Venture Capitalists

It’s very difficult to land a job as a venture capitalist. A commonly used analogy compares the size of the VC industry with that of Major League Baseball. It’s estimated that there are more than 7,000 professional baseball players (1,026 in the Major Leagues and 6,000 players in the minor leagues)—and the VC industry is about the same size. So, in short, it’s extremely difficult to become a pro ballplayer (even if you are a stellar athlete) and just as difficult to land a partner-track position at a VC firm. Still, some baseball players—and aspiring venture capitalists—do the hard work, get a few opportunities to demonstrate their talent, and eventually fulfill their dreams. And experienced and well-financed aspiring venture capitalists can do one thing that baseball players can’t do—start their own firms. It should also be noted that during the coronavirus pandemic, in 2020, venture capital firms have stayed resilient. VC activity experienced a slight decline in the first part of 2020 but VC investments have since been increasing. And unlike in some industries, VC professionals have been able to continue conducting business remotely. In general, as the economy starts to rebound, employment growth in venture capital firms to pick up speed.