Brad Feld

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Mastering the VC Game

May 03, 2010
Category Books

Over the years, I’ve occasionally thought about writing a book about how venture capital actually works.  I no longer have to contemplate doing this as Jeff Bussgang has nailed it with his book Mastering the VC Game: A Venture Capital Insider Reveals How to Get from Start-up to IPO on YOUR Terms

If you are an entrepreneur who wants to understand how venture capital works, how VC’s think, and read some great stories about entrepreneurial arcs, this book is for you.  When Jeff told me about this project a year or so ago, I gave him lots of encouragement, made a few introductions, and offered to do anything I could to be helpful.  I did two meaningful proofreading cycles so I’ve effectively read this book twice – it’s just spectacular.

Jeff has a particularly deft touch on the balance between entrepreneur and VC.  Some of this comes from him previously being a successful entrepreneur, but some of it comes from his effort in striking a balance between writing a VC-oriented book and an entrepreneur-oriented book.  The result is a much better book than the other “how VC works” type books. 

Jeff also does something important – he uses long stories to frame his points.  Rather than little sound bites, he actually tells great entrepreneurial stories, in real detail, that I hadn’t heard before to underscore what he is trying to get across.  For an example, take a look at the book except of When Jack Dorsey Met Fred Wilson, And Other Twitter Tales. 

If there is one book about entrepreneurship and venture capital that you buy this year, make it Mastering the VC Game.