A chronicle of thoughts, strategies and progress towards my goal of a successful career in venture capital
What do you want to do when you grow up?
I would wager that a good majority of working adults can't answer that question. But if you don't know where you want to go, how can you get there? You can't.
My answer to the above question - A successful career in venture capital.
The genesis of my interest in VC is completely generic (an entrepreneurship course in B-school), and is probably echoed by hundreds of new college grads and MBA students every day. I don't think that is a bad thing though, it just demonstrates the appeal of the industry. Who wouldn't want to identify promising young companies, work with a variety of the best and brightest entrepreneurs, and help small companies grow into successful, sustainable businesses?
So why would I be a good venture capitalist? Right now - I wouldn't.
That is why I've sketched out a 5+ year plan. While I might not be able to make a significant contribution to a VC business right now, I do think I have the skill set and drive to get to that point.
I have experience in startups, both founding my own and working at a venture backed company. I have been through and contributed to the transition of a startup into a public company (AUTH). And I have seen first hand the benefits and issues that arise when a startup is acquired and assimilated into a much larger corporation. I know the pressure of hitting quarterly numbers, the frustration of corporate bureaucracies, and the pain of working through business downturns which result in layoffs.
While I have a good variety of experiences that are certainly applicable to VC, I don't feel that I have the necessary breadth or depth (yet) to be a successful venture capitalist.
In another few years, I'll be ready. This site will chronicle my progress and thoughts along the way.
My answer to the above question - A successful career in venture capital.
The genesis of my interest in VC is completely generic (an entrepreneurship course in B-school), and is probably echoed by hundreds of new college grads and MBA students every day. I don't think that is a bad thing though, it just demonstrates the appeal of the industry. Who wouldn't want to identify promising young companies, work with a variety of the best and brightest entrepreneurs, and help small companies grow into successful, sustainable businesses?
So why would I be a good venture capitalist? Right now - I wouldn't.
That is why I've sketched out a 5+ year plan. While I might not be able to make a significant contribution to a VC business right now, I do think I have the skill set and drive to get to that point.
I have experience in startups, both founding my own and working at a venture backed company. I have been through and contributed to the transition of a startup into a public company (AUTH). And I have seen first hand the benefits and issues that arise when a startup is acquired and assimilated into a much larger corporation. I know the pressure of hitting quarterly numbers, the frustration of corporate bureaucracies, and the pain of working through business downturns which result in layoffs.
While I have a good variety of experiences that are certainly applicable to VC, I don't feel that I have the necessary breadth or depth (yet) to be a successful venture capitalist.
In another few years, I'll be ready. This site will chronicle my progress and thoughts along the way.