The investment committee rejected you; what does that actually mean?

One of the most common ways a venture capitalist rejects you is a variation of, “I love you, I love your company.  I brought it up to the investment committee (“IC”)….but they turned it down.” What does that actually mean? Is this the business equivalent of telling a flame, “It’s not you, it’s me”? A...

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What’s your VC tech stack? Results from a survey of early-stage VC funds

(written by Philipp von dem Knesebeck, Managing Partner, Blue Future Partners (bluefp.com, @bluefutureteam), and David Teten) VCs are at the forefront of technological disruption, funding many of the latest cutting edge productivity tools. But what tools are they using themselves to automate their own processes? As a globally focussed LP in early stage VC funds, we at Blue Future...

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How entrepreneurs and executives can work with private equity and VC funds

I presented a few weeks ago to the American Marketing Association Executive Forum on how their members can work with and earn money from private equity and venture capital funds. I discussed all of the major engagement models: Expert Networks, Consulting, Interim Executives, Advisors, Board Members, Deal Executives, and Executives in Residence/Entrepreneurs in Residence. I’ve...

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Venture capitalists eating their own dog food: How private equity investors are using technology and analytics

I just published a guest essay in AlleyWatch on Venture capitalists eating their own dog food: How private equity investors are using technology and analytics (as of Sep. 2017). As of Dec. 2019, I posted an updated version here....

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How to Join a VC or Private Equity Firm as a Partner, or Recruit a Partner

This is part of a series on building your career in venture capital: Reading list for working in private equity/venture capital, including all of the major online communities, programs, and educational options for people studying VC How to win consulting, board, operating, and investment roles with private equity and venture capital funds (video) How to...

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First-ever survey of VC tech stacks

We think one of the industries with the greatest room for improved use of technology is venture capital itself.   Blue Future Partners, a fund of funds, and PEVCTech.com are now running what we believe is the first-ever large-scale survey of VC firms’ technology stacks. Filling out this survey should take you no more than 7...

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