Origins - Inside Venture Capital, Hosted by a GP and an LP

Thomas Kristensen, a seasoned partner at LGT Capital Partners, shares his insights on the venture capital landscape with Bezer Clarkson. They challenge the notion of 'franchise funds' and discuss how GPs must continuously innovate instead of resting on past successes. The duo dives into what genuinely constitutes a successful fund and the importance of recognizing performance metrics. Additionally, they speculate on the evolving expectations for IPOs and the reasons why many founders shy away from becoming public company CEOs.

In a deep dive with David Clark, an Investment Director at VenCap International plc, listeners gain insights from his nearly 40 years in global venture capital. He uncovers that 50% of VC investments fail to return capital, sparking a vital discussion on how LPs can identify top-performing managers. David emphasizes the significance of a data-driven approach, revealing findings from 30 years of data which can reshape LP strategies. The talk also highlights the importance of mentorship and building lasting relationships in the complex VC landscape.

Laura Thompson, a Partner at Sapphire Partners and co-founder of OpenLP, shares her venture capital expertise during a lively discussion with host Beezer Clarkson. They delve into Jessica Archibald's analytical methods for defining franchise success, emphasizing the unique challenges of succession planning. The duo explores the art of delivering both good and bad news to foster a performance culture. They also consider Archibald’s unconventional grading system for funds and its potential adoption at Sapphire Partners, prompting a broader conversation on effective fund evaluation.

Jessica Archibald, a GP at Top Tier Capital Partners and expert in fund management, joins to discuss the nuances of franchise funds. She highlights the significance of reliable DPI metrics and the value of consistent returns over flashy numbers. Archibald delves into the critical aspects of succession planning and how it affects fund stability and franchise status. The conversation also covers communication dynamics between fund managers and LPs, emphasizing trust-building for long-term success.

Laura Thompson, Partner at Sapphire Partners and a vet in venture capital, joins Beezer Clarkson to dissect what makes franchise funds tick. They explore the differences in franchise hallmarks between GPs and LPs, and ponder whether consistency in performance really suffices. Parallels with sports franchises illustrate branding's critical role. The duo also examines how access to top founders can translate into superior returns and the intricate dynamics of managing talent and fees. It's a deep dive into strategic thinking in venture capital!

Stephen Bluestein, a partner at Adams Street Partners with a rich history in venture capital, shares insights with LP Beezer Clarkson. They explore what defines a franchise fund and the intricate process of achieving that status. Topics include the essential performance metrics needed to qualify as a franchise and the necessary adaptability for ongoing success. Bluestein emphasizes the importance of intentionality and maintaining a strong brand. This conversation is a treasure trove for anyone looking to understand the nuances of venture capital.

Nick Chirls, GP at Asylum Ventures,  and Beezer Clarkson, LP at Sapphire Partners go deep into their recent conversation with Wesley Chan, the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of FPV Ventures. They unpack Wesley’s direct learnings from Sergey Brin coming up at Google, how it is the job of the investor to spot greatness, his views on company pivots (and how they oppose another recent guest, Mike Maples’ views on pivots), the difficulties of thinking independently in Silicon Valley, and the serendipitous way Wesley and Sapphire Partners wound up working together in the first place. Plus Nick, it turns out, is kind of a tax guy. He and Beezer discuss the hidden benefits of being an expert on QSBS.Learn more about Sapphire Partners: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sapphireventures.com/sapphire-partners⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about OpenLP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://openlp.vc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Asylum Ventures: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://asylum.vc⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about FPV Ventures: https://fpvventures.comRead Laura Thompson’s article on QSBS: sapphireventures.com/blog/how-lps-gps-and-founders-can-leverage-qsbs-to-make-more-money/Listen to Mike Maples & Jai Das discuss pivots: open.spotify.com/show/23H0tOX63xMChV2SErQKnZ?si=a9aab8b3e4c34ddeSubscribe to the OpenLP newsletter for a monthly roundup of the latest venture insights, including the newest Origins episodes, delivered straight to your inbox.Origins is produced by Sapphire Ventures in partnership with⁠⁠ Pod People.⁠Nothing presented herein is intended to constitute investment advice, and under no circumstances should any information provided herein be used or considered as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any investment fund managed by Sapphire Ventures, LLC (“Sapphire”). Any offer or solicitation of securities by Sapphire may only be made in accordance with the current offering documents for a managed Fund in which Sapphire is an advisor. Additionally, Sapphire does not solicit or make its services available to the public; such offerings may only be provided to accredited investors and qualified purchasers defined within the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940. Information provided reflects Sapphire Ventures’ views as of a particular time. Such views are subject to change at any point and Sapphire Ventures shall not be obligated to provide notice of any change. Due to various risks and uncertainties, actual events, results or the actual experience may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in these statements. While Sapphire Ventures has used reasonable efforts to obtain information from reliable sources, Sapphire makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of third party information presented herein. Nothing presented herein may be relied upon as a guarantee or assurance as to the future success of any particular investment opportunity or strategy. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Wesley Chan, co-founder of FPV Ventures and former Chief of Staff to Sergey Brin at Google, shares his remarkable journey in Silicon Valley. He reflects on his mantra that if you're not changing the world, you're wasting your time. Wesley discusses the importance of high standards in innovation and his philosophy on seeking founders with 100-year plans. He emphasizes fostering long-term impact over short-term gains and the significance of trust in the venture capital-founder dynamic. His insights illuminate what it takes to craft timeless ventures.

Two seasoned venture capitalists delve into the pivotal roles of team dynamics and strategic pivots in startup success. They explore the crucial question of what changes and what remains constant in seed versus growth investing. Key discussions include the value of customer insights and the balance between innovation and competition. The importance of timing and understanding market nuances also takes center stage, emphasizing that at its core, venture capital is about backing the right people.

Jai Das, President and Partner at Sapphire Ventures, is a veteran in enterprise investing with a portfolio that includes Box and Square. Mike Maples Jr., co-founder of Floodgate, is a pioneer of seed investing with successes like Twitter and Lyft. They discuss their contrasting focuses in venture capital and the challenges of identifying future winners. The conversation dives into how AI reshapes investment opportunities, the importance of adaptable management teams, and navigating exit strategies in a shifting market.