As someone who has been funded by O'Reilly AlphaTech (I'm one of the founders of Wesabe), I would recommend them highly. I've known them for many years, and Mark and Tim both worked with me on my last startup (Popular Power).
I can say a lot about why they like them, but when I was talking with a CEO recently I mentioned this Richard Nixon quote: "When you win, you hear from everyone - when you lose, you hear from your friends." I've heard messages of support from these guys in both instances. If you're looking for someone who will understand your idea and back it or not for the right reasons, and then support you all the way if they invest, I think OATV is a fantastic option.
I assume they are closer to the traditional VCs in their model and not as much seed funders like Y Combinator. Is that your understanding as well Paul?
Based on the fund size they are discussing, I'd say that's a pretty good bet. For the startup community, I think that's a good thing. While competition in the seed/angel space is fine and dandy, having a VC firm headed by someone has hacker-aware as Tim O'Reilly seems like a definite win.
I can say a lot about why they like them, but when I was talking with a CEO recently I mentioned this Richard Nixon quote: "When you win, you hear from everyone - when you lose, you hear from your friends." I've heard messages of support from these guys in both instances. If you're looking for someone who will understand your idea and back it or not for the right reasons, and then support you all the way if they invest, I think OATV is a fantastic option.
--Marc Hedlund