Timecoded Guide:
- [00:00] Podcast starts – The Future of Venture is Female with Samantha Lewis
- [07:42] Being a part of the Kauffman Fellows program
- [12:29] Keeping up with industry development post-COVID
- [21:01] ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) & impact investing
- [26:30] Investment trends in the millennial generation
- [31:04] Being the only female VC in a room
- [35:23] Legacy building & bias smashing in venture capital
What is the Kauffman program and why are you excited to be a part of it?
The Kauffman Fellows program has given Samantha an opportunity to become the very best VC she can be. Samantha praises the program and highly recommends it for junior partners and emerging VCs, explaining that the people-centric approach and global reach of Kauffman has given her a new perspective on her career in venture. Over two years of Kauffman, Samantha has had the opportunity to hone in on her hard skills and grow her soft skills to new heights.
“Kauffman is a fellowship for junior partners, partners, and emerging VCs to come together to really focus on how to level up to be the absolute best VCs you can be. You’re really learning how to apply a lot of the hard skills, but at the same time, they put a really heavy emphasis on the personal development piece.”
How do you see the millennial generation of Kauffman Fellows differing from generations before yours?
Many members of Samantha’s Kauffman class, including Samantha herself, are millennials. As a generation coming into their own in the workplace, Samantha explains that millennial VCs have a very people-forward focus with a lot of consideration for globalization. Samantha sees her millennial peers taking a climate conscious approach to investing, along with a vision for inclusivity and global strategy.
“I think there’s a very people-centric approach to what our generation is going to continue to change or evolve as an industry. You almost have to live and breathe your work if you’re a VC or you’re an entrepreneur. How do we do that in a way that’s sustainable?”
Where do you think we are in the industry and where are we headed, in regards to female VCs?
Less than 5% of VCs are female, but Samantha has an optimistic view of where venture is headed for women looking to invest. Samantha explains that, while it can feel rewarding to bring a female perspective to a male-dominated room, it can also be daunting and frustrating to be the “only one in the room.” She hopes that firms like Mercury not only continue to hire women VCs, but also address the issues of talent retention, as many female VCs leave the industry due to unsustainable industry practices.
“When I do talk to VCs who are younger, looking to make partner, looking to sit in board rooms, looking to do the types of things you do at a VC firm, as a female, I’m just very honest with people. It does suck looking around the room and being the only woman in there often.”
What do you want your legacy to be in venture capital?
As an up-and-coming partner and investor, Samantha sees a bright future ahead of her, flourishing with diversity and encouraging fellow women VCs. Samantha’s biggest goal is to become a prominent and successful VC, not just as a woman, but in venture in general. In her day to day, Samantha wants to help diverse check writers and investors find their place in the industry, so that more diverse projects can get funded and emerge successful.
“Even a female partner, despite her race or ethnic or sexual orientation, still writes more diverse checks across the board, not just to more women. And so, that’s super important. This is like a mission of my life. How do we get more female check writers into the industry?”
