Network isn't a dirty word

Hello and welcome back to Equity, a podcast about the business of startups, where we unpack the numbers and nuance behind the headlines.

This is our Wednesday show, where we niche down to a single topic, think about a question and unpack the rest. This week, Natasha asked: What does breaking into venture capital look like today, and how is it changing? Alex and Becca jumped on the mic to discuss this and start with a refresh on our latest op-ed: "4 views on unpaid venture internships."

• We talked through three buckets of venture onramps: the traditional route, the new wave and the tourist strategy. Each has their own pros and cons and includes everything from rolling funds to the real definition of partner.

• We also covered more on the value of certain on ramps, and if network is the right thing to disrupt (or if its more track record based).

• We tried not to gang up on Dorm Room Fund too much but did chat about why their $12.5 million fund that's run by unpaid students irked us and other initiatives we thought were better for those trying to break into VC.

• For more stories on this topic, read our bevy of coverage:

  • 7 first-time fund managers detail how they’re preparing to thrive during the downturn

  • Emerging managers should take advantage of the slower fundraising market by courting LPs

  • VC fundraising gets weird as autumn nears

  • Some institutional LPs have started pulling back from VC, but most won’t

Equity drops every Monday at 7 a.m. PDT and Wednesday and Friday at 6 a.m. PDT, so subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts.