Pitching a VC? Bring the OC-80 or you're fired
Back in December, we introduced you to OC-80, Silicon Valley's recreational drug of choice. It's the 80-mg. dose of OxyContin, the addictive painkiller which ensnared celebritards Rush Limbaugh and Lindsay Lohan. Silicon Valley's venture capitalists are just as susceptible to OC-80's euphoric draw. Which is their own private problem. Usually. But sometimes, as in the story told here, a founder's ability to supply an addicted VC with his fix can mean the difference between getting funded and laying off staff.
Recently, our source for this story — let's call him Joe Blow — lost his job. His company's founder explained why in an email, which we've paraphrased at his request:
Joe I am meeting with VC later this week. They are expecting me to bring OC-80. They're promising funding, no questions. I told these investors we can get them OC. But just a couple days before I meet with them, you tell me you can't get it. They were counting on it, Joe. We are not going to get funded. You are fired.
Mostly, Blow seems shocked we're shocked at his story. "I still can't believe you don't see this stuff everywhere. I guess it's a good thing. But jeez, I thought LA was bad. Till here."
