[bishnu]

Overall it's an interesting article, but I have a quibble with this paragraph about how it actually backed by much Silicon Valley:

"Silicon Valley, once so taken by Holmes, has turned its back, too. Countless investors have been quick to point out that they did not invest in the company—that much of its money came from the relatively somnolent worlds of mutual funds, which often accrue the savings of pensioners and retirees; private equity; and smaller venture-capital operations on the East Coast. In the end, one of the only Valley V.C. shops that actually invested in Theranos was Draper Fisher Jurvetson."

Crunchbase shows that on top of Draper Fisher Jurvetson, there's ATA ventures in Redwood City, as well as Larry Ellison's firm (Tako) and his personal trust. Depending on how you read that, that's 4 of 6 or 3 of 5 major backers coming out of Silicon Valley. On what basis is Bilton making his claim?

[gumby]

Holmes and Draper were neighbors when she was growing up and his kids were childhood friends. Her dad's friend, Don Lucas was the Ellison connection. (Her parents are well connected in Washington D.C.)

ATA is ATA; I don't believe they are ever the first money into a deal (no slam on them, just FYI). So I'd say ATA is 1 for 5.

In general I don't know why they are described as the toast of SV by non-local journos (though Bilton knows the valley well) -- despite that big building on page mill they were never really that prominent IMHO especially because of their secrecy.

There's a ton to criticize about he culture of the valley but Theranos always stuck me more of a (non-Boston) east coast story that happened to be located in Palo Alto.