
Getting a job in venture capital is a bit like getting into a great startup: there’s no straightforward path, and the conventional routes often don’t work. Venture capital fund jobs are rare and highly competitive. To break in, you need to prove you’re someone who can spot outliers and help founders turn bold ideas into world-changing companies. Here’s how to do it.
Key Paths to a Job in VC
1. Start a Company
The best way to get into VC is to have done what VCs fund: start a company. Even if your startup doesn’t become a unicorn, the experience of:
Building a product from scratch,
Getting it to market,
Raising money,
Building a team,
teaches you things no other path can. VCs love operators because they’ve been in the trenches. They know how hard it is to start something, and that gives them an edge in recognizing founders who have what it takes.
2. Work at an Early-Stage Startup
If starting your own company feels like too big a leap, the next best thing is to work at someone else’s. Join an early-stage startup—the earlier, the better. At a tiny company, you’ll:
See how startups grow (or don’t),
Learn how to solve hard problems with limited resources,
Get exposure to the VC ecosystem—through investor meetings, updates, and networking.
VCs want people who understand startups, and there’s no better way to learn than by being in one.
3. Build a Network of Founders and Investors
VC is a relationship-driven business. Your network is your edge. If you know great founders, you can bring great deals. If you know other investors, you can syndicate deals. To grow your network:
Go to startup events and meetups.
Talk to founders and help them however you can.
Build relationships with investors.
Networking isn’t about collecting business cards; it’s about becoming a trusted node in the ecosystem.
4. Develop a Personal Thesis
VCs don’t just look for smart people; they look for people who see the future. A personal thesis is your vision for where the world is going and which types of startups are going to get us there. Your thesis should answer questions like:
Which industries are ripe for disruption?
What technologies will shape the next decade?
What kinds of founders do you believe in?
A strong thesis makes you stand out because it shows you’re not just another candidate; you’re someone with a point of view.
5. Work in Banking or Consulting
This is the most traditional path, but it’s also the least interesting. Banking and consulting teach you useful skills—like financial modeling and market analysis—but they don’t teach you how startups work. If you go this route, make sure you’re learning about startups on the side. Start building your network and developing your thesis early.
Why Startup Experience is the Most Valuable
The best preparation for VC is startup experience—either starting your own or working at an early-stage one. Startups teach you things you can’t learn anywhere else:
How to build something from nothing.
What makes a good idea vs. a bad one.
What founders need (and don’t need) from their investors.
When you’ve lived the startup experience, you’ll be better at evaluating deals and helping founders. That’s what VCs do, and that’s why this kind of experience is so valuable.
Where to Find Venture Capital Fund Jobs
Finding VC jobs is tough because most roles aren’t posted publicly. But there are a few places to look:
VC Job Boards
General Platforms
LinkedIn (search for jobs at venture capital funds and their portfolio companies).
AngelList (especially for roles at early-stage startups and VC funds).
Newsletters and Communities
"This Week in VC" by Gaby Goldberg.
"The OpenLP," a newsletter focused on the VC ecosystem.
Communities like On Deck and Slack groups for founders and investors.
Networking
Volunteer or intern at an accelerator.
Reach out to VCs for advice (don’t ask for a job right away).
Get introductions through founders and mutual connections.
Final Thoughts
Getting a job in VC is hard, but not impossible. The best way to break in is to prove you’re already doing the job. Start a company, work at a startup, build your network, and develop your thesis. If you can show you understand founders and startups better than most, you’ll stand out. And once you’re in, the work is just beginning. VC isn’t just about finding great companies; it’s about helping them succeed.
Comments