VC Research - VC Lab
VC Lab and Decile Group have anonymized data on thousands of emerging managers and tens of thousands of limited partners. We analyze the data to help the
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VC Lab and Decile Group have anonymized data on thousands of emerging managers and tens of thousands of limited partners. We analyze the data to help the venture capital industry better understand the emerging manager segment.
There are two primary sources of the data, VC Lab and Decile Hub. VC Lab has helped launch 798 venture capital firms worldwide, 60+% of all new managers, and Decile Hub powers approximately 900 venture capital firms per month, acting as the source of truth.
Decoding First Closes in Emerging VC
What actually separates funds that close from those that don’t? Reaching a first close is one of the most critical milestones for emerging venture funds. It signals early validation from LPs and creates the momentum needed to move from fundraising into active investing. Yet, many funds struggle to reach this point, even when some appear…
Sharpening Sector Focus in Emerging VC
Are sector specialists indeed outperforming generalist funds? For much of venture capital’s history, many funds launched with broad mandates. Generalist investors deployed capital across industries and stages, relying on network access and deal flow rather than deep domain expertise. In recent years, however, the landscape has shifted. Emerging managers increasingly position themselves around clear sector…
Year End 2025
The Dawn Of The Specialists The year 2025 marked a continued evolution in the venture capital landscape, with emerging managers playing an increasingly prominent role. Building on patterns identified in 2024, this year saw further shifts in who is launching funds, how those funds are structured, and what strategies are proving most effective in early-stage…
Unlocking Early Traction in Emerging VC
What significantly correlates with early fundraising success? Early traction is critical for emerging fund managers. In the first few weeks of fundraising, momentum builds credibility, builds confidence, and sets the pace for future LP conversations. But what actually signals success in those first four weeks? While every fund is different, patterns do emerge. From fund…
The Next Gens Reshaping Emerging VC
Are younger managers taking over and rewriting old VC rules? Age has long been associated with experience, access, and capital in venture capital. However, the current generation of emerging fund managers is breaking the mold, as younger professionals enter fund leadership in growing numbers. While most GPs still fall in the mid-career range, the gap…
Broadening Experience Levels in Emerging VC
Are long résumés still necessary for fundraising success? Experience has long been a gatekeeper in venture capital. Historically, launching a fund was a privilege reserved for former partners, career VCs, or those with deep ties to the industry. But the landscape is changing. More emerging managers are entering venture without prior VC experience — and…
The Women Transforming Emerging VC
Who are the women pushing venture capital towards 50-50? Diversity across emerging VC funds is gaining momentum as more women take on influential roles shaping the future of the industry. From launching new funds as general partners to actively allocating capital as limited partners, women are helping broaden access, challenge norms, and strengthen the foundation…
Start Fund Walks the Talk
How are new managers launching, closing, and deploying capital in just 36 days? The early-stage venture capital ecosystem is undergoing a major shift. As the barriers to launching a VC fund remain high, many talented emerging managers are sidelined by long setup times, high legal costs, and the complex requirements of traditional fund structures. Start…
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