The Importance of Authenticity in Venture Capital: Lessons from a VC's Personal Experience

Venture capital is often perceived as a world of polished pitches, impressive credentials, and cutthroat competition. However, one VC's journey reveals that authenticity and staying true to oneself can be a powerful differentiator in this high-stakes industry.

From Chemical Engineering to VC: An Unconventional Path

Amrit, a venture capitalist with a background in chemical engineering, didn't follow the typical path into the world of startup investing. Unlike many of his peers who came from investment banking or prestigious business schools, Amrit's journey began in biotech and manufacturing. This unconventional background initially made him feel out of place in the VC world.

I was fortunate enough to have a great conversation with Amrit Sami on this weeks episode of Founders Unplugged (live now across all platforms ??) and that inspired me to write this article.

before we get stuck into it, a huge thank you to Deel for sponsoring this episode.

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The Pitfall of Imitation

In his early days as a VC, Amrit fell into the trap of trying to emulate other investors:

"I think I started to try and copy other VCs was probably the second bit and kind of my story. And it didn't really work, to be honest, just didn't feel like me."

This attempt to fit a preconceived mould left Amrit feeling inauthentic and disconnected from his work. He found himself wishing for a different background, one that aligned more closely with the typical VC profile.

Embracing Authenticity as a Superpower

The turning point came when Amrit met mentors who encouraged him to see his unique background and perspective as an asset rather than a liability:

"And then I met some great friends who are like now mentors and just really reminded me of being me and seeing like yourself as like a super power."

By embracing his authentic self, including his Punjabi upbringing and the values it instilled, Amrit discovered a new approach to venture capital that set him apart from his peers.

Building Trust Through Genuine Relationships

Amrit's authenticity manifested in his approach to founder relationships. Drawing from his cultural background, he began treating founders and colleagues more like family:

"I grew up in a Punjabi household and I think one of the things I really learned from that was like the sense of family and treating even people who aren't even family, family."

This approach, focused on building trust and being present during both good and challenging times, resonated strongly with founders. It led to a network effect where founders began recommending Amrit to others, recognizing the unique value he brought to the table.

The Impact of Authenticity on Deal Flow and Success

By staying true to himself and leveraging his unique background, Amrit found success in the VC world:

"And that kind of helped me and that really helped me build a brand. And that having given me lot of respect where I've got other founders recommend other people."

His authentic approach not only improved his deal flow but also enhanced the quality of his relationships with founders, potentially leading to better investment outcomes.

Lessons for Aspiring VCs and Founders

Amrit's experience offers valuable lessons for both aspiring venture capitalists and founders seeking investment:

1. Embrace your unique background and perspective.
2. Build genuine relationships based on trust and mutual respect.
3. Focus on adding value before expecting returns.
4. Recognize that authenticity can be a powerful differentiator in a crowded market.

In conclusion, Amrit's journey demonstrates that success in venture capital isn't just about financial acumen or an impressive resume. By staying true to oneself and leveraging personal strengths and values, it's possible to build a successful and fulfilling career in VC while making a meaningful impact on the startup ecosystem.

Thanks for reading. ??

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Part Two of my conversation with Amrit Sami will be out on Wednesday 13th of November at 14:30 GMT.

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