A lot of people talked shit about the recent valuation of Kik. It all seemed a bit insane and I admit the numbers I heard seemed wild. That was until word dropped that Union Square Ventures has joined the deal alongside RRE.
Today Techcrunch is reporting that Ted Livingston is using a chunk of the money that he took off the table in the recent financing in order to further back UWs Velocity dorm/program.
Say what you want to but Ted Livingston gets it and the moment he had the chance to do it: he gave back. That is all too rare a thing. He obviously did well in the transaction that generated the extra $1million, but not THAT well. He is obviously just an incredibly generous person. I am totally inspired.
If we can continue to back and inspire entrepreneurs as passionate as Ted then we just might get somewhere.
That is incredible. Really really incredible. And smart too. Gonna start pulling more and more talent from the tractor beam that is RIMM.
Given the article today in the Globe (Why Canada is late to the tech party http://ow.ly/4oKRI via @globeandmail) this is great news. Its a critical time for Canada’s startup community, entrepreneurs need to step up with good models and awesome execution, private capital needs to show some guts like Ted. He’s not even in the capital game, its a shining example that we need to celebrate! Where are the guys sitting on 9 figure funds making bets on unproven companies? Well funded failures will generate success stories down the road, if the bets are placed on the right PEOPLE. Balance sheets are for bankers, pay attention to the V part in VC and place capital in the hands of entrepreneurs.
Just coming up for air now after a crazy day. I worked with Ted on this and I have to say that he so gets it. We have seen a huge ramp up in quality and focus along with the community of ‘VeloCity Alumni’ that is getting more and more connected. The donation couldn’t have been better timed, i can’t wait for what’s next.
Very cool Jesse and glad to see such a high profile payoff for some of your hard work.
Best news of yesterday! Velocity rocks, I’ve been to a couple of events there and know one of the honchos, and all I can add to this is KUDOs Ted! Smart, future-istic move, lad!
:-)
Jim
I’ve had a few days to process this…and I’m still in awe. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is! These are the types of guts it takes to grow a billion dollar company. Go Ted!
It’s all positive publicity to steer attention away from the fact that he stole ideas from RIM, broke an NDA and is now going to pay big time.