Author Archives: Ben T. Smith, IV

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About Ben T. Smith, IV

Founder of, investor in and advisor to technology and media companies

Facebook and the Accidental Billionares

Posted on September 23, 2009 by Ben T. Smith, IV

Okay so avoiding my ongoing reading of the 10 Books about the Great Depression is getting out of hand, now I am reading more books to avoid it than the ten I am supposed to read. I just finished The … Continue reading →

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Revenue is a Drug

Posted on May 22, 2008 by Ben T. Smith, IV

Revenue is a drug.. I have heard a number of times how venture capital is a drug, it is addictive to some entreprenuers, and of course never confuse raising venture money with success. Today I heard another good one.  Revenue … Continue reading →

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Good Deals that Don’t Work

Posted on May 7, 2006 by Ben T. Smith, IV

Good deals that don’t work… About 6 years ago, I did a great deal. I went in with Seqouia.  I then did a follow on round in the same company with Redpoint and USVP.  The management team stuck together, the … Continue reading →

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Trovix

Posted on May 1, 2006 by Ben T. Smith, IV

One of my favorite deals is doing some really interesting things on search related to jobs.  I did trovix.com about a year ago with USVP who I created Spoke with.  Great deep technology.

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Missed Deals

Posted on April 19, 2006 by Ben T. Smith, IV

Missed Deals.. So every once in a while you have to eat crow.  The summer before last at a dinner at Zibibbo around the corner from Zao Noodle Bar  hosted by Oliver Muoto I had my first real interaction with Sean … Continue reading →

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MerchantCircle Launch

Posted on February 28, 2006 by Ben T. Smith, IV

Now here is a deal you have to love. MerchantCircle   is focused on solving the problem is the local internet ad business that there is not effective channel to the small local merchant on any scale for selling ads. That … Continue reading →

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Integrations

Posted on February 12, 2006 by Ben T. Smith, IV

Another deal closed last week.  It is a big one so it will be interesting to watch the integration process on this one.  I drove the acquisiton of a public company, Seque Testing by Borland.  Of the deals done this … Continue reading →

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Getting Deals Done

Posted on January 25, 2006 by Ben T. Smith, IV

Deals getting done So after alot of back and forth over the past six weeks, one of my companies just closed a deal.   Borland bought Gauntlet from Sam Pullara and team There is nothing like sitting in a room reviewing the final … Continue reading →

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A’s Baseball

Posted on January 13, 2006 by Ben T. Smith, IV

A’s Baseball We are approaching baseball season.  As a 20 year season ticket holder for the A’s this is always an exciting time.  (yes I know that the bowls just got over and the SuperBowl still has to happen, but … Continue reading →

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Giving Up and Setbacks

Posted on January 4, 2006 by Ben T. Smith, IV

One of the companies I work with had a big set back today..or at least they think so. They had a venture firm they really liked say thier deal needed some work.  It is a great deal with a great … Continue reading →

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