Welcome back to The Sunstone Way.
Big news this week. Sunstone Management is going national! Actually, Sunstone has been investing in early-stage startups from across the country, including in New York City since 2022, when we began our partnership with Lair East Labs, one of the top accelerators around.
But we’re establishing a bigger, more personal presence now by opening a Sunstone office there and receiving business licenses from the state of New York and New York City. We’re in the middle of Manhattan financial district, on the 29th Floor at 900 Third Ave., in the same building as Lair East Labs.
Our headquarters remain in Irvine, Calif. But we are continuing to expand, and it’s important to have a physical presence where we are doing business.
All About Relationships
I have to admit, I had a hard time during the COVID pandemic – I hated not meeting people in person. It doesn’t matter how good the internet connection might be, there’s nothing that takes the place of interacting with someone in the same room, eye to eye. For those of you who know me, I love the energy that is created in-person whether it is a networking event, strategy session, or a USC Football game in the historic Memorial Coliseum.
Here at Sunstone Management, we are in the people business – in all aspects of what we do. It’s hard-to-impossible to judge the passion of a founder without looking them in the eye; or, feeling the energy they create when they are talking about something they love. To make a strong personal connection with someone, whether it’s a founder, a business partner or an investor, being in the same room is a key.
That doesn’t mean we ignore technology – far from it. Online meetings, emails and more are critical components of communication, and we use them all extensively.
But it’s my belief that strong relationships are created with a handshake, a laugh, a spontaneous discussion. It is connecting on an entirely different human level. It’s why we love to get together with friends and family on holidays and are willing to endure the high costs of travel to see them in person.
Expanding The Community
Much of the founder community is based on personal relationships. That’s why the networking component of the accelerator programs is so important, and why so many of the accelerator participants cite networking opportunities among the most valuable experiences they have.
That’s person-to-person networking, not a Facebook group of people spread out all over the country—some of whom you have never met in real life!
Think about it. What enriches your life? Relationships, right? How do you create a community? By creating relationships. How do you strengthen a community? By strengthening relationships.
We will be taking this approach to Long Beach soon, as we take the next steps as a partner in the Launch Beach economic development plan championed by Mayor Rex Richardson.
We’re pleased to be able to become a part of the New York City entrepreneurial community with the announcement of an office there. If you want to drop by, you might want to call for an appointment – (646) 777-2154 – just to make sure we’re not out shaking hands. I intend to be there more often to meet you in person.
Personal relationships in person is the Sunstone How. And The Sunstone Way.
As always, be a Sunstone!
John Keisler
CEO & Managing Partner
Sunstone Management, Inc.
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More About Sunstone Management
Sunstone Management is a diversified private capital sponsor firm located in Southern California that invests in diverse early-stage technology entrepreneurs who seek to build great companies. We believe in the aspirational power of the American economy to attract and inspire investors and entrepreneurs from throughout the world. We deliver new and exciting opportunities for economic growth through the creation of innovative public-private partnerships, and our unique experience across government, education, and private sectors. Identified by Financial Times as one of America’s Fastest Growing Companies three years in a row. Ranked 18th in the United States on the list of most active venture capital firms by PitchBook.
© Sunstone Management Inc.