The Executive Suite: How to Become a Venture Capitalist

Friday, May 31, 2013

How to Become a Venture Capitalist

Companies are built on dreams. An entrepreneur with a great idea and the desire and know how to implement it may need some additional help to get the plan off the ground. This is where venture capitalists come in. They provide a great service for companies that need seed money and senior level management to move to the next level. Here’s how to become a venture capitalist.

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Understand how the venture capitalist serves a company and him or herself. VC’s know to access a business to determine how it will receive a return on its investment. Without sufficient ROI, the VC cannot make money to invest in the next big thing. The VC has also built a reputation as a leader and offers management services to companies in need.
Find VC’s in the business. Networking is crucial in venture capital circles. Knowing who the players are and how to get in front of them is half the battle. Do the homework and always be prepared when the opportunity presents itself.
Look for jobs within organizations backed by venture capitalists. Find opportunities in the financial investment industry. These types of positions often lead to an introduction to someone in the venture capital circle.
Be consistent. There is no direct path to a career in the venture capital industry. Getting discouraged is a sure fire way of stopping before ever starting. Celebrate small victories and keep journals to benchmark daily and monthly activities. This will help to determine which methods work best to reach the ultimate goal.