| Topic Name: |
Technology vs Finance Experience |
| Message Name: |
Vaguely similar position |
| Date Posted: |
01/19/2001 |
| In Reply To: |
Actually, as the original author of this note, I've taken a rather circuitous route in my career.
I do indeed have a business background, having done consulting for government tech clients, as well as management consulting. I briefly ran a start-up, and built a marketing organization for emerging technologies. What I lack, however, is formal financial training -- and have little hands on corporate finance work.
While I'm quite strong and broad on IT and Communications technologies, I also do not have a technical degree -- it's all been gained through hands-on work in consulting and in Fortune 100 research.
But what I take is the lesson that 'finance' per se, is the skill that VCs look for... not really the understanding of technology or the business skills I do have? |
| Message: |
I have not reached the seniority that you have, but also possess a general business background (marketing), co-founded and managed a technology startup and thereby obtained hands-on technology knowledge, and also lack a formal finance education. Personally, I am addressing this "gap" by undertaking a part-time Master of Applied Finance here in Australia. I want do do this, as opposed to feeling compelled to do it, and someone of your calibre would surely offer so much that a lack of formal finance skills will not be a roadblock to becoming a VC (think of all the ex-tech entrepreneurs and lawyers who are now VCs). However, you can always do a few finance courses if you wish to obtain particular skills.
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