Random musing this AM: structured data on startup investors.

Something that has plagued startup ecosystems for so long is entrepreneurs simply don't trust investors. (I know - I was/is one of those entrepreneurs)

There have been many attempts at this solution - a thread >>

1) There have been attempts to create a Yelp of Investors. Starting with The Funded, through RateMyInvestor through @VCGuideHQ etc..

And this is fine - it certainly illuminates experiences that entrepreneurs have (good or bad) and that's valuable.

2) But like Yelp, you have the issue that most ppl want to consumer content and not participate.

So you capture snapshots -- again great to have some data, but not it's not complete per se.

You also get the outliers -- both the good and bad.

3) You also get reviews like on Yelp like "The parking was bad at this restaurant - 1 star."

Not necessarily relevant but everyone is entitled to an opinion. So how do you tease out what the masses really think?

4) Esp in an industry where there are power dynamics & ppl may be afraid to write a review?

I remember, when Secret was a popular app, ppl were even afraid to dish out info on investors for fear it wasn't truly anonymous. And that was an anonymous app!

5) But this AM, I realized LOTs of structured data is actually being collected on people's interactions.

I've been using http://brdg.app  ( @ConnorPM) to do all my intros - esp introducing our portfolio founders to other investors. (disclaimer: they are a port co)

6) And a feature of the app is they ask all parties later how the intro went. You just click one button to register your opinion.

It's completely optional, but what amazes me is how many ppl click. And the feedback that I receive as the introducer on ppl in my network.

7) There are more investors in my network than I'd like who are ghost / give ppl the runaround / etc.

And now these interactions are getting recorded in a structured format.

8) And yet, none of this info would have been illuminated to me without BRDG. My founders would never have said, "Oh, this person ghosted on me." Why? Because it's just so common -- to talk about that one person who ghosted is just not worth it.

9) But with a click of a button, you can rate behavior quickly and easily.

And it gives me feedback on which investors to do more intros to and who to delist from my own list.

Moreover, I get feedback not just from 1 of my founders but from many ppl - lots of data pts.

10) Investors are in the business of technology, but many ppl don't realize that it's that technology that may put them out of business in a world where there is a lot more investor-choice.

It's crazy that you can use structured data to make decisions on your human interactions.