A Lesson from a VC Interview: You Must Have Your Own View

A hiring story from my firm: #YouMustHaveYourOwnView My supervisor recently mentioned a small episode in recruiting. He asked a candidate with strong education and experience—those reaching a second VC interview usually have both—which AI investment opportunities seemed good and worth recommending. The candidate named Knxxxx. As luck would have it, our firm had made a small investment this year. It is not that Knxxxx is bad, but you had better have a distinctive perspective rather than recommend it because you read favorable newspaper or magazine coverage. Deeper questioning quickly exposes the weakness. Two kinds of people have the most information: journalists and taxi drivers. Without your own insights, you offer little more than we get by reading reports for targets. We might get even more information by hiring a journalist. If you think Knxxxx is impressive, recommend it. Even without inside information, though, you should ideally have used the product. Explain your experience, analyze strengths and weaknesses, assess whether its segment can grow, and compare it with competitors in its main and other markets. Being able to articulate your own view is better—in much the same spirit as what we call due diligence. In short, investing requires your own perspective and judgment. Later I will ask my little one which cartoon character my little one likes best, and why. XD