Venture Unlocked: The playbook for venture capital managers

The Evolution of building a legacy firm at Venrock with Brian Ascher

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Feb 5, 2025

Brian Ascher, a Partner at Venrock with nearly 30 years in venture capital, shares insights from his impressive journey. He discusses how Venrock has adapted since its inception in 1969, focusing on modern challenges and strategies in tech and healthcare investing. Brian explains the significance of team collaboration in decision-making and the challenges of higher fund sizes. He also delves into navigating inflated valuations and the transformative potential of AI, making this conversation both timely and inspiring for aspiring investors.

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ANECDOTE

Career Path

Brian Ascher considered venture capital after business school.
He worked in product management at Intuit before joining Venrock through the Kauffman Fellows Program.

INSIGHT

Why Venture Capital and Venrock?

Venture capital offered a broader range of experiences than product management.
Venrock's entrepreneur-focused philosophy and the Rockefeller legacy appealed to Ascher.

INSIGHT

Venrock's Evolution

Venrock transitioned from a family office to an institutional model due to the evolving venture landscape.
They adopted a flat, transparent partnership structure, prioritizing performance and collaboration.

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Follow me @samirkaji for my thoughts on the venture market, with a focus on the continued evolution of the VC landscape.

Today I had the pleasure of speaking with Brian Ascher, a veteran venture capitalist at Venrock, a firm with a storied history dating back to 1969 as part of the Rockefeller family office. Brian, with nearly 30 years in the industry, shared his journey from product management at Intuit to becoming a key partner at Venrock. We dove into the firm's evolution, investment strategies, and decision-making processes, highlighting how Venrock maintains its edge as it evolves.

About Brian Ascher:

Brian Ascher is a Partner at Venrock where he focuses on early-stage investments in enterprise software, SaaS, and consumer internet companies. With a deep passion for partnering with visionary founders, Brian is known for helping businesses scale through strategic growth, operational insights, and innovation.

Since joining Venrock in 1998, Brian has played a pivotal role in numerous successful investments, including Vocera, 6sense, Personal Capital, and Inrix. His expertise spans go-to-market strategies, product positioning, and building high-performing teams.

Topics in this conversation include:

* Brian’s Career Journey (1:34)

* The Evolution of Venture Capital (6:25)

* Venrock’s Decision-Making Model (10:09)

* Balancing Investment Decisions and Team Dynamics (14:42)

* Empowered Accountability in Deal Decisions (20:44)

* Cultural Norms in Venture Capital (22:38)

* Investment Strategy and Risk Management (25:12)

* Portfolio Construction and Returns (30:22)

* Opportunity Funds vs. Core Funds (33:01)

* Adapting to AI's Impact on Investment (36:15)

* Advice for Aspiring VCs (41:28)

* Final Thoughts and Takeaways (43:48)

I’d love to know what you took away from this conversation with Brian Ascher.

Follow me @SamirKaji and give me your insights and questions with the hashtag #ventureunlocked. If you’d like to be considered as a guest or have someone you’d like to hear from (GP or LP), drop me a direct message on X.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ventureunlocked.substack.com