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May 21, 2015 · 23m · 20vc

20 VC 038: How Make Connections with VCs and Maximise Employability with Angela Tran Kingyens @ Version One Ventures

Angela Tran Kingyens · 16m spoken Harry Stebbings · 4m spoken
0:00 / 0:00

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In this episode of The 20 Minute VC, Harry Stebbings interviews Angela Tran Kingyens of Version One Ventures about transitioning from academia to venture capital, effective networking strategies for founders and investors, and Version One's investment thesis on marketplace platforms.

How this conversation actually went

Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. Harry holds 21% of the talking time here. How this is scored →

Harry as informed peer 2.8 Guest teaching 3.6 Guest disagreement 0.2 Harry pushing back 0.6
05100:0010:0020:000:42–4:55 · Harry as informed peer 2/10 Angela's Career Transition from Academia to VC Harry opens with standard interview prompts asking Angela about her career trajectory and best networking practices for entrepreneurs and job seekers. Angela provides collaborative advice on warm intros and social media engagement without any conflict.4:55–7:36 · Harry as informed peer 3/10 Key Advice for Academic Transitions to Tech Angela educates the audience on three core transitions for academics entering tech, including adopting industry jargon and the lean startup method. Harry interjects constructively to reinforce her point about lean iteration and joke about British weather.7:36–10:31 · Harry as informed peer 4/10 Evaluating Incubators, Accelerators, and Hub Locations Harry demonstrates prior preparation by citing a Version One blog post note that 50% of their fund is in marketplaces to prompt a discussion on specialization. Angela answers constructively by laying out the trade-offs of fund size and geographic hub focus.10:31–14:16 · Harry as informed peer 2/10 The Evolution and Future of Marketplaces Angela outlines the evolution of marketplaces from consumer platforms to B2B and full-stack models taking on inventory risk. Harry asks supportive follow-ups about VC selection criteria and founder relations without challenging her responses.14:17–19:33 · Harry as informed peer 3/10 Vertical Market Mapping Case Study and Recommended Resources Harry cites Version One's monthly vertical market mapping exercise, prompting Angela to detail a transportation case study that concluded no opportunity existed in the carpooling middle-ground. Harry offers light banter on finding nothing after extensive research while Angela elaborates on investor conviction.0:42–4:55 · Guest teaching 3/10 Angela's Career Transition from Academia to VC Harry opens with standard interview prompts asking Angela about her career trajectory and best networking practices for entrepreneurs and job seekers. Angela provides collaborative advice on warm intros and social media engagement without any conflict.4:55–7:36 · Guest teaching 4/10 Key Advice for Academic Transitions to Tech Angela educates the audience on three core transitions for academics entering tech, including adopting industry jargon and the lean startup method. Harry interjects constructively to reinforce her point about lean iteration and joke about British weather.7:36–10:31 · Guest teaching 3/10 Evaluating Incubators, Accelerators, and Hub Locations Harry demonstrates prior preparation by citing a Version One blog post note that 50% of their fund is in marketplaces to prompt a discussion on specialization. Angela answers constructively by laying out the trade-offs of fund size and geographic hub focus.10:31–14:16 · Guest teaching 4/10 The Evolution and Future of Marketplaces Angela outlines the evolution of marketplaces from consumer platforms to B2B and full-stack models taking on inventory risk. Harry asks supportive follow-ups about VC selection criteria and founder relations without challenging her responses.14:17–19:33 · Guest teaching 4/10 Vertical Market Mapping Case Study and Recommended Resources Harry cites Version One's monthly vertical market mapping exercise, prompting Angela to detail a transportation case study that concluded no opportunity existed in the carpooling middle-ground. Harry offers light banter on finding nothing after extensive research while Angela elaborates on investor conviction.0:42–4:55 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Angela's Career Transition from Academia to VC Harry opens with standard interview prompts asking Angela about her career trajectory and best networking practices for entrepreneurs and job seekers. Angela provides collaborative advice on warm intros and social media engagement without any conflict.4:55–7:36 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Key Advice for Academic Transitions to Tech Angela educates the audience on three core transitions for academics entering tech, including adopting industry jargon and the lean startup method. Harry interjects constructively to reinforce her point about lean iteration and joke about British weather.7:36–10:31 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Evaluating Incubators, Accelerators, and Hub Locations Harry demonstrates prior preparation by citing a Version One blog post note that 50% of their fund is in marketplaces to prompt a discussion on specialization. Angela answers constructively by laying out the trade-offs of fund size and geographic hub focus.10:31–14:16 · Guest disagreement 0/10 The Evolution and Future of Marketplaces Angela outlines the evolution of marketplaces from consumer platforms to B2B and full-stack models taking on inventory risk. Harry asks supportive follow-ups about VC selection criteria and founder relations without challenging her responses.14:17–19:33 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Vertical Market Mapping Case Study and Recommended Resources Harry cites Version One's monthly vertical market mapping exercise, prompting Angela to detail a transportation case study that concluded no opportunity existed in the carpooling middle-ground. Harry offers light banter on finding nothing after extensive research while Angela elaborates on investor conviction.0:42–4:55 · Harry pushing back 0/10 Angela's Career Transition from Academia to VC Harry opens with standard interview prompts asking Angela about her career trajectory and best networking practices for entrepreneurs and job seekers. Angela provides collaborative advice on warm intros and social media engagement without any conflict.4:55–7:36 · Harry pushing back 0/10 Key Advice for Academic Transitions to Tech Angela educates the audience on three core transitions for academics entering tech, including adopting industry jargon and the lean startup method. Harry interjects constructively to reinforce her point about lean iteration and joke about British weather.7:36–10:31 · Harry pushing back 2/10 Evaluating Incubators, Accelerators, and Hub Locations Harry demonstrates prior preparation by citing a Version One blog post note that 50% of their fund is in marketplaces to prompt a discussion on specialization. Angela answers constructively by laying out the trade-offs of fund size and geographic hub focus.10:31–14:16 · Harry pushing back 0/10 The Evolution and Future of Marketplaces Angela outlines the evolution of marketplaces from consumer platforms to B2B and full-stack models taking on inventory risk. Harry asks supportive follow-ups about VC selection criteria and founder relations without challenging her responses.14:17–19:33 · Harry pushing back 1/10 Vertical Market Mapping Case Study and Recommended Resources Harry cites Version One's monthly vertical market mapping exercise, prompting Angela to detail a transportation case study that concluded no opportunity existed in the carpooling middle-ground. Harry offers light banter on finding nothing after extensive research while Angela elaborates on investor conviction.

speaking balance: gold is Harry, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)

0:00 · Harry 29.9% · guest 70.1%0:00 · Harry 29.9% · guest 70.1%3:00 · Harry 20% · guest 80%3:00 · Harry 20% · guest 80%6:00 · Harry 13.1% · guest 86.9%6:00 · Harry 13.1% · guest 86.9%9:00 · Harry 17.7% · guest 82.3%9:00 · Harry 17.7% · guest 82.3%12:00 · Harry 24% · guest 76%12:00 · Harry 24% · guest 76%15:00 · Harry 3.1% · guest 96.9%15:00 · Harry 3.1% · guest 96.9%18:00 · Harry 24.9% · guest 75.1%18:00 · Harry 24.9% · guest 75.1%21:00 · Harry 40.4% · guest 59.6%21:00 · Harry 40.4% · guest 59.6%
Sharpest disagreement ▶ 20:42 Refusing to Single Out Disfavored Industries

When asked which industry she would never invest in, Angela declines to single any out, resisting the host's direct question framing.

 Hardest push from Harry ▶ 20:49 Pushing for a Specific Industry Answer

After Angela refuses to name an industry she would never back, Harry pushes back by reframing the question to demand the sector she is least likely to invest in.

 Biggest teaching moment ▶ 5:12 Educating Academics on Industry Transition

Angela details the critical operational mindset shifts needed for PhDs entering industry, contrasting academic perfectionism with agile, lean practices.

 Harry holds his own ▶ 9:00 Demonstrating Portfolio Research on Version One

Harry demonstrates domain research by citing Version One's specific portfolio stats from their blog post to question whether specialized funds are industry standard.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
ChapterTopicHarry as informed peerGuest teachingGuest disagreementHarry pushing backWhy
Angela's Career Transition from Academia to VC 2300 Harry opens with standard interview prompts asking Angela about her career trajectory and best networking practices for entrepreneurs and job seekers. Angela provides collaborative advice on warm intros and social media engagement without any conflict.
Key Advice for Academic Transitions to Tech 3400 Angela educates the audience on three core transitions for academics entering tech, including adopting industry jargon and the lean startup method. Harry interjects constructively to reinforce her point about lean iteration and joke about British weather.
Evaluating Incubators, Accelerators, and Hub Locations 4312 Harry demonstrates prior preparation by citing a Version One blog post note that 50% of their fund is in marketplaces to prompt a discussion on specialization. Angela answers constructively by laying out the trade-offs of fund size and geographic hub focus.
The Evolution and Future of Marketplaces 2400 Angela outlines the evolution of marketplaces from consumer platforms to B2B and full-stack models taking on inventory risk. Harry asks supportive follow-ups about VC selection criteria and founder relations without challenging her responses.
Vertical Market Mapping Case Study and Recommended Resources 3401 Harry cites Version One's monthly vertical market mapping exercise, prompting Angela to detail a transportation case study that concluded no opportunity existed in the carpooling middle-ground. Harry offers light banter on finding nothing after extensive research while Angela elaborates on investor conviction.

Statements from this episode (9)

Insight
Tran King-Yens: Warm intros are the best way to reach VCs
“The best way to interact with a VC or get that introduction from a VC is to get a warm intro from a mutual contact, whether that contact is another entrepreneur or a, an investor. And the reason for this is because, you know, investors are just They're overwhe…”
Angela Tran Kingyens May 21, 2015 ▶ 2:56
Insight
Tran King-Yens: Build VC relationships by showing progress on their advice
“I think the key to building any kind of relationship is making sure that there's progress going forward. So let's say I meet Harry today and I give Harry advice. Hopefully Harry takes that with gusto and comes back with progress and So that we keep building a …”
Angela Tran Kingyens May 21, 2015 ▶ 4:01
Insight
Tran King-Yens: Startups should choose hub locations based on their industry
“I would argue that if you were in, in entertainment, you might want to consider LA. If you were in, in the life sciences, you might want to consider Boston. If you are in, in media and ad tech or something or other, you might want to consider New York for that…”
Angela Tran Kingyens May 21, 2015 ▶ 8:37
Insight
Tran King-Yens: B2B marketplaces offer better monetization than consumer marketplaces
“We're starting to see, I think in the very beginning, a lot of consumer marketplaces, so connecting ordinary people with businesses, but now we're seeing more B to B B to B marketplaces, which is really, really exciting because of the monetization factor. Peop…”
Angela Tran Kingyens May 21, 2015 ▶ 11:06
Disclosure
Tran King-Yens: VCs are most involved in the first 18-24 months
“So at version one, we know that The first 18 to 24 months after we invest are probably the most important time, so we try to be as involved as possible, and this means we talk to our founders, you know, anywhere from two to three times a month, but of course w…”
Angela Tran Kingyens May 21, 2015 ▶ 12:28
Insight
Tran King-Yens: Carpooling fails because people hate losing schedule freedom
“People just don't like to carpool because of the inconvenience. And it's not necessarily the coordination part. It's just the fact that they don't have the freedom.”
Angela Tran Kingyens May 21, 2015 ▶ 17:54
Prediction Open · timeframe May 2020
Tran King-Yens predicts Uber will become a trillion-dollar company
“Yes. They're changing the way in which people move from A to B, and that, and democratizing that in a way that it's not owned by companies, but by individuals.”
Angela Tran Kingyens May 21, 2015 ▶ 19:48
Prediction Not checkable as stated
Tran King-Yens: Version One maintains pro-rata rights until Series B
“We do. We're, we try to maintain our pro rata pretty much all the way to series B, and then once there are bigger, bigger players at the table, we take a step back.”
Angela Tran Kingyens May 21, 2015 ▶ 20:32
Prediction Not checkable as stated
Tran King-Yens: Version One avoids e-commerce and hardware for capital inefficiency
“I know that we're now less likely to do anything in e-commerce or hardware because these, it's less capital efficient than software companies.”
Angela Tran Kingyens May 21, 2015 ▶ 21:18
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