It’s been 15 years for @subratamitra as a VC in India. Here’s a thread of 15 invaluable learnings by him if you wish to make a career in #VentureCapital

Read the full blog by @swapnil_basak here: https://bit.ly/3fC0M1t 

(1/15) There is a considerable selection and survivorship bias in the VC market, and one should not focus only on the success stories.

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(2/15) The startup environments in India and the West are starkly different. Biggest constraint in India is: the market is nascent. Capital is not ample.

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(3/15) In the US, considered the most mature VC ecosystem, only 15% of VC funds outperform the market and the top 2% VC funds generate 95% of VC returns.

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(4/15) A VC career is not a short stint - It will generally take 8-10 years to get a return or a feedback on the decision made today.

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(5/15) Finding great founders is half the job done. #VentureCapital

(6/15) Care for your entrepreneurs. Understand them, be present, and “listen”. Refrain from micro-managing problems and spoon-feeding solutions.

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(7/15) Analyze critically and brutally (not harshly). Even though the final decision lies with the founder you need to be able to voice your opinion objectively.

Read the full blog here: https://bit.ly/3fC0M1t 

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(8/15) Learn to be a good board member: a listener, confidant, guide, and mentor. Understand which role to play, when to play. Read the full blog here: https://bit.ly/3fC0M1t 

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(9/15) Develop a high speed of unlearning.
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(10/15) In the VC business, every decision can be life-changing. Practicing intellectual and emotional honesty is crucial.

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(11/15) A constant self-assessment and re-evaluation of what you know is the best hobby a VC can build.

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(12/15) Your network is your superpower. Use it wisely. Make it available to your portfolio companies and help them solve problems and scale.

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(13/15) Don’t search for success. Search for excellence. The same goes for the VC space. Build credibility. Good founders will (eventually) come to you.

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(14/15) There are patterns everywhere. Recognizing patterns takes patience, presence, and knowledge.

Read the full blog here: https://bit.ly/3fC0M1t 

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(15/15) Understand the Risk-Reward Equation. Strive to balance between what’s practical and what’s crystal ball gazing. Everyone is prone to bias.

Read the full blog by @swapnil_basak here: https://bit.ly/3fC0M1t