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John Petersen
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John Petersen is a partner in the law firm of Fefer Petersen & Co. and focuses on corporate finance, due diligence, M&A advisory and related consulting services for manufacturers, innovators and investors in the energy storage and renewable energy sectors. From 2003 to 2007 John served... More
My company:
Fefer Petersen & Cie
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ipo-law.com
  • Paul Graham's Startup Curve – Too True To Be Funny 4 comments
    Mar 16, 2012 1:21 AM
    The most recent SAI Chart of the Day, Paul Graham's Startup Curve, was far too accurate to be funny. It shows his view of the process startup companies must go through on their way to becoming viable business enterprises. While I've used the Gartner Group's Hype Cycle graph to describe the process for several years, I think the Startup Curve is even closer to the truth. So without further adieu here it is:

    The good news for investors is that I think many companies in the energy storage sector are somewhere in the Wiggles of False Hope and appoaching The Promised Land. The bad news is the Wiggles of False Hope can last longer than many investors imagine. That makes attention to detail and recognition of progress essential character traits for elephant hunters. The process takes time and can't be rushed, but once the major technical risks are past, the payoff for long-suffering patience can be enormous.
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  •  
    Thank you. This and your elephant hunter's graph provide wisdom to those of us, especially, who have a tendency to fall in love with "great new ideas" and invest too early.
    16 Mar 2012, 12:25 PM Reply Like
  •  
    I disagree. It is very funny and I am laughing out loud. Too true indeed!

    I am going to make my own one day with labels such as "The Doldrums of Despair"; "The Crash of Consternation"; "The Waggles of WTF!" and end it all with "Euphoric Utopia"
    16 Mar 2012, 12:37 PM Reply Like
  •  
    Those labels work too, and were enough to generate a belly laugh without floor rolling.
    16 Mar 2012, 01:02 PM Reply Like
  •  
    I can't do TA on *that*! ;-))

    Probably a good thing, come to think of it!

    Anybody else notice (cock your head 45 degrees to the right) the similarity to a side-profile of a face with a pronounced forehead starting about the "Wiggles of False Hope"?

    Re-labeling appropriately might be useful. I'll start with "lower-lip of let-down". I'll leave the rest for others.

    BTW, between the upper lip and nose is the "Philtrum" - that ought to present a challenge.

    HardToLove
    17 Mar 2012, 06:34 PM Reply Like
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