14 lessons from 14 years in VC

Venture capital is one of the most varied industries out there. Very few careers let you jump between sectors, immerse yourself in the latest tech and trends, or meet some of the most talented people around – all as a routine part of the job. I was lucky enough to do it for fourteen years.

I would have needed to walk around with my eyes closed and fingers in my ears not to learn a thing or two. Now that I’ve stepped back from making investments into a role designed to support the next generation, it felt like a good time to reflect. So I thought I’d share a lesson per year (which is really just a convenient way to whittle down what otherwise could have been a memoir).

Here are some things I hope fellow investors, budding founders, and anyone curious about the ecosystem might find useful. 1. Be the last to leave I don’t mean the office.

I mean be the last person to leave the investor dinner, the networking drinks, the launch party. Of course, there’s a balance to be struck. And with childcare and other commitments, this might not be practical at every stage of your career.

But, where you can, there’s no shame in sticking around or indulging in a few more drinks every now and then. I think people can be too self-conscious and worry about being seen to have “too good” a time at a work event. An occasional bit of light‑hearted merriment isn’t going to end your career, and I find that most honest conversations happen when the crowd thins and guards are down.

So don’t rush home in fear that the welcome prosecco might actually have an effect. 2. Never underestimate your network Your network is far bigger than the people you see or speak to regularly.

When you think about how many people you know tenuously, at one remove, or through one random conversation at a conference five years ago, it’s vast. Make use of those looser connections. Some of the best opportunities in my career (including my current role) came through people I had no idea would help me as much as they did.