In this episode of the Understanding VC podcast, we explore why startup founders should also be startup investors with Jyri Engeström, Co-Founder and Partner at Yes VC.
You can find Jyri’s deck on how to invest in startups here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1eMziysqkr50QySR383u_T3ZujANXmyYO_nCe73c0iPM/edit#slide=id.p3
🕒 Timestamps:
[00:01:14] Introduction: Defining "Dual Threat CEOs"
[00:02:35] Investing in Startups to Improve a Founder's Network
[00:03:42] Suitability of Startup Investing for Every Founder
[00:06:31] How LPs View Founders Running Venture Funds
[00:08:28] Approach to Investing with Limited Capital
[00:11:24] Consider Your Opportunity Cost From the Investor's Perspective
[00:14:57] The Benefits of Being Generous in the Startup Ecosystem
[00:24:44] Exploring "Parallel Entrepreneurs"
[00:29:20] Using a Structured Approach for Angel Investing
[00:38:00] The Importance of Starting Early in Angel Investing
[00:41:00] Consistency in Angel Investing
[00:42:42] Actively Managing Investments and Doubling Down on Success
[00:48:00] Comparing Angel Investing in Europe and the US
[00:52:18] Incubating Startups and Investing at Yes VC
[00:55:29] Founder Investors and Control Over Company Direction
[00:56:51] Significance of Creating Multiple Successful Ventures
[00:57:29] Diversifying Risk and Psychological Well-being as Founders
👤 About Jyri Engeström:
Jyri Engeström is a Co-Founder and Partner at Yes VC, an early-stage venture capital firm based in San Francisco. He is an early investor in Unity, Dapper Labs, Oura, and many other successful companies. Together with his partner Caterina Fake he runs Yes VC, an early stage firm based in San Francisco. Before starting Yes VC he founded two companies. The first one sold to Google, the second one to Groupon.
