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Lefcourt: VCs experience 'duck syndrome,' serene above but frantic underneath

Jenny Lefcourt · 20VC: How Startups Should React To Today's Funding Environment & Why Big Markets Are More Forgiving with Jenny Lefcourt, Partner @ Freestyle.vc · May 18, 2016 · at 7:13

Jenny Lefcourt, Partner at Freestyle.vc, describes how venture capitalists manage context-switching and workload across portfolio support, networking, and deal sourcing.

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“VCs have what I call duck syndrome. It looks serene and calm. They glide on top of the water, but underneath they're paddling frantically, and I think that's honestly what's going on.”

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Assertion Not checkable as stated
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