Sitting Down with the Most Honest Woman in Venture Capital - Jenny Stojkovic
Nov 25, 2024
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Jenny Stojkovic, founder of Joyful Ventures, shares her inspiring journey from a small town to creating a $23 million climate innovation fund. She discusses breaking barriers in a male-dominated VC world and emphasizes the importance of female-led investments. Jenny highlights the economic power of older women and their influence on consumer behavior. With insights into the challenges women face in venture capital, she advocates for more funding in femtech, particularly addressing women's health issues like menopause. Authenticity and resilience are key themes throughout the conversation.
Jenny Stojkovic's journey highlights the significance of embracing individuality in achieving success in the traditionally male-dominated venture capital industry.
The podcast emphasizes the need for women to rethink investing, advocating for venture capital as a means to create social impact alongside financial returns.
Current challenges in venture capital underscored by inflated valuations signal a necessary restructuring, impacting both smaller funds and the industry's future dynamics.
Deep dives
Journey to Venture Capital
A compelling narrative is shared about transitioning into venture capital (VC) from a non-traditional background. The speaker moved from a small farming community to Silicon Valley, where she gained invaluable experience working under a well-known investor, Ron Conway. This journey led to the founding of Joyful Ventures, a $23 million fund focused on climate innovation—a notable achievement, especially for a female founder in a male-dominated industry. This narrative highlights the importance of embracing one's unique identity and experiences to build a successful career.
Embracing Authenticity
The speaker discusses the journey towards authenticity, emphasizing the importance of bringing one's true self to the workplace. Initially, she struggled to fit into conventional corporate norms before realizing that her individuality was a strength. The pandemic catalyzed this revelation, allowing her to shed corporate expectations and thrive as her authentic self. This transformation emphasizes the value of self-acceptance in both personal and professional realms.
Investing for Social Change
A significant conversation centers around the perception of investing, particularly among women, who often focus on charitable donations rather than venture capital as a means for social impact. The speaker urges the rethinking of how wealth is utilized, highlighting that investing in impactful companies can drive real change while generating returns. She believes we need to educate women about this shift, especially as the wealth transfer from boomers to millennials presents a unique opportunity. This reframing of investing as a tool for good points to a critical evolution in thought among future generations.
Challenges in the VC Landscape
The current state of venture capital is examined, with emphasis on the reckoning the industry is facing due to inflated valuations and overfunded startups from previous years. Instability has arisen as funds invested heavily during a surge in cash flow, causing many startups to experience down rounds or failure. There is an acknowledgment of the need for a significant restructuring within venture capital, where smaller funds may struggle while larger firms consolidate power. This insight reflects the shifting dynamics in the VC space and serves as a warning for upcoming investors.
Disparities in Gender Perception
The speaker shares an alarming personal anecdote that underscores systemic gender biases within the venture capital field. After rejecting a pitch, the speaker received a hostile response while her husband, who received a similar rejection from the same individual, was treated with respect. This illustrates the double standards women face in male-dominated industries and the broader implications for female professionals. The incident reinforces the need for a cultural shift towards equality and recognition of women's contributions in the VC space.
This week, Sim welcomes Jenny Stojkovic, founder of Joyful Ventures, for a conversation about breaking barriers in the VC world. They explore Jenny's journey from a small-town upbringing to launching a $23 million climate innovation fund while staying unapologetically true to herself. From insights into female-led investments to the untapped potential of women in venture capital, this episode highlights how money can be a force for meaningful change.