How do I make partner in VC without starting an 10 figure company?

I am very interested in the venture capital field and I have talked to a few partners at big firms like Sequoia, Khosla ventures, and Lightspeed partners. All the partners that I met were C suite executives of a startup that reached a billion dollar valuation; that the VC funded. And they got picked up from there.

Is their another route? Or will I have to start a billion dollar company to get my dream job?

If this is the wrong forum please move it.

Cordially,

Nick H

7 Comments
 
Most Helpful

You don't necessarily need to found a company, but it would be helpful to have significant operating experience. Product Manager roles are pretty good feeders for VC, especially at the early stage. If you can't found your own thing but you're a PM at an established tech company or join a startup that does well, that would probably position you best.

Later stage you could make it through more traditional paths like tech banking.

In general VC, especially earlier stages, is all about team, product, product market fit, etc all things that you're much closer to when you're in a tech operating role vs banking or consulting.

 

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