Whether you’re new to venture capital (VC) or have been investing in startups for some time, you can always learn more about the world of startup investing and VC. Likewise, whether you’re a first-time startup founder or have been around the entrepreneurial block before, you can still find new tips to fuel your business and fundraising.
Ready to Read?
While blogs and online articles can be great resources, a deep-dive into investing topics with a good book is a valuable way to expand your knowledge. Check out a few of MicroVentures’ go-to resources for learning more about the world of venture capital.
Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist
Written by Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson, Venture Deals covers the essentials of exactly what its title says: VC deals. Co-founders of the VC firm Foundry Group, Feld and Mendelson bring their expertise to this helpful resource that explains “The Players” (Chapter 1), elements and details of a VC term sheet, and how-to information on negotiating strategies and other useful concepts. The Appendix includes sample term sheets and other additional resources.
This insider look at the VC process is a must-read for venture capitalists and startup founders alike. Make sure you check out the Fourth Edition for all the new chapters and revisions Feld and Mendelson have to share.
Mastering the VC Game: A Venture Capital Insider Reveals How to Get from Start-up to IPO on Your Terms
A venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and entrepreneurship professor at Harvard Business School, Jeffrey Bussgang pours his expertise into Mastering the VC Game. This book offers insights, stories, and advice from Bussgang’s own experience as well as interviews he has conducted with other entrepreneurs and investors.
His first chapter begins by addressing the psychological differences between an entrepreneur versus other business owners, pulling on specific examples to illustrate his points. He goes on to cover how to get noticed, give a great pitch, and negotiate mutually beneficial partnerships with investors. Mastering the VC Game is a great resource for entrepreneurs looking for funding and productive VC partnerships.
Crowdfund Investing for Dummies
Crowdfund Investing for Dummies is an approachable primer on the topic that is broken into sections geared for both entrepreneurs and investors. Authors Sherwood Neiss, Jason W. Best, and Zak Cassady-Dorion are the founders of Startup Exemption, and they apply their collective knowledge to the creation of this book.
A few highlights of what this book covers include the origins of crowdfund investing and the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act, how to plan and manage a crowdfunding raise, and how to become a crowdfunding investor. Part VI of the book is titled “The Part of Tens” and features themed chapters that break down tips and examples in lists of 10.
Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future
Peter Thiel is both a co-founder and a venture capital investor, and he puts his experience and perspective to paper in Zero to One. The content of the book is based on reworked notes Blake Masters took during a course Thiel taught at Stanford, and it is a solid read for anyone in the world of innovation, whether you’re a creator of or an investor in innovation.
The preface of the book summarizes itself: “Zero to One is about how to build companies that create new things.” However, rather than give a formula for success, Thiel shares patterns of innovation and success, asserting that a “formula necessarily cannot exist,” since then the ideas would be copies and not new innovation. Whether you agree or disagree with Thiel’s premise, the book is a thought-provoking read.
Secrets of Silicon Valley: What Everyone Else Can Learn from the Innovation Capital of the World
Written by Deborah Perry Piscione, Secrets of Silicon Valley tackles an inside look at the risk-tolerant, meritocratic culture that supports success in Silicon Valley. Piscione is an entrepreneur, advisor, and speaker, and her Secrets of Silicon Valley is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller.
The book opens with the story of Piscione’s journey to Silicon Valley, and it goes on to include chapters such as “Why You Should Care About Silicon Valley” and “The Cycle of Innovation.” A great read for entrepreneurs, this book is also great for helping investors understand more about the factors that can help drive business success.
Ready to Invest?
Books are a great way to learn from experts, investors, and entrepreneurs and to explore topics in-depth. If you’re excited to apply your knowledge to investment opportunities for your own portfolio, head over to the MicroVentures platform and check out current investment opportunities.
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MicroVentures is not affiliated with, nor does it verify, endorse, or guarantee any of the information presented in these books. The information presented here is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed or used as, comprehensive offering documentation for any security, investment, tax or legal advice, a recommendation, or an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, an interest, directly or indirectly, in any company. Investing in both early-stage and later-stage companies carries a high degree of risk. A loss of an investor’s entire investment is possible, and no profit may be realized. Investors should be aware that these types of investments are illiquid and should anticipate holding until an exit occurs.
