Here's how you can embody the key characteristics of a creative venture capitalist.

Venture capitalists need to be creative to stay in the game in today's fast-changing tech world. Here are some tips to help you stay ahead: 1. Watch market movements for regulations, breakthroughs, and emerging tech leaders. 2. Recent breakthroughs include multi-modality, constitutional AI, and text-to-video. 3. The US venture capital market raised more than 55B in Q2 this year, mostly due to AI deals. 4. Emerging tech leaders from Asia are giving our innovators from the US and Europe a run for their money. 5. With a fresh look at AI investment in Asia, we have an opportunity to shake up Asian leadership in the retail e-commerce market.

In the dynamic world of venture capitalism, creativity reigns supreme. It's not just about the numbers or the bottom line; it's about envisioning possibilities and daring to take calculated risks where others might hesitate. A creative venture capitalist thrives on innovation, seeing potential where others see uncertainty. They are architects of opportunity, weaving together insights, expertise, and intuition to nurture fledgling ideas into thriving businesses. Beyond funding, they offer mentorship, strategic guidance, and a network that propels entrepreneurs forward. In essence, they are the catalysts of change, forging new paths and shaping the future of industries.

In addition to cultivating emotional intelligence and communication skills, venture capitalists must possess a strong sense of adaptability and resilience. The VC landscape is constantly evolving, with market trends, technologies, and regulations changing rapidly. By embracing change and adapting to new challenges, you can remain a valuable asset to your team and portfolio companies. This adaptability involves being open to new ideas, willing to pivot when necessary, and maintaining a positive attitude in the face of setbacks.

Sometimes people are afraid to bring in new information or ideas. In my view, there can be a passive or status quo approach sometimes- where creativity can add massive value. The definition of insanity is one we all know well - doing the same thing and expecting a different result. If you are working on a portfolio company where creativity could be helpful, perhaps looking for analogies in other industries of success cases and what you can learn- is one of many examples of the type of creativity you can bring to the situation. You are more powerful than you think- especially armed with smart creative ideas. I say go for it!

Often times Venture Capitalists play a game of who knows more as an indicator of their ability. Hard facts can quickly become relevant in a industry that keeps trying to evolve. Instead, one core faculty of the strongest VCs is associative thinking, linking one idea with another, often seemingly unrelated idea or concept.

Venture capital is an ecosystem and when we continually convene with our peers - be it other investors or entrepreneurs- we can learn from each other and align interests. The beauty of our industry is that it generally takes multiple investors to support a business - across many financing rounds. This fuels collaboration and camaraderie - and leveraging these relationships allows us to learn and unlock synergies.

I have discovered that volunteering in community activities outside of my professional network provides valuable insights into technology adoption. Interacting with users of technology, especially those who are resistant to innovation, provides a fresh perspective on early adopters and mainstream users. This interaction enhances my understanding of consumer needs that are essential to the commercialization process. Crowdsourcing fresh ideas and opinions from the community keeps us grounded as we seek to elevate my portfolio management expertise. Volunteering in community activities will help us develop a closer understanding of the challenges faced by early-stage companies resulting in higher quality investment decisions.

Diversity of perspectives is key to improve sound decisions that go far beyond our comfort zone. Diversity to me means bringing around the table people that can add value because they come from different backgrounds, cultures and education. It is also important to add gender diversity as we see things from different angles and this further improve the decision. While diversity is key I also find important and alignment in values and vision. Personally, when alignment and respect weren’t present, then diversity was an obstacle rather than an opportunity.

Engage with individuals spanning different backgrounds, industries, and skill sets. This approach not only enriches your perspectives but also fosters innovative ideas and uncovers unique investment prospects. For instance, imagine connecting with a technology enthusiast from a rural area who has developed a groundbreaking solution for local agricultural challenges. Such interactions broaden your market insights and reveal niche opportunities that traditional networks might overlook. Remember, diversity in your connections translates into diverse investment possibilities, enhancing your ability to identify and support pioneering ventures.

To embody the key characteristics of a creative venture capitalist, it's essential to cultivate a robust tolerance for risk. Unlike conventional investments, venture capital demands backing untested ventures in pursuit of substantial rewards. This necessitates the capacity to navigate uncertainty, make informed decisions with limited data, and stand firm in your beliefs. Embrace failures as stepping stones to success and stay committed to supporting your portfolio companies through challenges. Effective risk management, coupled with thorough due diligence, distinguishes a discerning and innovative VC. For instance, envision investing in a promising tech startup pioneering sustainable energy solutions despite initial market skepticism.

Depending on your strategy, the size of your fund, the size of your team, the regions you focus on, and the industry, your risk tolerance may be assessed against your peers as you compete for deals. This creates a catch-22 for many VCs: the best entrepreneurs and VCs play the timing factor to get you to invest quickly or risk missing out. As a result, VCs often overpay for deals and may not have the time to properly assess risk. Bear in mind that risk is intrinsic to this asset class, and you get better at managing it as you learn and grow.

To really think creatively about a portfolio company, perhaps suggest an offsite for a few hours or a day and a dinner. When we are stuck in old ways of thinking it can be hard to generate creative ideas. Stepping away, with key members of the team, to think through new scenarios is often helpful. You may also consider a facilitator to help walk through different options. Sometimes teams are afraid to do this because the focus is on existing revenue and protecting it. But it’s incumbent to ask- how durable is that revenue? Where will growth come from? The common saying what got you here won’t get you there suggests creativity may well be part of/a needed part of your growth answer. Good luck! You got this!

Rather than merely evaluating current business models, successful VCs envision the potential of startups under their guidance. This involves analyzing the foresight and flexibility of founding teams alongside market viability. Strengthen your capacity for crafting enduring strategies that withstand market dynamics and propel startups towards sustainable growth. Effective strategic thinking entails recognizing when to pivot or divest, ensuring investments remain aligned with emerging trends. Imagine backing a healthcare tech startup that initially targets diagnostics but adapts swiftly to capitalize on telemedicine trends during a global health crisis.

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” - Mahatma Gandhi. We know that the best VCs have both breadth and depth to be successful, especially in the deep tech space. To stay ahead of the game, we need to prioritize the domain knowledge that we need to acquire. I've found that we need to stick to a discipline of continuous learning. Every quarter, I map out a number of online courses or books to read and evaluate whether the focus is still relevant. If not, I adjust accordingly. Finally, even if we don't meet our KPIs, we should give ourselves a pat on the back. Keeping going is way better than stopping because of our failures. We too need to learn from our startup founders and be resilient.

Let's start with what I believe is a major failure for many VCs. If your fund doesn't have an industry focus, and as an individual you don't have specific interests or expertise in a particular industry or vertical, it's hard to imagine how you can add value to a company beyond just providing money. For early-stage investors, your financial contribution might be more valuable than your industry knowledge, and your connections perhaps even more so. However, as more money and expertise are required to invest and increase the value of your investments, the need to find your niche becomes essential. I often tell my kids that you can't know everything, but you can try; this doesn't mean you can add value or be competitive across the board.

EQ is definitely missing in many VC investors for different reasons but personally I believe it is key as human relationships in this asset class is way more important compared to others. Being respectful, understanding the other person needs, fears, ambitions and expectations can elevate and empower that person. I have personally experience many time an arrogant attitude where investors believe to know everything and have the conviction that they can teach others how things should be done despite not even having a full and complete understanding of the situation. In conclusion I strongly believe that empathy should be a key element among people who want to build a successful relationship and create a positive impact with their company.

Wow this is often underrated. Emotional intelligence is so important because inherently venture capital is ecosystem oriented. To build a company for scale, first you need a founding team that can work well together- with high emotional intelligence. You next need to build your investor base, your syndicate- and make sure that your boardroom has high emotional intelligence. One thing is for sure. The journey will be rocky. Making sure you work with people who can help you work through that rockiness significantly increases your odds of business success and driving a successful venture capital outcome. Some firms use emotional intelligence tests before hiring someone- it can be that important to get it right.

As an investor, you'll often have to decline most opportunities, a decision that can be as challenging as letting go of employees for business owners. Handling these situations professionally is crucial. On the other hand, investors sometimes overlook the emotional aspects of entrepreneurship. While a business isn't a baby, its success often ties closely with personal success and worth. Making timely investments can be beneficial, but mistiming can break a business. It's essential to thrive under pressure and maintain focus amidst the varied personalities you encounter daily. Learning to keep a cool head is key.

Unleash your inner creative VC! Become a Trend Hunter: Constantly seek out novel ideas and disruptive technologies. Be the first to spot hidden gems. Think Outside the Box: Challenge assumptions and explore alternative solutions. Unconventional thinking leads to groundbreaking ventures. Storytelling & Vision: Craft compelling narratives around the startups you invest in. Paint a picture of a brighter future they can make real. By combining sharp curiosity with a healthy dose of imagination and a collaborative spirit, you'll embody the key traits of a truly creative venture capitalist.