Steven James "SJ" Maranville, Ph.D., M.B.A.’s Post

💫 Attention Investors! 💫 Interested in understanding the opportunities available through LaunchVic? Check out the below! Loads of grants, education programs and angel networks available to help you know where's best to go! 😀 #investors #startup #startupsupport #startupinvestment

Not getting any VC Summer internships? Here's How to Level Up Your Summer 👇 1. Gain startup experience by taking a job at an early-stage company. Working at a startup, even in a non-founder role, allows you to deeply understand the challenges entrepreneurs face. This firsthand exposure to a founder's "pain points" is valuable for aspiring VCs as it builds empathy and understanding of the founders you may fund in the future. 2. Build your own startup (not just to get an opportunity in VC): Many venture capitalists believe that if you're not passionate about building something from the ground up, you may not be well-suited for a career in VC. Entrepreneurial experience and a deep understanding of the challenges founders face are highly valued in the VC world. If you have an idea you're excited about, take the leap and start working on it. Following a lean startup approach can be a great way to validate your concept, build an MVP, and gain first-hand experience with the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. This hands-on journey can provide invaluable insights and experiences that will not only make you a stronger candidate for VC roles but also help you better empathize with and support founders down the line. 3. Alternatively to VC, you can look for an opportunity in an incubator/accelerator/venture studio: You will get the chance to work with early-stage startups. 4. Build your personal brand by creating content about startups and venture capital: Share your insights, analysis, and perspectives on the startup ecosystem and VC landscape through platforms like a blog, podcast, or social media channels. Consistently publishing high-quality content can help establish you as a knowledgeable and passionate voice in the field, which can be valuable for breaking into the VC industry. Have Plans to Hustle This Summer? Share Your Moves in Comments. Want to learn more about VC this summer? Join our VC Enthusiast' slack community to learn, network and craft a path to venture capital: https://lnkd.in/gby478Up . #startups #venturecapital #jobs #analyst #vc #summerinternship #summerinternship2024 #indiastartups #usa #usajobs #siliconvalley #associate #fundraising #vcfunding #vcs #internshipopportunity #internshipjourney #vc #jobs

🚀 Dreaming of a Career in Venture Capital? Here’s How to Get Started! 💡 Venture capital is one of the most exciting and impactful career paths out there. You get to work with visionary founders, fund groundbreaking ideas, and shape the future of industries. But breaking into VC is no small feat—it takes a mix of strategy, skills, and determination. Here’s a step-by-step roadmap to help you start your journey: 🎯 Step 1: Build Foundational Skills Gain experience in finance, consulting, or startups. Develop expertise in high-growth sectors like AI, healthcare, or fintech. 🤝 Step 2: Network Strategically Attend startup pitch events, VC meetups, and conferences. Connect with founders and investors on LinkedIn or in online communities. 💼 Step 3: Leverage Internships A VC internship is a great way to learn the ropes and make key connections. 🖋️ Step 4: Share Your Expertise Online Write about market trends, startup ecosystems, or investment ideas. Build your personal brand as a thought leader in the space. 🎓 Step 5: Consider Further Education An MBA or certifications in finance/VC can boost your profile. 🌟 Breaking into venture capital isn’t easy, but with the right approach, it’s possible. Show your passion for startups, your ability to analyze trends, and your readiness to make a difference. #VentureCapital #CareersInVC #Startups #Innovation #Networkin

How I Broke Into VC in 5 Steps: 1️) News & Networking: Start by reading industry articles, setting up networking calls, attending public networking events, and creating a personal brand on LinkedIn. 2) Venture Scout: Create a sourcing plan to find startups; this can include alumni networks, cold outreach, crowdfunding platforms, hackathons, LinkedIn posts, networking and pitch events, networking groups, newsletters, online forums, outreach to superconnectors, partnerships, speaking at events, and warm intros. 3) Venture Program: Join a free formal venture program to learn about the benefits and risks of venture capital, the role of venture capital in startups, the investment process and stages of venture capital, venture capital structures, key metrics (e.g. IRR, TVPI, DPI) in venture capital, how to discover limited partners based on their archetypes, and how to pitch to limited partners. 4) Internship: Find internships by following along with VC firms’ LinkedIn posts, visiting VC firms’ websites to find internship programs, and reaching out to the professionals you developed relationships with in steps 1-3. 5) Analyst/Associate: Leverage the experience you developed in steps 1-4 and find roles through Nicole DeTommaso, John Gannon’s Blog, and Venture Capital Careers. Questions? Ask in the comments ⬇️ #VentureCapital #Startups #Networking #PersonalBranding #ThoughtLeadership

CIB Summer Internship Competition: Day 7 🌟 Are you ready to navigate the dynamic world of startups? 🌟 In the fast-paced realm of entrepreneurship, knowledge truly is power. Whether you're gearing up to launch your startup or aiming to scale it to new heights, staying informed can be the game-changer you need. Here are some crucial tips to help you thrive in today's competitive landscape: **Tip 1: Solve a Real Problem** Every successful startup starts with addressing a genuine pain point in the market. Conduct thorough research to understand your customers' needs deeply and build your solution around solving their problems effectively. **Tip 2: Know Your Audience** Understanding your target market inside out is key. Use surveys, interviews, and data analytics to gather insights. The closer you are to your audience, the better you can tailor your offerings and build lasting relationships. **Tip 3: Perfect Your Pitch** Your pitch is your startup's first impression. Craft it to clearly communicate your unique value proposition and the impact your product or service can make. Practice until you can deliver it confidently and compellingly. **Tip 4: Build a Strong Team** Surround yourself with talented individuals who share your vision. A strong team with diverse skills is essential for tackling challenges and fostering innovation. Invest in team-building and a positive work culture. **Tip 5: Manage Finances Wisely** Financial management is crucial for sustainability. Track expenses, revenue, and cash flow meticulously. Budget wisely and seek advice from financial experts to make informed decisions. **Tip 6: Embrace Agility** Adaptability is a competitive advantage in the startup world. Stay flexible and open to pivoting your strategies based on market feedback. Agility ensures you stay ahead of the curve. **Tip 7: Network Effectively** Build a strong network of mentors, industry experts, and fellow entrepreneurs. Networking can provide valuable support, advice, and opportunities for partnerships and growth. Success in the startup world demands innovation, resilience, and strategic thinking. Commit to your vision, embrace challenges, and continuously seek improvement. Let's pave the way to a thriving startup journey together! CIB Egypt Nader Fouad Farida Elsefary #CIB_Summer_Internship_2024 #CIB #StartupTips #Entrepreneurship #BusinessSuccess #Networking #Innovation

The gatekeeper to your VC millions? A fresh grad with a summer's worth of experience. Your task? Impress them.👇 You've spent years in your industry, building what could be the next unicorn startup. But the first person you have to pitch to? 🧐 A 22-year-old analyst fresh out of college, armed only with the experience of a 2-month internship.😭 It's almost a tragedy. They're the fund's gatekeepers. You need to impress them to get to the principals or the managing partners. Even a warm intro to the MP or principal might still lead to a first call with the analyst. Imagine that. Your industry experience, your groundbreaking startup, and your chance at raising millions. All dependent on impressing a GenZ-er with next to no clue about your industry. Make sure to impress even the interns if you want to talk to the MPs🚀🚀🚀 What else do you want to know? Follow 👉 Igor Curic, CFA, MBA & consider sharing ♻️ this post if you like it. #insideVC #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #startups #venturecapital #fundraising #investing

Answering my most asked question- "How to break into Venture Capital industry I get tons of dms daily asking me about my journey and struggles and the right path to enter this industry. There is no hard and fast rule for this. Here are 3 things that i followed that help me get into Venture Capital 1. In VC industry,  Experience > degree I don't promote unpaid internships, but if you get good opportunities, you should always focus on learning and not money in the first hand. 2. Read about startups, calculations and valuation on finger tips. For eg: $50000 at 4% equity, what will be the valuation of the company? 3. Don't shy away from attending networking events and cold mail/dm all relevant people. Network as much and when possible. It is a bit difficult to enter Venture capital industry, but when you are in, it's easier to switch roles and responsibilities. So just start! What else do you need help with, shoot them. #linkedin LinkedIn #vc #startup #venturecapital #fundraising

Guy Kawasaki’s The Venture Capital Aptitude Test (VCAT)... Use this test to find out if a job in venture capital is for you. ...👇 Guy Kawasaki created this test while working at Garage Technology Ventures. It can help you figure out if you're suited for a job as a venture capitalist. He divided this test into three parts - Part I: Work Background Part II: First-Hand Experiences Part III: Necessary Knowledge Results We have shared a detailed article in our "Break Into VC" Newsletter. Check it out here - https://lnkd.in/dX3sn-DC . #startups #funding #founders #venturecapital #vc #founder #fund #angelinvestors #investors #jobs #internship

What does it take to kickstart a career in venture capital? The journey into this vibrant field often requires more than just ambition; it demands a solid understanding of finance, investment strategies, and market trends. The article does a great job of unpacking the essential steps for breaking into venture capital, including the importance of networking and building a strong foundation of knowledge. Gaining exposure to real-world applications, participating in internships, and engaging with seasoned professionals can significantly enhance your expertise. It's a unique combination of quantitative analysis and qualitative judgment that really sets the stage for success in this sector. Have you thought about how proactive engagement could change your career trajectory? Your insights and experiences could contribute to shaping the next generation of venture capitalists. https://lnkd.in/gHKYMqmD

I recently wrapped up my internship at Plug and Play Tech Center and what an incredible journey it has been! Working in the LA office with a small, close-knit team allowed me to wear many different hats—something I was really looking forward to and thoroughly enjoyed. I remember how badly I wanted an internship in this space, and it wasn’t easy. It was hard—really hard—but I kept pushing forward. I believe in the saying, "Keep knocking the door, something will open." I finally got this opportunity at the very end of my 1st year of MBA, and I am genuinely glad I didn’t give up! For those of you still searching for what you want—just don’t give up. Keep going. A few lessons I learned along the way: •Understanding Venture Capital: In VC, a lot of the work revolves around selling ideas and conducting in-depth research. Whether it’s pitching ideas to investors, evaluating startups, or conducting due diligence, research is critical. You need to understand markets, trends, and founders deeply. •Networking is Everything: VC is truly about connections. Every deal, opportunity, and investment comes through relationships. Building authentic connections is key, and it’s not just about networking for the sake of it—everything is aligned to drive growth, innovation, and opportunity in this space. •Authenticity is Essential: In venture capital, being authentic isn’t just something to mention in interviews—it’s crucial to finding the right fit. When you’re truly yourself, it becomes clear whether a VC firm’s values, culture, and vision align with your own. Authenticity helps build genuine relationships with entrepreneurs and investors, and it also guides you in choosing firms or startups that resonate with your passions and long-term goals. Now, I’m excited to start my exchange semester at the University of St.Gallen, exploring Switzerland during the week and the rest of Europe on the weekends! I look forward to the new experiences and opportunities ahead. For anyone who’s interested in venture capital, the MBA journey, or anything else, I’m happy to share my experiences. Feel free to book an appointment through my profile—I’ve added my Calendly link (it’s free)! Happy to chat! #VentureCapital #Startups #Networking #Entrepreneurship #MBA #CareerGrowth #LearningJourney