EP 244 Transformational Businesses and Taking Big Risks with Vanessa Larco with Vanessa Larco Partner NEA

Episode Summary: Join us for an inspiring conversation with Vanessa Larco, Partner at NEA, one of the world's largest venture capital firms. In this episode, Vanessa shares her career journey from working at leading tech companies like Microsoft, to becoming a prominent VC investor. She dives into her investment philosophy, the importance of strong leadership, leveraging data-driven decisions, and fostering diversity in venture capital. Whether you're an entrepreneur, aspiring VC, or tech enthusiast, this episode offers invaluable insights on building successful businesses and networks while taking calculated risks. Key Discussion Points: Vanessa’s career journey: From tech product management to venture capital. Lessons learned from her time at Microsoft, Box, and other leading companies. How to spot and capitalize on transformative insights in business. The critical role of a strong CEO in company success and investment decisions. The importance of data, analytics, and metrics in decision-making. Balancing risk-taking with calculated strategy in your career. Building and maintaining a network outside the VC world. Lessons from failure and advice for those navigating similar challenges. Highlighted Questions: What led you to pursue a career in venture capital after working in product management? How do you evaluate leadership when considering an investment? Can you share a time when you took a significant career risk and how it paid off? How do you maintain work-life balance in a high-pressure role? What advice would you give to those looking to build a career in VC or entrepreneurship? About Vanessa Larco: Vanessa specializes in Series A and B investments in both B2B and B2C companies. She’s passionate about leveraging technology to empower people and has led investments in innovative companies like Assembled, Mejuri, and Cleo. Her background in product management at companies like Box, Twilio, and Disney provides her with a unique perspective in evaluating businesses. Event Details: This episode was recorded during a live event on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 1895 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, California. The event featured networking opportunities, an in-depth interview with Vanessa, and an engaging audience Q&A session. Connect with Vanessa Larco: LinkedIn: Vanessa Larco on Vanessa Larco | LinkedIn Learn more about NEA: http://www.nea.com