Douglas Leone
Douglas Leone
Douglas M. Leoneis an American venture capitalist and a partner at Sequoia Capital. He joined Sequoia in 1988 and has been a Managing Partner since 1996. His focus is on internet, software and communication investments. He has been ranked in the top 10 investors in the United States by Forbes Magazine multiple times. Doug also led Sequoia's international expansion into China and India...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBusinessman
CountryUnited States of America
bit cushion expensive maybe money plus quarter raise
Raise as little as you can to get you to something that you can show - plus maybe a quarter or two so you have a little bit of cushion - and then raise some more money. Raise as little - not as much - as you can because that's the most expensive equity you're going to sell.
cycles cyclical large market occur opportunity similar throughout
We see China as a large market opportunity with similar cyclical economic cycles that occur throughout every economy.
build companies competing great help invest time
During dark times, real entrepreneurs come out. They are not competing with 10 look-alike companies for engineering talent, so it's a great time to invest and help build companies.
business somebody
You have to be willing to risk things; otherwise, somebody else will put you out of business.
companies five less million
We like companies that can get big and powerful on $50 million or less and not two, three, four or five billion.
bunch gets good money secret word
We have co-opted seed funds. You know, Y Combinator, that was completely our money. We have secret handshakes with a whole bunch of people. Very dangerous, because word gets out that so-and-so's money is Sequoia's money, that would not be a good thing.
capital companies term tried
We've tried to build Sequoia Capital with an eye for the long term that we really look for in the companies we like to partner with.
people
We want people who come from humble backgrounds and have a need to win.
selfish equity selfish-acts
Be incredibly, ruthlessly selfish with your equity.
communication keys strategy
In a downturn, aggressive PR and communications strategy is key.
summer jobs teenager
I was working on boats as a teenager, sweating like a pig during a summer job.
venture industry
The venture industry is both quite vibrant and quite competitive.
guy dozen sides
Guys like me on the investor side are a dime a dozen.
giving entrepreneur gusto
Give me an entrepreneur with a lot of courage, gusto and who iterates rapidly, and I will back that person day in and day out.