James Heath

Efficiency is one of the BEST skills for any job, particularly in VC. Things 3 - the best day to day to do list and ‘get things done’ tool. Some great shortcuts and functionality across devices. Use the Today view and set items up via different projects for maximum effect. Notion - the best ‘make your own OS’ out there. It takes some time to get to know but it’s very easy to build out and the UI is one of the best out there. Superhuman - great UI. Useful shortcuts. It genuinely does save time on a daily basis. Time blocking - find out when you work best and block this time from Zoom calls. eg I work best in the morning so I try to do calls in the afternoon, leaving the morning for ‘doing’.

The best GPs at co-investing have the best DATA sets on their companies. LPs who execute regular co-invests will be doing so across multiple funds. LPs need to be able to take an aggregated view of the 500 - 700 underlying portfolio companies. Better data = better decision making and maximising the chances of outperformance.

Information is ALPHA in VC. The information is in the hands of the closest investors to the founders - early stage VCs. An LP will have 500 - 700 underlying portfolio companies from an early stage VC portfolio. By doubling down on the top 3-5% through co-investments, LPs can outperform. It’s a win win for GPs if executed right, who are rewarded with sticky LPs and re-ups to future vintages.

70% of unicorn founders have an underdog founder. Intrinsic qualities that often drive a brilliant founder: tenacity, ambition, obsession, no plan B. The best VCs are the best at reading people and pattern recognition amongst qualitative data aspects.

Give FIRST! Provide value with no expectation of getting anything in return. Focus on a really small, high quality and relevant group. Too many people focus on quantity over quality. It’s better to have a small really trusted group than a spreadsheet with 200 names on that you’ve sent an email to once.

Network is about two things; giving before taking and having your opinion valued. Having a valued opinion doesn’t mean have your name known by a large quantity of people. Too many focus on quantity instead of quality. Give first to a small number and let the rewards be reaped in the future.