214. Crisis Coverage w/ Somesh Dash - Late Stage Impacts & Prioritizing Mental Health

Somesh Dash of IVP joins Nick on a special Crisis Coverage installment to discuss Late Stage Impacts and Prioritizing Mental Health. In this episode, we cover:

• Quick background and what led you to venture/IVP?
• Overview of the firm and your focus?
• Covid impact on later stages
• The 2008 crisis... '08 was still strong for C round funding, steep dropoff in 2009, stayed pretty low in 2010, returning to fairly strong levels in 2011... thoughts on timing, severity and duration of impact on later stage funding?
• Directional impact on average valuations at late stage?
• Thoughts on exits?
• What do you think happens in the secondary market?
• What do you think happens with the well-funded, late stage companies in markets that are highly dependent on social interaction, mobility, travel, etc.?
• Reasonable to complete deep diligence in a completely remote environment?!
• You've been w/ IVP since '05... best recollections of changes in strategy made at IVP in '08/'09?
• Suggestions on how early-stage VCs should adapt the playbook?
• Best moves startups made to survive and/or thrive at that time?
• Biggest mistakes you've seen CEOs make?
• Investment in Lyra's Series C....
• Mental health now more than ever... expectations for industry amidst WFH/social distancing?
• Tips for delivering hard news? -- furloughs, layoffs.. especially remotely
• Suggestions for leaders to help their people through this?
• How to keep team morale high?
• How are you adapting communication or work habits at IVP to better keep engagement of your people, your portcos and your LPs?

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