Perspectives

Why We (Only) Raised a $250 Million Fund

February 29, 2012

proud announce close Emergence Capital Partners III 250 million venture fund limit size firms raising billion dollar funds answer Focus founded 2003 realized something crazy starting new firm Silicon Valley differently decided area completely misunderstood community technology-enabled services made commitment portfolio time entrepreneurs back locate offices San Mateo closer software rather near VCs Sand Hill Road felt reasonable allow execute focused approach best think everyone constraints forces clear priorities truly selective investments make allows spend little raised prior forming found always yield better results paid pleasure seeing companies blossom industry leaders attracted world-class base institutional limited developed reputation leading tech-enabled most-meaningful technology trend seen careers along built great culture collaboration fun came raise third question enable disciplined investing never follows pack see point changing now

Mobile First Enterprise Apps: VC Investing Boom Ahead

December 29, 2011

article originally appeared Forbes rapid rise iPhone iPad mobile devices fueled mad rush venture funding consumer-facing companies 2011 first half according Rutberg Co capitalists invested 3 billion 358 960 million going media applications sector defined social networks games advertising app platforms news aggregation photo sharing group messaging VC investment enterprise tepid VCs 254 span global organizations race transition legacy systems cloud enable workers access services wherever device clearly presents untapped opportunity investors enough simply shut tap consumer start startups en masse created equal greatest potential generate outsized returns creating mobile-first leverage unique capabilities creation new categories different mobile-enabled versions traditional software Salesforce.com Workday True built initially exclusively worker business possible proliferation advanced connected examples include Doximity enables physicians collaborate communicate effectively firm Square allows small businesses accept credit cards time Gigwalk turn smartphone users instant workforce among truly power create business-focused value propositions sink millions parallels dot-com boom late 90s craze focused almost entirely Internet painful bust followed consequence over-investment under-investment rose ashes however Web-enabled computing wealth innovative applying technologies processes evolving faster rate Right now vastly underfunded ups over-funded handful consumer-focused gain critical mass needed succeed apps consumers willing buy demise today's amply-funded upstarts eventually benefit Popular become core components business-driven bringing office fully arrived work bubble burst

“The Death of McKinsey”: What Enterprise Cloud Companies can Learn about Creating Insights from Data

March 23, 2011

Emergence work exclusively cloud-based companies primarily serve business customers Consumer internet always good harnessing behavioral data better help process enterprise cloud opportunity focused importance Maybe direct correlation product changes resulting advertising monetization scale user interactions seems small warrant focusing Whatever reason value using aggregated customer avoid churn increase upsell ultimately create strategic relationship stake three steps encourage take transform tools thinking insight Embed employee insights offering Start getting key marketing sales teams room ask simple question important piece advice tell every day service common wisdom success people mention talk little secret diligent find buried FAQs experience company gems directly use black art begin build strategy Salesforce.com saw early-on forecast pipeline likely stay add seats Armed team attention making forecasting easier encouraged reps predict worth future led dramatic decrease bet 5 10 today codified Instead continue communicate either verbally text form Automated benchmark reports bundled enhanced versions Next gather aggregate quantify compared commonly called benchmarking app rich proprietary granular old days software reported number modules peers report detailed precise usage patterns Lithium Technologies depth knowledge successful communities Community Health Index CHI customer's score based range highly predictive whether succeed fail creation bundle expensive monetize valuable Death McKinsey C-level recognition data-driven end goal continuously derive correlated metrics lead higher competitive advantage productivity far ASPs lower call final stage already consulting firm uses come CEO-level Typically project interviewing employees gathering client's systems look support change particular domain end-customer able provide charges hundreds thousands dollars time young know largest public venders starting think insight-engines Fortune 500 CEOs changing certain vendors industry best provider first step break mindset

Doximity: A Powerful Platform for Improving Physician Communication

March 17, 2011

proud announce co-leading Series investment Doximity alongside InterWest developed compelling mobile-centric service makes easy physicians connect communicate another aim streamline collaboration-centric activities engage aims make doctors lives easier improve patient care think combination LinkedIn Yammer contains professional social network allows easily search useful example need find someone refer Additionally includes HIPAA compliant text messaging solution enables securely portfolio seen first hand collaboration tools drive significant productivity improvements Companies YouSendIt EchoSign Box.net built fast-growing businesses rethinking outdated ways communication workflow imagine industry improved healthcare far seem agree short months attracted 7 000 Leading charge Jeff Tangney founders Epocrates instrumental building concept publicly-traded company successful mobile applications space Jeff's background along effusive passion crafting product customers love caused quickly realize needed work excited helping rest team build know