As a Venture Capital freelancer, you need to keep up with the latest developments and opportunities in your industry. But how can you do that without spending too much time and money on research, networking, and training? Here are some tips to help you stay current with industry trends as a Venture Capital freelancer.
One of the easiest ways to get insights and updates from experts and practitioners in the Venture Capital field is to subscribe to newsletters and podcasts. You can find many free and paid sources of information online, covering topics such as market analysis, deal flow, fundraising, portfolio management, and more. Some examples are StrictlyVC, The Twenty Minute VC, and PitchBook News. You can also create your own personalized feed of relevant content using tools like Feedly or Flipboard.
To stay updated with current trends definitely it is required that you should subscribe to major Industry newsletter and listen to podcasts of the known and most active channels so you can have the idea of the POV of market and know what VC are looking for as a investment and what will be good approach to deal.
As Nobel laureate physicist Robert Oppenheimer once said "There is no better way to learn than to teach", an ultra effective way to stay current with industry trends is instructing creative managers, consulting corporate executives as well as mentoring startup entrepreneurs. Why? Simply because as an Investment and Venture Capital freelancer, there are no better clients than your mentees and consultees.
As a serial entrepreneur I always invented original business concepts that had market ownership. I want to create and own a market. Could never understand getting into someone else’s business. Seems to me that the same approach should apply to a successful VC strategy. Following the herd might work but it’s better to create a market and let the herd follow you.
Our company, Sayj Global Partners, creates podcasts by interviewing people active in the VC arena. We serve as judges for Tier 1 pitch events and post comments on LinkedIn. We established USMentors to provide advice and training.
This is an excellent baseline activity, but it's crucial to curate your sources meticulously. Quality trumps quantity. For instance, consider newsletters that not only provide market data but also delve into the strategic implications of that data. Podcasts, meanwhile, should ideally feature interviews with industry disruptors and seasoned investors, offering not just information but wisdom and foresight.
Another way to stay current with industry trends as a Venture Capital freelancer is to join online communities and forums where you can interact with other professionals, learn from their experiences, and ask questions. You can find many platforms and groups dedicated to Venture Capital, such as AngelList, Product Hunt, Hacker News, and Quora. You can also use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to follow influential people and organizations in the industry, and engage with their posts and comments.
VCs and investors have a constant need to keep up with trends. Joining online communities and forums such as those available on LinkedIn, Reddit, etc provide an opportunity to keep track of trends. In addition to the above, I also track key personalities on Twitter/X, LinkedIn etc to stay tuned to what is top of mind for these industry leaders.
The key here is active participation rather than passive observation. Engage in discussions, share insights, and even challenge prevailing opinions respectfully. This active involvement can offer a deeper understanding of market sentiments and trends. Additionally, consider contributing to these forums as a thought leader, which can enhance your personal brand and professional network.
An investment will only grow disproportionately if the timing is right. That's why it's so important to watch trends and driving forces in the target markets. This also includes picking up on topics that are not directly related to the start-up idea, but could ensure that the idea becomes successful years later. But just following trends means being always too late in the game. Best thoughts are not always public, so a dedicated WhatsApp channel with the right peers could be very valuable.
I build my own. From each deal. I make a network effect of my own based solely on my daily work. Never know when that skill comes back for you.
Totally agree - there are a plethora of online communities and forums, and I personally find TechCrunch and LinkedIn to be very useful sources of updates on venture capital.
A third way to stay current with industry trends as a Venture Capital freelancer is to attend events and webinars that are relevant to your niche and interests. You can find many opportunities to network, learn, and pitch your ideas at events and webinars organized by associations, accelerators, incubators, universities, and media outlets. Some examples are TechCrunch Disrupt, Y Combinator Demo Day, and Startup Grind. You can also use platforms like Eventbrite, Meetup, and Zoom to discover and join online events and webinars.
In India, staying abreast of industry trends as a Venture Capital freelancer involves active participation in local events. Attend gatherings like Nasscom Product Conclave, TiECON, or Indian Angel Network events. Leverage online platforms such as BookMyShow, Meetup, or Zoom to explore virtual events. These forums provide invaluable opportunities to connect with regional players, understand market nuances, and pitch innovative ideas. Networking at events like TechSparks or IIT E-Summit can be instrumental in building relationships within the vibrant Indian startup ecosystem. Embrace the diverse range of events catering to India's dynamic entrepreneurial landscape for holistic industry insights.
Definitely attending the events is a general practices to be in touch with VC partners and analysts and also a great way of networking. In today time webinars and online events have given you a flexibility that saves your time and also be in the picture.
One can consider doing activities in order to be active in VC space: (a) Actively participate in networking events, meetups, and forums where venture capital professionals converge. Engaging with insiders provides valuable insights into their investment strategies. (b) Utilize platforms like LinkedIn to connect with venture capitalists. Request informational interviews to gain a deeper understanding of their investment thesis. (c) Identify Conferences and Webinars that aligned with your industry and interests. Look for opportunities featuring thought leaders and experts as speakers. (d) Capture key takeaways and interesting ideas during events. Follow up with speakers and attendees to foster discussions and potential collaborations.
The key to attending events is to join smaller side-events. At many of the major tech events, you'll find smaller events like dinners, networking mingles and even activities like hikes and sports. Make sure to find side events that seem relevant to you and reach out to the organizers to join. You'll get a chance to meet new people in your field and you'll increase your chances to get to know them better in a private setting.
While networking and learning at these events are beneficial, I recommend a strategic approach. Identify events where you can meet potential investment prospects or collaborators rather than attending generic industry gatherings. Focus on events that align with your specific investment thesis or areas of interest.
A fourth way to stay current with industry trends as a Venture Capital freelancer is to read books and reports that provide in-depth knowledge and analysis of the industry. You can find many books and reports that cover topics such as industry history, best practices, case studies, trends, and predictions. Some examples are Venture Deals by Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson, The Business of Venture Capital by Mahendra Ramsinghani, and The State of European Tech by Atomico. You can also use platforms like Amazon, Google Books, and Scribd to access and download books and reports.
While foundational, this approach should be supplemented with real-time data and trends. Books and reports can sometimes lag current market dynamics. Therefore, complement this with a steady intake of up-to-date research papers, whitepapers from leading consulting firms, and real-time market analysis.
Read investment thesis - A lot of VCs are happy to post their investment thesis on their early stage investments and often those are quite insightful. I have found it very informative to be subscribed to some of these VC blogs and reading what is being said.
There is way too much noise around AI. Stay away from politics, and focus on good books and reports. I leverage every serious "State of AI" report from big consulting firms or even big tech and recommend Peter Lee's latest book on AI and GPT (he was my boss in Microsoft Research).
In a fast-paced world, the significance of time cannot be overstated. Engaging in regular reading of industry reports emerges as a highly effective strategy for maintaining a comprehensive understanding of any given sector. This practice not only keeps individuals well-informed but also ensures they stay abreast of pivotal events that could significantly impact the industry landscape. By dedicating time to peruse reports, one not only gains insights into current trends but also cultivates a proactive approach to adapt and respond to the dynamic nature of various sectors.
Reading market reports and studying the tech media is a great way to stay on top of the trends that everybody else is looking at as well. Given VC is such an outlier game and given VCs love to behave as herd animals, you may be better off studying the topics that everybody else has forgotten about to find the gem that everyone else is overlooking. It happens more often than not that great companies are overlooked by VCs for a long time.
A fifth way to stay current with industry trends as a Venture Capital freelancer is to take courses and certifications that can help you improve your skills and credentials. You can find many courses and certifications that cover topics such as valuation, due diligence, term sheets, negotiations, and exits. Some examples are Venture Capital Executive Program by Berkeley Haas, Kauffman Fellows Program by Kauffman Foundation, and Venture Capital Professional Certificate by edX. You can also use platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare to access and enroll in courses and certifications.
This is valuable for foundational knowledge, but the real learning in venture capital happens outside the classroom. Prioritize courses that offer practical, hands-on components or are taught by practitioners with current industry experience. Networking opportunities with fellow learners and instructors can also be invaluable.
Specialize in some generalize in all: You can't know everything, but you can be better at a few. Building expertise in a vertical helps you gain depth that would be valued, and at the same time, the knowledge is transferable in a general way to other verticals. So when skilling up - choose specific sectors
This is not helpful for staying current - by the time there is a course (or more so certification) for a topic it has been around for a while and you are late to the game. If you are new to venture capital, then yes by all means learn the basics this way (but it isn't enough on its own, just a basic catch up that needs to be supplemented).
New fund managers face challenges similar to first-time entrepreneurs. Joining programs and communities designed for investors, providing education, connections, and facilitating tools to close the fund much easier and faster. Noteworthy courses from esteemed institutions like Stanford and VC Lab can significantly ease their journey. In the broader context, it's crucial for investors and VCs to stay updated and maintain a continuous learning mindset. For instance, in the age of generative AI, staying current is paramount. Courses become instrumental in swiftly understanding and embracing innovative ideas, ensuring investors and VCs are well-positioned to identify and support the next wave of unicorns emerging in the market.
There are a plethora of free & paid online courses available through platforms such as edX & Coursera through which you can build up your knowledge as a venture capital freelancer. I find these platforms particularly useful for a deep dive into a particular topic or to just broaden your general knowledge.
A sixth way to stay current with industry trends as a Venture Capital freelancer is to experiment and learn by doing. You can apply your knowledge and skills to real-world scenarios, such as evaluating startups, making investments, advising founders, and managing portfolios. You can also seek feedback and mentorship from other experts and peers in the industry, and learn from your successes and failures. You can also use platforms like AngelList, MicroVentures, and Republic to find and participate in crowdfunding and syndicate deals.
Nothing replaces the muscle memory of speaking to thousands of founders and closely tracking their progress to refine your skills as a VC. The earlier in your career you get the reps in, the more you will benefit from reaping the rewards, even if it may seem a lot at times.
This is perhaps the most critical method. Venture capital is a craft honed through experience. Engage in smaller, low-risk investments to test theories and build acumen. Use platforms not just for investment opportunities but for networking and gaining insights into emerging trends and sectors.
As a venture capitalist you will need to invest in startup & early stage companies that are at the forefront of disruptive innovation. Being able to experiment & test hypothesis is a fundamental process of validating an innovative business model. It is therefore important that you acquire such skills as this will enable you to have a better evaluate startup companies.
You have to get your feet wet! Put your money into VC/PE projects and you're vested to want to do Due Diligence properly, monitor/influence it actively, maximize the investee company/project's value, and decide to hold or exit. This allows you to go through the whole cycle; after a few of these, you'll probably find your passionate areas, develop a penchant and expertise in these areas, and understand why investors think the way they do.
My favorite way of learning is by self experimenting. I don’t think that you can be a good investor if you haven’t gone through the experience of running a company from scratch. Even if you failed trying.
Mentorship: Seek out mentorship relationships with experienced venture capitalists. These relationships can provide invaluable guidance and insider perspectives that are not available through public channels. Technological Tools: Leverage advanced tools and platforms for data analysis and trend prediction. AI and big data are becoming increasingly important in identifying investment opportunities and risks. Global Perspective: Venture Capital is a global game. Understanding geopolitical dynamics, emerging markets, and cross-border investment trends can provide a competitive edge.
All of these things are great to do and pursue. But the basics cannot be overlooked. At the earliest stages you should be focused on the founder or founding team. It comes down to grit and creativity. Do they have it or not. Are they coachable and open to feedback or other points of view. Then it moves to foundered sales. Are they willing to run through walls to seek the product take feedback and improve. Then it moves to product market fit. Has it been proven that others can sell it without founder participation. BTW founders should always be selling at some level. Then metrics. Does the company have a handle on the foundational financial drivers of the company.
While I explored and decided to transition from corporate venturing to venture capital, I found it extremely helpfull to consult mentors, who knew me and my two options very well. Two of the mentors I used the most, decided to launch a venture capital firm, Dreamcraft Ventures, while I was still exploring my transition. I quickly decided to make the transition and applied to become their first employee. I got the job as Investment Manager and I’m now a General Parter.
Be open and inviting to meet new people 1:1 on a consistent basis! It’s easier when its a core part of your initial mandate — to learn and gain insight— I’m always developing new avenues to expand market outlooks and asking their “take” to thought-provoking discourse.
Meet up with other venture capitalists. Grab lunch, dinner or even just a quick coffee with others in the field. What's top of mind for them at the moment? What are they excited about in tech? This is one of the best ways to learn and stay updated as a Venture Capital freelancer.