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VC
 

Advice on how to get funding?

runthetown's picture
 
Points)
 on 5/21/13 at 8:12pm

I have a prototype of the product built (after some pivots) as well as an investor deck. I've also been hitting the pavement to try to develop relationships with institutions (my end consumers). I applied to an accelerator program last week and haven't heard back. I also submitted my investor deck with the description of the business on various VC firm websites that provide seed but I'm sure they get tons of those per day. Where can I get funding/VC relationships to achieve my vision? Anyone know a god way to find angels in CA?

BYOD?

curiousG's picture
IB
(Baboon, 168
 
Points)
 on 5/10/13 at 4:56pm

I remember just a few years ago reading a discussion on this site about new IB analysts from different banks comparing which blackberry they were given as their business phones.
I understand these days a lot of companies allow their employees to bring their own devices to work and use them for work purpose and I was curious about what the norm is in VC world now. Upon hiring, do they give you a new work phone like they used to years back, or times have changed and they expect you to use your own phone for work? I am particularly interested in a smaller VC firm.
Also, between iOS and Android platforms, are there any difference/advantage/disadvantage in terms of using it for work purpose?
Thanks in advance.

What to wear for VC interview?

chimpanzee's picture
(Monkey, 52
 
Points)
 on 5/4/13 at 7:35pm

Hi everyone, I have an interview for a venture capital internship interview in the Boston area, just wondering what I should be wearing? I know everyone there will be dressed pretty casual, will it look weird if I still go in a full suit and tie?

Thanks

Exit Opps: No name boutique with well connected MD's

Plastic Cup Boys's picture
(Baboon, 139
 
Points)
 on 5/3/13 at 4:09am

What are your thoughts on exit opps (PE / VC / Corp Dev / HF) for an analyst at a no name boutique with well connected MD's? Not a complete no-name but one that has a recognizable brand in the niche market it focuses in. Does anyone have personal experience successfully jumping to a legit buy-side firm from a lesser-known boutique?

How hard is it to get interviews in such a case? Even if the analyst were to get interviews, will he / she be at a big disadvantage compared to a peer who is at a BB / MM / elite boutique, assuming both candidates have the same amount of knowledge? How much weight is put on the name of the firm?

Tried the search function, but didn't have much luck. Thanks in advance.

Venture Capital Job Opening Now - PM me with email

Xepa's picture
CO
(Gorilla, 509
 
Points)
 on 4/4/13 at 2:17pm
vc.jpg

I posted this on VC, but the position is more Marketing-ish so perhaps a general audience would be more interested than the people who typically frequent the VC forum.

Associate

Paraphrasing responsibilities:

Directly from my source: "The main skill I am looking for is someone web/tech savvy, ideally with some basic HTML, attention to detail (copyediting materials), and good verbal communications skills since they will be interacting with a lot of important people around our conferences. And with at least basic Spanish. "

*Helping coordinate events and working with country-specific VCs on larger scale projects

*Social Media stuff

*Need to speak a language used in latin america (ie: portugese, spanish, etc.)

*Based in NYC with international travel

Recruiting a fellow (FinTech) monkey

ametista's picture
O
 
Points)
 on 3/7/13 at 8:18pm

I'm putting together a small team to launch a blog on FinTech.
It's an increasingly popular subject (for all kinds of reasons), and basically no one covering it.

Currently we have a few high-profile collaborators, including a funded startup CEO. We're recruiting part-time (even a few hours per week) writers/collaborators for the blog, so if you're interested shoot me a message. Only requirements are good command of English language and interest for finance and technology.

There is no remuneration, as we're all in this for passion and not money (and the blog won't monetize). But it's a good opportunity to be part of something big, since we're aiming pretty high.

Major VC or GS/MS/JPM?

ametista's picture
O
 
Points)
 on 2/28/13 at 7:12pm

I am a soon-to-be-grad with an offer for a famous american VC fund in London (think Accel), and an offer for IBD in a good BB (think GS/MS/JPM).

I'm tempted to join the VC, which I find majorly more interesting than cranking out pitches all-night. On the other hand, the fund is in London, and I'm not sure they are as relevant there as they are in silicon valley.

But I'm afraid that I will miss out on the training of 2 years of banking. I know the skillset is different, but having worked in a BB does provide you with many useful skills. (I interned at the BB last summer)

Plus, I'm not 100% sure I want to work in VC/startups all of my life, and I'm afraid that starting at the VC = pidgeon holed.

What do you think?

BB risk management vs reputable boutique/MM IBD

black mamba22's picture
IB
(Baboon, 128
 
Points)
 on 2/17/13 at 6:15pm

I realize the brand name at the BB is big, but how far does that take you with exits like PE/VC and chances of getting into a good b school, as compared to IBD at a top boutique/MM in NYC?

VC to IB?

QC's picture
 
Points)
 on 2/7/13 at 12:12pm

Background: Sophomore at a top Canadian University doing Finance/Economics looking for a summer internship.

I have the opportunity to do a internship at a VC firm in California (around 500M to 1B fund size). I couldn't land a SA position and have started to cold-email a lot of banks. I eventually want to do banking (in Canada) when I graduate and am looking for the best route to achieve that.

I have a couple of options:
1) Go through with the VC Internship
2) Keep grinding and looking for banks who are willing to pick up an intern still
3) I checked out some job postings and was able to find a Treasury role at large Metals + Mining firm. I was thinking about getting some industry experience and leverage this experience when I apply for internships in my Junior year.

Start Garden

liquidityaddiction's picture
CF
(Monkey, 50
 
Points)
 on 1/25/13 at 4:27pm
SG-wall.jpg

There is a new "Venture Capital" fund (more seed funding) called Start Garden. http://startgarden.com/

They invest $5000 in two ideas each week. One decided on by the fund and the second decided on by public vote.

I'm curious to hear what WSO has to say about the idea...

F500 Corp Rotational Program to VC?

kfactor824's picture
 
Points)
 on 1/24/13 at 12:32am

I received an offer for an F500 Corp Rotational Program pre mba. My career goal is to work in VC. However this F500 is an fashion company, am I positioning myself negatively if I take this offer? I do not see much play as an fashion company to VC unless I play the consumer angle....Any help would be greatly appreciated.

First Round Style

Pwn3r's picture
(Monkey, 47
 
Points)
 on 12/29/12 at 10:56pm

I'm just gonna leave this here...

http://youtu.be/okueA9dFcnc

West Coast IB -> NYC Buyside

WestCoastEastCoast's picture
(Monkey, 38
 
Points)
 on 12/23/12 at 3:16am

How difficult is it to go from Cali IB to buyside shops in NYC? Interviewing logistics is probably going to be the biggest obstacle but does anyone know people who've done it and how?

Boutique VC Analyst Salary

vc_temp's picture
(Chimp, 4
 
Points)
 on 12/20/12 at 10:07am

Hey guys,

Just wanted a quick opinion on whether I'm underpaid or not. Would you say a base salary of 60-65k + 25% bonus is reasonable for an first year / second year analyst position is reasonable? I have one year unrelated experience + about a half year at my current VC boutique. I'm working around 60 hours a week and keep in mind this is a small fund and in a 2nd/3rd tier city (think similar to Cleveland/Indianapolis/Milwaukee).

College -> VC?

Zweihander's picture
IB
 
Points)
 on 12/3/12 at 7:18pm

Little about me: BB IBD SA (rotated in TMT & LevFin), applying for grad roles in M&A, but have only ever been interested in banking as a stepping stone to VC.

Does anyone know any firms that take on college grads? Don't mind if its "bitchwork" for first couple years (banking's not much better in that respect).

The Power of the Kitty

Disincentivy's picture
VC
(Gorilla, 712
 
Points)
 on 11/11/12 at 1:45pm
i can has funds.jpg

I've had some super eventful last couple of weeks, dead laptop, shattered phone screen ,admissions events, canceled travel plans, canceled admissions events, midterms, some anxiety, stupid friends, stupider professors, where did my paycheck go? Was I supposed to feed the fish?

All this, including the dead fish is one thing- and this one client of mine is another. For the sake of this post, I would like to call her: ClientWTF.

ClientWTF was introduced to the fund the day I started my job. The introduction went something like this:

Partner: WTF, this is Dis, the newest addition to our overwhelmed analyst collection. She loves cats.
ClientWTF: Oh really? I knew this is a great day, karma is in the works. I have 11 cats.

Knock Knock Knocking on Vee Cee Door

Disincentivy's picture
VC
(Gorilla, 712
 
Points)
 on 10/26/12 at 12:30pm
Find yo angel

My little precious startup idea is hungry and I want to feed it in the hopes that in a gazillion months it will pay for itself and for my therapy sessions and all the anxiety medicine I am now dependent on, so naturally, I think: Hey, VCs are going to eat this up, baby. Oh yeah show me the money.

I put my best shoes on, armed with my solid business plan I knock on the door, an analyst asks me a few questions, an associate giggles, and a partner hands me my butt and shows me the door. Well that was fast, what happened? They didn’t even get to the business plan part! How outrageous and WTF!

The giggling probably started when big bird was brought to the table. The Money. How much money do you need? A 100k? 200? A million?

"You ain’t getting that job” -three major VCs & a Harvard Prof

Disincentivy's picture
VC
(Gorilla, 712
 
Points)
 on 10/12/12 at 1:00pm
Venture Capitalists Are Evil

My appetite for knowledge changes with the seasons, and as fall rolls into a full-blown depression mixed with an unstoppable force of hormonal surges, I have sunk my inexplicable desire for information into my new subject of obsession: Vee Cee

As a result of my previous post, I have received quiet a few PMs, some included crotch shots, and others were legitimate questions about “how to break into VC” and “Qualifications needed to be a VCist” I wanted to respond individually, but I really didn’t know what to say. I didn’t have an educated and accurate answer, so naturally, I turn to my boss for answers.

In a car heading over to Westchester…(classy, I know)
D:

So why did you hire me?

A quizzical look takes over my boss’s face, keeps eye on the road, turns music up
Rack city b***h, rack, rack city b***h

A few moments of head bobbing and gangsterism pass by before he says:

Because you ask the most unexpected questions.

So Many Eggs in Vee Cee

Disincentivy's picture
VC
(Gorilla, 712
 
Points)
 on 10/7/12 at 2:00am
So Many Eggs, Man

I went through a few rounds of interviews at the fund that I now call my employer, I was asked insane questions, easy questions, technical questions, and borderline bizarre questions, but I was not asked the most obvious question I expected to answer. What is Venture Capital?

I thank all the deities in the world and nearby galaxies that I wasn’t asked this during the interview process! Had I given the answer I was prepared to give, the one I meticulously crafted after several, long minutes spent browsing the interwebz. I will have been unemployed now.

The first couple of weeks on the job were truly a humbling experience. I got laughed at, called a “Sell Side Scroog”, and umpteen business plans (most of which were rejected ventures) were thrown on my desk while a senior analyst blurted the word “learn” in a tone that suggests sorrow and sadomasochism.

Q&A: WSOP Winner Quits the Game, Bets Big on Flowers, Plans for a Spectacular Bloom

Disincentivy's picture
VC
(Gorilla, 712
 
Points)
 on 9/23/12 at 12:45pm
BN_Logo.jpg

At 4:00 AM on a breezy Tel-Aviv Wednesday morning, I spent one hour on Skype with David Daneshgar that made me forget the exhausting trip I had just taken and the deep cavity search I’ve went through at the borders.

We’ve talked about his interesting background; great win of the World Series of Poker in 2008 and his thoughts on the game, his newest business venture, Bloomnation, Venture Capitals, business school, and amazing shouting matches with his two awesome partners.

Our conversation was flowing, David is very easy going, very passionate, and this is what he had to say:

David, tell me a little bit about your background
I finished undergrad at UC, Berkley and got interested in poker. I started playing a lot and got quiet good. Given that Berkley is very liberal, students were allowed to teach classes if they demonstrated strength in a particular subject, so I started teaching probability and statistics of gaming.

delete

finnjav21's picture
VC
(Monkey, 64
 
Points)
 on 9/18/12 at 9:16am

delete

Where can I find a database of venture capital firms?

The Wall Street Oasis Company Database includes thousands of financial firms, including venture capital firms. This database allows you to filter and search by zip code, industry and keyword. Included in the database are thousands of compensation data points as well as company reviews and interview insights by firm. Please click here to check it out: WSO Company Database

What should I read if I am interested in venture capital?

Welcome to the Wall Street Oasis Reading List for Venture Capital. Please email [email protected] if you think we should add in additional publications to our Recommended Reading.

The Easy Reads section contains books meant to give a general idea about a career or industry. Technical Reads are meant for people with some business experience or with some exposure to the industry, and it may include more technical writing. The Career Jump-Start section focuses on literature that will help you get a job, including: interviews guides, firm/recruiter lists, and/or compensation data.


Easy Reads

Where can I find some of the best discussions on venture capital?

Click here for our Venture Capital forums. It is where we discuss the industry as well as different firms and groups.

These are a collection of some of the best discussions created for and replied to by members of the WSO community on the topic of venture capital. Keep in mind this is by no means a comprehensive list and reading old and current posts will help you learn more about the industry. If you think we missed one that should be included here, please e-mail [email protected] the request.

Q&A & Interview posts with VC professionals:

What are some common acronyms used on WSO?

If you are confused by all the lingo getting thrown around Wall Street and the WSO forums, you've come to the right place. We know it can be confusing but don't worry, we are here to help! Below you will find a comprehensive list of finance acronyms for words and phrases in finance. This is a great place to start so that you can follow along in forum discussions easily.

-AM (Asset Management): Refers to the industry which manages assets, whether institutional or personal (PWM, PB)

9/10 Startups Fail?

jtom4444's picture
(Monkey, 33
 
Points)
 on 9/2/12 at 1:53pm
Success Failure

I just got done watching Start-Up Junkies on HULU. Pretty cool documentary and does a great job of showing how the start-up process works. At the beginning of the show they reiterate the old stat that 9/10 start-ups fail. I call BS. http://smallbusinessplanned.com/information/small-...

So my question to those in VC, what has been the failure rate from your experience?

Tarang Shah- Startup Analysis Model (SAM)

finnjav21's picture
VC
(Monkey, 64
 
Points)
 on 8/21/12 at 1:12pm

I was reading recently about Tarang Shah and his Startup Analysis Model. I was unable to find any information on what this model looks like or is comprised of. Is anyone here familiar with it?

Undergrad Straight to VC?

Darkmouth's picture
(Chimp, 2
 
Points)
 on 8/8/12 at 5:07pm

Would like to get a VC internship next summer and hopefully convert that into a full-time offer.

http://www.razume.com/documents/26846