Parashat Lech Lecha

The start of this weeks Parasha G-d told Abram to leave his home and his father’s house for another land.

This reminded me of my favorite chapter in Jason Calacanis book Angel.

Chapter 5: Do You Need to be in Silicon Valley to be a Great Angel Investor?

Yes

The real estate adage of  “location, location, location” holds true for the investor, founder, both tech and religious. Abram had to leave his fathers home of Ur Kasdim for Canaan. Even with Abram rejecting the idol worshipers of his home, the deep influence of the land meant he had to leave. When you want to build the next unicorn your chance of success increases when you go to certain hubs such as Silicon Valley, NYC, or Silicon Wadi.

Do Not Take Bad Money

After defeating Chedorlaomer and the kings with him, the King of Sodom said to Abram “Give me the persons and take the possessions for yourself.”

I will not take so much as a thread or a sandal strap of what is yours; you shall not say, ‘It is I who made Abram rich.’

Say after moving to the right location you are offered a beautiful term sheet, you must consider where the money is coming from. Venture Capital is not a short-term relationship. You must ask yourself is this a company I would want to see my name associated with. Will they be with me in the good times and the bad?

A post by Fred Wilson  Who are my investors speaks about this exact topic.

Not all money is the same. The people that come with it and who are behind it matter. That has always been the case and remains the case and we are reminded of it from time to time.