Breaking into Venture: An Outsider Turned Venture Capitalist Shares How to Take Risks, Create Power, and Build Life-Changing Wealth

by Allison Baum Gates

Unparalleled insight into how the powerful, profitable, and exclusive industry of venture capital works, especially for those who are not already part of the club.

Although most people know nothing about them, venture capitalists are the small yet elite group of people funding and shaping world-changing technology businesses like Google, Facebook, Uber, and Amazon. In an increasingly technology-driven world, understanding how to harness the power of venture capital can lead to unimaginable money, power, and influence. Whether you’re an aspiring investor, entrepreneur, or career-focused business professional, this book will teach you how this historically exclusive and incredibly lucrative industry actually works.

Through a combination of the author’s real-life stories coupled with insights from other elite venture investors from unexpected backgrounds, Breaking into Venture draws the curtain on what it takes to break into venture capital, navigate the hidden pitfalls that insiders know to avoid, and build a long-term winning strategy that plays to your unique strengths.

Drawing on her background building multiple successful venture funds and teaching venture capital at world-class business schools on both coasts, Allison Baum Gates shares the nine fundamental principles that lead to success in VC, providing everything you need to navigate the rapidly changing technology landscape. By learning how venture investors think, you’ll unlock your own potential, whether you’re looking to make angel investments, develop and launch a successful business, or create the career of your dreams. Breaking into Venture covers every angle,

The three keys to success in venture accessing great opportunities, analyzing which ones to pursue, and adding value post-investmentHow to build a relevant network from scratchThe importance of writing your own "narrative" that communicates who you are and inspires people to help you get what you wantHow to avoid falling victim to your own biases when choosing opportunitiesDetails on how VCs evaluate companies during their due diligence process

This game-changing guide democratizes the VC world by showing the ropes to those who aren’t already part of the "in crowd," aren’t already wealthy, or don't even know where Sand Hill Road is. With Breaking into Venture, you will have everything you need to leverage the power of venture capital for investing or career success.

Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship

313 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 7, 2023

Reviews

[Kate Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful introduction to venture capital. Very informational for someone like me, looking to “break into venture.” It is really interesting to see a lot of the office politics written out, backed with psychology terms and research studies.

Planning on rereading through my highlights and write a summary blog, specifically focusing on the informational contents. Let me know if anyone wants a link.

[Oleksandr Komarevych · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Breaking Into Venture" is an absolute game-changer for anyone aspiring to understand the intricacies of venture capitalism.

I had a chance to speak with Allison in Rome in 2017 when she gave a speech at the opening ceremony of Laudato Si' Rome Accelerator. At that time it was my first year when I moved from a "co-founder role" to another side - working in the Italian accelerator to support early-stage founders.

I was impressed by her story and the vision.

This book is a gift for anyone who wants to enter the VC field, know more and grow their horizons.

The author's storytelling is compelling and relatable, making complex concepts accessible to a broad audience. The book seamlessly weaves personal anecdotes with strategic advice, creating an engaging and instructive narrative.

The author shares real-world examples illustrating the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone to achieve extraordinary success. The blend of theory and real-life experiences creates a comprehensive guide that goes beyond generic advice and provides actionable steps.

Moreover, the strategies outlined in "Breaking Into Venture" are not just about financial gain but also about creating meaningful impact. The book advocates for building a purpose-driven venture capital portfolio that generates wealth and contributes to positive change. This forward-thinking approach resonated deeply with me, and I believe it sets this book apart from others in the genre.

I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking not only financial success but also a fulfilling journey into the realm of venture capital.

[Siying · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended! I hope this book could’ve existed 8 years ago, when I did a short-time exploratory gig in the VC industry and was desperately looking for a guide to learn the ropes. This book has an amazing combination of insights and inspiration! Alison’s story as a woman, with international experience, from non-traditional background, etc was so relatable, and I really appreciate her openness and candor to share vulnerability. This is so unusual to see across the VC industry where everyone is working hard to paint a looking-great picture of success. Also this book is highly actionable even if you’re not in VC, with helpful tips like: how to network (email samples provided), how to “read the air” navigating politics, 5T framework to evaluate a startup investment, checklist to combat your decision-making bias, etc.

I listened through the audio book in two days straight and enjoyed it a lot. I would definitely come back to the book to review and take notes.

[Jade Aase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I’m biased against business books, but reading this felt like sitting down to coffee with a friend who has incredible advice. The writing is humorous, wise and warm, and packed with insider secrets that she reveals knowing how valuable it will be to hopefuls in the VC industry. Would also highly recommend to founders. Skip business school: just read this!

[Ji Cheng]

A great book for people who is not in the industry but interested in anyway, for me, I am a shark tank viewer, too late for me to get into a new industry. However, it is eye opening, especially when all the key points are shared with real life experiences. On another hand, most of the key points or principles from the book also apply to my own work.

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for learning the ins and outs of venture capital investing! Listened to audiobook.

[Pablo Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is an excellent book on what makes a great manager and VC. It has its spin because it focuses on the internal and human elements of being a VC Investor.

[Rodrigo Dumont · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best introductory books to the VC world. It has simple yet profound insights on our industry. Also, very open and honest. A must read.

[N N · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read that I would recommend for anyone new to venture investing. The book is extremely engaging - the author, a successful venture capitalist, shares lots of personal stories of her own and other VCs - and I found it refreshing to hear such an authentic telling of a successful person’s path to success (and the challenges along the way). As I read it I almost felt like a mentor was speaking directly to me and telling me the things that no one tells you but that you need to know when you’re new to VC. While many books and blog posts cover concepts such as the power law, how to diligence companies, etc., I don’t know of any others that really tell it like it is about how the industry works behind the scenes (e.g., the network effects of success, money matters, how to get yourself through all the rejections and cutthroat interactions with other VCs, etc).