From law to venture: David Hornik’s path to investment success
Feb 26, 2025
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David Hornik, founding partner at Lobby Capital, brings over 25 years of venture capital experience to the table. He discusses his surprising transition from law to VC and the serendipity behind early successes, including Splunk’s massive acquisition. David emphasizes the art of networking through his Lobby Conference, cultivating meaningful connections. He reflects on his biggest wins and missed opportunities—like Facebook and Uber—while revealing how psychological insights and emotional intelligence play vital roles in assessing startup founders.
David Hornik’s transition from law to venture capital highlights the significance of embracing passion and strategic networking in achieving success.
The role of emotional intelligence in venture capital is crucial, as it aids in understanding founders and fostering impactful relationships.
Deep dives
Transitioning from Law to Venture Capital
David Hornick shares his journey from being a lawyer to a venture capitalist, highlighting a pivotal moment when his wife questioned his happiness in his legal career. Initially aiming to be a public defender, his trajectory changed during his clerkship in New York and subsequent work at a prominent law firm. While representing startups in Silicon Valley, he discovered a passion for the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative problem-solving that characterized the tech industry. This realization led him to venture capital, where he leveraged his legal background while embracing the opportunities to actively contribute to the growth of startups.
Manufacturing Luck in Venture Capital
Hornick emphasizes the importance of hard work and preparation in creating opportunities for success as a venture capitalist. By attending conferences, engaging with influential people, and being the first VC blogger and podcaster, he built a strong network that kept him at the forefront of the industry. His strategy involved being proactive and ensuring that he was top of mind for entrepreneurs seeking funding. This approach not only expanded his opportunities but also positioned him to be a go-to advisor for founders, increasing his chances of identifying and backing successful companies.
Evaluating Founders: The Importance of Emotional Intelligence
David Hornick discusses the critical role emotional intelligence plays in assessing potential founders and their startups. While technical skills and business acumen are valuable, he believes understanding people and human dynamics is essential for venture success. By focusing on relationship-building, he aims to be a supportive and non-judgmental resource for founders, helping them navigate challenges and recruit talent. Hornick's belief is that strong interpersonal skills enable VCs to provide more meaningful guidance, ultimately enhancing the likelihood of a startup's success.
David Hornik, founding partner at Lobby Capital, has spent over 25 years shaping the venture capital landscape. Formerly a lawyer with degrees from Stanford and Harvard, David transitioned into venture capital, making early bets on companies like Splunk, Build.com, and GitLab. His career is marked by a passion for helping founders, fostering strong industry relationships, and identifying high-potential investments.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
00:43 Introduction to Driving Alpha Podcast
01:57 Meet David Hornick: From Law to Venture Capital
03:43 Early Ventures and Key Investments
07:35 The Importance of Getting Lucky Early
09:44 Big Wins and Missed Opportunities
17:26 The Lobby Conference: Building Relationships
21:36 Adding Value as a VC
25:12 Psychology in Venture Capital
27:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In this episode
David shares how his background in law unexpectedly led him to venture capital and how he navigated the early years of his career. He discusses the importance of getting lucky early, but also how hard work and strategic networking can help VCs manufacture their own luck.
David also opens up about his biggest investment wins—such as Splunk’s $30 billion acquisition—and the key deals he missed, including early opportunities with Facebook and Uber. He dives into his passion for building meaningful relationships through the Lobby Conference, an exclusive networking event that has connected some of the biggest names in tech and venture capital. Finally, he explains why psychology and emotional intelligence are just as critical as technical knowledge in evaluating and supporting startups.
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