Overview
For many entrepreneurs, the world of venture capital can seem mysterious at best, adversarial at worst. And yet, understanding how venture capital works and how VCs make decisions is often critical to the success of many startups. Whether trying to get a new company off the ground or scale an existing business to the next level, founders need to know just what makes VCs tick.
In Secrets of Sand Hill Road, Andreessen Horowitz’s managing partner (and former entrepreneur himself) Scott Kupor demystifies the role of venture capital in all stages of the startup lifecycle. He explains exactly how VCs decide where and how much to invest, and how entrepreneurs can get the best possible deal and make the most of their relationships with VCs. Kupor sheds light on:
- Why most VCs typically invest in only one startup per business category
- Why the skill founders need most in raising venture capital is storytelling
- How to handle a “down round”
- What to do when VCs get too entangled in the day-to-day operations of your business
- And much more
Filled with firsthand experiences, insider advice, and practical takeaways, Secrets of Sand Hill Road is the guide not just for every entrepreneur looking to grow their startup, but for anyone seeking to understand venture capital as a driver for innovation, business, and policy.
…It also takes a very, very long time to know if your vitamins are even working for you. If you have a headache, though, you’ll do just about anything to get an aspirin! They solve your problem and they are fast acting. Similarly, products that often have massive advantages over the status quo are aspirins; VCs want to fund aspirins.
Scott Kupor
Secrets of Sand Hill Road