20VC: Why You Should Think Twice Before Taking Multi-Stage Money at Seed, Why Venture Has Never Been Less Collaborative, How Becoming a Parent Made Me a Better Investor and Why We Should Be Optimistic About the Future of Diversity in Venture with Deena Sh
In this conversation, Deena Shakir, a Partner at Lux Capital with a diverse background spanning journalism and the U.S. State Department, discusses her unique path to venture capital. She highlights why founders should be cautious about taking multi-stage funding at the seed stage and shares insights about building authentic relationships in the competitive VC landscape. Deena also reflects on how parenthood has reshaped her investment approach and the importance of diversity, encouraging young professionals from various backgrounds to enter the field.
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Deena's Unconventional Path
Deena Shakir's career path spans journalism, civil service, Google, and now venture capital.
Harry Stebbings praises her unique background and the overwhelmingly positive references received about her.
insights INSIGHT
Impact and Ambition
Deena's parents, Iraqi immigrants, instilled in her a strong work ethic and ambition.
Witnessing the contrast between her Bay Area upbringing and the struggles in Baghdad fueled her drive for impact.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Making it Personal
Founders and VCs should embrace personal aspects in their interactions, fostering authenticity.
Deena emphasizes bringing her whole self to interactions, valuing the long-term nature of VC relationships.
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In 'The Power Law', Sebastian Mallaby provides a riveting and meticulously researched account of the venture capital industry. The book delves into the history of tech incubation in Silicon Valley and worldwide, featuring key figures from firms like Sequoia, Kleiner Perkins, Accel, Benchmark, and Andreessen Horowitz. It covers iconic successes and failures, such as the birth of Apple and the rise and fall of WeWork and Uber. Mallaby also examines the 'power law' that drives the VC business, where a few massive successes compensate for numerous failures. The book highlights the industry's influence on innovation, its biases, and the rising competition from China's venture capital sector[1][3][5].
How to talk so kids will listen & listen so kids will talk
Adele Faber
Elaine Mazlish
This book by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish provides practical advice on how to communicate more effectively with children. It covers topics such as acknowledging and addressing a child's feelings, engaging cooperation, resolving conflicts, and offering alternatives to punishments. The authors emphasize the importance of empathy, providing clear information, and encouraging children to come up with their own solutions. The book promotes a mindful, respectful, and compassionate approach to the parent-child relationship, helping parents to connect deeply with their children and foster greater mindfulness and communication[2][3][5].
Deena Shakir is a Partner at Lux Capital, one of the leading firms investing in emerging science and technology ventures at the outermost edges of what is possible. Deena has led a number of investments including in Maven Clinic, Mos, Ramp, Alife and SteadyMD to name a few. Before joining Lux, Deena was a Partner at GV and previously led product partnerships at Google for early-stage products in healthcare, AI/ML and search at Google. Before tech and venture, Deena was an aspiring anthropologist, journalist, diplomat, aid worker and was a Presidential Management Fellow at the U.S. Department of State under Secretary Clinton. There Deena helped launch President Obama’s first Global Entrepreneurship Summit in 2010.
In Today’s Episode with Deena Shakir You Will Learn:
1.) Origins into Venture:
How Deena made her way from journalism and the world of politics to rockstar healthcare investor?
What were Deena's biggest takeaways from seeing her parents build a new life in the US?
2.) Competition in Venture:
Why should founders not take multi-stage fund money at seed?
What problems does it cause? How do VCs try and justify it? What red flags should founders look for?
How does Deena advise her companies when it comes to pre-emptive rounds? When should they take them? When should they not take them?
3.) Deena Shakir: The Person
How has becoming a parent changed Deena's operating mentality?
Why does Deena believe she has never been better as an investor post becoming a mother?
Why does Deena feel so many questions around parenting are wrong? In what ways would she like those questions of female operators and investors to change?
4.) Diversity and Inclusion: We Should Be Optimistic
Why is Deena optimistic about the future of diversity and inclusion in tech and venture?
What drives her optimism? What remains a cause for concern for Deena on this topic?
What more can both companies and venture funds do to improve the landscape?
Item’s Mentioned In Today’s Episode with Deena Shakir
The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch 
