Get All Access for $5/mo

Have a Burning Business Question? Ask the Expert: John Frankel VC John Frankel of ff Venture Capital wants to answer your big startup questions about raising funds, meeting investors and pitching.

By Andrea Huspeni

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Shutterstock

Editor's Note: Entrepreneur's Ask the Expert column seeks to answer questions about everything from starting a business to growing one. To follow the column on Twitter -- and ask a question -- use hashtag #ENTexpert, or leave a comment below. Your query may be the inspiration for a future column.

John Frankel knows all about the struggles of an entrepreneur. While not one himself per se, his day-to-day duties as a VC and partner at New York City-based seed firm ff Venture Capital involves helping entrepreneurs of all stages and walks of life achieve their startup dreams, aspirations that can at times be daunting.

Related: The 5 Must-Have Elements of a Flawless Pitch

Douglas Merrill of ZestFinance.
Partner at VC firm ff Venture Capital John Frankel

"Building a company can be a lonely journey for many entrepreneurs," he says. "Successful entrepreneurs need to overcome enormous hurdles as they build their businesses. We are in the business of helping them do so. Through financial capital, intellectual capital and relevant resources, we are empowering them to build great businesses."

He seems to be doing a pretty good job at it. Frankel has been an early-stage investor since 1999. Some of his prominent investments include talent management company Cornerstone OnDemand (IPO in 2011) search engine marketing company Quigo Technologies (acquired by AOL for a reported $340 million) and social media analytics website Klout, among the other 180 investments.

Prior to jumping into investment, Frankel worked at investment firm Goldman Sachs where he held various roles revolving around technology development, reengineering and capital markets.

Related: An Online Platform That Simplifies Investor Relations

For this month only, Frankel is answering your questions on real-world issues entrepreneurs face. Feel free to ask startup questions, including queries about fundraising, hiring, building a team and handling the challenges of being an entrepreneur.

Have a question for Entrepreneur's experts? Submit your questions in the comments section below or tweet us, using the hashtag #ENTexpert. Include your first and last name, your location (city and state) and the name of your business.

Andrea Huspeni

Founder of This Dog's Life

Andrea Huspeni is the former special projects director at Entrepreneur.com and the founder of This Dog's Life.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

Who Is Luigi Mangione? UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Murder Suspect Arrested in Pennsylvania on Firearms Charge

Mangione, 26, has not been charged in connection with the killing of Thompson.

Business News

'Faster, Smarter, and More Relevant': Reddit Tests AI That Combs the Site For You

The AI is like a blend of Google and ChatGPT, tailored specifically for Reddit.

Starting a Business

10 Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs That Investors Love (Even If They Seem Like Jerks)

This article explores a thought-provoking question: Why do many successful entrepreneurs exhibit traits that might label them as "jerks?"

Innovation

These Entrepreneurs Created a League That Turns Gamers Into Pro Race Car Drivers: 'We're Giving Drivers a Sustainable Career Path'

Racing Prodigy's innovative E2Real sports league is lowering the high-cost barrier to entry for drivers to take their passion to the track.

Franchise

McDonald's Announces the Return of the Snack Wrap in 2025 — Here's What to Expect From Its Comeback

The decision comes after years of persistent customer demand for the portable snack, which debuted nearly two decades ago.

Science & Technology

Machines Are Surpassing Humans in Intelligence. What We Do Next Will Define the Future of Humanity, Says This Legendary Tech Leader.

Craig Mundie, co-author of "Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope and The Human Spirit" dives into the unrivaled power of AI.