What I look for

I was an operator before I was an investor, so I look at a company the way I’d look at a ranch I was thinking of buying. Where’s the water. What’s holding the fence up. What happens in a dry year.

In practice that means brands that are already selling, founders who know their numbers, and products people buy a second time.

• Real traction. We usually invest after a brand is in market and customers are coming back.
• Founders who tell the truth. The best ones tell me the number that keeps them up at night before I ask.
• Distribution and repeat purchase. A viral moment is nice. A product that moves off a shelf in a town where nobody knows the founder is better.
• Help that’s useful. We’re a small team. Founders get people who have done the work, and who pick up the phone.

Building something?

Springdale reviews every pitch that comes in through our website.