I’ve just finished a weekend at Launch48.  The basic idea is that you kick-off a startup on Friday night, and you’ve got to launch by Sunday.  We didn’t quite get MyCharityPie up and running by the end of the evening, but we got damn close.  It was an incredible experience and I met and got to work with some really talented people.

Normally, I’m a big believer that someone casting an informed vote is more important than them voting the way I’d like them to. This one, though, is different. Laws shouldn’t discriminate against any group. Banning gay marriage (as Prop. 8 does) is discrimination. There’s no excuse for supporting this bigotry.

Via TechCrunch(Silicon Valley Stands United Against Prop. 8), here’s a full page ad that Silicon Valley leaders have put in the San Jose Mercury News. Good to see these people getting out there and leading.

This slideshow from Sequoia not only gives their guidance for entrepreneurs on dealing with the downturn, but also provides some context to help us understand how we got here. Worth reading and understanding.

Couple of key takeaways:

• A V-Shaped recovery is unlikely this time around (Slide 31)
• Mobile is not immune this time around (34)
• Valuations are coming down, as are round sizes. Getting to cash-flow positive is imperative. (44)
• Acquisitions are going to get harder. (45)
• Adapt fast (today!), or die. (49)

I worked for a Sequoia portfolio company that raised its first round in December 2000, and managed to ride out the last downturn to a successful outcome. These guys have a ton of experience, and are among the smartest guys in the Valley. If you’re not reading this and taking this on board, you had better be the smartest guy in the room.

From Brad Feld’s blog:

My recommendation to all of you entrepreneurs out there is to get off the negative sentiment treadmill, step up, and lead…

The people working for your company are likely confused, concerned, and overwhelmed with all the noise in the system. In the near term, building your business will likely be more challenging on a number of dimensions. So what – that’s the normal cycle of business. You don’t need to be a blind optimist and spout happy talk, but you do need to have a clear sense of purpose and goals for your company. Leadership 101. When I look back at the dotcom apocalypse that was 2000 – 2002, I realize some of the best companies I’ve ever been involved in were created during that time. In the midst of this, I remember the endless stream of “the Internet is over” and “the information technology business in now a mature business and there will never be innovation again.” Yeah – whatever. Get some exercise, take a shower, eat a good breakfast, and get out there and build a great business.

Brad’s been a successful entrepreneur and VC and knows what he’s talking about.