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Jessy Wu, funding principal at AfterWork Ventures, is an unlikely enterprise capitalist.
She fortunately admits it was “the furtherest factor from my thoughts” when she emerged with a ANU with a philosophy diploma, additionally majoring in English literature.
Subsequent factor she knew, she was working at NAB Ventures. Inside 18 months, Wu grew to become a part of the founding group at Afterwork, the $20 million enterprise capital fund backing tech startups at pre-seed and seed stage.
Wu’s a still-too-rare instance of ladies in VC and is acutely aware to the chance it’s afforded her since.
And simply three years into her profession as an investor, she’s already got down to pay it ahead, compiling an inventory of how you can VC as a useful resource for would-be VCs.
“Once I was getting ready for my first interview at a VC fund, I used to be fortunate to have had assist – from buddies, colleagues, and even full strangers,” she mentioned.
“However not everybody has a good friend who already works within the trade, or simply been by an utility course of, or is aware of the hiring supervisor. As an ‘outsider’, it would really feel such as you don’t stand an opportunity in comparison with those that have entry to ‘insider’ information.”
As she says, take a look and determine if it’s the fitting profession for you.
“In the event you’re not significantly assured about your probabilities, or don’t assume you have got the fitting background – take inspiration from this seminal speech by famend VC Invoice Gurley,” she mentioned, citing two quotes from his deal with Working Down a Dream (You’ll be able to watch it right here).
Gurley, in flip, quotes the legendary US basketball coach Bobby Knight: “Everyone has the desire to win. Individuals don’t have the desire to observe. I feel that is the check for whether or not or not you’re truly pursuing your dream job, which is the essence of it that might be thought-about learning or work or observe, do you get pleasure from that half? Do you benefit from the preparation? Everyone enjoys profitable. Do you benefit from the preparation?”
Wu has definitely made the preparation simpler for all times in VC together with her “Breaking into VC” compilation.
“VC has given me loads – publicity to cutting-edge concepts, bold founders, and passionate friends. It’s additionally afforded me a platform, and alternatives I by no means anticipated,” she mentioned.
However she’s additionally aware that’s the sense of gatekeeping in being on the funding facet of the desk “rankles me to the core” which is why she determined to share all she might discover.
“As a substitute of raging in opposition to the machine, I’ve been making an attempt to ask how I can begin with the girl within the mirror – how can I open a door, or ship a ladder all the way down to somebody earlier on of their journey. How can I be the mentor, ally, or cheerleader I want younger-me had entry to?” Wu mentioned.
Her record covers each every part from her workshop on getting ready for VC interviews to solutions on folks, newsletters, and podcasts to comply with, in addition to compilation of articles from native VCs and wage guides.
Wu says her compilation shall be a dwelling doc so in the event you spot something price including, get in contact together with her at jessy@afterwork.vc
Within the meantime, your VC prep begins right here.
NOW READ: VC traders share their recommendation about working in enterprise capital
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