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 turned a part of the founding crew 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 girls in VC and is acutely 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 find out how to VC as a useful resource for would-be VCs.
“Once I was making 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 means of an software 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 resolve if it’s the suitable profession for you.
“In case you’re not notably assured about your possibilities, or don’t suppose you will have the suitable background – take inspiration from this seminal speech by famend VC Invoice Gurley,” she mentioned, citing two quotes from his deal with Operating Down a Dream (You may 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 may be thought of finding out or work or observe, do you take pleasure in that half? Do you benefit from the preparation? Everyone enjoys profitable. Do you benefit from the preparation?”
Wu has actually made the preparation simpler for all times in VC together with her “Breaking into VC” compilation.
“VC has given me lots – publicity to cutting-edge concepts, formidable founders, and passionate friends. It’s additionally afforded me a platform, and alternatives I by no means anticipated,” she mentioned.
However she’s additionally acutely 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 attempting to ask how I can begin with the girl within the mirror – how can I open a door, or ship a ladder right 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 thing from her workshop on making ready for VC interviews to strategies on folks, newsletters, and podcasts to comply with, in addition to compilation of articles from native VCs and wage guides.
Wu says her compilation might be a residing doc so should you spot something price including, get in contact together with her at jessy@afterwork.vc
Within the meantime, your VC prep begins right here.
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