All,
I just joined a mid stage startup which does information management for businesses after a year of consulting. I perform a myriad of tasks, from operations and logistics, to the implementation consulting to the programming / R&D. I have a technology/math undergrad degree from a not Ivy good school (think top 20)
All of the above is cool, and great experience, I guess. But, I really want to perform some sort of VC work. I have read many an article on how to crack into the field, but it seems like networking is the way to go. Anyone with any advice on approach to doing this? The startup is located in a city that has a lot of financial services and healthcare early/mid stage VC companies in the area, but not a major city by any means.
Thoughts? Advice?
This isn't about exactly the same topic, but a lot of the same principles apply - it's all about good, tenacious networking. This is even more important in VC, since it's a much smaller world, smaller firms, and a generally more reputation-based business.
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/how-to-jump-to-the-buyside-after-…
move to bay area, boston, or nyc.
VC Networking (Originally Posted: 04/21/2012)
Looking to break into venture capital. From what I can gather about the industry, it requires networking and contacts on top of relevant experience. I understand it is very difficult to find jobs at the analyst position but I have a few questions.
What kind of events should I be attending to meet vc's? How can I meet lots of vc's while not working at a start up?
Currently I am living in Phoenix and I'm also wondering if it would be more beneficial to start out with a vc firm in silicone valley first or start here.
You need start-up experience, banking experience, or consulting experience to land a VC gig. Very few firms take analysts fresh from college except mainly to do sourcing (calling random companies and trying to bring deals to the pipeline).
If you did start right out of college are you even learning anything that will help you move up?
Not really, you'd be more or less a calling machine. Most of the skills at the junior-level of a VC can be attained at a call center or doing sales. Breaking into VC should be more of a long term goal
The way you move up is getting an MBA & some corp. dev experience/start-up experience
I was under the impression that if I went the MBA route without vc experience first, that it would be harder.
Are you saying start at vc, then go into ib or mc and then MBA?
have you guys seen anyone do the ibanking analyst -> start up -> VC route?
or would you say that after working for 4-5 years you are a bit on the older side for VC analyst/associate roles?
thanks
I know several Principals and Partners at VCs, along with some associates/analysts.
I know because I've won hackathons (my name is google-able) and attend a lot of tech events. So my scope is very limited, just to preface.
They take entrepreneurs that have had successful/semi-successful startups or engineers. Especially at the early stage series A rounds, they don't even talk modeling. They talk about team background, team synergy, and market for their concept. That's what they base funding off.
Engineers help them understand the technical roadmap/bullshit killer at meetings. Successful entrepreneurs assess management teams.
The vast amount of VCs in tech are early stage; there are very few late stage funds that require modeling experience.
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