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Why being a VC sucks. Advice to anyone who wants to get into venture capital.

This is going to be BIG.

I probably get around a dozen e-mails a week asking me how to get into venture capital. On top of that, anytime I talk to anyone who wants to get involved in startups but isn''t sure what they want to do, inevitably, I hear, "And then I was thinking maybe I should look into venture capital, too.". Few firms persist.

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Bad Notes on Venture Capital

Both Sides of the Table

On the phone … Me: So, you raised venture capital? Convertible notes have both features in them but for some reason entrepreneurs don’t understand it. It’s like we need a finance 101 course for entrepreneurs. It’s like we need a finance 101 course for entrepreneurs. We raised a seed round.

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Both Things Can Be True: Bias and Bad Fundraising Advice

This is going to be BIG.

The startup ecosystem is a terrific manufacturer of bad fundraising advice. Or that venture capital is a meritocracy? I’ve backed multiple Black founders and entrepreneurs from the LGBTQ community and so I’ve seen a very wide mix of founders pitch, get funded and get passed on. That adds risk.

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The Problem with Startup Advice

This is going to be BIG.

I'm often the last one to leave an event, held back by the most persistant of entrepreneurs trying to squeeze as much advice as they can out of me. Often times, the advice is terrible or impractical. Venture capital is kind of like a knuckleball. I'll show up generally anywhere I get invited to speak.

advice 416
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Venture Capital is About Human Capital

Both Sides of the Table

The number one advice I give is “stop trying to be too smart”. Most VCs did well academically and had enough career success that a venture firm was willing to give them an investment role or they were able to raise their own fund. Fundamentally venture capital is about human capital. I don’t think this is the job.

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10 Misperceptions About Venture Capital

This is going to be BIG.

Not every company raises venture capital—most don’t. Whenever I ask an entrepreneur to e-mail me, I can tell they’re feeling like I’m brushing them off. I get paid to do this and I absolutely want to engage with smart entrepreneurs. Or, ask a question and get some advice. 1) You need it.

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What Tech Entrepreneurs Could Learn from Chamillionaire

Both Sides of the Table

On why you should be an entrepreneur, “A lot of people do what they have to do. He said that he noticed a lot of tech entrepreneurs don’t speak into the mic, don’t project their voices with confidence and aren’t necessarily paying attention to the mood or energy of the audience.