TechCrunch+ roundup: Finding the right LPs, ocean conservation, inside Uber's pre-seed deck

Will your startup go public and grab a giant slice of your market, or is it a value-add that will be gobbled up by a hard-charging unicorn?

"When you can’t quite make it to product-market fit, there’s a third choice that too many entrepreneurs, and their investors, overlook: selling out," says Kittu Kolluri, founder and managing director of Neotribe Ventures.

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In this article aimed at early-stage founders, Kolluri shares a detailed framework with timelines that can help determine whether it's time to look for a buyer or keep reaching for the stars.

"How can you choose? While it isn’t a trivial decision, it’s also not as hard as you might think. There are only two gates: value and growth."

Thanks for reading TC+ this week,

Walter Thompson
Editorial Manager, TechCrunch+
@yourprotagonist

5 questions emerging managers should ask before selecting LPs

Image Credits: Constantin Johnny (opens in a new window) / Getty Images

Before an emerging manager can start backing startups, they'll first need to earn the trust of limited partners who are willing to bet on their investment thesis.

"Each step up the decision-making ladder increases the risk of dismissal, lost information or miscommunication, which can be mitigated if you can get in front of the decision-makers early on," says Linda Greub, co-founder and managing partner of Avestria Ventures.

Drawing from her own experience, Greub shares five questions emerging managers can use "to find the investors most likely to believe in you."

Making layoffs suck less: How to announce job cuts and retain top performers

Image Credits: Abu Hanifah (opens in a new window) / Getty Images

Startups don't typically have a deep bench of managerial talent, which means layoffs are often — no, usually — handled with a lack of empathy and poor communication.

More than once, it's been my responsibility to look someone in the eye and tell them that their job had been eliminated. The "best" training I received? A 60-minute briefing with a consultant who told me I'd be fine if I stuck to the script.

Leslie Crowe, talent partner at Bain Capital Ventures, says founders who prepare a communication plan and "opt to be generous where you can" can do right by former employees and keep the trust of those who remain.

"You’re in charge, for better or for worse. This may feel like one of the worst moments in your company’s trajectory, but your team will respect you when you take responsibility for overhiring or any missteps that led to this point."