helpful.

1) Self-assessment. Write down your value-add. Take a hard and honest inventory of your most natural aptitudes, skills, interests, and your business network. Given this, identify where you will most excitingly create value within a team and get rewarded for it.

2) Set a target. Given the results of item #1, which industries / firms / jobs are the best match? Keep an organized roster of prospective employers or people you would like to work with in excel.

3) Be known. Set a plan to get into the firms that you are targeting (weather they are hiring or not). Be creative and genuine when approaching these firms. Remember, having connections is not so much about who you know, rather more about who knows you. Be online (i.e. internet-working). Use LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, school career services sites, alumni groups, industry conference organizations, etc. Build lists of potential contacts in the firms you have identified that might meet with you for informationals. Have a website and blog everyday -- demonstrate that you have insight, not just knowledge. Identify and meet with headhunters in the industry and your location, ask them for trends they are seeing and refer them other job candidates.

4) Be current. Stay up to date with industry news, notice trends and opportunities. List all the key conventional (and un-conventional) industry news sources and carve-out time every day to browse through the headlines. Send relevant articles to people you meet in your networking trails. Comment on other blogs. Connect people. Attend conferences and local industry events; offer to speak on a panels where appropriate.

5) Be the job. Your full-time job should be to find your dream job. Truly treat it like a job. Wake up an hour early every day. Have a plan and track your progress. Use Outlook to have all industry events and meetings on your calendar, and use Excel to keep a spreadsheet of all the people you are meeting, where they work, who they know, etc.

6) It's all about attitude. Hype yourself up everyday. Go get what you want and be in your element. Talk to trusted and supportive friends so that you fuel your confidence and energy. The worst thing you can do when you don't know what else to do, is to not do "a little bit every day." Also, keep in mind that careers are non-linear in the 21st century. Keep your "eyes and mind open" to new opportunities that open up in your path.

I'll end with a quote by Michelangelo: "The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it."

How to craft a truly meaningful life? You can learn it in class!

2009-05-04T10:27:00.001-07:00

Yet another reason why I think Stanford is an "outlier" in the world of higher education. Stanford has a required course that teaches students to think about questions such as "How does one craft a truly meaningful life?." I wonder how many of us know the answer? Maybe they should open this up to post-graduates. Follow this link to hear the audio: The Art of Living: Forum | KQED Public Media for Northern CA

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Thinking of investing in emerging market equities?

2009-05-04T00:24:00.000-07:00

I am. In particular I've been eyeing Mexico's Banco Compartamos because of its business fundamentals. As I put this in the context of the broader economy I thought about the usefulness of conventional tools to measure the health of emerging economies.

In this article, The Economist highlights the importance of looking at a country's "business and bank debt," rather than just "government debt" to assess it's financial vulnerability. The table here shows the ranking of emerging markets as of February 2009 based on these broader rations. If you are contemplating international equities, I suggest you read this.

Charlie Rose has a cool job

2009-05-03T23:36:00.000-07:00

This post is because I watch Charlie Rose regularly (you should too) and simply think that he has one of the coolest jobs. Charlie gets to interview some of the most important figures and thinkers of our life time for a living. Who are his peers outside the U.S., I wonder?

Silicon Valley buffs, checkout this interview with Marc Andreeseen on February 19, 2009. I like his bold statements about the news-print business being dead.