Reference Guide - VC Roles

Quick reference guide to prepare for Venture Capital (VC) and startup investing roles

The startup investment ecosystem in India, encompassing innovative companies, venture capital firms, investment banking entities, and angel investors, is on the brink of substantial expansion. With the continuous increase in deal volumes, a notable surge in job opportunities is anticipated. The ongoing trend of global venture capital firms and renowned investment banks establishing local offices is expected to bolster job creation even further.

Once prestigious MBA credentials were a key gateway to these investing roles. Times have changed. Now it’s all about individual profiles, as reflected especially in the diverse appointments witnessed in recent VC hires.

An investing career is immensely fulfilling and financially rewarding; it will always be competitive to secure a role, often offering just one or two chances to break in.

Be prepared to seize those opportunities when they come calling.

• Immerse yourself in gaining practical knowledge beyond the conventional college courses

This is actually the important aspect to equip yourself, differentiate yourself and grasp the opportunity when it appears. Not only this, this training shall support in carrying out your job exceptionally well.

As investment firms, whether VCs or I- banking firms, are relatively lean in terms of staff, there is limited time and capacity for comprehensive training. Accurate knowledge of terminologies, concepts and jargons specific to VC and startup world indicate your preparedness to jump into productive work immediately.

Proactively, the following initiatives can be undertaken:

1. Undertake specific foundation courses to understand the VC and startup industry’s terminologies, concepts etc. By the time you complete your studies, you’ll already possess a high level of experience and familiarity with them.
2. Become member of angel investment platforms and start evaluating investment opportunities
3. Develop a methodology (e.g. create a template) to regularly track the nature of innovations taking place in the startup companies and their funding trends
4. Follow VC firms, I- banking firms, influential investors and startups on social media
5. Track investment and innovation trends in the USA as India generally follows the same pattern with a lag

• Do the right internships

The first obvious choice is VC and startup focused I- banking firms.

Should such an opportunity fail to materialize, redirect your attention towards startups. When considering startups, please bear in mind the following:

1- Preferably select startups that have secured venture capital funding or are currently in the midst of a fundraising campaign

2- Choose roles which give exposure either to

1. Fund raising
2. Core product development
3. Business development

Being a part of the founders’ office is a good option in a startup

• Develop a personal brand and online presence

1. Create your professional presence on LinkedIn
2. Run a blog when you have accumulated a substantial level of knowledge

Establishing an online presence is imperative. Recruiters universally conduct preliminary online assessments before interviews

• Seek Mentors

Identify mentors within the venture capital or I- banking industry who can guide you on your learning process, provide references and maybe even introduce you to opportunities.

Numerous accomplished professionals are eager to give back to their industry and mentor others; do not hesitate to reach out and seek their guidance.

• Hone your personal story

Honing your personal story is not about crafting a narrative with right words or language for persuasiveness.

Instead, it involves candid assessment of your situation and identifying gaps for prompt and effective corrective steps.

• Accept intermediate career options, if required

Settling for astartup job is not a compromise but an equally satisfying and rewarding career option.

If one is still keen on an investment role, look at this as a pathway, serving as an invaluable bridge towards the coveted venture capital / I-banking role. It is a deliberate choice aimed at acquiring hands-on experience, honing skills, and building a robust foundation for success later on.

As previously highlighted, Point No. 1 holds utmost significance as it acquaints you with startup industry’s jargon, concepts, and methodologies. It serves as the cornerstone upon which all the subsequent steps are constructed. It positions you as an industry insider and elicits positive response from others.

For a comprehensive exploration of this essential foundation, consider enrolling in our online course here at VCIFY-  Igniting Careers in Venture Investing