How first-time venture fund managers are succeeding despite market uncertainty
In an era marked by market volatility, geopolitical tensions, and economic uncertainty, successfully closing a first-time venture fund might seem like an insurmountable challenge. Yet three emerging managers have proven it’s not only possible but can be done with strategic precision and persistence. Their experiences offer valuable insights for new fund managers navigating today’s complex fundraising landscape.
Through candid discussions with Jessica Kamada of Swizzle Ventures, Ali Jamal of First Check Ventures, and John Roberts of Boot64 Ventures, we uncover the tactical approaches and mindset shifts that enabled them to secure LP commitments despite headwinds like the crypto crash, Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse, and pre-election jitters. Their success stories demonstrate that uncertain times, while challenging, can actually present unique opportunities for emerging managers who approach fundraising with the right strategy and authentic positioning.…
Author: Adeo Ressi
Adeo Ressi is CEO of Decile Group, powering the next generation of venture capital firms worldwide with an integrated offering of training, tools, and capital. Adeo has launched 14 venture capital funds and founded 11 startups, having nearly $2 billion in exits before 30.
How venture capitalists can effectively approach limited partners for fund commitments
For emerging venture capitalists, mastering the delicate art of asking Limited Partners (LPs) for capital commitments can be the difference between a successful fund close and a stalled fundraising process. While many first-time fund managers focus heavily on their investment thesis and track record, the actual mechanics of “the ask” often receive insufficient attention. Yet, this crucial moment in the LP relationship can significantly impact your fundraising success.
The key to securing LP commitments lies in understanding that fundraising is fundamentally a relationship-driven process, not a transactional one. This article explores three proven approaches to structuring “the ask” – passive, access-based, and direct – and provides practical guidance on when and how to employ each strategy effectively.…
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2025
The venture capital industry is at an inflection point, and Decile Group is leading the transformation.
When I look at the state of venture capital today, I see an industry ready for change. The traditional barriers to entry are still too high, the tools are too complex, and launching and running a fund is needlessly difficult.
This must change.
Our vision for 2025 is clear and ambitious. We will democratize access to venture capital through training, tools, and capital. The future of venture is not about a small number of massive funds, but rather thousands of specialist managers who deeply understand their markets.
Here are the key transformations we will drive:
First, we are radically lowering barriers to entry. The old gatekeeping model of venture capital is ending.…
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2025 Q1 Venture Trends
Emerging Trends for Q1 2025
As we head into Q1 2025, the venture capital and startup ecosystem is brimming with momentum. Accelerating developments in sectors like AI, deep tech, and health sciences continues to reshape the industry’s focus, while optimism abounds about the incoming U.S. Administration policy agenda, which promises to remove major regulatory hurdles that have been responsible for hampering and slowing down the pace of innovation.
Each quarter, VC Lab surveys Limited Partners (LPs), General Partners (GPs), emerging managers, and other industry professionals to gather actionable insights from the front lines of venture capital. This quarter, with over 400 responses, the survey uncovered transformative trends in key areas such as AI, deep tech, robotics, health and biotech, and liquidity.…
Decile Hub’s integration with Zapier transforms the leading venture capital operating system by connecting it with over 5,000 apps and tools. Now serving as the central hub, Decile Hub enables firms to maintain their preferred tools while ensuring all information flows through a single, reliable platform.
“Venture capital firms have been juggling too many disconnected tools for too long,” says Adeo Ressi, CEO of Decile Group. “Our Zapier integration transforms Decile Hub into the central nervous system for VC operations, allowing firms to keep their favorite tools while maintaining a single source of truth.”
What is Decile Hub?
Decile Hub serves as the unified operating system for venture capital firms, providing an all-in-one platform that combines integrated CRM for LPs and deals, comprehensive deal flow management, multi-fund LP portals, real-time accounting, secure data rooms, and robust investor relations tools.…
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How and Why to Close Before Year End
End of Year is the Best Time to Close a VC Fund
Year-end is one of the most powerful natural deadlines for closing venture capital funds. Limited partners often have annual investment allocation targets and tax considerations that make them more likely to commit capital before December 31st. This timing advantage, combined with LPs’ desire to start fresh in the new year, creates an optimal environment for fund managers to secure commitments and achieve a successful close.
How to Use Year End Deadlines for Fund Closing
Creating urgency through year-end deadlines requires a strategic approach that balances persistence with professionalism. The key is to communicate clear benefits and consequences while maintaining relationships with potential LPs.
Notice of Closing – Send a formal announcement to all prospective LPs via newsletter or direct email highlighting fund progress, notable investors, and the year-end deadline
Send LPAs with Deadline – Distribute the Limited Partner Agreement with clear instructions and a deadline, ideally starting with December 20th
Friendly Follow-up on LPA – Check in personally with each LP about document review progress and offer assistance
Update with Progress – Share commitment momentum and remaining allocation availability
Update with News – Distribute any positive developments about the fund or portfolio companies
Deadline Reminder – Send final notice 7-10 days before closing
Sample emails for each of the above are at the bottom.…
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5 Reasons to Close Your VC fund NOW
The stars have aligned to create what might be the most opportune moment in recent history to close a venture capital fund. Let’s explore why this perfect storm of favorable conditions makes NOW the time to take your fund from dream to reality.
Five Reasons Why NOW
The venture capital industry is experiencing a rare moment where multiple favorable conditions have aligned perfectly for emerging managers. The combination of abundant LP capital, attractive valuations, economic timing, political support, and validated impact creates what might be the most compelling environment for launching a new venture fund in recent history. For those who have been considering starting a fund, these five factors make it clear: the time is now.
1. Emerging LP Wallets are Open
Emerging limited partners are actively seeking new venture fund managers to back with unprecedented enthusiasm.…
Venture capital firms occasionally need to change their fund administrator for various reasons, from seeking better technology solutions to reducing errors. As a result of the recent failure of Assure, the errors and delays with Carta, and the lack of service with AngelList, many funds have been migrating fund admin providers.
Top rated solutions like Decile Partners or Aduro have been picking up the migration business. This guide walks through the key considerations and steps for successfully migrating your fund administration provider while minimizing disruption to your operations.
What is Fund Migration?
Fund migration is the process of transitioning all operational, financial, and compliance functions from one administrator to another. This includes transferring historical data, setting up the new systems, and adjusting processes. …
VC Lab recently hosted one of our most anticipated events: the Venture Trends Webinar. This quarterly gathering has become the go to for spotting the trends set to shake up the venture capital world.
What makes it so special? It’s all about the community. Every quarter, we survey Limited Partners (LPs), General Partners (GPs), emerging managers, and other industry professionals to get real insights straight from the front lines.
This quarter’s feedback revealed valuable insights into transformative areas such as AI, deep tech, robotics, health and biotech, liquidity, and more. With over 400 responses, the data highlighted the key trends poised to drive significant impact. Here’s an overview of the 5 top trends that are driving the industry forward:
AI
Deep Tech & Robotics
Liquidity & IPO
Health & Biotech
Crypto & DeFi
A Community Driven Approach to Industry Insights
Beyond providing an avenue to share our survey findings, our Venture Trends events are also a way for industry professionals to discuss key industry trends at our virtual networking tables.…
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The Anti-Playbook
Emerging managers are not immune from making rookie mistakes. We complied a list of the most common blunders.
Enjoy!
1. STRUCTURE & FORMATION BLUNDERS
🔥 DIY Legal/Compliance/Accounting: Because who needs professionals when you’ve got Google and determination? (FYI: You needed professionals.)
💸 Premature Vendor Commitments: Signing contracts with service providers before having actual commitments, like buying wedding decorations before having a partner.
📢 506(c) Violations: Accidentally doing general solicitation through overeager website copy and newsletters, turning your private fund into an unwanted public spectacle.
🤝 Using Friend-Vendors: Hiring your lawyer or accountant friends because they’ll “give you a deal” – spoiler alert: expertise in fund management isn’t typically learned in general practice.
2. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT MISHAPS
💰 The All-In Call: Calling 100% of capital immediately because patience is overrated and money burns so nicely in your pocket.…
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The Future of Funding: LP Matching 2.0
Helping Smart Money go to Talented Investors
The process of connecting Limited Partners (LPs) with General Partners (GPs) has been antiquated and inefficient. After interviewing hundreds of LPs, we discovered that LPs struggle to find talented emerging managers, even when having sizable allocations and a credible brand. The process is equally frustrating for GPs.
At Decile Group, we have found the solution to matching after extensive testing and interviews, and the results are impressive.
Access Matching 2.0 as a Limited Partner
Master the Art of Venture Fund Investing
APPLY TO THE LP INSTITUTE
Matching 1.0 Successes
We have been working for nearly 18 months testing multiple ways to match GPs and LPs, from direct introductions to personalized research. In past attempts, we had 20% engagement and a 5% success rate.…
Launching and managing a venture capital (VC) firm is a unique endeavor, distinct from other business ventures. The responsibility of managing investor funds for up to 20 years requires a specialized approach, careful planning, and strategic team building. Here’s a comprehensive guide to forming a solid venture team and scaling your VC firm effectively and to explore these critical strategies in detail, watch the recording of our session below.
Understanding the Structure of a VC Team
The foundation of any successful VC firm is its team. The structure and composition of your team can significantly impact your firm’s ability to raise funds, manage portfolios, and ultimately succeed. Here’s a breakdown of the key roles within a venture capital firm:
Managing Partners: At the top of the hierarchy are the managing partners, who are typically the firm’s founders.…
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A Bright Future
Venture Capital for Good
We are standing at the cusp of a bright future, one that is not only possible but also within our grasp. This future will be built by passionate entrepreneurs who are supported by ethical investors, a collaboration that promises to transform the whole world for the better. Right now, these entrepreneurs are not just imagining change; they are actively building it. They are the pioneers of a new era, where business is a steward of a bright future.
In the past, venture capital has often been viewed with skepticism, seen as a force that prioritizes profit over purpose. However, we are witnessing a fundamental shift. We are transforming venture capital into a force for good, aligning capital with impactful, sustainable, and ethical ventures.…