Does anyone have in-house dev who is automating tasks, scraping/hitting APIs for deal listings. or otherwise? Does it make sense to have someone on the team with Python/SQL chops? If so, how have you used that skillset in the search process?
More on Searchfunder
Searchfunder is an online community and toolkit for searchfunds. Over 80% of those involved in searchfunds maintain a Searchfunder.com account to help them network, problem solve challenges, and keep up with the industry.
We maintain partnerships with database providers that make searching more effective, efficient and affordable along with features that help searchers find deals and investors and vice versa.
We maintain partnerships with database providers that make searching more effective, efficient and affordable along with features that help searchers find deals and investors and vice versa.
On the side of indifference: Tech people like to get lost in the weeds of their process. Product managers and business leads I know have countless stories about a project headed the right direction until engineering over-stepped and pushed it into an area of irrelevance. It's very tempting to develop a lot of cool tech but then never actually DO the search. I thoroughly believe many of the best searchers will succeed with a good thesis, a telephone, and a lot of grit.
On the side of competitive advantage: It's very useful, and possibly your only chance at developing a true differentiation in your proprietary sourcing and outreach. Furthermore, if tech businesses are in your radar, then you'll need an advisory CTO or (would be) CTO to assess the business with you. If you don't have this resource locked in, this will be the assured linchpin of your personnel problems for years to come.
In both cases I would recommend one word: "focus." If tech-based sourcing and outreach is a part of your competitive advantage, then you need to invest and be serious. An intern who "knows some Python" is not what we're talking about here. Similarly, if you've decided it's not a core part of your value proposition, then don't get distracted.