We are in the early innings of learning about all of the excesses that happened on the way up. The corrective influence will be a greater focus on governance.
From my perspective, I think that what was happening in VC during this last cycle was egregious and unsustainable. The idea that firms were deploying LP capital into poorly diligenced companies is criminal. I also hope that founders aren't jaded in thinking diligence is or should be easy. It's best for them and their investors to be fully informed of what they're getting into. This post is a great reminder to ensure that happens.
In addition to poor DD, what I noticed is that in the super fast hype that founders were able to create with investors, personal and often unconscious biases had a stronger impact on decisions. This meant that the money flowed to white men faster than other founders.
I welcome this new world with more DD and a focus on governance. I think we will find that companies will need metrics and the backup to close rounds. This will be a great equalizer in the types of founders who will raise capital.
We already know that female-led companies outperform those led by males yet are funded at absurdly low rate. I believe that the increased DD that female led businesses need to undergo helps these businesses thrive. So investors should be more thorough - and make great efforts to remove these biases from their investing. Then they also should enjoy better returns for their efforts.
Investors should prepare themselves to be surprised by the types of founders and companies who can withstand this process.
From my perspective, I think that what was happening in VC during this last cycle was egregious and unsustainable. The idea that firms were deploying LP capital into poorly diligenced companies is criminal. I also hope that founders aren't jaded in thinking diligence is or should be easy. It's best for them and their investors to be fully informed of what they're getting into. This post is a great reminder to ensure that happens.
Great post. I think this renewed focus on due diligence is needed, if jarring for some.
In addition to poor DD, what I noticed is that in the super fast hype that founders were able to create with investors, personal and often unconscious biases had a stronger impact on decisions. This meant that the money flowed to white men faster than other founders.
I welcome this new world with more DD and a focus on governance. I think we will find that companies will need metrics and the backup to close rounds. This will be a great equalizer in the types of founders who will raise capital.
We already know that female-led companies outperform those led by males yet are funded at absurdly low rate. I believe that the increased DD that female led businesses need to undergo helps these businesses thrive. So investors should be more thorough - and make great efforts to remove these biases from their investing. Then they also should enjoy better returns for their efforts.
Investors should prepare themselves to be surprised by the types of founders and companies who can withstand this process.