^exponent’s Post

Is being a VC fun anymore? Launching and running a fund has become more challenging. Finding that diamond in the rough is increasingly arduous for VCs who would rather be spending their time picking winners. On the 8th of November, we are running a webinar with two seasoned fund managers on the challenges of setting up and managing a fund for early-stage VCs, as well as a special announcement from Floww on our new full funds solution.   On the webinar, we’ll be discussing: 💭 What are the hard lessons learned when setting up and running a fund?  💭 What strategies & technology VC’s are leveraging to become better investors?  💭 Thoughts on the future of funds structures and regulation Floww's Thomas Hughes Ellis will be moderating the webinar and joined by Martijn De Wever of Floww, Cian Hughes of Sure Valley Ventures, and Marcus Love of Love Ventures. Link to sign-up in the comments. See you there! #venturecapital #fundraising #fundmanagement

Key trends in venture capital funds: Increasing use of LP transfers. Lowenstein Sandler LLP's Marie DeFalco explains how secondaries, continuation funds, and US PTP regulations affect the venture capital industry. #Secondaries #Secondary #SecondaryMarket #AlternativeInvestments #PrivateMarkets #Venture #VentureCapital #VC https://lnkd.in/eCyMWepK

Traditionally, venture capital investing has always been based on the premise of explosive growth. But the last decade has shown us that with great power (read: VC money) comes great responsibility (to deliver tangible returns)!  #GrowthStrategy #VentureCapital #GrowthVsProfitability

Excellent read from our general partner Joe Merrill: "Venture Capital is Dead – Long Live Venture Capital! Part I Late stage VC funds are earning dismal returns relative to the S&P 500 and take little risk. So why are LPs continuing to fund them? What the heck is happening in VC and can we fix it?" Check it here: https://lnkd.in/eMr8TgsE

Many people learned about the venture capital asset class in past few years, particularly during the pandemic. But VC actually has a rich history. Learn about it in my video below here: https://lnkd.in/dWniGsUA

What does in mean or what does it take to be an LP (aka Limited Partner or "investor") in a Venture Fund? We get this question a ton as we operate throughout the Midwest and South and as individuals (or new family offices) learn more about the values and benefits from investing in the private markets. This is especially close to Triet Nguyen and I at Render since about 1/3 of our LPs are first time investors in a venture fund. It also helped that we have the institutional backing of organizations who have invested in dozens of VC funds before to help support the awesome work and companies we are investing in at Render Capital On our latest Render Capital blog I was through the traits and SEC regulations around investing in a venture capital fund. More in the full length blog here - https://lnkd.in/gnMMSfmf

The Venture Capital Journal’s latest issue is out and features our new partnership with CalSTRS, the world’s largest educator-only pension fund, and highlights how together, we are investing in emerging managers focused on early-stage venture capital. 🙌 It's been a tough year for new venture firms raising their first or second funds, but all venture funds, even the legendary ones, once started as first-time funds—some in bull markets, some in bear. Like all the emerging managers that have come since, they brought new ways of thinking and investing, making them essential to the ecosystem. The complete feature in the November/December issue of VCJ here: https://lnkd.in/gEXFNCPP CC: Elizabeth "Beezer" Clarkson & Christopher Ailman #SapphirePartnersandCalSTRS #EmergingManagers #OpenLP

Understanding which type of instrument is better suited for your business is critical for your financial access journey. Is it a micro finance loan, is it a commercial bank loan, is it an equity stake and if so from who Private equity or venture capital 🤔? Understanding this as an entrepreneur will help you make the right decision for your business and help you prepare properly to get the financing you require for where you are at in your entrepreneurship cycle.

VC fundraising has become a brutal slog. Indeed, LPs' bar for backing a venture vehicle has risen significantly. Allocators are prioritizing funds whose predecessors converted returns into cash, remained disciplined during the 2021 market frenzy, and had a thoughtful strategy around fund size increases. Emerging managers with unique networks and relevant industry experience can stand out from the pack. Our recent analyst note outlines expectations for smaller fund sizes, fewer new products and a shakeout of mediocre managers who struggle to adapt.

Not All VC Funds Are Created (or Constructed) Equal... Ever wondered which funds consistently outperform the rest? This week on Swimming with Allocators, Alexa Binns and I speak with David York of Top Tier Capital Partners to uncover the secrets behind the most successful venture capital funds. Discover: - Why some funds thrive through market corrections while others falter. - The critical role of technology consumption in fund performance. - Insights into fund-of-funds, secondaries, and direct investments that set top performers apart. David doesn't just share strategies; he reveals the mindset and metrics that distinguish the best from the rest. 🎧 Tune in to learn how to identify the venture capital funds that are truly worth your investment. #VentureCapital #InvestmentStrategy #TopTierCapitalPartners #SwimmingWithAllocators