Is venture capital a people business?

Yes, venture capital is indeed considered a "people business." Several experts in the industry emphasize the importance of relationships, networks, and understanding people.

1. Fred Destin, a founding partner at Stride VC, notes that venture capital is fundamentally complicated because it combines elements of people, products, technology, brand, and business models. He acknowledges that learning every aspect of the trade is crucial for success in venture capital 1.

2. Lindsay Lee of Authentic Ventures remarks that venture capital is the most network-driven business, highlighting that access to opportunities profoundly depends on relationships with key partners or general partners at firms 2.

3. Billionaire venture capitalist Doug Leone from Sequoia Capital points out the importance of self-awareness and mentoring within venture firms. He elaborates on the necessity of giving team members time to grow and the critical role of fair compensation in fostering a great working culture that respects individuals and their contributions 3.

   • 

     1

     Lessons Learned

     00:28:58
   • 

     2

     Venture Capital Dynamics

     00:06:50
   • 

     3

     Performance and Compensation

     00:12:21

These perspectives collectively underscore that while venture capital involves financial and technical assessments, it fundamentally revolves around people and relationships.