295. Product Manager Turned Investor, Navigating Turbulence pre-IPO on Robinhood's Board, and Unique Sourcing Strategies (Vanessa Larco)

Vanessa Larco of NEA joins Nick to discuss Product Manager Turned Investor, Navigating Turbulence pre-IPO on Robinhood's Board, and Unique Sourcing Strategies. In this episode we cover: Walk us through your background and path to VC. Why did you leave product to join NEA? Give us a update on NEA - AUM, stage, thesis, etc. What is your focus area at the firm? Are you ever tempted to jump back to the startup side (or launch your own startup)? You have significant and formative experience leading product.  How do you think that shapes your approach as an investor. Do you think product managers are born or made?  I also have a background in product and that has contributed greatly to our culture here at New Stack...  I'm curious what, if any, blind spots one might have if they are an investor with a very strong product background or orientation? What KPI's/north star metrics do you use to hold yourself accountable? I'd love to hear the details of your process for sourcing and leading an investment. Everyone getting into tech gets the cliche advice...  you've got to network... or "you are your network"... and that leads to a lot of productive and unproductive behavior.  What is your approach to building and strengthening relationships and what advice would you give to newer folks in the tech community? Up until the recent IPO you were on the board of Robinhood.   You're a board member for four companies and a board observer for several more--  How has your perception of being a good board member differed from the reality of the role after having had some experience on very notable boards. Re.  Robinhood What did you learn from Vlad and Baiju that surprised you? I have to ask, take us behind the scenes a bit -- what was happening at Robinhood during the Gamestop and AMC run-ups when trading was halted? Do you invest in emerging tech hubs outside of NY & SF? If so what are the areas of highest interest and how do you see the evolving in the coming years? There's a lot of VC content across many blogs and Twitter threads. How do you cut through the noise? What do you read to stay educated? Missed a recent episode? Go to The Full Ratchet blog and catch up! Also, follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. The host of The Full Ratchet is Nick Moran, General Partner of New Stack Ventures, a venture capital firm committed to investing in the exceptions. To learn more about New Stack Ventures by visiting our Website and LinkedIn and be sure to follow us on Twitter. Are you a founder looking for your next investor? Visit our free tool VC-Rank and tell us about your business. We’ll send a list of possible investors right to your email’s InBox!