Just met with a young 42-year old European founder at a café
Before asking about my background, he handed over a 90 page GDPR-compliant Data Collection Document, which explained what he would do with the information about my background and how he would keep it safe
I signed it and got it notarized before answering his question
Yep, I am definitely going to invest in this kid (after getting proper approval, of course)
Before asking about my background, he handed over a 90 page GDPR-compliant Data Collection Document, which explained what he would do with the information about my background and how he would keep it safe
I signed it and got it notarized before answering his question
Yep, I am definitely going to invest in this kid (after getting proper approval, of course)
When attending a startup event in Europe, always offer a "verbal cookie" when collecting information from others
For example, if I plan to ask someone what their startup does, I need to give them the chance to accept a verbal cookie first to let them know I plan to collect personal information from them
Remember, GDPR isn't only on the internet. It applies in real life too.
For example, if I plan to ask someone what their startup does, I need to give them the chance to accept a verbal cookie first to let them know I plan to collect personal information from them
Remember, GDPR isn't only on the internet. It applies in real life too.
Meeting with a European founder
His business is brand new (started in 2016) and already has a half-dozen paying customers
Incredible growth
I ask him his MRR
"Sorry, but disclosing that information would violate GDPR," he tells me.
Brilliant response.
That question was a test - and he passed.
I immediately invested the statutory maximum of 20.000€ into his startup
With a lot of hustle and a little bit of luck, by 2050 my investment will hopefully be worth upwards of 35.000€
His business is brand new (started in 2016) and already has a half-dozen paying customers
Incredible growth
I ask him his MRR
"Sorry, but disclosing that information would violate GDPR," he tells me.
Brilliant response.
That question was a test - and he passed.
I immediately invested the statutory maximum of 20.000€ into his startup
With a lot of hustle and a little bit of luck, by 2050 my investment will hopefully be worth upwards of 35.000€
Just spent 3 weeks filling out 750 pages of compliance documents to make a 5.000€ angel investment into a tech startup
The American mind could never comprehend this
The American mind could never comprehend this
Met with an American startup in SF
"We are going to move fast and break things," the founder said
I nearly choked on the detachable death trap lid that plastic American water bottles have for some reason
Then I quickly ended the meeting and alerted authorities of their intent to cause widespread property damage by "breaking" things
I stopped a crime in progress
Sometimes being a VC isn't about investing; it's about saving the world from a reckless criminal
"We are going to move fast and break things," the founder said
I nearly choked on the detachable death trap lid that plastic American water bottles have for some reason
Then I quickly ended the meeting and alerted authorities of their intent to cause widespread property damage by "breaking" things
I stopped a crime in progress
Sometimes being a VC isn't about investing; it's about saving the world from a reckless criminal
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Using AI to search for files violates GDPR
Thank God this would take 400+ years to build in Europe
Thank God this would take 400+ years to build in Europe
Invested in a European startup's seed round 7 years ago
Realized I hadn't heard from them in 3 years
Emailed the founder and asked for an update
"Disclosing financial performance of our company would violate GDPR," they said (I can't disclose their gender).
Wow.
Seeing how they value data and privacy made me realize I invested in the right team.
I'll back off for now and let them do their thing. In 20 or 30 years, I have a feeling my investment will get a huge 1.5x-2x markup when they raise a Series A.
Realized I hadn't heard from them in 3 years
Emailed the founder and asked for an update
"Disclosing financial performance of our company would violate GDPR," they said (I can't disclose their gender).
Wow.
Seeing how they value data and privacy made me realize I invested in the right team.
I'll back off for now and let them do their thing. In 20 or 30 years, I have a feeling my investment will get a huge 1.5x-2x markup when they raise a Series A.
Just spoke with dozens of VCs
They all agreed: AI is over
No one is putting money into AI startups anymore
I asked what the next big thing is
They all answered in unison:
Regulation.
And the hot spot for the best regulations? Europe.
Meanwhile, America is getting left behind
They all agreed: AI is over
No one is putting money into AI startups anymore
I asked what the next big thing is
They all answered in unison:
Regulation.
And the hot spot for the best regulations? Europe.
Meanwhile, America is getting left behind
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Making employees go to an office violates GDPR
Attended a European Hacker event last night
Asked a founder what he's working on
But then I caught myself
I had just violated GDPR by soliciting sensitive information from a third party without proper consent and pre-approval
I promptly departed the event and turned myself into the police
It was a grave mistake and I profusely apologize to the community. This will never happen again.
Asked a founder what he's working on
But then I caught myself
I had just violated GDPR by soliciting sensitive information from a third party without proper consent and pre-approval
I promptly departed the event and turned myself into the police
It was a grave mistake and I profusely apologize to the community. This will never happen again.