Independent rating of Benchmark VC fund
Overall rating:
19 reviews
About Benchmark VC fund
Website:
Founded:
1995
Number of funds:
6
Number of investments:
636
Number of exits:
172
Headquarters:
Organization type:
Venture Capital
How Benchmark VC fund invests
Rounds:
Average ticket size:
56.3M USD
Smallest investment:
1.94M USD
Biggest investment:
210M USD
Would lead round:
Yes
Would coinvest:
Yes
Countries where invested:
Sectors of interest:
Software, SaaS, Health Care, Database, Virtual Currency, UX Design, Soccer, Point of Sale, Personal Health, Payments, Mobile Apps, Medical Device, Health Diagnostics, Gaming, Financial Services, Finance, FinTech, Fantasy Sports, Developer Tools, Developer APIs, Cryptocurrency, Credit Cards, Collaboration, Blockchain, Biotechnology, Big Data, Banking, Apps, Alternative Medicine
Founders' reviews of Benchmark VC fund
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Older than a year by non-portfolio founder
Avoid Benchmark: the Scoprion and the Frog
The behavior of Benchmark with Uber and Travis Kalanick is repressible, and no good entrepreneur should work with this firm. Someone needs to speak out. Leaving aside allegations of sexism within the company, a closer look at the "invisible hand" of Benchmark is needed.
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Don't Bother with Mitch Lasky
Mitch gives a first impression of being a polished and informed professional. He's really a quick flip guy who's constantly meddling in operations.
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Arrogant and Unprofessional
When I first heard about Benchmark Capital, I thought they would be a great venture firm to work with. They seemed to meet all of our criteria, and I had heard good things about them in the past. I first spoke to an associate about our company and product, tho which I was promised an phone interview shortly later. After having the meeting time switched on me 3 times - all at the last minute mind you. It became VERY frustrating, but I was determined to talk to somebody about our companies goals. After all as entrepreneurs we must say defiant and work to overcome these obstacles.
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Bill Gurley Not to Be Trusted
I have past experience working with Bill Gurley on the board in one of their most successful companies and saw his performance as a director and representative of Benchmark Capital. I worked with the founding team who always had somewhat of a gut feel that he is somehow "false". I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. Today I am clear that I would never work with him again and do second several private reviews' feedback of "reading your terms carefully" or he will screw you. He may talk the talk on all sorts of things but does not walk the walk. Do not trust him.
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Rumor Says Benchmark Israel Will Not Get a New Fund …
The partners at Benchmark have decided not to raise an additional fund.
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Good (Non Funding) Experience Working with Them
I've worked professionally (in a consulting and partnership role) with lots of folks from Benchmark - Rich Barton, Bill Gurley, Michael Eisenberg & Nirav Tolia, and always been impressed with their intelligence, professionalism and respectfulness. I think they're smart folks with a good brand name (and they do leverage that, though not in an insulting fashion).
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Benchmark Pitch Today
probably the most disrespectful experience ever on so many levels - WOW!
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Do Your Homework Before Pitching
Here are some articles to help you in your Benchamrk evaluation...
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Built to Last or Built to Hype
Ariba, Kana, Broadbase, Friendster.
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Pitched Benchmark in 2002
I pitched benchmark in 2002 and found them very engaging and charming. I had limited time because of travel and I met with partners over a two day period in four different meetings.
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Jon Teo, Horrible Experience
Beware of their non-partners. Jon Teo was assigned to review us, and he obviously wasnt being paid extra to do this work since he canceled meetings at the last minute, didnt reply to emails or voice mails, and did his work only when he received direct orders from partners.
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Bill Gurley Slept Through My Pitch
ok, so i pitched Gurley recently. referred by a good friend, although with a pinch of salt. I left in a half hour since gurley fell asleep.
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Strong Brand but Differs From Partner to Partner
In general Benchmark is a strong brand in Israel. However, as other reviewers mentioned, Michael Eisenberg is very connected but manipulative and dangerous and can be difficult to deal with. The way he typically works is when he identifies an interesting early stage opportunity, he would host the company in the Benchmark peremises which would allow him to monitor progress closely without committing a dime. The minute he sees major progress in terms of development of technology or customer interest, the company would get a term sheet. However, he is not assuming any risk in the process and he makes sure there is no communication with other potential investors which can really imperil any leverage the entrepreneurs might have. So think seriously before taking any money. As for the other partners. Arad Naveh is a very capable, hands on and down-to-earth VC. He has solid operating experience and is very respected in the community. On the other hand, Mark Kremer is very arrogant and not considered to be a good guy to deal with. Most entrepreneurs that he funds are typically replaced in six months to a year.
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Don't Play with Women
Benchmark has said publicly that they will never fund a woman-founded company. They've never had a woman partner. And the mood seems to be like a frat party (a real turnoff to women).
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Highly Opinionated, Love Big Names
I've pitched Benchmark three times, and took their money once. Here's something you will likely hear - "that's not the way the future will unfold". They have strong opinions about what might happen, so you'll find out soon if you're in or not.
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Michael Eisenberg
Michael is a manipulative and dangerous guy.
however - he is well connected. use at your own risk and cover your back.
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Michael Eisenberg
The fact is that Michael is very manipulative/ dangerous to his partners and especially to his entrepreneur. If you look closely in his past investment, you may find more than 3 casualties.
Watch your back with him and never take what he say for granted, there are more "talks" behind your back. That's his code of operation, multiple tracks with his partners.
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Michael Eisenberg
Baware. One of the more sophisticated/ manipulative/ dangerous people in the industry. If he is on your side then GREAT! for you, because he is a great weapon to move things (in contrast to most other venture capitalists who think of themselves too highly). But until he is on your side, he is dangerous to you, and will not hesitate for a single second to share your internal information with other portfolio companies, a potential entrepreneur in residence (like happened to us) or anyone else for that matter.
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Regarded as One of the Best but Have Had Fair Share of Failures
They've made some huge mistakes - Webvan, Tristrata etc but at the same time made some big hits namely Ebay.