Topic
Practical frameworks for navigating the venture ecosystem.
43 pieces of content
38 articles
Startup valuation is more art than science — especially pre-revenue. Here are the 5 methods real investors use to put a number on your company, and when each one works.
The complete PE software stack — from CRM and deal flow to portfolio monitoring, fund administration, and LP reporting. Pricing, best-fit guidance, and how to build your tech stack on a budget.
12 portfolio management books organized by level — from beginner classics like A Random Walk Down Wall Street to VC-specific picks like The Power Law. Honest reviews, key takeaways, and who should read each one.
PE fund administration covers NAV calculations, waterfall distributions, K-1 prep, and regulatory filings. Here's what PE fund admins do, how they differ from VC fund admin, and the top providers to consider.
Going public takes 18-24 months of preparation. Here's the complete IPO readiness checklist: financial, governance, legal, and operational requirements, plus a step-by-step process flow chart from S-1 filing to first trade.
Affinity dominates CRM for venture capital. Here's what it actually costs, what it does well, where it falls short, and how it compares to 4Degrees, DealCloud, Salesforce, and HubSpot.
VC firms hire interns July-October for summer roles paying $3K-$8K/month. Here's who hires, what you'll do, and how to stand out in NYC, SF, London, or remote.
You can't just "become" a VC. But there are 5 real paths in — from scout programs to micro-funds. Here's what actually works and what's a waste of time.
The NVCA publishes free legal templates that can save you $10-30K in lawyer fees. Here's every document explained in plain English, plus what to watch for.
Due diligence is the investigation an investor does before writing a check. Here's the exact checklist VCs use — financial, legal, product, team, and market — plus the 21 documents your data room needs.
Fund administration is the back-office engine of every VC fund. We rank 12 providers by price, capability, and who they serve best — from emerging managers to institutional GPs.
Pre-money valuation doesn't have to be a mystery. Here are the exact formulas, three worked examples at different stages, and the methods VCs actually use to price early-stage startups.
A cap table tracks who owns what in your startup. We walk through a real cap table example from founding through Series A — with templates, formulas, and dilution math.
A Section 409A valuation typically costs $1,000-$5,000 for early-stage startups. You need one before issuing stock options. Here's what it is, when you need it, and which providers are worth it.
VC analyst jobs pay $80K-$150K. Associates earn $150K-$300K. Partners clear $500K+. Here's how to find venture capitalist jobs by city, level, and function — plus which roles are actually remote.
The investment memo is the core deliverable in VC. Most are mediocre. Here's the section-by-section template top funds actually use, with examples of what good vs. bad looks like.
The power law rules VC. Seed funds do 25-40 deals, Series A funds do 15-25. Here's the math behind check sizes, reserves, ownership targets, and concentration risk.
Management fees, carried interest, GP commit, J-curve, waterfalls. The actual math behind running a venture fund, explained with real numbers on a $100M fund.
What actually happens after a VC says "we're interested." The complete due diligence process: market, product, team, financial, and legal. Plus red flags and timelines.
30 real VC interview questions organized by category: technical, market thesis, deal evaluation, and behavioral. With frameworks for answering each one.
A brutally honest roundup of the best ways to learn VC in 2025. Free courses, books, podcasts, tools, and the paid programs that are actually worth your money.
The real paths into VC, what firms actually look for, salary ranges at every level, and how to build a track record before anyone gives you a shot. No MBA required.
Liquidation preference, anti-dilution, drag-along rights — term sheets are designed to confuse you. Here's every term explained in plain English, with what's founder-friendly vs. what to push back on.
VC isn't free money, a loan, or a golden ticket. It's selling part of your company to people who expect 10x back. Here's the honest, jargon-free guide every first-time founder needs before taking a meeting.
Launching Fund I? Here's everything you need to know about entity structure, management fees, carry, GP commit, and why fund formation lawyers charge $100K+.
Raising money isn't about finding one yes. It's about running a process. Here's the step-by-step playbook for building an investor pipeline that actually converts.
Step-by-step seed fundraising guide with real numbers. Median seed is $3.5M at $15-20M post. 40-60 meetings in 6-8 weeks. Here's the full playbook.
A practical guide to building an ASC 820-compliant valuation policy for venture funds — covering governance, methodologies by stage, LP reporting, and common mistakes emerging managers make.
Qualified purchaser vs. accredited investor — the distinction shapes your entire fund structure. Here's what VC fund managers need to know about 3(c)(1) vs. 3(c)(7) funds.
A practical guide to VC fund compliance covering SEC registration exemptions, Form ADV requirements, state blue sky laws, and ongoing obligations for emerging fund managers.
Board seats are your most powerful tool as a VC. Here's how to be an effective board member, navigate governance challenges, and add real value to your portfolio companies.
Your LP report is your most important marketing document. Here's how to build a reporting framework that builds trust, reduces questions, and makes re-ups easier.
SEC scrutiny of private funds is at an all-time high. Here's a practical compliance guide for emerging managers covering registration, policies, and common pitfalls.
The SAFE vs convertible note debate has evolved. With new YC terms, rising rates, and shifting power dynamics, here's the framework for choosing the right instrument in 2026.
The complete guide to venture capital careers: roles from analyst to partner, salary ranges at every level, interview prep, and proven strategies to break in — even without a finance background.
Management fees, carried interest, GP commit, clawbacks — the economics of a venture fund are more nuanced than most emerging managers realize. Here's the definitive breakdown.
A step-by-step guide to building a startup financial model that impresses investors, drives decision-making, and helps you forecast growth, burn rate, and runway.
A step-by-step guide to building a startup financial model that impresses investors, drives decision-making, and helps you forecast growth, burn rate, and runway.
5 guides
How equity actually works, what dilution really means, and what founders take home in different exit scenarios. Real math, worked examples, no hand-waving.
A step-by-step guide to raising capital for your startup — from deciding when to raise, to closing your round and everything between. Written for founders, by people who've seen both sides.
Everything you need to understand about venture capital — how funds raise money, how deals get done, and how returns flow back to investors. The definitive primer.
SAFEs are simple to issue and complex to manage. Here's a practical walkthrough of how to structure early rounds so you don't spend Series A cleaning up messes.
Firm reputation matters less than the partner sitting across from you. A practical framework for evaluating investors before you take their money.