The knowledge bank: an essential guide to venture capital

Books

The Venture Mindset: How to Make Smarter Bets and Achieve Extraordinary Growth

Ilya Strebulaev and Alex Dang (Portfolio)

Ilya Strebulaev is among the best academics studying venture capital. His nine principles of the “venture mindset” should be understood by anyone looking at this field (even if you don’t read the entire book).

Secrets of Sand Hill Road: Venture Capital and How to Get it

Scott Kupor (Virgin)

Written by the managing partner of a16z, one of the more important phrases in this book says it all: “Entrepreneurs and VCs are not on opposing sides.” This well-written book is for entrepreneurs who need to understand why VCs do what they do.

The Business of Venture Capital: The Art of Raising a Fund, Structuring Investments, Portfolio Management, and Exits

Mahendra Ramsinghani (Wiley Finance)

It’s a heavy read but well worth it for anyone contemplating a career in venture capital.

How To Set Up a Venture Capital Fund: A Quick Start Guide to Launching Your VC Fund Right Now and Preparing for Institutional Scale and Success

Winter Mead (self-published)

Many who want to create their own VC firm think it’s all about pitches and term sheets. They may not realize that setting up a fund has operational and legal issues that could make the difference between success and failure.

Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist

Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson (Wiley)

VCs do investment deals on a regular basis; entrepreneurs far less often. Anyone contemplating a term sheet without a VC-battle-tested lawyer at their side should read this book before signing anything.

Exit Path: How to Win the Startup End Game

Touraj Parang (McGraw Hill)

When is it too early for a founder and their investors to start considering possible exits? Never. If you’re taking a VC in as an investor, your company will be sold, either to the public or to another firm (if you’re successful). No one knows what the future holds but use this book to start thinking about it.

Boulevard of Broken Dreams: Why Public Efforts to Boost Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Have Failed – and What to Do About It

Josh Lerner (Princeton University Press)

Josh Lerner of HBS is one of the few academics who understands venture capital well. This book is excellent for any country, region, or city contemplating support for entrepreneurs and VC.

Founder’s Pocket Guide: Cap Tables 

Stephen R Poland

Perhaps it’s a bit of a niche domain, but every founder who accepts investors eventually must master their cap table. Read this instead of guessing.