Mary Grove’s Post

So you are interested in a career in Venture? Sign up for this virtual session with Bread and Butter Ventures and learn from some of the best.

Imagine learning from Silicon Valley's best. That's exactly what I did at Berkeley. Back in 2013, I took one of the most transformative steps in my career—I enrolled in a top-tier venture capital program at Berkeley. This wasn't just any course. It was a deep dive into the world of Silicon Valley's finest—founders, bankers, investors, and lawyers. Here's how this experience shaped my approach to angel investing: 🔍 Understanding the VC Mindset: Immersing myself among the minds in Silicon Valley, I gleaned insights into what drives VC decisions. This knowledge now guides how I align my investments with broader venture trends. 🌟 Identifying High-Potential Startups: The program equipped me with the tools to evaluate startups meticulously, understanding what truly sets a potential success story apart from the rest. 📊 Mastering Due Diligence: From financials to team dynamics, the art of thorough evaluation has become a cornerstone of my investment strategy. It’s about looking beyond the numbers to the people behind the project. 💼 My First Investment: Inspired by what I learned, I made my first angel investment shortly after the course. Each investment is a step further in refining my approach and expanding my impact in the startup ecosystem. This journey has not only been about adding tools to my investor toolkit but also about continuous learning and applying these lessons to nurture new talent and ideas. To all aspiring founders and entrepreneurs: education and continuous learning can profoundly shape your career path. It’s not just about the formal knowledge but the doors that this learning will open. 👉 If you're on a similar journey or thinking about it, I'd love to hear your story. Connect with me, and let's discuss how continuous learning can elevate your entrepreneurial path. #VentureCapital #AngelInvesting #StartupEcosystem #BerkeleyAlumni #SiliconValley #Entrepreneur #Education #InvestmentStrategy #ContinuousLearning #StartupSuccess #Founders

Angel investing is so much more than putting money into an asset class reserved for the “upper echelon”. The exposure to angel investing was transformative for me. Why? There is no obvious right or wrong when it comes to investing in deals. That’s untypical for our world and the brain gymnastics for every deal helped me practice my critical thinking muscles. Every decision is a bet while taking into account a lot of data points, and gut feel, so it honed my decision making like nothing else and prepared me for the founder journey. Particularly because my corporate job before becoming a founder didn’t allow for constant decisions making. Reviewing pitches with other investors and meeting founders opened a world of relationships and connections that I would have never had access to. After a while I got really good at understanding technology trends and seeing how the latest technology is used. This helped me get booked for speaking engagements for my “finger on the pulse” of technology. Overall, I think angel investing - even if you never write a check - is going to help you become a better leader and build a great network. If that sounds interesting, join us in June!

Angels becoming mentors… In our last blog post, we discussed the importance of founder character traits like humility and professionalism for angels to make decisions to invest in THAT founder, and not the other 100 who are knocking on the door. Following up on that, we just published a blog post with thoughts on founder mentorship from Angel investors, bringing: 1. Experience 🏚️ - often industry relevant, hopefully international exposure 2. Network 🛜 - seasoned angels have large networks and are used to leverage these networks for their investments 3. Long term vision 👀- angel investments typically have 5-10 year horizons, no DPIs to chase or similar 4. Failures 😫- angels have made mistakes, and they tell their portfolio founders what mistakes NOT to repeat 5. Personal connection and actual mentorship 🎗️ - time with angels can be golden. Founders need to ask for it! Read the blog post at: https://lnkd.in/dPUp3iZw and let us know your thoughts!

🌟 I'm super excited to launch a new program by The GUILD for folks interested in learning about #angelinvesting and making an #impact at the same time. If you're "angel-curious" and want to learn from some of the most successful angel investors >> secure your spot (limited to 20 seats). You will meet impact entrepreneurs who will pitch weekly and craft investment memos with your peers. Startup experts and angel investors will join to share their secrets on how they pick deals. I think it's critical to know and learn about this asset class in today's world. I was exposed to angel investing early in my career which has given me deep insights into technology, market trends, founder psyche, and critical thinking. This is an exclusive 4-week online program designed for mid-career and executive leaders. Dive into impact investing foundations, due diligence, crafting investment strategies, and more! 🔍 What You'll Gain: - Insights from seasoned angel investors. - In-depth knowledge of due diligence and impact measurement. - Crafting your investment thesis aligned with financial goals and societal impact. - Access to live pitches from seed-stage impact entrepreneurs and networking opportunities. 🚨 Limited Seats Available! Only 20 Spots! Join the ranks of impact investors. Craft a roadmap for your angel journey. 🌐 📆 Program Starts: June 3 - June 28, Every Wednesday and Friday noon -1 pm PST 🎓 Duration: 4 Weeks 💡 Welcoming aspiring and accredited Angel Investors and Impact Entrepreneurs! 👉 Enroll Today: https://lnkd.in/g7jrfkpD #AngelInvesting #ImpactEntrepreneurs #LimitedSeats #InvestingJourney The program is not investment advice but helps you understand the asset class and the different opportunities to get involved - please consult your financial advisors :)

Unlock Your Potential as an Angel Investor with Lokal Capital! 🌟 Are you ready to dive into the world of angel investing and become a savvy investor in high-potential startups? Look no further than Lokal Capital's comprehensive Angel Investor Course! Here's what you'll gain by enrolling in our course: 1️⃣ In-Depth Knowledge: Gain a deep understanding of angel investing fundamentals, from evaluating startup opportunities to negotiating terms and structuring deals. Our modules ensure you're equipped with the knowledge to make informed investment decisions.📚 2️⃣ Practical Insights: Learn from real-world case studies and success stories of seasoned angel investors. We provide practical insights and actionable strategies that you can apply directly to your investment journey, helping you navigate the complexities of the startup ecosystem with confidence. 📖 3️⃣ Ongoing Support: Receive ongoing support and guidance from our team throughout your angel investing journey. From personalized mentorship to regular updates on market trends and investment opportunities, we're committed to helping you succeed as an angel investor. 🤝 Don't miss this opportunity to embark on your angel investing journey with Lokal Capital's Angel Investor Course. Enroll now and take the first step towards building a profitable investment portfolio and shaping the future of entrepreneurship! 💹 Ready to become a successful angel investor? Join us today: https://lnkd.in/d8F-S-jr #LokalCapital #AngelInvesting #StartupInvesting #InvestmentEducation #VentureCapital #AngelInvestorCourse

🚀 Inside the VC Decision Room: Investment Committee Series - Part 1 🚀 Hello LinkedIn! 👋 As you may have seen, I've been on an exciting journey as part of the Included VC Fellowship. An exciting part of the fellowship has been the Investment Committee simulation where we simulate an essential step in the VC decision making process which is the Investment committee where VCs decide on whether they should go ahead with investing in a startup. I found these exercises so wonderful because it is a moment of great debates where biases become evident and lots of opinion changes. I will surely write a post on that at another time. As for today, I want to take you behind the scenes.🌟 We had a number of ICs and during the next coming weeks, I will be sharing some of Investment Committee Simulation Insights that stuck with me. These insights directly come from seasoned investors. Big shout-out to Shabir Vasram from daphni , the seasoned investor we had the privilege to collaborate with during this Investment Committee simulation. So founders listen up to this: 🔍 Market Analysis: In the world of VC, market size is a make-or-break factor. But it's not just about the numbers on a slide. VCs will challenge you to demonstrate a clear understanding of your market and how you plan to conquer it. The big question: Is the market big enough to support your vision? And when it comes to market size figures, VCs also do their own calculations. 💡 Team Matters: The team behind the startup is a deal-breaker. VCs don't just glance at your LinkedIn profiles; VCs delve deep to understand your relevant experience and education background. 🚀 Traction & Runway: For early-stage startups, it's crucial to show traction, whether it's B2B partnerships or B2C customer acquisition. But here's the kicker: VCs want to see at least 18 months of runway. Scaling a business takes time, and having a buffer is a must. ��� Partnerships & Edge: Startups need more than just a good idea; you need a strategy. VCs will scrutinize your partnership approach and evaluate if you have a competitive edge. The question is: What sets you apart from the crowd? 🔮 Insider Insights: VCs don't just stop at the pitch deck. They evaluate everything from regulatory challenges to funding requirements. 🌐 🌱 Stay tuned for more intriguing insights from the VC decision room. #VCInsights #InvestmentCommittee #StartupFunding #BehindTheScenes #IncludedVCFellowship #IncludedVCMafia #startupadvice

Yesterday, I had the privilege to participate in a LaunchPad class as an invited investor—LaunchPad is one of Stanford University’s most successful accelerators. Each Spring quarter, 10 new ventures incubate and launch a real business in just 10 weeks. Reflecting on my journey from a successful LaunchPad founder to an investor, here is what I shared with founders and what I would tell myself 2 years ago: 🚀 "Your presentation skills almost do not matter": Two years ago, I obsessed over perfecting the pitch, focusing more on delivery than substance. I've learned that what matters most isn't how you say it, but what you say and how deeply you've thought about it. 🤝 "Coachability is important": At Stanford, I spoke with many people. While we talked to customers, I now realize the value of engaging potential partners, investors, and customers earlier. Founders should tap into collective wisdom and distill it down to what matters most. I underestimated the insights of those with experience, but now I see more patterns. 💡 "Do not underestimate your own knowledge and experience": Investors are the ones making decisions on capital allocation, potentially creating dynamics that undermines a founder's power. In fact, founders are at the front row of the battlefield, possessing knowledge that investors do not have. Stand your ground, but be open to feedback. 👥 "You will find your people": Being a founder is tough, especially with daily rejection. But over time, you'll find the right partners and investors who share your vision. Thanks Perry Klebahn for having me! I am looking forward to Night Launch in May - the final event of the accelerator. 🌟 https://lnkd.in/gScDjdgs

I'm thrilled to get my hands on The Venture Mindset, a book by Ilya Strebulaev and Alex Dang, on its official launch day in the UK and Europe! It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but I only started following Ilya’s deep expertise on VCs a few years ago after stumbling upon one of his interviews on YouTube. His journey from a classical corporate finance education to becoming a tenured professor at Stanford University - and developing the highly popular Angel and VC course there - really grabbed my attention. I had to catch up with some of his key publications, like How VCs Make Decisions and The Principles of Valuing VC-backed Companies, which weren’t on my radar before. His insights on why the US has become the world’s powerhouse of entrepreneurship were novel to me. Got to learn how legislative changes in the 1970s allowed pension funds to allocate more capital to alternative investments like PE and VC, as long as the overall portfolio remained diversified. This shift significantly boosted the tech innovation spirit in the US, which keeps on attracting a vast talent pool and investment from around the world till date. #Innovation isn’t just about launching a new product or startup; it also involves creating entirely new business models. The decision-making process in VC investments is crucial for determining which firms will excel in picking the right startups and ultimately delivering outsized returns for their LPs. How do VCs decide which entrepreneurs to back? How does the investment committee reach a consensus? Beyond metrics, analytics, and logical inputs, behavioral economics and #psychology play a significant role in these decisions. I’m looking forward to diving into this book. Finally, my tube rides will be filled with purpose and inspiration! #entrepreneurship #VC #behavioraleconomics #investments

🚀 Navigating the World of Impact Investing 🚀 Join the Discussion and share your opinions on impact-driven entrepreneurship in the comments. The rise of climate tech startups has introduced a new era of impact investors. At Le Studio, our commitment to reliability and education drives us to empower founders seeking change. We're here to guide you through five essential questions to ask impact investors. 🌟 Join us in revolutionizing the way startups and investors collaborate for a sustainable future. Let's drive impact-driven success! 💡🌱 #LeStudioGuidance #ImpactfulEntrepreneurship