Context:
I have been on the road for a few months as a founder, and as it so happens, the scouts - often analysts and associates, and even VPs at instances - of VC firms would cold reach out to you on LinkedIn to understand what you are building. This is a way for them to generate good deal flow, build relationships with up and coming founders, and collect insights, which makes sense.
Now, I would been reached out by ~ 40-50 such scouts over the last 3-6 months. There is not much to separate a lot of VC firms, but on reflecting, one sharp observation that has come out has been on Antler.
I have had 5 separate reach outs from Antler's team, most from a VC firm, and these have been - with no exception - 5 of the poorest interactions I have had of the 40-50 I have had.
For reference,
- Two associates sent a message, and ghosted on my reply for 2-3 weeks. Then they replied to ask for a time, and when suggested, they ghosted again. What even?
- One associate and one VP, separate from above two, kept calls, and then mailed 10 mins before the call that they need to shift the call. One of them happened eventually, and the other guy asked to reschedule the rescheduled call as well. (:facepalm:)
- One conversation happened on time, but the guy arrived 10 mins late to the call and was a horrible listener.
Given that this is a repeated behaviour, I'd assume this 100% would have something to do with the culture. I have also not heard a lot of value coming out of their EIR program, which might be due to the same issue. More noise than substance.
Anyway, as a founder, this definitely makes me averse to going to them when time would come to fundraise, and I would - in good faith - advise others I come across to follow the same.
Happy to hear similar or opposite experiences.