VC (Venture Capitalist)

Definition

A professional investor who manages pools of money from institutions and wealthy individuals, and who will explain why your startup needs to 10x to be worthwhile.

Example Usage

Our Series A VC led the round and brought valuable connections to our board.

Origin

Evolved from venture capital industry in post-WWII America

Fun Fact

Top-tier VC firms like Sequoia and Andreessen Horowitz manage billions in assets

Source: Standard venture capital terminology

Related Terms

Beginner

co-founder

The person you start a company with based on four hours of friendship and mutual delusion, who will become either your closest ally or your most expensive breakup. Dating is easier than finding a compatible co-founder.

🚀 Startup / VC

Intermediate

zebra company

A startup that aims to be both profitable AND socially responsible, as opposed to unicorns that prioritize growth at any cost. They're real, sustainable, and less likely to leave a trail of layoffs and burned capital.

🚀 Startup / VC

Intermediate

conversion rights

The privilege granted to preferred shareholders to convert their fancy preferred stock into common stock, typically exercised when they want to sell or when common stock becomes more valuable (rare but delightful). It's a one-way ticket that investors usually only take when they're confident they're not leaving money on the table.

🚀 Startup / VC

Beginner

advisor

Someone who receives equity for occasionally responding to emails and allowing you to use their name on your website. The advisor-to-impact ratio is the lowest in all of business, yet every startup has seven of them.

🚀 Startup / VC

Intermediate

stack ranking

The internal process VCs use to rank portfolio companies or investment opportunities from best to worst. A forced ranking system that ensures someone always gets picked last for dodgeball.

🚀 Startup / VC

Intermediate

yellitocracy

An organizational dysfunction where the loudest voice wins every argument, regardless of actual merit or logic. Common in toxic startups and poorly-managed teams where decibel level is somehow confused with leadership ability, ensuring the best ideas often die in quiet corners while mediocre ones get screamed into existence.

🚀 Startup / VC

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