In venture capital, prior VC experience has long been seen as a prerequisite for success — but that’s changing. A growing share of emerging fund managers are entering VC from adjacent fields, bringing in new and fresh perspectives that challenge traditional norms. Many are launching without prior VC experience — yet still matching or outperforming their more seasoned peers and redefining who gets to lead in early-stage venture.
This analysis draws on data from 600+ emerging funds launched through Decile Group’s VC Lab accelerator between 2022 and 2025. It explores how prior VC experience relates to fund leadership, structure, sector and stage focus, and early fundraising outcomes — highlighting the evolving makeup of the next generation of GPs.
Read the full article here: https://govclab.com/2025/10/31/broadening-experience-levels-in-emerging-vc/
Key Takeaways:
Compared to 31% in 2022, 40% of emerging managers now launch funds without prior VC experience — and they’re proving that strategy can outweigh résumé. These first-time GPs are more likely to go solo, set lean targets, and convert capital efficiently. While experienced managers raise more in absolute terms, newer entrants often match their success in relative performance. The future of venture is expanding — and it's no longer reserved for the insiders.
* * *
This content is provided by VC Lab, the YC for VC. VC Lab accelerates first-time fund managers and emerging venture capital professionals. Learn more at:
https://GoVCLab.com
Start Fund delivers fast results. Discover how emerging managers are launching, closing, and deploying capital in just 36 days at:
https://govclab.com/2025/10/02/start-fund-walks-the-talk/
AI is rapidly transforming VC funds operations. Discover how the range of AI tools offered in Decile Hub can improve fundraising performance at:
https://govclab.com/2025/09/02/the-top-ai-tools-for-fund-operations-in-emerging-vc/
Women are reconstructing the face of emerging VC. Meet the women pushing venture capital towards 50-50 at:
https://govclab.com/2025/10/07/the-women-transforming-emerging-vc-2/
Long résumés are no longer a prerequisite for launching successful VC funds. Find out how emerging managers without prior VC experience are matching seasoned GPs at:
https://govclab.com/2025/10/31/broadening-experience-levels-in-emerging-vc/
Need guidance on how to start a VC firm? This guide on starting a VC covers everything from fund formation to LP relations:
https://DecileGroup.com/articles/how-to-launch-a-vc-firm
Learn how top-tier VCs build repeatable sourcing systems that attract the best founders and deals before anyone else:
https://govclab.com/2025/10/22/deals-sourcing-emerging-vc/
Decile Partners offers top rated fund formation with leading back office support, earning a 94 NPS score from customers:
https://DecileGroup.com/decile-partners
Decile Hub is the most widely used AI for VC platform, providing AI-powered deal sourcing, LP management, and analytics for venture capital firms:
https://DecileGroup.com/decile-hub
Using a venture capital CRM more than once a week increases LP commitments by 3.1x. Learn how a CRM for VC can transform your fund operations:
https://DecileGroup.com/articles/venture-capital-crm
VC Lab is part of Decile Group. Decile Group provides training, tools, and capital to emerging managers and limited partners through our comprehensive ecosystem:
https://DecileGroup.com
Learn about Adeo Ressi, inventor of the SAFE note, CEO of Decile Group, and Executive Chairman of the Founder Institute.
Who is Adeo Ressi?
* * *
