Whereas ladies are nonetheless underrepresented in management roles in enterprise capital corporations, there are indicators of progress. Final December, on the age of simply 29, Annalise Dragic was made a Companion at Sapphire Ventures, making her probably the youngest feminine VC Companion in Europe.
Sapphire has greater than $8.8 billion in belongings underneath administration and places of work in London, Austin, Palo Alto and San Francisco. In early 2020 Dragic was employed to assist construct out the agency’s European presence. Based mostly out of London, she invests in Sequence B via pre-IPO B2B corporations, with a give attention to fintech and B2B SaaS.
All through her profession Dragic, she has been a passionate advocate for getting extra ladies into VC and pushing funds to put money into extra feminine and various founders. Right here she shares the secrets and techniques of her success.
Alison Coleman: What have been your earliest profession ambitions?
Annalise Dragic: “My first ambition was to be a diplomat! From a younger age, I used to be drawn to a profession that may enable me to be a part of a global group and work towards enhancing the lives of others. I used to be born in London and went on to dwell in 4 different nations throughout three continents, which piqued my curiosity in numerous cultures and worldwide relations. I studied science, expertise and worldwide affairs at Georgetown College, and have become intrigued by profession alternatives in finance as a result of they gave me the power to mix my analytical and important considering abilities with studying about applied sciences that would change lives throughout the globe.
Coleman: What piqued your curiosity on the planet of VC?
Dragic: I began my profession with a task in funding banking, which was a terrific alternative to be taught loads, in a short time, particularly for somebody who hadn’t studied finance. I then joined LinkedIn in a technique and analytics position, working throughout their San Francisco, London, and Dublin places of work. These early profession alternatives fueled my curiosity in how tech companies are valued and what circumstances create success for scaling. After LinkedIn, I accomplished an MBA at Stanford College and determined to pursue a profession in enterprise capital.
Coleman: You began investing within the European ecosystem in 2017 with Atomico, how simple was it to transition to enterprise capital?
Dragic: Enterprise capital is a tough trade to interrupt into. Whereas I nonetheless had a lot to be taught, I discovered that in some ways, enterprise investing was just like the earlier work I had finished whereas a part of the company growth group at LinkedIn. For anybody who is of course curious, it’s essentially the most thrilling skilled setting to immerse your self in.
Coleman: What particular challenges have you ever confronted as a lady in finance, and the way have you ever overcome them?
Dragic: As a lady in finance, there are lots of instances when you’re the one one within the room. That’s by no means simple. Issues are getting higher however I might say working at a agency that helps ladies, and looking for out skilled friends who provide the similar assist, is crucial. Sapphire is a enterprise that takes this severely. In our London workplace, for instance, we’ve got gender parity throughout our funding group, and feminine companions throughout all three of our funding methods; Sapphire Ventures, Sapphire Companions and Sapphire Sport. Our COO, CFO and CMO are additionally ladies.
Coleman: How vital is it to have good mentors and position fashions on this trade?
Dragic: Mentorship has made a serious distinction in my profession. In the event you’re trying to break into the world of VC or startups, discover a mentor who can assist you and allow you to be your genuine self. I’m now actively looking for to mentor different ladies who’re beginning their careers.
Coleman: As a VC, are you seeing optimistic indicators for ladies within the startup and tech sectors?
Dragic: I’m seeing progress with regards to making range, and significantly gender range, however, proper now, solely 12% of Companions at European VCs are ladies and that’s removed from adequate. We’re shifting in the best course, however the ecosystem nonetheless has plenty of work to do.
Coleman: What do you take pleasure in most about your position at Sapphire?
Dragic: Once I joined Sapphire again in 2020 to assist launch our London workplace, there have been simply two of us in Europe. Establishing a brand new workplace for such a prestigious agency has been a terrific expertise. I’m extremely proud that in solely a brief interval we’ve got grown the workplace to an eight-person group and made a document variety of investments final 12 months.
I additionally take pleasure in partnering with mission-driven entrepreneurs who’re motivated by enhancing the world round them. It’s inspiring to encompass your self with that vitality each day, and it’s fantastic to be a part of a group that’s dedicated to backing the innovation that’s at the moment popping out of Europe.
Coleman: What are your prime three suggestions for founders looking for funding?
Dragic: My prime tip is to take the time to plan for a fundraise. It is very important search out buyers that will probably be an excellent match on your firm’s operational and monetary wants.
It’s also very important to craft a pitch and put together metrics acceptable to your organization’s stage of progress. Founders ought to perceive how potential buyers have helped speed up different companies. This can be assistance on hiring at scale, assist with a global enlargement, or insights on learn how to diversify your board. Search for buyers who’ve the expertise and networks that can assist you to understand your imaginative and prescient. Lastly, be assured and keep decided; you’ll get there!