Thanks for reading, and I am glad you find the content useful.

I do not personally know anyone who has jumped from venture debt to pure VC, but that does not mean it isn’t possible.

If your ultimate goal is VC, then think about how the venture debt job can help get you there, and make sure you put yourself in situations where you build up skills that are transferable to VC.

One thought that comes to mind is that venture debt is typically given to companies entering their growth phase or that are very close to profitability. If you are looking to work in growth equity/later stage VC then I think there might be a good deal of overlap in the types of companies you’d be looking for.

I have a friend from my business school class who just entered the venture debt world, you may want to contact him and ask about his experience (feel free to say I referred you). His LinkedIn URL is: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/shahriq-sheikh/2/a87/718

If you have trouble getting in touch with him, let me know and I will see if I can help.

I would love to join a VC firm. I have an offer to join a Venture Debt/Lending firm as an Investment Associate in London UK. Do you thinking working at the Venture Debt fund for a couple years might be a reasonable stepping stone to become a VC? How might a VC view this transition? If not what might my career options be after that?

Any thoughts would help a lot!

Regarding opportunities to get involved with firms, here are some thoughts:

- Firms will often hire subject matter experts to assist them with due diligence on potential investments. If you fit that description, I’d try to identify firms who are thinking of investing in that subsector of medicine, and approach them to learn more about their firm.

- Approach firms with an idea for a structured project. You could propose a study of the cardiothoracic surgery widget market (substitute ‘widget’ for a real technology – as you know I’m not a healthcare guy :) and outline why you think it’s an attractive area in which to invest. And, you could point out potential companies in which to invest. As part of such a project, you’d need to spend alot of time talking to these companies as well, so you’d have the opportunity to do some sourcing as well.

- If you’re unable to get involved with a VC firm, I’m sure there are some startups who would benefit from your services. In the same way you could propose a project to a VC firm, why not approach an interesting startup that’s addressing an area you find compelling?

Your blog is anything but “Another VC Blog.” The content has been quite helpful.

May I request some advice? Currently I am a practicing heart surgeon (Northwestern-MD; General Surgery Residency-Stanford; Cardiovascular Physiology Fellowship- Stanford; Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship-UVA). I have always been interested in medical device commercialization and IP related to devices and healthcare. I recently completed a JD at Syracuse University in patent law and technology commercialization. I had such a great experience that I am starting Cornell Exec. MBA in the Fall. Planning to transition my career to VC at some point after two years- I’m currently 40.

Are there any opportunities out there in VC (in any capacity) for a person such as myself as I complete business school? I will be in NYC area every other week. I am from SF and so will also be speaking to friends in VC out there for the same type of opportunity.

Any thoughts would certainly be appreciated.

Randy