Almost every investor’s website says some version of “we’re more than just a checkbook.” It’s become such a common line that it barely means anything anymore. So it’s worth being specific about what strategic assistance actually looks like in our portfolio, rather than just claiming the label.
Money solves fewer problems than founders expect
A cash infusion can fund inventory, hiring, or a new location. What it can’t do is tell you whether the hire you’re about to make is the right one, whether your pricing model will hold up as you scale, or how to handle a difficult conversation with a co-founder. Those are the moments where a strategic partner is actually useful — or isn’t.
What “strategic” looks like in practice
For our portfolio companies, this has meant things like:
- Sitting in on major hiring decisions as a second perspective, not the deciding vote
- Making introductions to vendors, partners, or specialists in our network
- Helping professionalize financial reporting so a company is ready for its next stage, whatever that looks like
- Being a sounding board for decisions founders can’t always discuss with their own team
What it doesn’t mean
It doesn’t mean running the company. We invest in teams we trust to make the calls — our role is to make sure they’re making those calls with good information and a second set of eyes, not to insert ourselves into day-to-day operations.
Why this matters before you take anyone’s money
If you’re an entrepreneur evaluating investors, we’d encourage you to ask specifically what “strategic assistance” means to any firm you’re talking to — including us. Vague answers are usually a sign the involvement will be vague too.