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...
[Continue Reading]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...
[Continue Reading]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...
[Continue Reading]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....
[Continue Reading]Diversity, why international startups love NY, and why NY VCs love international startups
New York is now the second-most-active tech ecosystem in the US on all key metrics, after the Bay Area. One of the drivers for that growth is that for European, Israeli, Latin American, and Eastern Canada-linked companies, the East Coast is much closer than California. New York venture capitalists like me recognize this trend, and...
[Continue Reading]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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