Rebecca Kaden, Managing Partner at Union Square Ventures
First Stanford alumna and female speaker at Icons in New York City 🌟 💫
We had the privilege of hosting Rebecca Kaden - Managing Partner of Union Square Ventures - at
in New York City 🔥 This event was special for many reasons, but most importantly because Rebecca, a fellow Stanford University alumna, was the first female speaker at Icons in New York City 🗽It was a proud moment for me, as a woman, to be in the same room with her, to have the opportunity to ask questions and learn from someone who is a total rockstar 🌟 💫 Thank you for being a role model for so many of us and for showing us that success is not only possible but within our reach!
Here are some highlights from our incredibly insightful discussion:
💎 Consistently the only female General Partner, actively engaged in shaping a transformative future for the industry.
👥 Serving on various boards can significantly enhance your effectiveness and insight as an investor.
💡 New York is a prime location for the convergence of emerging technologies, rather than a base for foundational technologies.
🗣 Don’t be afraid to have tough conversations, don’t be just a cheerleader; moderate conflict; be accessible and candid, but don’t be shortsighted, don’t strive to be popular.
👉 Traits of great founders: exceptional ability to recruit top-tier talent from the outset (early prioritization of talent is crucial); ability to tell a fantastic story about the company's transformative vision and the potential impact on the future; capability to manage both visionary leadership and meticulous operational details; ability to adapt to different leadership roles as the business grows, shifting from product-centric to people-centric leadership.
🚄 For a successful business, learning cycles need to be fast. Most people can get there eventually, the differentiator is getting there faster.
📈 Businesses demonstrating slow growth are generally less appealing to VC investors. Demonstrate potential for exponential growth - such aggressive growth is highly attractive to investors who prioritize scale-up potential when making investment decisions.
📌 Career Advice for Women in Venture Capital: Choose environments that offer clear pathways for career progression and opportunities for professional growth. Value can also be found in stable environments, where deep learning and skill development occur. Prioritize deal sourcing to enhance promotion prospects because making investments is the core of venture capital success. You can leverage the acquired skills to transition to new opportunities.
As always, a shout out to the best co-host Ben Gusberg for making this yet another fantastic event happen! 🎆 And thanks to our members, including Anna Neverova Jennifer Oyedele Mithat Can Ulubay Geordie Stewart Yin Huang Sohale Sizar Gabriel Casalduc 🙏
