Raising a fund to back the next generation of consumers founders with VHS Ventures | Inside the Round

In this episode of Inside the Round, Helena Fogarty speaks with Sumeet Shah, founder of VHS Ventures, about his journey in consumer investing, the impact of market shifts, and the importance of building a supportive ecosystem for founders. They discuss the challenges of fundraising, the role of LPs, and the philosophy behind VHS Ventures, which aims to create a collaborative community for stakeholders in the consumer space. 

In this conversation, Sumeet discusses the challenges faced by emerging managers in venture capital, the tools available for fundraising, and the importance of maintaining mental and physical health in high-pressure environments. He shares insights into their day-to-day operations, the emotional rewards of helping others, and the significance of vulnerability and open communication in the workplace.

Takeaways:

• Sumit Shah founded VHS Ventures to support consumer founders.
• The 2022 market shift created opportunities for new investments.
• Building relationships with founders is crucial for success.
• LPs play a significant role in the fundraising process.
• Consumer investing allows for tangible product engagement.
• Creating a supportive ecosystem benefits all stakeholders.
• The philosophy of VHS Ventures is to build a village.
• Community events like Consumer Brews foster connections.
• Investing in consumer products can be exciting and rewarding.
• A mindset of abundance leads to better collaboration. Emerging managers face significant challenges in fundraising.
• Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) are valuable tools for new investors.
• Day-to-day operations involve juggling multiple responsibilities.
• Fellows play a crucial role in the investment process.
• Emotional rewards come from seeing others succeed.
• Maintaining mental health is essential in high-pressure roles.
• Vulnerability should not be seen as a weakness.
• Open communication fosters a healthier work environment.

Chapters: 


00:00 Introduction to VHS Ventures and Sumit Shah
02:57 Sumit Shah's Journey in Consumer Investing
06:01 The Impact of the 2022 Market Shift
09:12 Navigating Fundraising and Building Relationships
12:06 The Role of LPs and Consumer Investment Excitement
15:10 Building a Supportive Ecosystem for Founders
17:50 Creating a Village: The VHS Ventures Philosophy
21:12 Consumer Brews: Fostering Community Connections
26:59 Navigating the Challenges of Emerging Managers
29:05 Day-to-Day Operations in Venture Capital
34:36 The Emotional Rewards of Venture Capital
40:24 The Thrill of Seeing Backed Products in the Wild
45:19 Maintaining Mental and Physical Health in High-Pressure Environments
49:46 The Importance of Vulnerability and Open Communication


Find Sumeethere: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumeethshah/

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