The VC Field Guide: Fundamentals of Venture Capital

ISBN-13: 9781394180653 / Angielski / Twarda / 2023 / 208 str.

William Lin

Spis treści

Foreword xiPreface xiiiAcknowledgments xvPart I Introduction 1Introduction 3My Background 3Who Is This Book For? 9The Framework's Origin 10Endnote 14Part II The Venture Capital Investment Framework 15Chapter 1 The Venture Capital Investment Framework 17Startup Investing 17Chapter 2 Who = Team 23Different Paths to Success 26Curiosity Is a Must- Have for Founding Teams 27Individual or Company Growth? 30The CEO and Team Challenges 31Curiosity and ? 33Failure Is a Valued Asset 37In- Person Data 38Team Dynamics that Work 40Chapter 3 What = Problem 47Deep Questions, First Principles 49Common Sense and Bias 52You Don't Have to Solve Your Own Problem 53Finding a Problem 55Chapter 4 When = Timing 59Timing = Environment 61Specialization Leads to Success, Leading to Optionality 62Generational Timing 64Timing and Disruption 66The Rise and Fall of Companies 68Chapter 5 Where = Market 73How VCs Look at TAM 74Strategy for VCs Based on the Size of the Firm 79Calculating TAM and What Does It Imply? 81Chapter 6 Why = Solution 83Solving One Problem Really Well 85Building the Right Solution 87Building a Sustainable Business 90Chapter 7 How = Scale 91The Sales Organization 93Sales Organization and Customer Alignment 96The Technology Organization 98Chapter 8 How to Use the VCIF 101The VCIF in Action: An Investment We Made 102An Investment We Didn't Make 107Stages 112Part III Notes to Stakeholders 115Chapter 9 The Venture Capital Role 117The Basics of a Venture Capital Firm 118Winners Lose a Lot 123Metrics 126My First Trial by Fire 128Chapter 10 Notes for Students 135Three Entry- Level Career Paths in Venture 135Chapter 11 Notes for Current VCs 141VC Career Paths 141VC Career Myths 147Chapter 12 Notes for Entrepreneurs: Some Thoughts 151Chapter 13 Notes for Startup Customers 155Chapter 14 Notes for LPs: Characteristics of Some of the Best VCs 159Sector Knowledge 161Chapter 15 Long- Term Planning: Venture Capital Cycles, Optionality, Starting a VC Firm 165Venture Capital Cycles 167Optionality 168Could You Start Your Own VC Firm? 172Conclusion 175Afterword 179Glossary 181Index 185

O autorze

WILLIAM LIN has spent his career close to creation and creators, as an entrepreneur, founder, innovator, and investor. Over a decade as a venture capitalist, Will started as an entry level investor and eventually became Managing Director and member of the founding team at Forgepoint Capital, a $1 billion AUM venture capital firm with roots in cybersecurity. He co-founded and is Chairman of the Security Tinkerers, a nonprofit organization that gathers information for security professionals seeking opportunities in the security community. He is now pursuing the next stage of his career as a founder of a cybersecurity startup. Will graduated from UC Berkeley and lives in the Bay Area with his life partner, dog, and cats.