Choosing the optimal size for your venture capital fund is one of the most critical decisions you will make as a fund manager. Beyond reflecting your investment thesis, fund size determines how you operate, the types of investments you pursue, and your team’s ability to sustain the fund over its lifespan. In today's resource-intensive, competitive fundraising environment, these considerations are more important than ever.

The most recent Global Fundraising Report by Venture Capital Journal shows that capital raised in Q3 2024 surpassed previous quarters, but optimism remains limited due to increased market consolidation. While the average fund size has hit an all-time high, many fund managers are grappling with challenges in the market and are turning to placement agents (PAs) for the first time to secure commitments.

GPs are experiencing more than ever, a new wave of sensitive, and at times, intrusive requests from LPs during due diligence. While it’s standard to provide background information, track records, and compliance documents during the due diligence process, some recent asks are raising eyebrows and making GPs uncomfortable. These requests are not just intrusive—they could be a sign of deeper, strategic motives that GPs need to be aware of.

Fundraising optimism is growing as we enter the second half of 2024. The environment continues to be competitive across the board, especially for emerging managers. According to Pitchbook, established funds have secured 77% of fund value YTD. Though conditions are still tougher than in previous years, LPs are slowly starting to deploy again. With this shift, postponed raises will likely begin to launch this fall.

Are you looking to deepen your connections with founders and LPs? If so, our session on Engaging with Founders and LPs: The Power of Events & Webinars is a wonderful resource! Special guests Rachel Mackey, Founder of Rachel Does Content, and Lauren Young, Head of Network Operations at Union Square Ventures, explore the tips, tricks, and best practices for creating memorable experiences both virtually and IRL that will deepen your relationships with LPs, founders, co-investors, and beyond.

Are you considering making a fund administrator transition but feel nervous about how the process will impact your firm or LPs? Or would you like help figuring out where to begin? If so, our session on VC Best Practices for Transitioning Fund Administrators is just for you!

Strut's Finance Directors, Lauren McDavid, and Matt DiNardo, explore the tips, tricks, and best practices for making a timely and smooth fund administrator transition that has minimal impact on your firm's operations.

Your VC brand significantly impacts your ability to win quality deals and secure the best LPs. Why? Because GPs who foster a powerful #personalbrand more effectively validate their authority, earn more credibility, and—most importantly—attract the attention of investors and founders.

Strut's Marketing Director, Kayla Liederbach, and marketing strategy expert, Brian Dema, share actionable steps you can take to build a brand that sticks and stands out.

At Strut, we understand how difficult it can be to find time for annual planning, especially with what’s already on your plate as a fund manager. However, creating an annual plan is worth the extra effort. It serves as a critical tool to help measure success throughout the year and ensure alignment with key goals and objectives. On our latest webinar, Strut’s team of experts pulled together best practices specifically tailored to VC firms to help you prepare for the year ahead and set your firm up for success.

In the rapidly evolving (and increasingly competitive!) landscape of venture capital, we understand the critical role that investor relations play in driving growth and success. That's why we are thrilled to introduce an exciting addition to our services – Investor Relations! Led by Vienna Poiesz, her expertise will play a pivotal role in fostering meaningful connections between you and your investors. Learn more about our Investor Relations service here.

Strut Consulting Elevates Client Offerings with Launch of Investor Relations Services

STRUT CONSULTING INTRODUCES FRACTIONAL FINANCE SERVICE, EXPANDS SUITE OF EXPERT VENTURE CAPITAL OPERATIONS SOLUTIONS

We’re thrilled to announce the evolution of Strut's HR & Talent Service, headed by Strut newcomer and industry expert Vishwa Patel. With her expertise and passion for empowering VCs and startup companies, Strut is set to revolutionize the way fund managers build and nurture their teams, and help their portfolio companies do the same. 

San Francisco, CA, May 30, 2023 — Premiere VC consulting firm Strut Consulting is thrilled to announce the evolution of their best-in-class HR & Talent Service. Led by Vishwa Patel, an expert HR and talent management leader, who joins the exceptional team at Strut to support excellence and innovation in the VC ecosystem.

On Thursday, May 4th, Strut hosted a live webinar focusing on how VCs can leverage marketing to attract LPs and ultimately increase fundraising dollars. Strut’s own Communications & Marketing Manager, Kayla Liederbach was joined by Sarah Mattina of Venture Forward and Katie Kalmikoff of Katie K Marketing & Events, to discuss proven marketing strategies for VC fundraising.

Strut Consulting, the premier venture capital operations consulting firm, is excited to announce the promotion of Nicole Fuller to the position of Chief Operating Officer. In this new role, Nicole will be responsible for driving Strut’s continued momentum, enhancing and expanding client offerings and educational programming for fund managers in the months ahead, as well as building Strut’s internal team, which has grown to over 10 experts in the last two years.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Time to cozy up around the fireplace, sip hot cocoa, and…. prepare for your audit. Yes, it’s audit season! While you may not be feeling jolly about it, going through the audit process is essential to ensuring your portfolio companies are valued fairly, and it provides you with credibility in the eyes of your Limited Partners (LPs).

We’ve gathered the most common questions to think through while preparing to audit your first venture capital fund. Read on to find out how to get your ducks in a row. 

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) is the government agency responsible for enforcing trade and economic sanctions imposed by the US Government. Essentially, this government agency compiles OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (“SDN List”), which includes individuals and entities owned or controlled by, or acting behalf of, sanctioned countries, as well as individuals such as terrorists. U.S. persons are not legally allowed to do business with entities or individuals on this list. 

When it comes to raising your firm’s visibility, nothing moves the needle like some good PR. If you’re an emerging manager and recently closed a fund, now is the time to get your story out. While publishing a press release may still be considered a formality, you can make quite a splash by offering a journalist the exclusive on your story before you release it and before the news comes out anywhere else. 

We’ve all heard those “back in the day” stories of fund managers (now legacy mega VCs) who invested in the ugly ducklings (now unicorns) when investors were super selective, and companies rarely got a second look. Well, those days are long gone. In the current venture capital climate, companies have more options, and investors must compete to see the best deals, win them, get bigger allocations than their peers, and achieve a return on investment. This competition has created a critical need for investors to differentiate themselves. Those early in their venture capital career trying to establish a track record, and emerging managers who’ve not yet reached legacy fund status, have to work even harder to rise above the rest, let alone to become a legacy fund themselves.

For today’s emerging manager, attracting the best founders and LPs to join on your quest is a critical piece of your fund journey. In order to do this successfully over the long-term, you must address the one thing so many others run from: Marketing. Yes, good old-fashioned getting the word out! While at the end of the day, word-of-mouth referrals will be the most valuable source of quality deal flow, there are some fundamental bases to be covered when it comes to raising your visibility in the venture capital ecosystem, whether through social media, creating blog content, or hosting events. Below is a quick crash course every emerging manager should take when thinking through their fund’s marketing strategy.