6 Myths about Venture Capitalists

The VC industry wouldn’t exist without entrepreneurship, yet entrepreneurs often feel as if they’re in the backseat when it comes to dealing with VCs. Here are 6 Myths about Venture Capitalists, which you should know: Myth 1: Venture Capital Is the Primary Source of Start-Up Funding Fact: In the world of startups, venture capital investment is the exception rather than the rule. Historically, only a very small fraction (less than 1%) of U.S. businesses have gotten funding from VCs. Myth 2: VCs take Big Risks while investing in startup Fact: VCs are usually portrayed as risk-takers who support audacious new ideas. True, they take a lot of risks with the money from their investors, but not many with their own. Myth 3: Most VCs Offer Great Advice and Mentoring Fact: There are no solid data on the impact of VC mentoring. But if you ask the CEOs of 100 VC-funded companies how helpful their VCs are, some would say they’re fabulous, and some would say they do little beyond writing checks. Myth 4: VCs Generate Spectacular Returns Fact: Investments in venture capital are typically seen as having high risk and high reward. The findings show that, despite the high costs, illiquidity, and risk associated with investing in VC, investors rarely see high returns. Myth 5: In VC, Bigger Is Better Fact: A VC firm is not a better investor just because it has more money. A large VC fund is like an MBA program—its size is no guarantee of quality education or professionalism, and small funds can be just as good as big ones. Myth 6: VCs Are Innovators Every innovation in financing start-ups, such as crowdfunding and platforms like AngelList and SecondMarket, has come from outside the VC industry. VCs are innovators, but only indirectly. Entrepreneurship is a risky and exciting endeavour. You will have a different vi