There are 2 tracks into VC:
As a 20-ish year old, with an engg degree and an MBA. Work ex would include having co-founded a startup, or been a part of the early team in a startup. Some kind of operator role is important.
It isn’t the only way, but it is a common enough way to becoming an Analyst or Associate at a fund. I’ll call this the “early track” to VC.
However, if you are 30+, with 8+ years of work ex, the path to VC may not be a straight line. But there are some dots that, if you try to connect, makes it easier.
Probably an AVP, VP or Principal role in an established fund. Or Venture Partner or Principal role in a new fund.
I became a full-time investor in my 30s, without an MBA, but having founded multiple startups. I’ll call this the “senior track”.
Today, I’ll focus on this “senior track” to get into VC.
Unlike lakhs of people in banking or finance, there are no more than a thousand or so VCs in India. This means that openings are rare, and competition is tough.
What will help you stand out?
1) Always have a long term outlook towards networking. Networking with Angels, with VCs, and, and critically, with founders.
I knew Rehan Yar Khan for over 4 years in a capacity that had nothing to do with me wanting to be a VC. I was just a founder who had pitched to him, and had conversations on a regular basis. Mutual respect led to a great relationship, and eventually to me becoming a part of Orios.
2) Advisor to startups. Over the years, I had wonderful advisors and mentors who were startup founders themselves. When I got the bandwidth, I began to pay it forward by being generous with my time to founders who were not in my investment portfolio. Paying it forward is great for the ecosystem and fosters a culture of mutual growth.
3) Building your body of work. This could be open source products, blogs, podcast, insightful talks, etc.
To be honest, I didn’t do enough of it back then. But that’s understandable as I was busy building my own startup, and not focused on creating content. But I have continuously run this blog since 2004!
4) Become an involved angel investor. This has two parts.
Part 1) Becoming an angel investor. If your bank balance permits, start writing small cheques.
Part 2) Becoming “involved” requires working with founders on growth, strategy, fundraising, product, etc. As an angel investor, be in your founders corner and support them everywhere.
In my case, I learnt this too late. I made zero angel investments, mostly because I was busy bootstrapping my own startup.
5) Be yourself. Not everyone is like you and not everyone has your strengths or your exact experiences. This is an underrated point.
What I write, how I think, whom I gel with, are all unique to me. And I’m comfortable with that. This shows up in conversations and how I am perceived.
If you have more Qs, ask them and I’ll try to create a follow-up post.