In recent months, there has been a notable trend of venture capitalists making unexpected moves within the industry. Traditionally, VC partners tend to stay with their firms for the duration of the fund’s 10-year life cycle. However, several high-profile investors have chosen to return to old firms, strike out on their own, or take a break from investing entirely.
One such example is Terri Burns, who recently announced the launch of her new venture firm called Type Capital. Burns, who was previously the first Black woman partner at GV, left the firm back in 2022. Her new fund will focus on investing in pre-seed and seed-stage startups. This move highlights the growing diversity and inclusivity in the venture capital space.
Another notable departure is Eva Ho, co-founder of Fika Ventures, who will be transitioning out of the firm after it finishes deploying its current fund. Ho’s decision is due to personal reasons and was confirmed by the firm in a blog post. This demonstrates that even successful investors may need to prioritize their personal lives over their careers at times.
Alison Lange Engel, formerly a partner at Greycroft, has taken on the role of CEO at Ceros, an AI-powered design company. Lange Engel’s move from venture capital to a leadership position in a tech company showcases the diverse career paths that individuals in the industry can pursue.
Vic Singh, who helped launch Eniac Ventures in 2009, recently announced his departure after 15 years with the firm. Singh plans to launch his own venture firm, indicating that experienced investors are willing to take risks and venture out on their own.
In April, Ethan Kurzweil left his role as a partner at Bessemer Venture Partners after 16 years to launch an early-stage-focused investment firm. He will be joined by Kristina Shen, who left Andreessen Horowitz after four years, and Mark Goldberg, who left Index Ventures last fall. This collaboration of experienced investors highlights the importance of teamwork and diverse perspectives in the VC industry.
Christina Farr, a principal investor at OMERS Ventures, announced her departure in April to pursue other ventures. She plans to work on her health tech newsletter, write a book on storytelling in business, and consult health tech founders. This shows that venture capitalists can leverage their expertise and network to explore new opportunities beyond traditional investing roles.
Ethan Choi, after six years as a partner at Accel, made a move to Khosla Ventures in March. Choi will focus on growth-stage investing at his new firm, bringing his expertise to support companies in their later stages of development.
Not all recent VC moves have been voluntary. Chamath Palihapitiya’s Social Capital fired partners Jay Zaveri and Ravi Tanuku in March due to a matter related to raising money for AI startup Groq. This highlights the fact that even successful venture capitalists may face challenges and conflicts within their firms.
The trend of investors returning to old firms is exemplified by Miles Grimshaw, who rejoined Thrive Capital as a general partner after three years at Benchmark Capital. Grimshaw’s decision to return to his previous firm showcases the strong relationships and trust that can be built between investors and their firms.
Transitioning from operator to VC is a common career progression in the startup ecosystem. However, Sam Blond decided to leave Founders Fund after 18 months as a partner and return to operating roles. Blond’s experience working at companies like Brex, Zenefits, and EchoSign highlights the value of gaining operational expertise before becoming a venture capitalist.
In January, Connie Chan left Andreessen Horowitz after 12 years as a general partner. Chan’s departure shows that even established investors may seek new challenges and opportunities outside of their current firms.
These recent moves within the venture capital industry demonstrate that change is becoming more common among high-profile investors. Whether it’s pursuing new ventures, returning to old firms, or exploring different career paths, these individuals are willing to take risks and make bold decisions. This trend reflects the evolving nature of the VC ecosystem and the importance of adaptability in an ever-changing industry.
As more venture capitalists make unexpected moves, it’s clear that the traditional notion of stability and longevity in the industry is shifting. Investors are increasingly seeking new opportunities, leveraging their expertise in different ways, and prioritizing personal and professional growth. The dynamics of the venture capital landscape continue to evolve, and it will be interesting to see how these recent trends shape the future of the industry.
