How to Get into Venture Capital, Cryptocurrency + the Future of Money
February 14, 2021
Want to find out how to get into Venture Capital (VC)? Want a dummy's guide to Cryptocurrency and Bitcoin? Hear from Zihao Xu, who after a degree in Economics and Management at Oxford, started his career at Roland Berger, the strategy consultant. After launching some of his own companies, he made the switch to Octopus Ventures, a leading multi stage European venture capital investor specialising in health, money, deep tech and consumer, who have backed companies like Zoopla, Graze.com and Secret Escapes.
The Getting There Show is about helping you get to you where you want to get to. We speak with brilliant people and unpack the key influences and decisions that have helped get them to where they are today. You’ll get the books, the mental models, inspirations and all the steps in their journey, to help guide you on your own path. As always, we make sure to include all of Zihao’s toolkit and influences in the show notes so as to maximise the chances that this show helps you get to where you want to get to.
Want to find out how to get into Venture Capital (VC)? Want a dummy's guide to Cryptocurrency and Bitcoin? Hear from Zihao Xu, who after a degree in Economics and Management at Oxford, started his career at Roland Berger, the strategy consultant. After launching some of his own companies, he made the switch to Octopus Ventures, a leading multi stage European venture capital investor specialising in health, money, deep tech and consumer, who have backed companies like Zoopla, Graze.com and Secret Escapes.
The Getting There Show is about helping you get to you where you want to get to. We speak with brilliant people and unpack the key influences and decisions that have helped get them to where they are today. You’ll get the books, the mental models, inspirations and all the steps in their journey, to help guide you on your own path. As always, we make sure to include all of Zihao’s toolkit and influences in the show notes so as to maximise the chances that this show helps you get to where you want to get to.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - 01:21 - Intro
01:22 - 2:23 - Zihao’s career path
2:24 - 3:28 - Octopus Ventures
3:29 - 4:10 Typical day as a Venture Capitalist
4:11 - 5:06 - What he learnt as a Management Consultant
5:07 - 10:36 Why has fintech exploded?
10:37 - 16:18 - What is Cryptocurrency?
16:19 - 18:31 - What is Bitcoin?
18:32 - 22:42 - Why are institutional investors interested in Bitcoin?
22:43 - 26:02 - Tips for getting into Venture Capital (VC)
26:03 - 28:55 - An example investment (Skew)
28:56 - 31:47 - Startups as career choices
31:48 - 34:20 - Favourite Book
34:21 - 36:20 Favourite Quote
36:21 - 42:45 Favourite Interview Question
42:46 - 46:12 The Growth Community question
NOTES
Octopus Ventures
Naval Ravikant
Reid Hoffman
Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!
"Specialization is for insects" in Time Enough For Love
The Getting There Show is about helping you get to you where you want to get to. We speak with brilliant people and unpack the key influences and decisions that have helped get them to where they are today. You’ll get the books, the mental models, inspirations and all the steps in their journey, to help guide you on your own path. As always, we make sure to include all of Zihao’s toolkit and influences in the show notes so as to maximise the chances that this show helps you get to where you want to get to.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - 01:21 - Intro
01:22 - 2:23 - Zihao’s career path
2:24 - 3:28 - Octopus Ventures
3:29 - 4:10 Typical day as a Venture Capitalist
4:11 - 5:06 - What he learnt as a Management Consultant
5:07 - 10:36 Why has fintech exploded?
10:37 - 16:18 - What is Cryptocurrency?
16:19 - 18:31 - What is Bitcoin?
18:32 - 22:42 - Why are institutional investors interested in Bitcoin?
22:43 - 26:02 - Tips for getting into Venture Capital (VC)
26:03 - 28:55 - An example investment (Skew)
28:56 - 31:47 - Startups as career choices
31:48 - 34:20 - Favourite Book
34:21 - 36:20 Favourite Quote
36:21 - 42:45 Favourite Interview Question
42:46 - 46:12 The Growth Community question
NOTES
Octopus Ventures
Naval Ravikant
Reid Hoffman
Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!
"Specialization is for insects" in Time Enough For Love