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Mastering the VC Game: An Important Read for Startup Entrepreneurs

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Mastering the VC Game: A Venture Capital Insider Reveals How to Get from Start-up to IPO on Your Terms is written by Jeff Bussgang, General Partner at Flybridge Capital Partners. Follow him on Twitter here, and read his own thoughts about the book here. Jeff has been a VC for a number of years, but prior to that was “on the other side of the table” as a startup entrepreneur. It’s a shame we have to speak about venture capitalists and entrepreneurs as being “on opposite sides of the table” but that seems to be the case much of the time. And if you can’t beat ’em or join ’em, then the next best thing is to understand what the hell they’re thinking.

And that’s exactly what Mastering the VC Game is all about. It’s a strong, introductory primer to the venture capital and investor world. For an entrepreneur looking to raise financing this kind of “insider information” is critical. From understanding the fundamentals of investment to how investors think, Mastering the VC Game walks you quickly through the essentials. Understanding the mechanics of how venture capitalists make financing decisions and make money is great information when you’re ready to pitch. You’ll be that much more equipped to succeed.

The book is easy to ready and understand. While it tackles somewhat complicated issues around financing and how venture capital works, Jeff does a great job of making this simple to understand.

The stories at the beginning are also very interesting. Jeff recounts the beginnings of Twitter, and how founder Jack Dorsey came up with the idea. It’s not a story I had heard before, but it resonates with some of the keys of being a true entrepreneur — passion, immense curiosity, drive, being able to adapt, and learn from failure.

Jason Evanish makes a great point in his review of the book:

If you take away only one thing from this book, it needs to be: understand and work to align the motivations of all board members. It is when motivations get out of line (or start out that way), that conflict and company issues arise. Your probability of success is infinitely greater when you have everyone working to the same goals.

Alignment is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately with respect to how you keep investors, board members, entrepreneurs, founders, employees, customers and others aligned for success. It’s not easy.

The only part I would have been interested in seeing is a stronger evaluation of the Canadian VC scene. Jeff takes a look at what’s going on in China, Vietman and Europe, all of which have different issues and lots of interesting lessons for nascent startup ecosystems. But I would have been curious about Jeff’s input on the Canadian startup scene.

Mastering the VC Game is well worth purchasing, spending a few hours with and learning about “the other side”.

Filed Under: Startups

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  • Well, from the review I can read in this article the book must be good and useful, or at least interesting to read. I don't know of a startup entrepreneur that doesn’t have the need to ask more and know more about the effective ways in which, he/she should face the prospects VCs. And this is not surprising, right? Because, without the proper funding their project would not go on.
    I am going to read the book, it is always good to keep on learning, especially from different points of views and I am also going to recommend it to those starting their new business plans!!!

  • Well, from the review I can read in this article the book must be good and useful, or at least interesting to read. I don't know of a startup entrepreneur that doesn’t have the need to ask more and know more about the effective ways in which, he/she should face the prospects VCs. And this is not surprising, right? Because, without the proper funding their project would not go on.
    I am going to read the book, it is always good to keep on learning, especially from different points of views and I am also going to recommend it to those starting their new business plans!!!

  • stanleyu

    Too many people who stand no hope in hell of ever winning venture capital worry about it and how to impress the venture capitalists.

  • stanleyu

    Too many people who stand no hope in hell of ever winning venture capital worry about it and how to impress the venture capitalists.

  • Sounds that book will become both popular and helpful. Thanks

  • Sounds that book will become both popular and helpful. Thanks

  • Natalie

    Agree @ M_Dilli a great read on a ebook reader too. Got to admit i love a good read when im alone in bed check this site i found for digital book readers

  • Natalie

    Agree @ M_Dilli a great read on a ebook reader too. Got to admit i love a good read when im alone in bed check this site i found for digital book readers

  • Here in Europe startup scene, things are quite different. Yeah, it is hard to understand what they think.

  • Here in Europe startup scene, things are quite different. Yeah, it is hard to understand what they think.

  • triinti

    Sounds good, but that book will available on Indonesia right ? Thanks

  • Sounds good, but that book will available on Indonesia right ? Thanks

  • wow..that book will be a favorite book, maybe this book could be a reference for me, thanks..

  • wow..that book will be a favorite book, maybe this book could be a reference for me, thanks..

  • sipragio

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  • sipragio

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  • yea, maybe, but the artifical command is not as corisponding, and not as enlightning as the raise and follow up of the sand bird.

  • yea, maybe, but the artifical command is not as corisponding, and not as enlightning as the raise and follow up of the sand bird.

  • Interesting post. Ill have to check it out. Too bad everyone thinks they can get VC to start a business and very few consider other routes – angel investors, family / friends, etc. Its a dream that unfortunately all too many think they can achieve.

  • Interesting post. Ill have to check it out. Too bad everyone thinks they can get VC to start a business and very few consider other routes – angel investors, family / friends, etc. Its a dream that unfortunately all too many think they can achieve.

  • Just got done following Jeff on twitter =) People should try to find multiple routes though for starting a business.
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    Williams

  • Excellent blog i like it too much very useful articles i bookmarked it.

  • Reveals How to Get from Start-up to IPO
    hmmmmm I'm imagining

  • ryansalim

    articles that I think is useful. I like the content of this blog. truly constructive article.

  • nickdavison

    Some great advice, I will keep an eye out for the book.

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  • complaints

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  • thanks for the INFO, I will try to do

  • John – that's not quite true. The growth in angel financing has been very significant of late, and early stage seed funding. Think of all the startup accelerators like Y Combinator and TechStars. And there are hundreds of angel groups in the US alone – New York Angels, Band of Angels, etc.

  • How are things different?

  • Agreed. Any suggestions on what they should do?

  • The book is easy to ready and understand.

  • The book is easy to ready and understand. <–type 'O The book is easy to read and understand. Nice blog thanks for sharing I am going to re-tweet. http://wannafindyou.com <–my free people search engine.

  • very nice explanation, thank you for this information.

  • Pingback: Read Early Exits – Exit Strategies for Entrepreneurs and Angel Investors()

Ben Yoskovitz

Founding Partner at Highline BETA, a startup co-creation company that launches new ventures with leading corporations and founders.

Previously I was VP Product at VarageSale and GoInstant (acq. $CRM), and Founding Partner at Year One Labs.

Angel investments include: Breather, Spoiler Alert, SendWithUs and others.

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