Mike Bollinger
Dec 9, 2021 #givethanks100
Today I’m giving thanks for Mike Bollinger. There are very few non-employees that made the outsized impact on HomeSpotter that Mike did.
Mike and I first met in early 2010. Over the next few years, we collaborated in numerous ways.
While I wrote all of our initial iOS and server code, I had decided to outsource Android development in those early days. I wasn’t quite getting what I needed from other independent contractors and put out a broad call for help. Mike gave me a pitch I couldn’t pass up that was a win-win for us both.
Later, as I increasingly transitioned away from consulting work and other startups I was incubating to focus on HomeSpotter, I sent work Mike’s way at Livefront – with me occasionally working with the Livefront team, which contributed to my ability to bootstrap our first three years with no salary.
When I started to raise money in late 2012, Mike invested in our first round. That first check was ‘small’ for the round, but I was honored to have him on board. In the coming years, however, Mike doubled down time and again, and he has the key distinction of being the only investor that invested in every single equity and debt round we raised money in. By the time of our final fund raise (prior to sale) in 2019, Mike had invested more money than anyone else.
Mike never had a board seat, he never applied pressure about how his investment was doing, and he was always helpful when I asked him for something.
On the hard days when I kind of just wanted to throw in the towel, doing right for investors like Mike was the motivation I needed to keep going. Providing a meaningful return to Mike when we sold was one of my greatest joys.
When I asked him after the sale how he had the conviction to keep investing in every round, he simply said he believed in me.
Mike- I’m so grateful for you, your support, and your friendship. Thank you!
Originally posted on LinkedIn – head over to give it a like or a share.
I’m giving thanks for 100+ days to individuals that positively impacted me or HomeSpotter’s trajectory.