Demystifying venture capital firms: Extraordinary or regular? - I by IMD (2024)

Fearlessness in the face of risk

Unlike traditional firms, VCs aren’t afraid of losing money. Indeed, they embrace risk with open arms. The VC game operates on the principle of “power law,” where a few lucrative investments offset the ones that don’t yield returns.

Competition amidst scarcity

VC firms operate in a fiercely competitive landscape, with more than 48,000 firms globally vying for a limited pool of investment opportunities. This scarcity can drive up valuations, making it challenging for VC firms to secure favorable terms.

Unique success metrics

While non-VC firms measure success through factors like profitability and market impact, VCs navigate a different terrain. They generate income through an annual management fee and a performance fee (typically 20%, known as ‘carried interest’). Yet only a small percentage – 5.9%, according to PitchBook Data – achieved a return of at least three times the initial investment between 2000-2015. Over the same period, 53.3% have a DPI (distributions to paid-in capital) of less than 1x, meaning that VC firms were not able to generate revenue beyond the 2% management fees. This distinct metric for success sets them apart in the business world.

Branding strategies for survival

In an era of unprecedented competition, effective branding strategies have become paramount. With more than 2,700 active venture funds in 2022, a 140% increase from 2013, a robust brand presence is essential to attract limited partners (LPs, the individuals who provide the capital for funds) and align with the founders of portfolio companies.

Unpredictable revenues

While the fund size represents the VC firm’s business model, the predictability of revenues is challenged by the finite lifespan of a fund. Management fees, which apply over a fixed duration (usually 10 years), necessitate an ongoing cycle of raising new funds for sustained income.

Interest rate dynamics

VC firms are not immune to the broader economic environment. Lower interest rates tend to lead to a flood of capital into VC and increased risk-taking from fund managers, making it simpler for startups to secure VC investment. Conversely, rising interest rates (the present situation today) pose challenges, raising the costs of running businesses and pushing investors towards safer investment options such as government bonds.

People-centric challenges

As a people business, VC saw extensive hiring until 2021, when shifting fundraising and startup dynamics led to layoffs. Despite strides in diversity, challenges persist, with female representation at 23% in investment roles and 16% as partners, according to Deloitte. While some VC firms prefer to merge or be acquired (as exemplified by German firm La Familia merging with General Catalyst in 2023), some other VC firms shut down and return uninvested capital to their investors (LPs), such as renowned Boston-based B2B SaaS VC firm OpenView or hard-tech focused VC firm Countdown Capital.

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