20VC: Forerunner's Kirsten Green on The Biggest Challenges Scaling Both Teams and AUM, What Truly is High Performance in Fund Management & Why Parenting and Relationships are an Enabler To Your Best Work
Kirsten Green, Founder and Managing Partner at Forerunner Ventures, shares her journey into venture capital at age 40, highlighting her unique perspective on high-performance in fund management. She discusses the interplay between personal relationships and professional success, emphasizing the transformative power of parenting. Kirsten also delves into the complexities of team dynamics and the importance of vulnerability and strength in a high-pressure environment, offering insights into resilience and the future of venture capital.
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Entry into Venture
Kirsten Green transitioned into venture capital at 40, founding Forerunner Ventures despite lacking prior VC experience.
She followed a journey of self-discovery, realizing early-stage investing aligned with her values of operating, change creation, and relationships.
insights INSIGHT
Creativity and Curiosity in Venture
Creativity and curiosity are essential in venture capital for exploring new ideas and understanding founder motivations.
Kirsten Green emphasizes curiosity as a key driver in her work, allowing her to learn and uncover insights through continuous questioning.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Drive for Independence
Kirsten Green's drive for independence stems from childhood experiences and a job loss due to a merger.
A near-death experience during her teenage years further fueled her desire to maximize her life's journey.
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Kirsten Green is the Founder and Managing Partner @ Forerunner Ventures, one of the leading firms of the last decade investing at the intersection of innovation and culture. As a founder, Kirsten has led efforts to raise over $2B+ from leading institutional investors and invest in more than 100 companies. She currently serves as a board member at Glossier, Ritual, Faire, Hims & Hers, and Curated, to name a few. She has also invested in other smash hits including Chime, Jet, Warby Parker, Hotel Tonight and many more. Due to her immense success, Kirsten has been honored in Time’s 100 Most Influential People and named a Top 20 Venture Capitalists by The New York Times in 2018 & 2017. Prior to Forerunner, Kirsten was an equity research analyst and investor at Banc of America Securities.
In Today's Episode with Kirsten Green We Discuss:
1.) Entry in Venture at 40 and Founding Forerunner:
How did Kirsten make her way into VC at 40 with the founding of Forerunner having never had a role in VC before?
What did everyone tell Kirsten when she was looking to break into venture? What did she tell herself when she heard this?
What does Kirsten believe she is running from? What does she believe she is running toward?
2.) Fund Management and Leadership:
How does Kirsten define high-performance today? What are the nuances of high performance in fund management?
How would Kirsten describe her leadership style today? How has it changed over time?
What have been some of Kirsten's biggest lessons in terms of what it takes to retain quality with scaling AUM and teams?
What have been Kirsten's biggest lessons when it comes to giving hard feedback with kindness?
3.) The Venture Landscape Today and Forerunner's Position:
Why does Kirsten believe the venture landscape is more dynamic today than ever?
Does Kirsten agree with the statement that venture is less collaborative than ever?
Why did Kirsten and Forerunner seem to amend strategy and move into B2B?
Why does Kirsten disagree with the delineation between B2C and B2B?
4.) Parenting, Relationships and Life:
What have been Kirsten's biggest lessons since becoming a parent? How has it impacted her mindset?
Does Kirsten agree that relationships attract from sheer input on work? How does Kirsten separate relationships into two kinds of relationships?
What does success in marriage mean for Kirsten? How has she seen that in her own marriage?
The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch 