Disqus - Latest Comments for TedTannerhttp://disqus.com/by/TedTanner/enTue, 16 Dec 2008 12:39:22 -0000Re: What&#8217;s wrong with the Atlanta startup ecosystem and how to fix ithttp://blog.jeffhaynie.us/whats-wrong-with-the-atlanta-startup-ecosystem-and-how-to-fix-it.html#comment-4431386<p>Hi Jeff:</p><p>I am responding to this late for several reasons. 1) its painful 2) its honest so I wanted to take time to fully think about my response 3) We are in the same boat although not as "floaty" as with an institutional round. I came back to charleston sc after spending time in the Valley and PacNW. I looked at this as a HUGE opportunity. For instance we are paying 1.00 per square foot office space! My entire burn rate is LOWER than many west coast companies office rental. We have working software and I have farmed some of my former teammates from Apple,Microsoft and other west coast startups to come here due to the quality of life. Its about the team and execution. it will always be even if you have a grade B idea it can turn into a grade A idea with the right execution. Its also about the corporate contacts. We had two Series A rounds fall through for reasons that I have personally never seen. They fell through post tech due diligence and post strawman terms that had nothing to do with those two items. Disruptive technology isnt made out of a university nor through an SBIR or other. I have still been asked about an exit of an IPO. Given I have been on both sides of the fence for acquisitions the "companies inside the firewall" cannot afford another IPO to occur. Google, IBM,Oracle,Yahoo,Apple,Microsoft,AOL, oh yea the new CISCO) wont let it happen. I had one VC in the SE tell me aqusitions are not good for the investors. I was speechless. I build companies so I can affect change for the NEXT company that could possible be built. Invest in the same people that put you there. They in turn invest in the locale. Jeff I hope that you nail it. I have spent to many hours in Printer Inc on California Ave not being able to talk about work for fear of poaching and idea espionage. Good luck. We may have to follow suit. - tct</p>TedTannerTue, 16 Dec 2008 12:39:22 -0000