Is there a perfect profile for an Entrepreneur?

Ok, so long time lurker here.

I am 25 yo about to start a MIM degree in September. I have some previous entrepreneurial experience but in south Europe in an non sexy industry (think non-tech and very niche market) so VC funding was not for me. However the business is doing good in that market with more than 10% growth in the past 5 years.

Now I was thinking that I want to give another go to entrepreneurship but this time my idea is in tech (think something related to crowd funding-sourcing) and actually target some VC funding.

What I wanted to ask you guys is simple. Would it be better for my chances in VC to actually get some pedigree (ie working in IB or Consulting) before trying to approach the investors ?

Give it a go now or endure 1-2 years in a "prestigious" working environment so I get "certified"?

 

Thank you for the answer,

I've seen that too(about stupid ideas getting funded) . But being familiar with how money are given in Greece I assumed that these were companies with the "right" connections.

On the other hand, (assuming that you are familiar with the greek business climate) I'm not sure that founding a business there is the right spot. Fewer connections, less exposure, a lot of taxes. That's why I want o know if getting money in the rest of the Europe (Berlin, London, Paris, Milan) is going to be easier if you have people who are somehow familiar faces or familiar CVs

 

Stuff that I learnt during my entrepreneurial journey:-

1.) Pedigree matters - companies worked, school, everything 2.) Connections matter - not who your connections are, but rather, whether your startup is connected to key people overall. Best seek a top notch board of key advisors before seeking funding. 3.) Investors are abound and aplenty. Just need to grind till you gain them. Also, VCs (especially in Europe) will often try to lowball you, so you might want to consider nontraditional investors, especially in the current cash aplenty climate. 4.) Nontraditional Investors in Western Europe will look down upon you simply because you're Greek.

GoldenCinderblock: "I keep spending all my money on exotic fish so my armor sucks. Is it possible to romance multiple females? I got with the blue chick so far but I am also interested in the electronic chick and the face mask chick."
 

Zero. We were kids when we started it out. We were laughed out of a bunch of VC meetings because our team was weak. Luckily, we were able to build our network through the Board of Advisors we had created - and once we had a solid contract in our hands, it was our turn to laugh at the VCs.

Why? Because if they had agreed to fund us, even without any renegotiation from their side, they would have been able to lowball us severely and made a bargain during the exit. Unfortunately for them, they didn't and the lone investor we had made an insane return.

GoldenCinderblock: "I keep spending all my money on exotic fish so my armor sucks. Is it possible to romance multiple females? I got with the blue chick so far but I am also interested in the electronic chick and the face mask chick."
 

Quam non nobis quam voluptatibus vitae. Fugiat aliquid repellendus et quis accusamus et fuga dicta. Magnam repudiandae perspiciatis dolore magnam exercitationem consequatur. Reprehenderit nam et inventore neque minus eos natus. Aut voluptas optio voluptates voluptatem in error quae.

Sint delectus aliquid quae nulla. Quaerat rem est repellendus et.

Corrupti dolore quaerat aspernatur. Consequatur vel autem reprehenderit. At dignissimos nemo quo omnis officia fugit. Ea vitae ullam adipisci earum eum aliquam. Quas repudiandae autem nihil inventore porro qui dolores ipsam.

"All men are alike in their dreams, and all men are alike in the promises they make. The difference is what they do."— Jean Baptiste Moliere

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 99.0%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.4%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.4%
  • Ardian 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Bain Capital 99.0%
  • Blackstone Group 98.4%
  • Warburg Pincus 97.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (22) $569
  • Vice President (92) $362
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (90) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (205) $268
  • 1st Year Associate (387) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (29) $154
  • 2nd Year Analyst (83) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (246) $122
  • Intern/Summer Associate (32) $82
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (314) $59
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”