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Are You Pursuing a Blended Fund Approach and How to Navigate Risks and Regulatory Issues?

Are you aiming to be a “fund of funds” and/or a “fund”? I wonder whether the LPA has a mechanism to disclose the risks and regulatory issues that may arise from a blended approach? Or - as you’re asking here - perhaps there are pioneers who’ve been down this trail before and can help identify the pitfalls and risks which they or others have found ways to adequately mitigate on behalf of your LP’s and the Fund.

Top answer:

For Fund 1, you should pick one approach. It’s hard enough to sell one or the other (FoF is a much harder sell BTW). The LPA will need to updated by counsel if you want to go with this approach.

 -  Mike Suprovici
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What Does Acting as a Subadvisor to a Fintech-Specific Common Trust Fund We Sponsor Entail?

What does it mean to act as a subadvisor to a fintech specific common trust fund that we could sponsor?

Top answer:

This sounds like you will be working for them :slightly_smiling_face: They are asking you to manage their fund. If you want to run your own firm, consider politely declining them.

 -  Mike Suprovici
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Are people working for a bigco typically able to be venture partners?

Are people working for a big company typically able to be venture partners?

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Yeah, they can be. It depends on the company and their responsibility. Venture partners can serve various roles: https://govclab.com/2022/03/10/venture-share/

 -  Mike Suprovici
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Is it okay to list yourself as a 'Managing Partner' on LinkedIn before your first close?

Is it okay to list yourself as a 'Managing Partner' on LinkedIn before your first close?

Top answer:

You may be able to list yourself as Managing Partner (and ensure that there is no "contact us" anywhere) - however please review the following carefully with respect to general solicitation: https://govclab.com/2022/06/28/general-solici...

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What is the smallest viable angel investment to warehouse a deal?

What is the smallest viable angel investment to warehouse a deal?

Top answer:

The amount is not as important in warehouse deals, what’s more important is markups. Let’s say that you invested 10k in warehouse deal, but now that position is up 30x. That’s a meaningful markup for your LPs that they would get at cost....

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Should there be regular communications between LPs and portfolio companies? What is the dynamic between them?

Should there be regular communications between LPs and portfolio companies? What is the dynamic between them?

Top answer:

The answer is No. That being said, depending on your strategy, you may want to put together a set of LP dinners where the LPs can meet the companies. But just set the expectations straight about the rules of engagement.

 -  Mike Suprovici
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Are there any drawbacks to accepting LP interest for smaller tickets?

Are there any drawbacks to accepting LP interest for smaller tickets?

Top answer:

Most jurisdictions have limits on the number of Limited Partners, and they also have accreditation standards for investing LPs. As a rule of thumb, you don't want a lot of LPs to manage, so you want to try and limit the number to 50, may...

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What are your thoughts on VC advisory boards for fundraising and their tangible benefits, such as quarterly check-ins and LP introductions, in exchange for a small GP percentage?

What’s everyone thoughts to VC advisory boards: • How useful is it for fundraising? • What about tangible benefits of quarterly check-ins for advice + LP introductions in exchange for some small percent of the GP (like 0.25%) cc: Kenneth Ballenegger

Top answer:

An advisory board member is a Venture Partner. We have created standards around compensation, which you can find here: https://govclab.com/2022/03/10/venture-share/ It can be useful to have a VP that helps with fundraising but you can’...

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Can LPs also be VPs?

Can LPs also be VPs?

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Yes, however there are several issues with having Limited partners be Venture Partners. First, Limited Partners will loose various protections because the Venture Partners make decisions for the fund. Second, this creates a challenge for...

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How Might the Federal Reserve's Interest Rate Hike in 2022 Impact Tech Startups' Valuations?

Does anyone have a perspective or done an analysis of how The Federal Reserve raising interest rates in 2022 might or might not impact tech startups multiples? Some Wall Street analysts are predicting that higher interest rates will be good for some sectors like banking stocks and bad for tech stocks which could mean that tech startups valuation could be lower. I know these are just forecasts just wondering what the VCs are thinking. Appreciate your thoughts.

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What is the Role of Fund Advisors, When to Seek Them, and How to Determine the Right Fit and Remuneration?

What is the role of Advisors for a Fund? When do we start looking for Advisors and how do we identify the right fit and work out a remuneration (fixed vs variable). Thank you.

Top answer:

Most Advisors are venture partners, through some funds have a scientific advisory board. All of the VC Lab curriculum work around venture partners is essentially advisor work. They are compensated with a venture partner agreement.

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Community Member
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How to Fairly Compensate Venture Partners with Unequal Performance When Both Initially Received 1% of Carried Interest?

How do you manage to compensate a Venture Partner that is really performing vs other one who does not do a thing if you gave them both at first lets say 1% of the carried interest?

Top answer:

I’m assuming you’re referring to a Venture Partner. To prevent this outcome, you can add a vesting schedule. Please see review the VC Lab venture share agreement: https://govclab.com/2022/03/10/venture-share/

 -  Mike Suprovici
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Would LPs Find Credibility in Citing Combined Track Records of Myself and Venture Partners?

Would LPs consider it credible if the track record I cite includes the combined investments markups and exits of me AND of my Venture Partners? Thus far I've only included deals I was personally involved in (32 investments 20 companies individual company markups of 3X 5X and 10X). These numbers would be bolstered if I add my VPs' investments including a $1B deep tech exit. But credibility (and surviving LP diligence) is important to me.

Top answer:

Just use your track record. VPs are not full time and they are not as valuable from the LPs perspective.

 -  Mike Suprovici
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Is it Common for Venture Partners to be Incentivized on a Deal-by-Deal Basis Instead of GP Shares?

Is it common to incentivize Venture Partners on a deal by deal basis rather than having shares in the GP?

Top answer:

I recommend avoiding deal by deal offers, as team members in a first time fund need to help with everything. If someone is helping with a deal, just give them less carry for the whole fund.

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Community Member
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