This book will demystify the venture capital world, explain how to break into it, and reveal the art of investing in startups. The author has the unique framework of having been the most junior person on a VC team to becoming a co-founder of a successful VC firm. The book will begin by diving into the VC world by detailing how to break into VC, what a day in the life looks like, and how VC deals form. In addition, the book provides an in-depth view of the VC decision-making framework, uncovering how to decide which companies to invest in.

With so little public information about venture capital, this book is perfect for anyone who is in VC, working with VC, or interested in entrepreneurship/VC. Readers will be brought behind the scenes of the exclusive VC world and learn about the strategies and major characters that play such a large role in the world today. The book will detail what VC careers look like, what questions experienced VCs ask when making investment decisions, and why those questions matter. This book reveals the VC mindset and will be of immense value to entrepreneurs looking to raise funding, as well as for people with the ability to fund startups but who don’t know which ones to bet on (i.e., celebrities, public company executives, up-and-coming VCs, etc.).

WILLIAM LIN has spent his career close to creation and creators, as an entrepreneur, founder, innovator, and investor. Over a decade as a venture capitalist, Will started as an entry level investor and eventually became Managing Director and member of the founding team at Forgepoint Capital, a $1 billion AUM venture capital firm with roots in cybersecurity. He co-founded and is Chairman of the Security Tinkerers, a nonprofit organization that gathers information for security professionals seeking opportunities in the security community. He is now pursuing the next stage of his career as a founder of a cybersecurity startup. Will graduated from UC Berkeley and lives in the Bay Area with his life partner, dog, and cats.

Section 1: Conflict

Chapter 1: Omelets and Arguments

Chapter 2: Trouble in Serenity

Chapter 3: The Outburst

Chapter 4: Online but Disconnected

Chapter 5: Red vs Blue

Chapter 6: Burnt Out

Chapter 7: GOLFMAST3R_DAD3288

Chapter 8: Retreat and Refocus

SECTION 2: Connection

Chapter 9: A Little Now Or A Lot Later

Chapter 10: Silly Beans

Chapter 11: Truly Troubled Tony

Chapter 12: Serious Digital Beef

Chapter 13: A Little Ad Hominem

Chapter 14: A Cooling Ember

Chapter 15: Trading Vinegar for Honey

SECTION 3: Collaboration

Chapter 16: One Problem Too Many

Chapter 17: Freedom Through Acceptance

Chapter 18: Breakthrough

Chapter 19: Face to Face

Chapter 20: Hemispheres

Chapter 21: Remembering Why

Chapter 22: Defused

Chapter 23: Harvest

GOING DEEPER: Monica’s Journal