As harassment scandal reaches tech industry, US startups look for ways to check bad behaviour

Dave McClure, founding member of 500 Startups, makes a presentation on April 17, 2015 at an event where tech companies and venture capitalists meet in San Francisco, Calif. McClure resigned after allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct. (Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Venture capitalists have long had godlike status in the tech industry. 

Founders venerate them because they need their money. Limited partners eagerly throw billions of dollars their way, enamoured by their outsize investment returns.