Author Archives: Matthew Nordan

Entrepreneur Tools: The Returns Analysis

Posted on November 30, 2012

tl;dr: To successfully target VCs, view your deal through their eyes. I got an outstanding piece of advice in my first job: “Always see the world from the other person’s point of view.” If you’re trying to sign the pivotal … Continue reading →

Posted in Numbers, Unsolicited advice, Venture capital | 1 Comment

Installing a Nest, Investing in Nest

Posted on October 4, 2012

tl;dr: Nest Labs performs magic – making energy efficiency awesome, even for the nontechnical and non-green. We’re delighted to invest in the company. Back in February I acquired a Nest Learning Thermostat, famously designed by Apple’s original iPhone team. Looks … Continue reading →

Posted in Consumers, Energy efficiency, Smart grid | 4 Comments

Nest Installation Photo Log

Posted on October 4, 2012

tl;dr: Mrs. Nordan vs. Nest thermostat! Will it take an afternoon to install? Will we ruin our house in the process? No on both counts! In June we installed a Nest Learning Thermostat in chez Nordan; I helmed the camera … Continue reading →

Posted in Consumers, Energy efficiency, Smart grid | 2 Comments

What Makes a Great Cleantech Team?

Posted on September 24, 2012

tl;dr: Winning cleantech start-up teams are complete at founding, have strong pre-existing relationships, and include the inventor of the core technology. This post was co-written with Josh Rogers, a former Venrock intern who’s now in National Grid’s Strategic Planning and … Continue reading →

Posted in Numbers | 5 Comments

Bright Future for the Marginal Megawatt

Posted on July 31, 2012

tl;dr: Life is about to get a lot better for demand response and energy efficiency companies. One of the challenges of venture capital is that you invest in companies now based on what you know now, but the world may … Continue reading →

Posted in Demand response, Energy efficiency | 9 Comments

“Financing Your Start-up 101” in 45 Minutes

Posted on June 4, 2012

For this year’s ARPA-E Summit I was asked to give a talk about different ways to finance an energy start-up. The challenge as it was given to me was “cover all sources of financing – VC, angels, grants, debt, everything … Continue reading →

Posted in Unsolicited advice, Venture capital | Leave a comment

Why I Suspend Disbelief

Posted on May 30, 2012

tl;dr: Arrogant humans think we have the natural world all figured out. We don’t. I spend a small but meaningful amount of my time at Venrock intentionally looking at crazy stuff. If you are developing a cold fusion generator or … Continue reading →

Posted in Leprechauns | 3 Comments