Insights

Perspective on early-stage investing

Commentary and guidance from Ben Pidgeon, VisionTech's executive director — on diligence, cap tables, regulation, and what separates the companies that get funded.

The Purpose of Due Diligence: Is This the Fantasy You Want to Believe?
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Investor Education

March 13, 2025

The Purpose of Due Diligence: Is This the Fantasy You Want to Believe?

the-purpose-of-due-diligence-is-this-the-fantasy-you-want-to-believe

Due diligence, the step between pitches and investor commitment, is often framed as a fact-finding mission, a methodical process where investors verify claims, evaluate financials…

Ben Pidgeon

Ben Pidgeon

Managing Director

More from the network

A Cap Table Dilemma: Founders, Boards, and the Hard Call to Reset

Portfolio News

February 10, 2025

A Cap Table Dilemma: Founders, Boards, and the Hard Call to Reset

Conversations around cap table resets have come up with more company founders than you might think over the last year. Here’s the situation: The company has raised capital from…

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Instacart IPO Boom or Bust: Hot Takes from Ben Pidgeon

Portfolio News

September 21, 2023

Instacart IPO Boom or Bust: Hot Takes from Ben Pidgeon

I have to admit to being fascinated by the machinations around last week's Instacart IPO. Given the dearth of IPOs in 2023, Instacart's IPO is a big deal. Prior to the deal,…

instacart-ipo-boom-or-bust-hot-takes-from-ben-pidgeon
5 Reasons Startups Should Go Local, Return to Personal Banking Relationships

Events & Community

March 13, 2023

5 Reasons Startups Should Go Local, Return to Personal Banking Relationships

On Friday, March 10, 2023, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), the flagship of the startup banking world, collapsed, causing the FDIC to take over the bank. The failure is the largest…

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How to Create Cap Tables with an Investor's Perspective in Mind

Investor Education

July 25, 2022

How to Create Cap Tables with an Investor's Perspective in Mind

Have you seen the 1990's comedy with Bill Murray called Groundhog Day? In the movie, his character Phil is caught in a time loop. Everyday, he wakes up to the same day, in the…

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The Three Things Startup Founders Have in Common with Top Gun: Maverick

Announcements

May 30, 2022

The Three Things Startup Founders Have in Common with Top Gun: Maverick

By Ben Pidgeon Welcome back from the long Memorial Day weekend celebrating our nation's heroes; enjoying time with family and friends; perhaps taking in the greatest spectacle in…

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So You Want to Be a VisionTech Portfolio Company. Check These Insights from One of Our Own

Investor Education

March 9, 2021

So You Want to Be a VisionTech Portfolio Company. Check These Insights from One of Our Own

Haley Marie Keith, CEO and co-founder of MITO Material Solutions , knew she and her co-founder Kevin Keith were on to something with their advanced hybrid polymer modifiers. But…

so-you-want-to-be-a-visiontech-portfolio-company-check-these-insights-from-one-of-our-own
The Incredible Crash of Quibi: A Cautionary Tale for Investors

Portfolio News

October 22, 2020

The Incredible Crash of Quibi: A Cautionary Tale for Investors

A company called Quibi has been in the news this week - not in a good way - and I wanted to share some observations. I'm doing so because there are lessons to be learned…

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SEC Updates Definition of Accredited Investor, Opening the Door to Greater Participation in Private Equity Investments

Investor Education

September 2, 2020

SEC Updates Definition of Accredited Investor, Opening the Door to Greater Participation in Private Equity Investments

“For the first time, individuals will be permitted to participate in our private capital markets not only based on their income or net worth, but also based on established, clear…

sec-updates-definition-of-accredited-investor-opening-the-door-to-greater-participation-in-private-equity-investments
Insights from an Angel Investor: Patterns and Core Values

Investor Education

May 15, 2019

Insights from an Angel Investor: Patterns and Core Values

I technically started angel investing in 2012, but I wasn’t serious about investing until I became a managing partner of VisionTech Angels in late 2014. With roughly 120…

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Don’t Whine About the FDA: How to Talk so Regulators Will Listen

Portfolio News

January 21, 2019

Don’t Whine About the FDA: How to Talk so Regulators Will Listen

This Don’t Miss Event Is Co-Sponsored by VisionTech Angels + the Indiana Chapter of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs ( SOPE ). Bob Seevers is a master storyteller. Before…

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5 Steps for Avoiding Risk-Related Accidents, Mistakes and Mishaps

Announcements

January 3, 2019

5 Steps for Avoiding Risk-Related Accidents, Mistakes and Mishaps

[caption id="attachment_1481" align="alignleft" width="170"] Hylant's Mike Cremeans[/caption] After 25 years of helping more than 450 clients in the life sciences industry, I have…

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Numbers Guy Steve Sehy Knows How to Position Companies for Capital Raises

Portfolio News

January 8, 2018

Numbers Guy Steve Sehy Knows How to Position Companies for Capital Raises

In his first job out of college, Steve Sehy earned his CPA while at former Big Eight accounting firm Arthur Anderson. Instead of number crunching, Steve jumped into software…

numbers-guy-steve-sehy-knows-how-to-position-companies-for-capital-raises
R&D Tax Credit Change Could Put Money in the Pockets of SaaS Companies

Investor Education

February 13, 2017

R&D Tax Credit Change Could Put Money in the Pockets of SaaS Companies

While we’re not in the tax preparation business, VisionTech Angels member, Steve Sehy , MBA, CPA, has provided some good information regarding a change in the R&D tax credit…

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