My Hope for Tyler's Hope

In the venture business we're often focused on very large numbers -- we invest millions of dollars, at million dollar valuations, tapping billion dolars markets, in hopes for millions or billions of return. This post is about a smaller number, closer to home: one. One smart, funny, athletic 7-yr old boy named Tyler Staab.

I got to know Tyler and his family when he was a classmate of my daughter Delaney a few years ago. Even at that young age, classmates fought for his attention because he was so likeable. His golf skills were already showing at a young age. He was a rabid Gator fan. We played basketball together and he had a mean outside shot.

Everything changed February 2005. While practicing basketball with his father, Tyler started having a hard time bringing his arm in without it shaking uncontrollably. Visits to UF Shands and other nationally renowned hospitals led to misdiagnosis, confusion and frustration -- especially for Tyler. Finally, a visit to Dr. Michael Okun yielded a diagnosis of Primary Generalized Early-Onset Dystonia, and a test for the Dystonia Dyt1 gene confirmed it.

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder affecting the central nervous system characterized by involuntary and often painful spasms of the muscles. The disorder currently has no cure and progressively robs one of the ability to control voluntary movements and even the ability to walk. The earlier that a child shows symptoms of Dystonia, the more significant those symptoms become -- and it can happen fast. Within 9 months of that shaking arm, Tyler required a wheelchair and will likely be permanently disabled within 5 years of onset.

Tyler's brain is as sharp as ever. He's in the 2nd grade gifted magnet program, but even his learning is at risk because most days his hands are so spasmed he cannot write papers or take tests. Tyler and his family are hopeful that will change for the better in June of this year.

Tyler will undergo surgery on June 14, 2006 for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) to stop/slow the symptoms -- but it won't cure him. As an investor, I've reviewed a few early-stage DBS companies that insert electrical probes into the brain -- scary stuff. Tyler will be the youngest person in the world to receive this surgery for his diagnosis. Delaney has already bought Tyler's "Get Well" cards. We hope the surgery is a success and it helps, but the longterm options are unclear as Tyler's body and head grows.

You don't know Tyler yet, but get to know him at www.TylersHope.org -- a foundation created to help raise awareness of the disease, speed diagnosis and find a cure. In addition to information on Dystonia, some Tyler's Hope products and Tyler's million dollar research fundraising goal, Tyler's dad has started a "Progressional Diary" that shares what Tyler is experiencing. Take a look and help if you can.

In a business where curing big diseases for big markets can deliver big returns, we often miss the one person we help through investment. Here's a chance to help and know who you are helping. I hope you will. Tyler, for one, would appreciate it...

A World of Biofuel (and then some)

This article from Jeff Schafer had some interesting data on biofuels. Schafer spends much of the article touting Biodiesel and the benefits of diesel generally, but many of his comments relate to bioethanol as well. Although he sounds excited about the prospects of biofuel, he also delivers a healthy dose of skepticism around biofuels replacing fossil fuels.

I haven't corroborated elsewhere, but Schafer's table below suggests that replacing crude oil with biofuel would require growing biofuel crops on 5X the world's arable farmland. Even if 100% of the world's farmland was devoted to biofuels, that would only replace 20% of our crude oil consumption.

Those numbers still suggest a sizeable biofuel opportunity, but it's not the answer for fossil fuel reliance -- especially with Chindia ramping up their consumption.

Schafer provides another table that piqued my curiosity on biofuel crops. What's the deal with Oil Palms? Wherease Corn can deliver 196 barrels of biofuel per square mile of crop, and Coconut (the second highest producer) can deliver a whopping 3,131 barrels/sqm, Oil Palms can deliver 6,927 barrels/sqm -- more than 30X that of Corn. With that level of production we'd at least have a shot at replacing crude oil prior to colonizing other planets...

The List

OK, you're probably sick of posts about Web2.0, mashups and the like. Therefore, I thought I'd provide another and really test your loyalty.

Baris at ComVentures has posted a long list of Web2.0 companies, across multiple categories. The post is over a month old so I'm sure it's doubled since then. However, it does provide a comprehensive look at what is happening to the fabric of the Net...enjoy!

Groovy Man

While reading some of the MashupCamp stories and planning a FL version, I ran across a Jacksonville BarCamp coming up June 17th. As decribed there and elsewhere:

"BarCamp is an ad-hoc un-conference born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos and interaction from attendees. Anyone with something to contribute or with the desire to learn is welcome and invited to join."

In other words, it's a geek Jam Session, jamming with their knowledge/laptops instead of jazz instruments. These things usually start pretty modest, but North Florida techies are due for some real-world social networking. Check it out...

Note, we still need a MashupCampSouth -- ping me if interested...

2006 Venture Capital Report

For those of you investing or looking for venture investment, the 2006 Venture Capital Report is a rich source of venture data for 2005 and looking forward. I've been so locked into the MoneyTree/NVCA reports that I missed VentureOne's deep offering until seeing Jason's reference. Enjoy!

The "No Free Lunch" Story of Serial Entrepreneurs

One of the sayings that still surprises me with its applicability is "No Free Lunch". It embodies a principal that it takes work or astute trading (another form of work) to get what you want in life. There are almost always hidden costs or risks you have to weigh when choosing a path that appears risk-free. That doesn't mean all paths are equally risky and, thus, you should leave it to chance. Rather, it suggests you should at least look before you leap.

Venture funds take leaps every day and one of the cliches in the industry is "we like backing serial entrepreneurs." Being largely a people-backer, I love building businesses with serial entrepreneurs. No education or engineering experience can replace what is learned founding a prior startup -- not to mention, serial entrepreneur's have learned how to have fun along the way. However, the crazy nuts that start a company knowing full-well the rollercoaster ride to come, also present another example of "No Free Lunch".

Although I wouldn't call it typical, the recent St. Pete Times profile on Hydrogen Media's founder, Scott Gostyla, provides a taste of what can come with all that serial experience...