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How to Build a Strong Network within the Venture Capital Community

Venture capital is a network-driven game; if you want to win in VC, you have to constantly be upgrading your rolodex.

 

Networking is not just about meeting new people. It’s about building strong, long-lasting relationships that can provide valuable business opportunities.

 

In this post, we will discuss the strategies and tips for building a strong network within the venture capital community.

How to Build a Strong Network within the Venture Capital Community

Table of Contents

Identifying relevant networks and communities

The first step to building a strong network within the venture capital community is to identify the relevant networks and communities.

 

Start by researching industry associations and groups that align with your interests and goals. LinkedIn is a great platform to find other people that work in VC and private equity. You’ll have to filter down from there to find the ones that have a similar investment thesis.

 

Slack and Discord channels are other places to meet likeminded people. Look for groups that are active, have regular discussions (not ghost towns), and members who are actively engaging in conversations. Joining these types of groups can help you learn from peers, build connections, and stay updated with the latest industry trends. Most of the communities you want to join are invite-only, but there are plenty of other options for people still looking to break into VC as well.

 

Once you’ve identified relevant networks, start engaging with members and building a relationship with them. Share your thoughts, offer advice, and ask thoughtful questions. The more you share, more more luck seems to find you.

 

If you’re looking for investor communities to join, here a few we recommend:

 

  1. Confluence.VC
  2. Nextgen Partners
  3. EVCA
  4. VC Familia

 

Pro tip: You’re better off finding and engaging in one highly-vetted investor community instead of being semi-engaged in a handful. Apply to join our private investor community if you’re ready to join 1,800+ other investors already inside.

 

 

Strategies for networking and building connections

Networking is not just about attending events and meeting new people; it’s about building a connection and developing relationships.

 

We thought that was obvious, but we’ve all met people that approach networking from a transactional perspective. Here are some strategies for networking and building authentic connections within the venture capital community:

 

  • Be authentic: People can tell when you’re not being genuine. Focus on building meaningful connections rather than just collecting contact info.
  • Be proactive: Don’t wait for others to reach out to you. Take the initiative to start a conversation and suggest ways you can collaborate. LinkedIn, Twitter, and many online communities are free, but you get out what you put in. There’s no downside to reaching out to the people you want to meet with.
  • Follow up: Following up is a lost art. Every meeting should have next steps, and you should be the one making those next steps.
  • Offer value: Focus on how you can provide value to others. Share your knowledge, offer advice, and connect people with others who may be able to help them.

 

Leveraging industry events and conferences

Industry events and conferences are a great way to meet new people, learn about new trends, and get your name out there. But attending events can be overwhelming; you’ve got to have a plan, or these events will be a huge waste of time.

 

Here are some tips for getting the most out of industry events and conferences:

 

  • Research the attendees: Before attending an event, research the attendees and identify people you want to connect with. You’re flying blind if you don’t do this.
  • Set up meeting BEFOREHAND: The important people are all scheduled up by the time they arrive. Get some time on the calendar before you get there.
  • Work towards speaking gigs: Most conferences and events rely on keynote speeches and panels to keep the audience engaged. If you can find a way to land one of these speaking gigs, you get free publicity to all of the conference attendees.

 

Nurturing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders

Building a strong network is not just about making new connections; it’s about nurturing and maintaining relationships with the people that matter.

 

This is obviously more of an art than a science, but here are some tips for maintaining relationships with those people:

 

  • Keep in touch: Check in regularly, and give them a reason to want to talk to you. Some people like talking every month. Others like talking once a quarter. Others can keep tabs once a year, and that’s enough. Figure out the right cadence for that person and go from there.
  • Offer something of value: The best way to deliver on the previous point is to provide something of value. If you’re meeting with a bunch of people, offer introductions to your favorite people you’ve met with. If you’re looking at a lot of deal flow, give quick rundowns on the top companies you’re looking at.
  • Be respectful of their time: If you don’t have any meaningful updates, you can cancel scheduled meetings. People hate meetings with no agenda, so there’s no shame in protecting somebody else’s time.

 

Conclusion: Network Within the Venture Capital Community

Building a strong network in VC takes time and effort, but you absolutely have to do it if you want to win.

 

It’s worth remembering that everybody has a different style of networking, so the advice in this post will not be relevant to everybody. You will have to test what works for YOU, then apply that for yourself.

 

If you’re working in VC and want to 10x the value of your network overnight, apply to Confluence.VC to #1 venture community in the world.

 

Join Confluence.VC

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