5 Career Paths to Becoming a Venture Capital Partner Within 7 Years
Jason Lemkin outlines five primary paths to becoming a VC partner within 7 years: excelling as a non-partner deal sourcer, transitioning from VP roles at successful portfolio companies, building a track record as a successful angel investor, leveraging success as a founder/CEO, or raising your own fund. Each path has distinct advantages and challenges, with founder/CEO being statistically highest-odds but least appealing due to superior financial outcomes in that role.
Metrics in this report
25000$
example typical
angel investor deal participation
3000000$
example typical
institutional venture capital deployment
100ratio
approximate
demand for funding new venture firms vs available LPs
7years
planning horizon
for achieving VC partner status
10-14years
typical range
for small venture fund partners receiving carry/profits