FounderLine FounderLine

FounderLine is a live weekly webcast devoted to helping startup founders succeed, hosted by seven-time startup entrepreneur and investor Joe Beninato. Each week, Joe welcomes an experienced entrepreneur or investor to discuss startup-related topics and field questions from entrepreneurs around the world. FounderLine is broadcast live, and viewers are welcome to send questions via email or Twitter. For more information, go to founderline.com.

In this episode, host Joe Beninato and guest Chamath Palihapitiya of Social Capital answer viewer questions including:
- How much does investor diversity affect the performance of a fund? Do you see LPs seeking out more diverse venture teams?
- How do you stay motivated to keep reaching for the stars after all of your success? Do you treat entrepreneurship as a game? Or do you feel connected to entrepreneurship as a purpose?
- Why did you decide not to focus on investing in social websites when you have so much experience in that area?
- What are the mistakes you see startup CEOs making on a regular basis?
- Messaging seems to be a very active space right now, with Snapchat, Whatsapp, WeChat, Slack, etc. What do you see as the next evolution of messaging?

FounderLine is a live weekly webcast devoted to helping startup founders succeed, hosted by seven-time startup entrepreneur and investor Joe Beninato. Each week, Joe welcomes an experienced entrepreneur or investor to discuss startup-related topics and field questions from entrepreneurs around the world. FounderLine is broadcast live, and viewers are welcome to send questions via email or twitter. For more information, go to founderline.com.

In this episode, host Joe Beninato and guest Mitch Zuklie of Orrick answer viewer questions including:
- I am starting a company and trying to choose between creating an LLC vs. a corporation. Can you please explain the pros/cons?
- What are some common patterns you've observed in the successful founders you have met throughout your life?
- You hear about startups getting tangled up fighting frivolous lawsuits, can't raise money because of the suit, and end up settling or shutting down. What can be done to protect your startup from shakedowns like this?
- There have been many stories of founder/CEOs who have been replaced by a so-called "professional CEO." In your experience, what are the main reasons this happens and how does this work out for the company?
- It seems that 3 possible funding mechanisms are equity, convertible debt and the YC SAFE. Can you talk about why you might chose one over the other?

FounderLine is a live weekly webcast devoted to helping startup founders succeed, hosted by seven-time startup entrepreneur and investor Joe Beninato. Each week, Joe welcomes an experienced entrepreneur or investor to discuss startup-related topics and field questions from entrepreneurs around the world. FounderLine is broadcast live, and viewers are welcome to send questions via email or twitter. For more information, go to founderline.com.

In this episode, host Joe Beninato and guest Hiten Shah of Quick Sprout answer viewer questions including:
- What are some of the best techniques you've seen for growing traffic for consumer web sites and mobile apps?
- If your startup has to ask a founder to leave, what advice can you give about that?
- What's the most difficult situation you've experienced as a founder and how did you handle it?
- Who are your 3 favorite seed investors and why?
- What are the most common mistakes you see startup CEOs making?

FounderLine is a live weekly webcast devoted to helping startup founders succeed, hosted by seven-time startup entrepreneur and investor Joe Beninato. Each week, Joe welcomes an experienced entrepreneur or investor to discuss startup-related topics and field questions from entrepreneurs around the world. FounderLine is broadcast live, and viewers are welcome to send questions via email or twitter. For more information, go to founderline.com.

In this episode, host Joe Beninato and guest David Cowan of Bessemer Venture Partners answer viewer questions including:


What are the main things that you look at in a startup pitch and what is the biggest differentiator between a winning pitch and one that goes back in the stack?
We're getting some advice that we should move our startup to San Francisco. Is that really necessary?
Are there any recent noteworthy additions to the Bessemer Anti-Portfolio?
What was the defining moment when you realized that your idea should be pursued, and what was that moment like for you?
What is the craziest company that you've ever invested in, and how did it work out?

FounderLine is a live weekly webcast devoted to helping startup founders succeed, hosted by seven-time startup entrepreneur and investor Joe Beninato. Each week, Joe welcomes an experienced entrepreneur or investor to discuss startup-related topics and field questions from entrepreneurs around the world. FounderLine is broadcast live, and viewers are welcome to send questions via email or twitter. For more information, go to founderline.com.

In this episode, host Joe Beninato and guest James Joaquin of Obvious Ventures answer viewer questions including:


Given the volatility in the stock markets right now, is there anything startups should be doing to weather the storm?
What are some of the characteristics of the best CEOs you've ever worked with?
When Obvious is considering an investment, how do you assess whether it's WorldPositive?  What do you do if you think a company going to be a winner, but doesn’t meet your criteria?
What is the most important founder attribute when you are considering to invest at your stage, and how does that change as the company grows bigger?
How do you know if/when it's time to pivot?

FounderLine is a live weekly webcast devoted to helping startup founders succeed, hosted by seven-time startup entrepreneur and investor Joe Beninato. Each week, Joe welcomes an experienced entrepreneur or investor to discuss startup-related topics and field questions from entrepreneurs around the world. FounderLine is broadcast live, and viewers are welcome to send questions via email or twitter. For more information, go to founderline.com.

In this episode, host Joe Beninato and guest Kent Goldman of Upside Partnership answer viewer questions including:


If you're joining a startup of about 50 people, how can you really tell if they're doing well?
I work for a ‘unicorn' company in SF. Are there ways a startup employee can cash out of some of their stock options without upsetting the company?
Today's NY Times has an article about there being too much capital available right now. Do you anticipate a market correction? Do you think this would be a benefit?
How much customer traction do you need to see to make an investment in a startup?
I've been working for 3 years in a large tech company. I've been considering joining a startup vs. getting an MBA. Do investors value MBAs? What would you recommend I do?