Ask HN: Hey VCs, do you mind if ppl intro themselves when you're out at a bar?

The thing is that we imagine that VCs get approached all the time by people with alot more balls than us. We also imagine that they hate a direct approach from a stranger and would much prefer you to be introduced through their network. We all know that's what networks are for right?

The point is we imagine this. We project how we might feel in their shoes, but the real truth is we can never know for sure how they will react. It's their job after all to find the talent!

I remember having the exact same conversation with musicians years ago about approaching the A&R guy. When I did get the balls to do it, you know what, he didn't sign me, BUT he didn't ignore me either, and we had a great conversation and I invited him to a few gigs.

How much time would I have wasted looking for an intermediary, when all he wanted was to "discover" the next big thing. Isn't that what VCs want too?

So instead of debating whether to approach the VC alone, the tactic would be to start by glancing around for a shared acquaintance who you will then idly innocently ask if VC is indeed VC and so on until engineering a favourable introduction...

Not that I'm fond of slimy social networking myself, of course