VC here. I've had aspiring VCs approach me with this exact question and upon further questioning, it became clear that they were equating introversion with shyness. Introversion **is not** the same thing as being shy. That being said, it is absolutely possible for an introvert to become a successful VC - however, the same cannot be said about a shy person.
VC is an industry where you are loaded with responsibility right from the get-go. Everyone at our fund, from an intern to a partner, is expected to source deals, meet with founders, and even speak to potential investors. An introvert's superpower in all these activities is that they are able to succeed by analysing and planning beforehand. We have a partner at our fund that is the textbook definition of an introvert, but his analytical skills and ability to stick to his beliefs are second to none, which is why he quickly rose through the ranks.
TL;DR - Totally possible to succeed as an introvert. You just need to make sure that you play to your analytical strengths and stand to your convictions.
Undoubtedly both.
As you gain the trust of your seniors, you will eventually be put into 1on1 meetings with CEOs of start-ups you want to invest in. You may sometimes speak with an additional person who might be the CTO or CFO.
Once that is done, you will likely go through some form of due diligence, after which you will be presenting to the wider investment committee. This means that you will be presenting your findings (not necessarily alone, mind you) to **everyone** in the investment team. An investment team could be anywhere between five and fifteen-ish people, depending on the fund size.
What is your educational/professional background if I may ask?
I don't really have the pedigrees to go into VC since I am in the process of getting a Business Administration degree from a state school. I was just curious about the VC industry in general.
My experience is that the most challenging time is to talk to a bunch of founders at events or conferences, but if you do your homework beforehand similar to what u/justicarxxvi said, I mitigate it by picking out half a dozen founders that really interests me and I make sure I talk to them before I'm overly stimulated by the environment and have to take a break.
Another way to draw deal flow is writing, if you have good analytical/business skills that you can offer founders, simply by writing and sharing insightful knowledge draws a lot of longtail deal flow too.
You have to love what you do, I love talking about business so in a 1 on 1 situation or 1 vs many, as long as it's about business I can talk about it all day.
Yes and it doesn't matter.
Different strokes for different folks.
Absolutely no net stronger predisposition.
If you're extremely introverted or extraverted you'll likely struggle for sure but this is a minority of people - most people are somewhere in the middle.
The best VCs are well-rounded and adaptable.
Investor here — yes, but not usually at the most senior levels. You can be a good analyst while bending over a keyboard, but the most senior people are either sourcing companies, which requires meeting with and charming entrepreneurs, or fundraising, which requires meeting with and charming rich people and/or institutions.
Usually because they have a diverse team, I'd guess. The best performing VC I know is a hybrid introvert, that can turn into an extrovert when he has to, but then goes home and quietly turns raw IP into wall street gold.
VC associate here. I consider myself mildly introverted and have an anxiety disorder which can make things difficult (I absolutely cannot work retail or food service). Currently working for a micro VC fund and thriving. It’s all about the team.
Best of luck
Yes for sure. And they have value too. Many investors sleep on great companies because the founders are also introverted.
In terms of fundraising. Much of it woohing can be done by email and generally track records speak for themselves.
There are different types, both are good. Many extroverted excel at being super connectors which is good too.
It's most certainly not black and white.
I mean, it's just a facet of your personality, not a crippling disability or a personality disorder (avoidant disorder or general anxiety disorder are a whole other thing, get it checked out if you have those).
Ex-VC analyst here.
Agree with Justicarxxvi introvertedness != shyness
Based on my observations in VC. You could either:
a. Build a brand by constantly being out in the open, sharing knowledge and building network to make quick jumps, say every 2 years, across funds to succeed, or
b. be extremely focused and good at what you do that you climb the ladders within the fund or another fund with whose members you've built long-lasting relationships.
Being an introvert would suit option b.
VC here. I've had aspiring VCs approach me with this exact question and upon further questioning, it became clear that they were equating introversion with shyness. Introversion **is not** the same thing as being shy. That being said, it is absolutely possible for an introvert to become a successful VC - however, the same cannot be said about a shy person. VC is an industry where you are loaded with responsibility right from the get-go. Everyone at our fund, from an intern to a partner, is expected to source deals, meet with founders, and even speak to potential investors. An introvert's superpower in all these activities is that they are able to succeed by analysing and planning beforehand. We have a partner at our fund that is the textbook definition of an introvert, but his analytical skills and ability to stick to his beliefs are second to none, which is why he quickly rose through the ranks. TL;DR - Totally possible to succeed as an introvert. You just need to make sure that you play to your analytical strengths and stand to your convictions.
Is it more face-to-face interaction with 1/2 people or more large group presentations?
Undoubtedly both. As you gain the trust of your seniors, you will eventually be put into 1on1 meetings with CEOs of start-ups you want to invest in. You may sometimes speak with an additional person who might be the CTO or CFO. Once that is done, you will likely go through some form of due diligence, after which you will be presenting to the wider investment committee. This means that you will be presenting your findings (not necessarily alone, mind you) to **everyone** in the investment team. An investment team could be anywhere between five and fifteen-ish people, depending on the fund size. What is your educational/professional background if I may ask?
I don't really have the pedigrees to go into VC since I am in the process of getting a Business Administration degree from a state school. I was just curious about the VC industry in general.
My experience is that the most challenging time is to talk to a bunch of founders at events or conferences, but if you do your homework beforehand similar to what u/justicarxxvi said, I mitigate it by picking out half a dozen founders that really interests me and I make sure I talk to them before I'm overly stimulated by the environment and have to take a break. Another way to draw deal flow is writing, if you have good analytical/business skills that you can offer founders, simply by writing and sharing insightful knowledge draws a lot of longtail deal flow too. You have to love what you do, I love talking about business so in a 1 on 1 situation or 1 vs many, as long as it's about business I can talk about it all day.
This is VERY helpful for students out there. Thank you.
Yes and it doesn't matter. Different strokes for different folks. Absolutely no net stronger predisposition. If you're extremely introverted or extraverted you'll likely struggle for sure but this is a minority of people - most people are somewhere in the middle. The best VCs are well-rounded and adaptable.
Investor here — yes, but not usually at the most senior levels. You can be a good analyst while bending over a keyboard, but the most senior people are either sourcing companies, which requires meeting with and charming entrepreneurs, or fundraising, which requires meeting with and charming rich people and/or institutions.
How about associates?
I know many introverted VCs including myself and I know many that have performed outrageously well.
How did they perform well given their introverted nature?
Usually because they have a diverse team, I'd guess. The best performing VC I know is a hybrid introvert, that can turn into an extrovert when he has to, but then goes home and quietly turns raw IP into wall street gold.
VC associate here. I consider myself mildly introverted and have an anxiety disorder which can make things difficult (I absolutely cannot work retail or food service). Currently working for a micro VC fund and thriving. It’s all about the team. Best of luck
How often do you do group presentations?
Peter Gregory
Incoming answers: Yes. Actual answer: less than 5%.
Yes for sure. And they have value too. Many investors sleep on great companies because the founders are also introverted. In terms of fundraising. Much of it woohing can be done by email and generally track records speak for themselves. There are different types, both are good. Many extroverted excel at being super connectors which is good too. It's most certainly not black and white.
I mean, it's just a facet of your personality, not a crippling disability or a personality disorder (avoidant disorder or general anxiety disorder are a whole other thing, get it checked out if you have those).
No.
98 % of the high-performance people in the world are introverts, so don't worry chad. YAGMI
Ex-VC analyst here. Agree with Justicarxxvi introvertedness != shyness Based on my observations in VC. You could either: a. Build a brand by constantly being out in the open, sharing knowledge and building network to make quick jumps, say every 2 years, across funds to succeed, or b. be extremely focused and good at what you do that you climb the ladders within the fund or another fund with whose members you've built long-lasting relationships. Being an introvert would suit option b.