Venture Capital

Startup trek, episode 38: Elementary, Dear Data

Sarah

Feb 3, 20204 min read

Startup trek, episode 38: Elementary, Dear Data

Season 2, episode 3, "Elementary, Dear Data" Lesson: only talk in a meeting if you have something useful to say This post is part of my...

I’m an Accomplice for life (but part-time as of January)

Sarah

Feb 3, 20204 min read

I’m an Accomplice for life (but part-time as of January)

TL;DR: I’m an Operating Partner at Accomplice as of January 2020. I’m a contractor, continuing to serve on boards, work with companies,...

Fundraising? Don’t say these things to investors

Sarah

Jan 23, 20207 min read

Fundraising? Don’t say these things to investors

Ten things investors really don't like to hear when you're fundraising

5 years of Rev Boston (and introducing the new cohort)

Sarah

Oct 24, 20193 min read

5 years of Rev Boston (and introducing the new cohort)

Rev has brought recognition and resources to top female talent in Boston since 2015. About twenty women per year, mostly all at the...

Sarah

Sep 26, 20195 min read

VC University (VCU) Review

Back in August I finished VC University (VCU), a program designed to teach venture finance. The course was new this year, so I figured...

Sarah

Jul 1, 20193 min read

Founders Should Never Pay to Pitch

I’m writing this in a Lyft on the way to judge a startup pitch competition, and I’m pissed. So pissed that I’m knowingly getting myself...

Sarah

Sep 10, 201820 min read

The real reasons why a VC passed on your startup

Originally published on Forbes in multiple parts. Part 1 here. You’re more likely hear about the companies that venture capitalists said...

Sarah

Sep 10, 201820 min read

The real reasons why a VC passed on your startup

Originally published on Forbes in multiple parts. Part 1 here. You’re more likely hear about the companies that venture capitalists said...

Sarah

Jun 19, 20185 min read

Is a law degree useful in VC?

Spoiler: not really. But here are the 7 ways in which it comes up. People always ask me how I moved from being a lawyer to working at...

How to angel invest, part 9: example exit scenarios, glossary, and further reading

Sarah

May 4, 20187 min read

How to angel invest, part 9: example exit scenarios, glossary, and further reading

You’ll get more out of this series if you’ve read part 1 (high-level angel investing guidelines), part 2 (debt, equity, and key terms),...

How to angel invest, part 8: exits (AKA making money)

Sarah

May 3, 20183 min read

How to angel invest, part 8: exits (AKA making money)

You’ll get more out of this series if you’ve read part 1 (high-level angel investing guidelines), part 2 (debt, equity, and key terms),...

Sarah

Apr 23, 20185 min read

Time-saving tips from busy VCs

Doesn’t it feel sometimes like the better you do in your career, the more of your day is spent in meetings? This isn’t just true of...

How to angel invest, part 7: your filter, day-to-day, and syndicates

Sarah

Apr 23, 20183 min read

How to angel invest, part 7: your filter, day-to-day, and syndicates

You’ll get more out of this series if you’ve read part 1 (high-level angel investing guidelines), part 2 (debt, equity, and key terms),...

How to angel invest, part 6: the market opportunity and due diligence

Sarah

Apr 20, 20184 min read

How to angel invest, part 6: the market opportunity and due diligence

You’ll get more out of this series if you’ve read part 1 (high-level angel investing guidelines), part 2 (debt, equity, and key terms),...

How to angel invest, part 5: good founder qualities (and red flags)

Sarah

Apr 19, 20187 min read

How to angel invest, part 5: good founder qualities (and red flags)

You’ll get more out of this series if you’ve read part 1 (high-level angel investing guidelines), part 2 (debt, equity, and key terms),...

Sarah

Apr 18, 20184 min read

How to angel invest, part 4: deal flow

You’ll get more out of this series if you’ve read part 1 (high-level angel investing guidelines), part 2 (debt, equity, and key terms),...

How to angel invest, part 3: company stages

Sarah

Apr 17, 20183 min read

How to angel invest, part 3: company stages

The earlier a company is, the more of a role you’ll typically have as an angel. Thus it’s key that you understand when to engage with...

Sarah

Apr 12, 20182 min read

How to angel invest, part 1: the high-level

If you’ve never done an angel investment, it can feel like a scary, impossible thing. It conjures images of super wealthy...

Sarah

Jan 16, 20189 min read

How do you get a job in VC?

People ask me this question about seven times a week. You know what? I’m a VC, and I have no idea. I never set out to do this. My...

Sarah

Dec 16, 20173 min read

My full-time job is VC: a little clarification and a little sexism

I’m a VC full-time at Accomplice. I wrote back in February that I was going to be spending more time at one of our portfolio companies,...

CONTACT

If you're building something that feels like it's out of a scifi novel, I will probably love it. Tough, tech-heavy ideas are my thing. E.g., robotics, AR/VR, gaming, and the future of consumer health.

sarah@sarahadowney.com

SARAH A. DOWNEY

Angel investor, founder, coach, and early-stage VC. Former startup person, even more former lawyer. Fan of sci-fi, free speech, weightlifting, gaming, and the Enneagram. Based in New England but working remotely.

CONTACT