Investor Wisdom: What I’d Tell Myself all the Start of My VC Career
Seasoned investor Marc Schröder shares key lessons from his journey in venture capital, highlighting the value of people, persistence, and building a reputation early.
Relationships Matter More Than Deals
Looking back, one piece of investor wisdom stands out: people matter more than startups. In venture capital, it’s easy to chase trending deals, but success comes from building long-term, trust-based relationships.
Venture investing runs on multi-year cycles. You might only experience two or three major ones in your career. The companies you invest in may take a decade or more to reach their full potential. That’s why the focus must be on the founders, not just the product or trend.
Trust from limited partners (LPs) flows to founders. The way you treat people when there’s nothing at stake often determines your future access to deals. The best investors support founders across ventures, recognizing that true winners can come from unexpected places.
Earn Your Filter Through Experience
Another core piece of investor wisdom: say yes to more meetings early on. Listen to ideas, even if they sound unrealistic. Talk to customers, mentors, and anyone who can shed light on a founder’s potential.
Asking “dumb” questions is part of the process. Good investors don’t rely on luck—they develop a sharp filter through repetition and experience. The more you engage, the quicker you’ll learn what signals to trust.
This mindset also helps maintain humility. As your profile grows, it’s tempting to prioritize prestige. But real insight comes from digging deep into business models, customer behavior, and market dynamics. Early-stage investors succeed by staying hands-on and truly understanding what makes each business work.
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Build a Reputation Before You Need One
Another vital lesson in investor wisdom: build your brand early. Waiting until you need visibility often means missed opportunities.
Start by sharing your perspective—write, teach, and post your thoughts. Even if your audience is small, the content creates a track record. That history builds credibility, which can attract both founders and LPs in the future.
You don’t need to be perfect. Your views can evolve. What matters is that people understand what you stand for. A strong personal brand is about trust and consistency, not logos or buzzwords.
Final Investor Wisdom: Relationships Drive Returns
Venture capital is a long, often uncertain journey. Success demands patience, hard work, and the ability to navigate ups and downs. But at its core, this business is about people.
Build honest relationships. Show up consistently. Help without expecting something in return. In the end, investor wisdom isn’t just about financial returns—it’s about building a reputation that earns trust over time.