Each gets an allocation of capital of about $100,000 to $200,000 from a designated scout fund to use for smaller investments of about $25,000 to $50,000. Insider spoke with four current venture capital scouts and people who recently worked in the role at Lightspeed, Accel, and Sequoia Capital about their experiences.įor all the scouts, the day-to-day is similar.
In many programs, they are given an allotment of capital out of a firm's designated fund (like a seed fund) and set free to find founders and startups to invest in by presenting a pitch to their paired venture capital partner or advisor. Scouts help the firms find great companies to invest in. Many top-tier venture capital firms have such programs. To those dreaming of a future as a venture capitalist and the wealth it can bestow, one of the fastest pathways is through scout programs. The world of venture capital can seem clubby and complicated to those not on the inside. It was a learning experience he couldn't pass up. It was an invitation to join the firm's scouting program, Accel Starters, and invest with way more capital than he had access to on his own. This story is available exclusively to InsiderĪnd start reading now. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.