Andy Rachleff is a co-founder of Benchmark Capital and Wealthfront. He is reflecting on the role of VCs and whether operational involvement or board work meaningfully drives firm returns.
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“90% of the value added of a venture capitalist is finding and choosing the right investments.”
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More from Andy Rachleff
Opinion
Rachleff: Early-stage angel investing in software is a sucker's bet
“It's a sucker's bet. It's a terrible risk reward because you have all of this market risk, and there's no way to evaluate it.”
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Rachleff: Consumer product-market fit requires exponential organic growth, not paid acquisition
“Consumer-related businesses, I think you know you found product market fit when you achieve exponential organic growth. Anyone can gain growth through paid acquisition. If you can achieve exponential organic growth, that's when you know you found product marke…”
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Insight
Rachleff: Executive leadership skills do not translate to successful investment selection
“Being a CEO, the things that make you a very good leader have nothing to do with the things that make you very good at finding and choosing investments.”
Andy RachleffJun 20, 2016▶ 11:4420VC: Andy Rachleff, Founder @ Benchmark & Wealthfront on What Makes The Best CEO & Board Member & Why Ivy League Endowments Are The Best Managed Capital In The World
Insight
Rachleff: Board work can double outcomes but doesn't drive VC fund economics
“I think being a really good board member can make the difference between a three X and a six X outcome, but that doesn't really move the needle on the economics of a venture capital firm.”
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Insight
Rachleff: Professionals learn far more from success than from failure
“I think you learn far more from success than you do from failure. I think you learn more personally from failure. You learn more professionally from success.”
Andy RachleffJun 20, 2016▶ 18:4020VC: Andy Rachleff, Founder @ Benchmark & Wealthfront on What Makes The Best CEO & Board Member & Why Ivy League Endowments Are The Best Managed Capital In The World
Insight
Rachleff: Equal VC partners must step down if not giving 110%
“The only way to manage an always equal partnership is if you're not willing to go a 110%, you have to opt out.”
Andy RachleffMar 10, 2017▶ 2:2520VC: Wealthfront and Benchmark's Andy Rachleff on Why Delight Is The Greatest Form Of Virality, Why Competition Does Not Matter & What The Future Holds For Automated Personal Finance
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