🚀 Tips from a “full-stack” VC investor! 🚀

Crissy Costa Behrens, Principal at the powerhouse Insight Partners, has done it all. From being an operator, early-stage investor, growth-stage investor, and board member, her wide-ranging experience gives her a unique edge in venture. In episode 041 of New to Venture, Crissy shares her journey and top advice for the next generation of VCs. Don’t miss this one! 🎧👇

My key takeaways:

1️⃣ Be smart and lazy: Optimize for actions that have asymmetric upside. Focus on the inputs that have the biggest impact.

2️⃣ Scrappiness wins: There is no one right way to do venture, but there are plenty of wrong ways. Hustle, creativity, and resourcefulness can be a valid differentiator. 

3️⃣ Conviction closes deals: Whether you’re at a big firm or a small one, strong belief in a deal is what ultimately gets it across the finish line. 

4️⃣ Get comfortable with no control: Startup outcomes are almost completely out of your hands. From market swings to global shifts to random circumstances, there is always unlimited uncertainty. Learn to embrace it.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introductions

(01:44) - Crissy’s travel through Patagonia

(02:59) - Crissy’s podcast: 52 Founders

(06:43) - Does having a child make you a better investor?

(07:49) - Origin stories

(11:25) - Key learnings from Crissy’s time at Primary

(12:26) - Transitioning to growth equity

(14:41) - Investing in Jasper

(17:22) - Do founders treat you differently based on firm?

(20:38) - How Crissy wins + having a prepared mind

(25:36) - Highlights

(28:25) - What does a good board meeting look like?

(30:00) - Lowlights

(31:43) - Ceremonial final Qs