Hello Reader, The venture capital landscape is constantly changing. New talent joins the ecosystem at junior levels, developing their skills over time. Experienced leaders transition from successful careers into senior VC roles or launch their own firms. For me, launching Sure Ventures meant stepping away from lucrative, prestigious roles mid-career. It has been incredibly rewarding and, truly, the best job in the world. This week, I'm highlighting two different perspectives on the industry....
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, This September, I had the pleasure of interviewing Oren Zeev at the Counterpart Ventures annual conference for corporate VCs. We discussed his notably independent thinking and penchant for making bold, contrarian bets. Just last week, one of the companies where he was the very first investor, Navan, went public at a spectacular $6.2 billion valuation. You can see my Linkedin post highlighting both Oren’s and the startup's incredible success. My latest podcast episode features...
2 months ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, A career in venture capital might seem like a given for someone from a family with three generations of VCs. However, unlike many other fields, the venture capital landscape is remarkably level. Attracting top-tier founders and making early, successful bets on unproven ideas doesn't rely on legacy. Anyone with enough grit and business savvy has a real shot at building a successful VC firm, a truth that holds as much now as it did in the beginning. William Draper, a Silicon...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, For decades, VC-backed businesses have been the engines of job creation and innovation worldwide. Yet, breaking into the industry as an investor has remained a challenging feat. My own two-decade journey serves as an example of the power of a non-traditional path. As the entrepreneurial landscape diversifies and startup opportunities explode, a new breed of VCs is emerging, ready to shape the future. In our new podcast episode, I'll speak with Maryam Haque, a trailblazer who...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, Building a successful venture capital firm is incredibly challenging, with only a rare few achieving generational transition to last for decades. Even fewer of these firms remain disciplined enough to focus exclusively on early-stage investments, resisting the allure of larger funds. Sierra Ventures distinguishes itself as a leader in this market due to its unwavering commitment to early-stage VC. In my latest podcast episode, I sit down with Tim Guleri, one of Sierra Ventures'...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, Successful founders understand that their interactions are part of a long-term game. They recognize that some individuals they encounter will offer immediate value, such as making investments, offering advice, becoming customers, or joining up as employees. However, many others may not be immediately useful but will become immensely useful in the future as partners, employees, investors, customers, or even fellow founders. These successful founders skillfully leverage immediate...
4 months ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, Typos on a slide deck are not a concern for me, and I prefer engaging with entrepreneurs in the early stages of their pitch deck development. However, the conventional pitch deck remains a significant tool for many venture capitalists. It serves effectively as pre-meeting reading or post-meeting review material. The critical aspect is the seamless alignment of your narrative, actual presentation, and the deck itself, ensuring clarity and comprehension. The deck should amplify...
5 months ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, Today’s startups can reach customers anywhere in the world. But with AI and rapid tech adoption leveling the playing field, “technology advantage” has become an illusion. The real battleground is execution. Execution means ruthless focus on your niche, your target market, and nailing product–market fit. Yet the biggest threats to that focus aren’t always obvious. In a new podcast episode, my guest Jacques reveals how flattering inbound interest can quietly derail your market...
5 months ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, At Sure Ventures, our core mission is to empower individuals with peace of mind, and we believe true peace of mind begins with good health. Unfortunately, the current healthcare landscape is riddled with inefficiencies and challenges. It's time for innovative solutions to disrupt the status quo. The U.S. healthcare industry is a colossal force, reaching approximately $4.9 trillion in 2023 and accounting for a staggering 17.6% of our nation's GDP. It's one of the largest sectors...
6 months ago • 2 min read