If I had to break into VC again (my 8-step plan)

Hi! I’m glad you’re here. You’ve made it to issue #76 of VC Demystified🪄.

My name’s Nicole - I’m a Principal at an early stage venture fund, and I know firsthand that VC can often be a black box. Breaking into the industry may feel daunting and resources can seem scarce and inaccessible. I wanted to put together a newsletter to give others the playbook I wish I had when I first started.

Today’s deep dive: If I had to start over in venture today, this is exactly how I’d do it

^{My personal mission is to open as many doors as possible for other people and this newsletter is just one avenue to do that. As always, I will continue to post VC insights daily for free across my socials. This newsletter may contain paid partnerships or affiliate links.}

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Read time: 7 minutes

If I had to start over in venture today, this is exactly how I’d do it

Breaking into venture capital is tough. Even tougher when you’re starting with zero knowledge or connections.

If I had to start all over again today, this is the exact playbook I’d run.

Every step matters. Skip one and you’ll slow yourself down.

Step 1: Build a Base of Knowledge

Before you reach out to a single VC, you need to understand how the industry works.

Read and listen daily. Here’s your starting point:

• Book: Venture Deals by Brad Feld - the gold standard for understanding term sheets, valuations, and deal structure.

• Podcast: 20VC - listen weekly to hear how real investors think about startups.

• Newsletters: VC Demystified (for tactical insights), StrictlyVC, and Term Sheet (for industry updates).

Your goal is to internalize how the industry works from how capital flows to how funds operate to what makes a company venture-scale. This is the foundation that lets you speak the same language as investors.

Step 2: Decide Where You Want to Sit in the Ecosystem

Not all venture roles (or funds) are the same.

Sit down and answer these questions honestly:

• What industries do I care about most? (AI, climate, healthcare, consumer, fintech, etc.)

• What stage of investing fits me? (Pre-seed? Series A? Growth?)

• What type of fund do I want to work at? (Legacy firm? Emerging manager? Thematic fund?)

Once you know that, ask:

• What unique value can I bring to that niche based on my background?

  • Operator? You understand building.

  • Finance? You understand valuation and returns.

  • Academic or technical? You understand innovation and risk.

This self-audit is the most underrated step.

It determines everything else from who you talk to to what content you post to what programs you apply to.

Step 3: Join Programs That Get You Inside the Ecosystem

Exposure is everything early on. Don’t wait for a full-time job. Start learning inside the system.

Here are a few programs that accept newcomers and help you build credibility fast:

• Included VC Fellowship: Global, cohort-based program for future investors.

• The Venture Cooperative: Hands-on part-time fellowship to learn from real GPs.

• GoingVC: Structured program with deal experience and community.

• Harlem Capital Internship Program: 10-week remote internship where you screen deals, research markets, and learn how firms actually operate.

Whether it’s a structured program or a part-time VC internship, these experiences accelerate your learning curve, give you access to deal flow, and signal to firms that you’re serious.

Step 4: Create a Targeted Networking Plan

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