🦄 Uprising Unicorns: 4 New VC Jobs, Why the hell you should care about deal flow, and hand-picked content links

Hey there, Unicorns. 🦄

Here’s is what you get in today’s post:

1. Deal Flow and why the hell you should care about it

2. News in VC

3. Hand-picked VC jobs 🔥🦄👀

4. Hand-picked links from the week

see very bottom for a potential bonus story of the biggest mistake to avoid in vc

1️⃣ The Deal Flow Lowdown

Without a steady stream of investment opportunities, venture capital firms and investors can't put their capital to work, innovate, or generate returns. Here's the blunt breakdown:

It's All About Options and Opportunities

• Quantity Leads to Quality: The more deals you see, the higher your chances of finding that gem of an investment with the potential to return your fund several times over.

• Market Insight: A robust deal flow gives investors a front-row seat to emerging trends, sectors gaining traction, and shifts in consumer behavior before they become mainstream.

• Competitive Edge: In a world where everyone is looking for the next big thing, having access to more and potentially better deals before anyone else is a huge advantage.

Without Deal Flow, You're in the Dark

• No Growth: No deals mean no investments. No investments mean no growth. It's that simple. Without new, innovative companies in your portfolio, your growth stagnates.

• Missed Opportunities: If you're not seeing a variety of deals, you're likely missing out on investments that could be game-changers for your portfolio.

• Reduced Influence: A strong deal flow not only brings investment opportunities but also positions you as a key player in the ecosystem. Less deal flow means reduced influence and networking opportunities.

In essence, deal flow is crucial because it directly impacts the potential success and sustainability of venture capital firms and their ability to drive innovation and generate significant financial returns. No deal flow, no dice. 🎲💼

Diving deeper into deal flow, let's first explore some specific resources that can help you get a handle on the current trends and opportunities in the startup and venture capital landscape. Here are a few links to bookmark:

1. Crunchbase News - A go-to for tracking startup activity, funding rounds, and emerging players in the tech space. Crunchbase News

2. AngelList - Ideal for discovering early-stage startups and connecting with founders. Great for scouts and investors alike. AngelList

1. PitchBook - Offers detailed data on private capital markets, including venture capital, private equity, and M&A. PitchBook

2. CB Insights - Provides analytics, data, and insights on private companies and emerging industries. CB Insights

3. TechCrunch - For the latest technology news and insights into the startup world. TechCrunch

Creating deal flow as a scout involves a proactive approach to finding, evaluating, and connecting promising startups with potential investors. Here’s how you can create and maintain a robust deal flow:

Networking, Networking, Networking

• Attend Industry Events: Conferences, meetups, and pitch events are gold mines for discovering new ventures and meeting founders.

• Leverage Social Media: Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and even Clubhouse are great for connecting with entrepreneurs and investors.

• Engage with Startup Communities: Join forums, co-working spaces, and online communities where startups and tech enthusiasts gather.

Build Your Brand

• Content Creation: Share insights, analysis, and trends about the VC and startup world through blogs or social media to establish yourself as a thought leader.

• Offer Value: Provide feedback, introductions, or even mentorship to startups. This helps build trust and encourages founders to approach you with opportunities.

Utilize Technology

• Startup Databases: Use platforms like Crunchbase, AngelList, and others to research and track startups.

• CRM Tools: Manage your contacts, startups, and interactions efficiently. Tools like Affinity or Notion can help keep track of your deal flow process.

Foster Relationships

• Follow Up: Keep in touch with founders, even if their current venture isn’t a fit. Circumstances and opportunities evolve.

• Connect with Fellow Scouts and VCs: Share deals and insights. A strong network means access to shared knowledge and opportunities.

Stay Informed and Educated

• Keep Learning: Stay updated with the latest industry trends, investment strategies, and market needs. The more informed you are, the better you'll be at spotting promising opportunities.

Creating a robust deal flow as a scout requires a mix of networking, market knowledge, and the ability to provide value to both startups and investors. It’s about being in the right place, at the right time, and with the right mindset to bring groundbreaking ideas and capital together. 🚀✨

2️⃣ VC News You Can Use

We binged on TechCrunch so you don't have to (but hey, we still recommend it – knowledge is power, right?). This week's headline grabber: a major VC firm just announced a new $500M fund focused on sustainable tech. This is HUGE, signaling a stronger shift towards investments with environmental impact. Also buzzing, a prominent startup just closed a Series B round with a whopping $120M to expand their AI-driven marketplace. The future's looking tech-tastic!

3️⃣ Hot Jobs Alert! 🚨

As always, some hand-picked hard to find VC roles available THIS WEEK.

Cheers and good luck soldiers.

Events Managar - B Capital - SF - https://b.capital/about/careers/?gh_jid=5854884003

Associate - Future Ventures - CA - https://venturecapitalcareers.com/company/future-ventures

Ops - Array VC - Remote - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSft8c7BB58YUOKzPRIjRyXuiAbRuM8UPtcSKgICbsIlcDe1BA/viewform

4️⃣ Must-Click Links

We know you love a good deep dive, so we've curated a list of must-clicks that'll satisfy your VC curiosity and then some. From insightful podcasts to enlightening articles, these are your keys to staying ahead of the curve.

And that's a wrap! 🎬 Until next time, keep pushing boundaries and stay awesome! 🚀✨

BONUS STORY: don’t make this mistake once you become a vc

Let's distill that wild VC saga into a bullet-point extravaganza, perfect for skimming, sharing, and shaking your head in disbelief:

• The Character: Meet Alex, a newly minted angel investor with more enthusiasm than experience.

• The Pitch: RevolutionaryTech steps onto the scene, claiming to enable telepathic communication with pets.

• The Decision: Without a whiff of due diligence, Alex writes a staggering $1 million check, dazzled by visions of chatting chihuahuas and conversational cats.

• The "Technology": A prototype that seems to have been cobbled together from spare parts and wishful thinking.

• The Business Plan: Featured suspicious expenses like "Magic Beans" and "Telepathy Training Treats."

• The Outcome: Six months later, RevolutionaryTech's founder pulls a disappearing act, leaving behind empty offices and a non-functional "prototype."

• The Lesson Learned: Alex realizes too late that due diligence is more than a fancy phrase