What do you do if you want to stand out as a venture capitalist in a crowded market?

Positioning isn’t just looking at what you or your firm brings to the table, it’s also about the playing field: what others bring (or fail to bring) and market dynamics. This reset cycle is an incredible time in venture capital: the big platforms are challenged after years of greed and hubris, the small firms are struggling to grow sustainably. It opens immense opportunities for firms like Mighty Capital who have a practical value-add for entrepreneurs beside capital - in our case, it’s a global community of >500,000 product managers.

Know your “why.” What does your firm stand for and how do your talents roll into that? BE YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF. While it might sound like BS, it’s true. People are TIRED of the posturing and “stealthing”. If you are being “real,” THAT’S your unique position. Your experience and willingness to learn and work with others is your value add. Your relationship-building abilities are only as strong as your emotional collateral with people. If you’re known as transactional only, then it will be a harder climb. Share your journeys, ups + downs on digital platforms, etc.; people will join that ride with you. This is how you grow your thought-leadership muscles. People are your biggest resources, so interact accordingly. You got this.

How about moving up the food chain to growth. Until capital is available during the development desert, those VC investments won’t pay off as the Companies will not make it!

Oftentimes investors promise to add value to their portfolio companies, when in reality they have a spray and pray approach and their time allocated to every startup is so limited that it’s impossible to add value. Founders should distinguish between the investors that really dedicate their own time or have a network of professionals that support their startups, and investors that only talk about adding value. At the same time it‘s valuable to have investors on board that were also operators in the past, because they understand much better the struggles of building a high growth business. I recommend founders to also perform their due diligence on investors and to choose those who have a track record of supporting their investments.

Value-add by a VC comes from the intent right from the word “GO”. Intent must be well-defined with expectations set clearly between the founder and the VC. The communication frequency must be just nice- not overdo and also not to underdo- maybe once in a quarter business updates as well financial updates with a honest purpose in mind must be shared by the investee companies to the VC. VC must work had- invest not just capital but time to add value, understand the business direction, strategy and define the success parameters. I often take help from industry experts for value-add as that position my firm as a serious investor who walks the talk.

Unless a 'strategic' collaboration binds the investor and the founder, it's fair to say that the VC investor can uphold a "not too tight, not too loose" relation to the founder as he/she seeks to add value to the other party in his/her dealings. A venture capitalist, seeking to differentiate oneself, knows how and when to rise to the occasion should the founder need the investor's assistance. It can come as introductions (to prospective clients, suppliers, consultants, etc.), financial advice/assistance, or distribution network sharing.

Make sure that the position you're trying to achieve as a VC also adds value to the table for all your stakeholders. I believe that when you create a unique position by adopting a truly differentiated strategy, the value you're adding will be higher than what the market is offering because you have a vision for the future that the market currently lacks.

Give first. Make your mission about enabling entrepreneurs. This creates authentic relationships because your mission is authentic. Build your network based on driving ecosystems and founders forward. Others will clearly see the motivations for your actions and remember your inspiration rather than a sales pitch on why your fund is the best.

» Gain experience in making successful investments, track record that will demonstrate your ability to identify promising opportunities & generate returns for your investors. » Offer mentorship & advisory services to startups in your niche, providing guidance/support beyond just financial investment. This helps you gaining firsthand experience in the challenges & opportunities they face. » Invest in building a strong personal brand, consistently demonstrating your expertise & values to differentiate yourself from competitors. » Forge strategic partnerships with other experts in your niche to expand your network & access additional resources/opportunities. These partnerships can also enhance your credibility & visibility within the industry.

A robust network of entrepreneurs, fellow investors, industry experts, and business leaders, will help you build your expertise and strengthen your position. Cultivating a strong network helps you not only build a reputation in the market but also exchange ideas and opportunities. This can be achieved by being consistent in your communications and reliable in your commitments.

99.99% of VCs follow the same playbook: numbers, market, product fit, other investors, etc. — all the while being influenced by outside trends and manipulating themselves and their LPs by seemingly safe data they internally collect. Then why are 9 out of 10 investments failing? Dare to be different. Make VC about people again. Back founders for their long term journey not for one gig. All VCs say this, but only 00.01% mean or live it. Focus on the people, not the business they do right now. Success follows people, not businesses.

Venture is a relationship business with the mission of helping startup founders succeed. Make introductions, give perspective if you can, roll up your sleeves and help. Founders with options will choose a VC they trust will help them succeed. Be that person.

Post on high quality content on LinkedIn! It's a great platform for reaching founders, operators and co-investors. Building your brand and following can lead to speaking engagements, PR, events and more.

Try to focus on emerging challenges rather than predictions of the future and the space 'heating up'. This provides no value to your community of prospect founders. Rather, quantify the space and add research notes. Essentially, help founders build a compelling market analysis you would buy into.

Share insightful, forward-looking perspectives on industry trends, investment strategies, and emerging technologies. Regularly publish articles, blog posts, and reports that add value to the conversation and showcase your expertise. Engage with the broader community through speaking engagements at conferences, webinars, and panel discussions. Be active on social media platforms, offering commentary on current events and market shifts. Cultivate a strong brand as a go-to expert in your focus areas, demonstrating deep knowledge and a clear vision for the future of the sectors you invest in. This approach will establish your reputation as a thought leader in the venture capital space.

I really enjoy venture capital because I am nerd. It's the one space (and maybe hedgefunds) where you can sit in the library for long, learn and execute in the real world. It's also the one place you can find success with different philosophies of life. And, there's no better place to share your thoughts and engage with others like LinkedIn!

Build an audience. Most people presume this means regurgitating fundraising announcements or becoming a content creator. The way to stand out with an audience is by sharing regular experiences of your day-to-day as an investor. Many founders don’t have access to understanding how VC works. That gap of knowledge is a great way to stand out while making it easier for founders to get critical information. Write what you know.

Cook pizza in the office - in all seriousness - find something that is emotionally authentic and do it. Given I used to run a food channel, we have a pizza oven in the office. Everyone loves a good pizza.

Innovative strategies for thinking outside the box & finding new ways to add value to startups beyond just providing capital: » Create specialised accelerator/incubator programs tailored to startups in your niche. » Forge partnerships with corporations in your niche to provide startups with access to industry expertise, resources, customers or supply chain. » Embrace impact investing by focusing on startups that are not only financially viable but also have a positive social or environmental impact. » Leverage tech to streamline the investment process, using AI/ML algorithms to identify promising investments. » Expand your reach beyond your local market by actively seeking opportunities in emerging markets that can diversify your portfolio.

The decision-making process is extremely important for any venture fund. Proper set up of that is responsible for the success of venture firm. Innovations could be easily implemented if it comes to deal sourcing, supporting your portfolio companies, BUT innovate wisely if it comes to the decision-making process and its consistency.

We create hyper-qualified, off-market deal flow by sourcing the world's best emerging tech to solve real business challenges for leading enterprises we work with on consulting engagements. When we scout and source a technology company, we're looking at their ability to add value to our clients first and foremost. If we can secure a POC with those clients, this represents the ultimate DD. Investment then becomes a natural next step. We've added value to the enterprise by sourcing a transformational solution. We've added value to the entrepreneur by providing them with access to major new clients. Relationships are built end-to-end through innovation and value creation.

Adopt unconventional investment strategies that focus on emerging or underserved markets. Look for startups outside traditional tech hubs, tapping into innovation in diverse geographical areas. Invest in companies that are addressing new or niche problems, potentially creating new market categories. Utilize data analytics and AI to identify investment opportunities and trends before they become mainstream. Embrace flexible funding models that adapt to the unique needs of startups, such as revenue-based financing or hybrid equity and debt structures. Be open to collaborating with non-traditional partners to broaden your investment scope and impact.

The best part about speaking to entrepreneurs on a daily basis is you get to learn! Be humble in that the founder is teaching you about something they are a specialist in. Sign up for newsletters! Read and always be aware of industry developments. Some newsletters: LAUNCH Ticker This Week In Startups Strictly VC Inside startups Andrew Chen on Product Teresa Torres on Product

The market and technology landscape are always evolving. Stay informed about the latest trends, technologies, and market shifts. This ongoing education not only helps in making informed investment decisions but also positions you as a resourceful and knowledgeable partner to the startups you invest in.

In venture capital, it’s vital to never stop learning. The market is always changing, with new trends and technologies emerging. I make it a point to stay updated by attending industry conferences, participating in webinars, and engaging with academic research. Keeping my knowledge fresh helps me make smart investment decisions and stay ahead in the market.

Develop your curiosity. This is the key skill you need to grow. Venture Capital is a vast industry, and curiosity is essential to stay aware of innovative developments. Embrace a curious mindset and cultivate a passion for discovering new things and topics. Learning always begins with curiosity.

Do not read 99% of the insights shared on these collaborative posts 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 (here for the for the likes - muahahahaha 😈)

Investidores de capital de risco que adotam critérios ESG (ambiental, social e governança) não apenas atraem startups com valores alinhados, mas também fortalecem sua posição no mercado. Esta prática melhora a reputação diante de reguladores e investidores, facilitando o acesso a mais e melhores oportunidades de investimento. Além disso, contribui para a sustentabilidade das operações e para o impacto social positivo, elementos cada vez mais valorizados no cenário econômico atual.

Make People Money…. Then you don’t have to wear a Clown Tie to Stand out from the Crowd. The Crowd will come find You. Put others First - Then Money will Flow in….

Be clear and vocal about your unique expertise. That will help attract top founders in your sector and demonstrate GP-thesis fit.

Find the best deals early on. Support founders with whatever you can when it comes to growth. Get at least few success stories.Repeat.