I am in my early twenties-I have an offer from top tier VC. My heart is in building, I want to be a part of a 0 to 1 but not able to find an exciting startup! What would you do in my place ? Presently in a consulting firm - 2 years in!
I was at the exact same juncture.
Wanted to build in the long term, but then got an opportunity to work at a tier 1 fund
Taking up the role was one of the best things I did. My sense of what works and what doesn’t, benchmarks of metrics for different spaces, how to gauge founders has improved drastically; I’m able to add more value to anybody who is building (I would think so at least :D)
It’s typically a 2 year role, and leaving that to build/join early stage is a very good idea
Caveat: Do VC if you’re really excited about it, it’s tough to succeed without going all in mentally
Do you need an MBA to get into VC? I am currently in tech, want to explore different roles. Thinking of doing VC @WittyFeed
Vc and build your own startups on side while working at VC. There’re no limitations at VCs
Both are not really possible
VC ends up being a very demanding job (at most Tier 1 funds)
12 hours a day typically (post 2021). Building beyond that is quite difficult.
Traditional tier-1 yes. I work in crypto so was possible for me. Also it doesn’t take more than a few weeks to develop prototype even MVP if you have done the research. It’s possible but yeah have to grind
Hey, as others have said, if you choose VC, ensure you're 100% committed to it. Long hours, a lot of things that you have to do rather than what you want to do, cutthroat and transactional environment. If you go in half hearted, you won't enjoy the experience at all.
I'd suggest speak to the associates at all tier 1 firms. Identify which companies they like in their portfolios. Get an intro to them, speak with them and find the position that fits best.
If you have the leeway to do what you like rather than do what you're getting, go for it. Most folks don't have this advantage.
Trust me, it's as tough for early stage founders to find great hires who are committed to the mission, as it is for you to find the right situation where you want to put in the effort.
Choose VC and then groom a startup into building great products
If you spent almost all of your career in consulting, seriously consider taking up a founders office/ product / strategy role in a sector that excites you. You’ll make a better VC if you can actually empathise with the founder. Founders easily see through shallow generalist VCs who are out of depth and find it hard to build a relationship that’s not transactional.