How to effectively gather, organise and learn about information on industry and company before meeting the founder

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some detailed steps to effectively gather, organize, and learn about an industry and company before meeting with founders or industry experts:

Steps to Understand a Sector/Market:

1. Identify Key Sub-Segments:

   • Break down the market into different sub-segments.
   • Understand the competitive landscape, including incumbents and disruptors.

2. Conduct Market Research:

   • Talk to Customers/Partners: Engage with customers and partners of companies within the industry.
   • Review Surveys: Look at industry surveys and reports from reputable sources like Gartner or Forrester.
   • Read Industry Reports: Go through detailed industry reports to understand market trends and growth potential.

3. Engage with Industry Experts:

   • Attend Conferences: Participate in industry conferences to gain insights and network with experts.
   • Consult Experts: Have conversations with subject matter experts to get a deeper understanding of the market.

4. Analyze the Competitive Landscape:

   • Identify key players in the market and understand their positions.
   • Look at recent acquisitions and rounds of financing for prominent startups in the space.

5. Understand Government Policies:

   • Research government policies and regulations that impact the industry.
   • Understand how these policies can affect market growth and company operations.

6. Leverage Online Resources:

   • Use online platforms like johngannonblog.com for VC opportunities and industry information.
   • Keep up with current news and events to stay informed about market trends.

Organizing and Presenting Information:

1. Create a Structured Report:

   • Executive Summary: Provide a high-level overview of the industry and key findings.
   • Market Analysis: Detail the market size, growth potential, and key trends.
   • Competitive Landscape: Outline the main competitors and their market positions.
   • Regulatory Environment: Summarize relevant government policies and their implications.

2. Develop Strong Opinions:

   • Formulate strong, informed opinions on the market and be ready to discuss them.
   • Be knowledgeable about recent trends and be prepared to ask insightful questions.

3. Prepare for Conversations:

   • When meeting with industry experts or company founders, have a list of thoughtful questions.
   • Be ready to discuss specific trends and your thoughts on the market.

Practical Tips:

• Network Aggressively: Leverage your network to get meetings with industry experts and learn from their experiences.
• Stay Informed: Regularly read industry news and updates to keep your knowledge current.
• Be Conversational: During interviews, aim for a conversational tone and be ready to share your insights and opinions.

By following these steps, you can effectively gather, organize, and apply industry and company information, ensuring you are well-prepared for meetings with founders and industry experts.

Sources: Q&A: 1st year VC analyst (~750M AUM), Q&A: Analyst --> Associate at a VC / Growth Equity Firm, Learning Curve as 2nd Year Analyst, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/venture-capital/early-stage-vc-101-5-questions-you-better-be-able-to-answer?customgpt=1, Hedge Fund: The Investment Life Cycle