I want to work at a VC firm for few years and become a partner. I am planning to do an MBA in Finance/Strategy and then apply for a Principal role in a VC firm. Has anyone successfully done it ? Do only people who get an MBA from Wharton, Stanford and Harvard become VCs ? Most VCs have an MBA from these colleges so I was curious if an MBA from other universities is that valuable to become a VC.
Dude, this is a lot harder than you think. Breaking into FAANG is a lot easier than getting into a quality VC firm. A lot of things are usually out of your control and it makes the process very unpredictable.
Mmmm kabbage
Here’s 4 ways into VCs: 1. Startup a company, raise capital, go IPO if you can. 2. Go to a FAANG, move around and upward. Reach at least VP level. 3. Do an MBA at the M7 schools - Harvard, Stanford, Booth. Get some strategy experience in Tech OR get tech industry experience at IBs or MBBs. 4. Network and build strong relationships with VCs. Invest as an LP. This is the most difficult by far. Curious why you want to get into VCs? It’s going to crash when the bubble bursts.
Yeah, unfortunately engineers, even VP-level ones, don't have the breadth that is needed. Most of the business is soft skills.
Well explained ways !!
Being a VC is as much about connections and playing a role. Being good looking and having rich connections that trust you is one way. Being rich and/or famous yourself is another way. People who go to VC after Stanford MBA already had that going in and needed the diploma as a certificate of excellence. E.g. In NYC, being friends with the Tisch family or one of the big hedge fund founders or investment banks is a good start. In LA, being part of the Hollywood crowd. You get my point...
Yes very well said. Rich & those kinda connections is one the best way to get into VC forms.
*firms
There are such a limited amount of roles they tend to be extremely picky at the big guys. A couple of ideas, none of this is easy: * Start your own. * Go to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, etc b-school * Be a successful, popular executive at a high profile company. Think VP of Messaging at FB. * Create an unicorn startup * Go to a lesser known VC, be successful and work your way up. Tons of VCs who you’ve probably never heard of out there.
The large majority of people who get PE/VC roles after MBA are ones who had PE/VC roles before MBA...
One of my former roommates became a VC partner at a major SV firm, at age 31-ish. He has an undergrad degree from a top tier liberal arts college and worked in IB at BoA for 4 years in NC before enrolling at a coding bootcamp and becoming a software engineer for ~3 years. He doesn't have an MBA and has no leadership or prior VC experience, but created a Meetup that became popular. I think it's possible to become a VC partner by investing lots of your own (or your family's) money. He may have done that, since he joined as partner without any prior VC experience. His parents definitely have lots of money, too.
Go to websites of lead VCs and check the recent new partner bio's. Also check out the associates' bio's. This is a very exclusive club so you'd better try multple strategies.
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If you can get into Harvard or Stanford you'll have a shot. If you go to most other schools you'll need to be incredibly lucky. The key to becoming a partner is raising capital. If you cant do that, you'll never be partner. If you can do that now, why go to school?
Now I can’t because I have no connections with any VC firms and not sure how to apply for a role in a VC firm.
Wharton is not a strong enough brand anymore?