Ibrahim: Domain specialization is the best way for new VCs to differentiate
Maha Ibrahim · 20 VC 031: Investing in Gaming, Luxury Goods and Disruption with Maha Ibrahim, General Partner @ Canaan Partners · Apr 27, 2015 · at 12:24
Maha Ibrahim, General Partner at Canaan Partners, offers advice on how junior VCs and new fund managers can stand out in a crowded, competitive market.
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“So what I advise new entrants into the VC market or junior people to do Is really to differentiate based on a franchise. So pick an area, and it need not be a niche area. It could be a pretty broad area, and really develop a thesis in that area for where the white space is, where the hidden gems are, where the big markets are, where the pain points are, and get to know the entrepreneurs, get to know the corporate development executives, get to know the engineers and product people at big companies in the space, and So that your network is broadened in that space, but you're also looked at as a subject matter expert and can brand yourself as such. That, it seems to me, is the easiest and potentially the only way of differentiating yourself in a market such as this.”
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