Complete Guide for Aspiring Venture Capitalists 2025

If you're looking to break into venture capital, the best place to start is with information—understanding how VCs think, how deals work, and how startups grow. Whether you're a student, operator, or just curious about venture, this guide pulls together books, newsletters, podcasts, and learning tools that can help you build real knowledge.

Let’s dive in 

📚 Books That Explain How VC Really Works

These books are widely recommended by VCs in the industry. They cover everything from deal structures to how the best investors think.

• Venture Deals by Brad Feld & Jason Mendelson: Explains term sheets, valuations, and negotiations clearly.
• Secrets of Sand Hill Road by Scott Kupor (a16z): A practical explanation of how VC firms work, from fundraising to exits.
• Angel by Jason Calacanis: A guide to investing in startups, from one of the early investors in Uber.
• Mastering the VC Game by Jeffrey Bussgang: Written by a VC who’s also been a founder; helpful for both sides of the table.
• The Power Law by Sebastian Mallaby: A well-researched history of venture capital and how firms place high-risk, high-return bets.
• Super Founders by Ali Tamaseb: Uses data to break down the traits of billion-dollar startups.
• Zero to One by Peter Thiel: A philosophical take on building valuable startups—useful for investors too.

📬 Newsletters to Follow the VC & Startup World

These newsletters help you stay on top of funding rounds, trends, and investor insights. Subscribe to a few and skim them weekly.

• First Round Review - Deep operational and founder insights.
• AVC by Fred Wilson - Daily thoughts from a long-time VC at Union Square Ventures.
• a16z Newsletter - Research-heavy takes on tech, AI, and market shifts.
• Benedict Evans - Tech strategy and macro views, often cited by investors.
• Venture Curator - Curated articles from across the startup and VC ecosystem.
• The AI Pulse - Focused on AI’s impact on startups and investing.
• Entrepreneur Weekly - Useful for following startup strategies and scaling tips.
• Law & Economics in VC - Niche but useful newsletter on legal aspects of VC deals.
• The VC Corner - Curated tips and tools for startups and venture capital.
• Moves in VC - Weekly updates on VC fund launches and career moves.
• AI for VC - Simple, practical ways VCs can use AI—no tech skills needed.

🎧 Podcasts Worth Subscribing To

Podcasts are an easy way to pick up real insights—commutes, workouts, or background noise while working.

• How I Raised It with Nathan Beckord: Conversations with founders, emerging VCs, advisors, and fund-of-funds on how they successfully raised capital.
• 20VC with Harry Stebbings: One of the best interview podcasts in VC. Short, specific, and frequent.
• All-In Podcast: A mix of tech, politics, and business from a panel of seasoned investors.
• This Week in Startups with Jason Calacanis: Strong founder focus, with useful insights for early-stage investors.
• Aarthi and Sriram Show: Interviews with top operators and VCs from tech’s biggest companies.
• Build In Public Podcast: Focuses on startups sharing their growth journey transparently.
• Stanford GSB Podcast: Academic but useful content from the business school behind many VC leaders.
• Associated Podcast: Emerging voices in VC, especially great for those newer to the space.

🎓 Courses, Tools & Bonus Learning

• VC University - A structured course from NVCA and Berkeley Law.
• Kauffman Fellows - A premier program shaping the next generation of venture capital leaders.
• Y Combinator’s Startup School - Great for understanding what investors look for.
• AngelList - Not just for investing—browse deals and see how startups present themselves.
• Coolwater Capital - It helps new venture capital managers launch and grow their funds—often called the 'Y Combinator' for VC firms.
• Carta Learn - Great for understanding cap tables, valuations, and equity.
• VC Lab - A fast-track program helping new VC funds raise capital and grow.

👥 People Worth Following

Learn by watching how others think publicly.

• @jason - Angel investor and founder of LAUNCH.
• @bussgang - HBS professor and VC.
• @semil - Early-stage investor with tactical advice.
• @paulg - Co-founder of Y Combinator.
• @bhorowitz - Co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)
• @nivi - Co-founder of AngelList.

Final Note

There’s no single way to become a VC. Some VCs come from finance, some from startups, and others from various fields. The common thread is curiosity and a growing understanding of how startups operate and succeed.

Use this guide as a place to start. Read a few books, follow the news, talk to founders, write your own investment memos—even if they're just for practice. And keep learning.

Good luck :)