Articles by Eric
-
The case for (and against, but mostly for) cross-disciplinary investments
The case for (and against, but mostly for) cross-disciplinary investments
By Eric Rosenblum
Contributions
-
What is the role of a board of directors in a startup?
Early stage companies have a huge amount of variation in board meeting quality. The worst are inconsistently scheduled and held; are just a performance by the CEO (with little input from management, and little discussion with the board), and are rushed and poorly prepared. Often the board members get no visibility of the contents before the meeting. The best are scheduled well in advance, use a consistent set of metrics that are tracked over time, have active participation of top management, and have opportunities for important decisions/ discussions with the board. The board should not be weighing in on all matters, but high level strategy, budgets, and financing plans are core to their role.
-
What is the role of a board of directors in a startup?
Of course all board members have the basic responsibility of fiduciaries-- they are stewards of the company representing the shareholders. However, early stage Venture Capital board members are generally effective when they view board responsibilities through a narrower lens: they are there to ensure that the company continues to have a successful fundraising journey. Although this sounds overly tactical, it a highly clarifying. To be successful, the company must 1) have a clear, compelling narrative and strategy 2) execute effectively 3) grow commercially 4) hire worldclass talent All of these items are against the backdrop of the goals to reach the next funding milestone.
-
What is the role of a board of directors in a startup?
Often times, seed stage start-ups will not have a board, especially if investors invested through a SAFE (and so are not actually equity holders yet). We believe that it is helpful for the company to at least start convening "virtual board" meetings as soon as possible, to establish the cadence of formal planning and reporting, and good governance practices as soon as possible. When the first formal board is established, keeping the composition small and focused is important. There should not be a lot of observers-- the board is a functioning body, not a social club or a "reporting out" to investors forum. It is also important to allow key members of management opportunity to present. It is not the "CEO show"
Activity
-
This is a great article about what has happened to the Chinese venture capital market in the past 5 years-- a massive collapse in RMB denominated…
This is a great article about what has happened to the Chinese venture capital market in the past 5 years-- a massive collapse in RMB denominated…
Shared by Eric Rosenblum
-
Revolutionizing lithium-ion battery manufacturing, our portfolio company AM Batteries utilizes dry electrode coating technology to reduce battery…
Revolutionizing lithium-ion battery manufacturing, our portfolio company AM Batteries utilizes dry electrode coating technology to reduce battery…
Liked by Eric Rosenblum
-
At Conversant, we're addressing critical pain points in the research and discovery of complex, technical products. Our first offering, Assistant…
At Conversant, we're addressing critical pain points in the research and discovery of complex, technical products. Our first offering, Assistant…
Liked by Eric Rosenblum
Experience
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Education
Volunteer Experience
-
Commissioner
Palo Alto Planning and Transportation Commission
- Present 10 years 10 months
Politics
Appointed by Palo Alto City Council to advise on city planning and transportation related issues.
-
Board Member
Palo Alto Forward
- Present 11 years
Civil Rights and Social Action
Founder and board member for grassroots educational and advocacy group focused on providing innovative housing and transportation solutions for the Bay Area.
Patents
Recommendations received
2 people have recommended Eric
Join now to viewOther similar profiles
Explore collaborative articles
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
Explore MoreOthers named Eric Rosenblum in United States
-
Eric Rosenblum
Student at Wake Forest University
-
Eric Rosenblum
-
Eric Rosenblum
-
Eric Rosenblum
Executive Director at Morgan Stanley
21 others named Eric Rosenblum in United States are on LinkedIn
See others named Eric Rosenblum