Secrets of Sand Hill Road

Venture Capital and How to Get It

by Scott Kupor

Secrets of Sand Hill Road (2019) explores the heart of Silicon Valley's venture capital hub. Sand Hill Road is home to numerous leading venture capital firms that have backed some of the tech industry's giants. VC expert Scott Kupor offers an insider's view on these firms, sharing insights that help demystify venture capital—its acquisition, impact, and its critical role in a company's success or failure.

About the author

Scott Kupor serves as a managing partner at Andreessen Horowitz, a prominent venture capital firm with assets exceeding $7 billion. They have funded well-known companies like Facebook, Twitter, Airbnb, and Groupon. Kupor also lectures on venture capital at Stanford University and helped start the university’s Venture Capital Director’s College.

Discover the Evolution of Venture Capital from an Industry Insider

Venture capital's origins can be traced back to the late fifteenth century when Queen Isabella of Spain, arguably the world's first venture capitalist, funded Christopher Columbus's risky quest to find a shorter route to India. This high-stakes gamble mirrors the risks taken in today's venture-capital-backed startups, where failure rates are steep—nearly 90% of startups fail.

Today's venture capitalists play a crucial role by investing capital and acquiring ownership stakes in promising startups, guiding founders toward strategic achievements and long-term goals.

Scott Kupor, a veteran at a leading VC firm, sheds light on the secretive world of venture capital in his insights. Through this summary, you'll gain an understanding of:

• the impact of Y Combinator on empowering entrepreneurs within the VC ecosystem;

• the strategic reasons behind his firm's investment in Airbnb;

• essential tips for making a strong first impression in your VC pitch.