No images? Click here Sam Lessin’s The Information article has prompted heated debate on the future of venture capital, as new players with large amounts of capital are changing the landscape of late stage investing. But there’s another important trend developing in VC that has even more significant consequences: the move away from what has always defined venture capital, taking risk on the earliest stage companies. Here's our take on the future of VC and our promise to entrepreneurs as we navigate a changing industry. What is happening to risk-taking in venture capital?By Navin Chaddha Over the last 3 years, industry data indicates that the percentage of venture investing at inception/early-stage is on the decline. The VC industry cannot forget its roots. If we want the US to maintain its leadership as the innovation engine of the world, the venture industry must do more to support bold ideas at the inception stage, so that the next generation of industry leaders can be created. Inception investing is our DNA since our founding over 50 years ago. We invest at the earliest stages of company formation, primarily Seed and Series A, and since 1969, we have partnered with scores of legendary entrepreneurs. We know that company building is a marathon, not a sprint - here’s what it means to partner with the Mayfield team. |