Mastering the VC Game and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more

Buy New

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
or
Amazon Prime Free Trial required. Sign up when you check out. Learn More
Buy Used
Used - Like New See details
$10.18 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
Fulfilled by Amazon

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
   
Kindle Edition
Read the Kindle edition on Kindle, iPhone, iPad, Android, BlackBerry, PC and Mac.
 
   
Sell Back Your Copy
For a $0.78 Gift Card
Trade in
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Mastering the VC Game: A Venture Capital Insider Reveals How to Get from Start-up to IPO on Your Terms
 
 
Share your own customer images
Search inside another edition of this book
Start reading Mastering the VC Game on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

Mastering the VC Game: A Venture Capital Insider Reveals How to Get from Start-up to IPO on Your Terms [Paperback]

Jeffrey Bussgang (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (80 customer reviews) |
List Price: $16.00
Price: $11.68 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $4.32 (27%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Only 17 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).
Want it delivered Tuesday, May 29? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details

Formats

 Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition --   $9.99 --
Hardcover $16.78   -- --
Paperback, Bargain Price $6.40   -- --
Paperback, September 27, 2011 $11.68   -- --

Book Description

Publication Date: September 27, 2011

"Read this book right now so you can look your potential VC in the eye with confidence." -David Meerman Scott, author of The New Rules of Marketing & PR

Finding the right venture capitalist to back your start-up is a challenge. Even if you manage to get backing, you want your VC to be a partner, not some dictator who will undermine your vision and take control of your life's work.

Jeffrey Bussgang is one of a very few people who have played on both sides of this high-stakes game. Now he draws on his unique perspective to offer high-level insights, colorful stories, and practical advice gathered from his own experience as well as from interviews with dozens of the most successful entrepreneurs and VCs. He reveals how to get noticed, perfect a pitch, and negotiate a partnership that works for everyone.

Frequently Bought Together

Mastering the VC Game: A Venture Capital Insider Reveals How to Get from Start-up to IPO on Your Terms + Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist + The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses
Price For All Three: $59.28

Show availability and shipping details

Buy the selected items together

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Finding the right VC for you and your company can be a challenging task. Bussgang's recounting of his experience gives a unique perspective on the VC world and is a compelling read for entrepreneurs."
-Tony Hsieh, CEO, Zappos.com

"Mastering the VC Game is part how to and part war story. It is the best kind of book: a fun and educational read."
-Fred Wilson, managing partner, Union Square Ventures

"A 360-degree perspective on the venture capitalist-entrepreneur virtuous cycle. Read this to understand what it takes to be a catalyst to the best economic driver the world has ever known."
-Tim Draper, managing director, Draper Fisher Jurvetson

"Jeffrey Bussgang offers practical advice about raising venture capital from the right people at the right time for the right project. The book is insightful for entrepreneurs and venture capitalists alike."
-William A. Sahlman, professor, Harvard Business School and coauthor, New Business Ventures and the Entrepreneur

"This book is excellent. It is not only a great read (I couldn't put it down) but also extremely informative on the process and the whole larger system in which VCs and entrepreneurs operate."
-William Aulet, managing director, MIT Entrepreneurship Center

"Bussgang's compelling book provides endless insights into the global world of venture capital. The discussions about China are particularly noteworthy. It is very valuable reading for entrepreneurs who aspire to scale their business into long-term leading enterprises."
-Jim Breyer, Managing Partner, Accel Partners

"Jeff Bussgang has written the definitive book on how venture capital works. I've read a lot of books on this subject, was an entrepreneur for 10 years and have been a VC for 15 years. Jeff's book is by far the best to date on this subject."
-Brad Feld, Managing Partner, Foundry Group

"There are tons of books to help entrepreneurs understand things like accounting, marketing, and sales. But until now you were left to fend for yourself to grasp the insider game of venture capital funding. Read this book right now so you can look your potential VC in the eye with confidence."
-David Meerman Scott, bestselling author of The New Rules of Marketing & PR

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Finding the right VC for you and your company can be a challenging task. Bussgang's recounting of his experience gives a unique perspective on the VC world and is a compelling read for entrepreneurs."
-Tony Hsieh, CEO, Zappos.com

"Mastering the VC Game is part how to and part war story. It is the best kind of book: a fun and educational read."
-Fred Wilson, managing partner, Union Square Ventures

"A 360-degree perspective on the venture capitalist-entrepreneur virtuous cycle. Read this to understand what it takes to be a catalyst to the best economic driver the world has ever known."
-Tim Draper, managing director, Draper Fisher Jurvetson

"Jeffrey Bussgang offers practical advice about raising venture capital from the right people at the right time for the right project. The book is insightful for entrepreneurs and venture capitalists alike."
-William A. Sahlman, professor, Harvard Business School and coauthor, New Business Ventures and the Entrepreneur

"This book is excellent. It is not only a great read (I couldn't put it down) but also extremely informative on the process and the whole larger system in which VCs and entrepreneurs operate."
-William Aulet, managing director, MIT Entrepreneurship Center

"Bussgang's compelling book provides endless insights into the global world of venture capital. The discussions about China are particularly noteworthy. It is very valuable reading for entrepreneurs who aspire to scale their business into long-term leading enterprises."
-Jim Breyer, Managing Partner, Accel Partners

"Jeff Bussgang has written the definitive book on how venture capital works. I've read a lot of books on this subject, was an entrepreneur for 10 years and have been a VC for 15 years. Jeff's book is by far the best to date on this subject."
-Brad Feld, Managing Partner, Foundry Group

"There are tons of books to help entrepreneurs understand things like accounting, marketing, and sales. But until now you were left to fend for yourself to grasp the insider game of venture capital funding. Read this book right now so you can look your potential VC in the eye with confidence."
-David Meerman Scott, bestselling author of The New Rules of Marketing & PR



--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

  • Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Portfolio Trade (September 27, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1591844444
  • ISBN-13: 978-1591844440
  • Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (80 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #134,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

More About the Author

› Visit Amazon's Jeffrey Bussgang Page
Jeffrey Bussgang
Jeffrey Bussgang is a General Partner at Flybridge Capital Partners, an early stage venture capital firm with more than $500 million under management. Prior to becoming a venture capitalist, he was a successful serial entrepreneur for ten years and the co-founder of Upromise. He also serves as an Entrepreneur in Residence at Harvard Business School, where he earned an MBA with highest distinction. Bussgang writes a popular blog, www.SeeingBothSides.com and lives in the Boston area with his wife and three children. The book website can be viewed at www.JeffBussgang.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
48 of 50 people found the following review helpful
By Alex
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book could have been a definitive work but it misses the mark on it's title promise, "Mastering the VC Game". It should have been titled, "A general introduction to venture capital." The table of contents laid out a wonderful road map that promised answers on what we entrepreneurs care about most. But when you get into the book, it was unsatisfying and provided fewer answers than what could be found in a cursory blog search. Specifically, the book seemed mostly focused on reconciling the underlying motivations for VCs and Entrepreneurs. The motivations for Entrepreneurs was interesting but, given the likely reader of this book, ran long. The motivations for VCs was more enlightening, especially around deal terms, but was presented too generally to be truly valuable. You can't fault the author here because frankly all VCs are different.

Where the book really missed out on great opportunities to help entrepreneurs "Master the VC game" is the discussions around actually raising the money. Here too, he speaks in anecdotes and generalities, and doesn't share any real best practices.

For example, on pitching: He does a great job of highlighting the importance of finding the right person where you feel your idea is in their sweet spot. But what goes into a pitch? What should you focus on most in your first meeting? How do you create and deliver a compelling story? What are common pitching pitfalls? These questions have good answers but none of these were explored much and instead he provides general thoughts on being passionate and prepared. Good answers to these some of these questions are covered in Jerry Weissman's Presenting to Win.

Another example of an important missed on opportunity is on how much money to raise. A critical decision that very few people have good grasp on. It is skimmed over here and presented as a trade off between capital and exit options. A valid and valuable lesson. But there are a few important nuances not covered. First, how the capital you raise actually impacts your pre-money valuation for many firms which means that your dilution is not linear depending on how much you raise. Nor is there any mention of what investors may look for at different stages of investment. To be fair, these are REALLY hard issues to be declarative on but there should have been an exploration of them.

And what about actually playing the VC game? How do you manage the process? Do you hit 30 all at once? Do you start with a few throw aways and then work your way up to the big boys? Do you get one going and then leverage him to speed up or pressure others? How long should we expect to be raising? When should we step back and reevaluate? When and how should you re-approach someone who said no?

A bright spot in the book was discussion around terms. He gave a good breakdown and made the most important recommendation-- get a good lawyer. But even here, most of the content could be easily found on VC blogs.

Overall, well written and a good intro to the world of VC. But this book is not an entrepreneur's guide to Mastering the VC game.
Was this review helpful to you?
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book offers valuable insights for anyone interested in the venture capital process, entrepreneurs and VCs alike. If you'd like to better understand how VCs think, this is definitely the book to read. There are great anecdotes interspersed throughout, which makes it a fun and quick read--I read the whole book in a part of one day. Bussgang shares his in-depth knowledge through stories of successful entrepreneurs such as the founder of Twitter, Jack Dorsey; founder of LinkedIn, Reid Hoffman; and founder of Constant Contact, Gail Goodman, one which I personally found inspiring.

What I appreciate most about the book is the great advice and wisdom that Bussgang offers, not just from his personal experiences, but also from those of his colleagues and mentors. By openly exploring the VC process through captivating accounts of entrepreneurs and VCs, Bussgang shows that finding the right VC-Entrepreneur partnership is not only essential, but can also feel like a match made in heaven. If that's the kind of partnership you're interested in making now or ever, this is definitely the book to read.

Mastering the VC Game really is the only book of its kind.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Jeff Bussgang has written the definitive book on how venture capital works. Jeff was previously a multi-time entrepreneur and is now an experienced VC. He combines real world stories (his and others) with interviews and analysis is a very logical and readable format to explain the dynamics of VC and venture-backed companies. I've read a lot of books on this subject, was an entrepreneur for 10 years and have been a VC for 15 years. Jeff's book is by far the best to date on this subject.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
An excellent book covering VC game via great case stories
The book is a great read for anyone interested in how the VC game works, and what's in it for the entrepreneur and the VC. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Rami Karhu
Exactly what I was looking for
Not only is this book captivating and easy to read but it really does introduce the reader to the world of the VC. It's inspiring, insightful, and blunt all at once. Read more
Published 6 months ago by ajani
Good 'real life' stories but ...
I bought this book thinking it would be more like a 'how-to' 'step-by-step' but it was more a biography of the big kahuna's in the VC world. Mr. Read more
Published 7 months ago by A. Ikeda
Great overview of how VC's work.
I liked the book and wish there was more details and examples but still there was enough make it well worth the time/money to read it. The inside view was helpful and insightful.
Published 11 months ago by Kelly Benson
Great resource for both new and experienced entrepreneurs
Jeff's book was a really nice surprise. Not that often you get insides from highly respected and successful entrepreneurs and investors. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Milenko
Solid insights into the VC game
Jeff tells some great stories and helps us peer into the tightly knit VC community. His ability to give perspectives on both the entrepreneurial and investor point of view makes... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Clayton Lainsbury
Required Reading for Entrepreneurs
Mastering the VC Game is a clear, insightful engaging read. With a track record as both a successful entrepreneur and venture capitalist, Jeff Bussgang provides a rare and valuable... Read more
Published 12 months ago by John Bigay
Insightful VC Handbook for Entrepreneurs
Jeff Bussgang has written the book that every entrepreneur needs to read before they explore the world of venture capital. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Scott T.
Great Insider Look at VC World
As an entrepreneur for most of my career, I wish I had found this book many years ago. This book presents the ins-and-outs of how to raise capital from an entrepreneur's... Read more
Published 12 months ago by S. Hoffman
Essential Startup Reading
Do you have a startup that needs money?

If the answer is yes, is it a software, biotech, energy, or medical devices company? Read more
Published 12 months ago by Drea Knufken
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:
Inside This Book (learn more)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

 (What's this?)
Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product).
 
(45)
(48)
(20)
(18)
(15)
(14)
(11)
(11)
(9)
(8)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums


Look for Similar Items by Category

Look for Similar Items by Subject

Search Books by subject:

















i.e., each book must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...