Tips to reshape your VC Monday meetings for increased productivity and collaboration

VC teams regularly hold internal and external meetings to discuss potential investments and monitor the performance of existing portfolio companies. A collaborative and data-driven approach is a key element that influences the outcome of these meetings. In this article, we will explore the factors that drive efficiency in a typical VC Monday meeting and tips to revamp your internal meetings for increased productivity and collaboration.

What does a VC Monday Meeting look like? 

Depending on the VC’s culture, size, and investment strategy, its Monday team meeting can vary in terms of discussion points, length and how it is run. However, there are some common topics that are typically presented in these meetings:

Deal flow discussion: Partners will review potential investments that have been identified through their network, referrals, or through inbound requests. They will evaluate the pitch decks, financial projections, and other relevant information to determine if the company fits the investment criteria.

Investment decisions: Based on the discussions and evaluations from the deal flow review, partners will evaluate the merits of different investment options.They may also discuss how much to invest, the terms of the investment, and other details.

Portfolio review: Partners will discuss the progress of their current portfolio companies. They will review key performance metrics, identify potential issues or areas for improvement, and discuss the strategies for each company.

Review of the VC firm’s financial and operational performance: This included the status of fundraising efforts and the performance of existing investments. There may be discussions about the operations and strategy of the firm itself, including the due diligence process, event planning, staffing, marketing, business development, and other operational matters.

Industry updates: There may be a discussion of industry trends and news, as well as updates on competitors and market developments.

Team updates: Internal meetings in VC firms often provide an opportunity for team members to share information and insights on different topics and collaborate on problem-solving.

How data and information are presented?

Now, let’s turn to the question of which method VC teams use to present information during their internal meetings. VC teams may use various methods to present information during their internal meetings. Some common formats include:

• Pitch deck: The investment team may use pitch decks to present information about potential investment opportunities and to update other team members on the progress of existing portfolio companies.
• Financial Reports: Financial reports are also presented in a VC’s internal meeting to show the performance of existing portfolio companies and to evaluate the financial viability of potential investments.
• Spreadsheets: Spreadsheets are commonly used to organize and analyze data related to potential investments and existing portfolio companies. The analyst team may use spreadsheets to track financial metrics, compare different investment options, and evaluate the potential return on investment.
• Whiteboards and Notes: Visual aids such as whiteboards and post-it notes may be used to facilitate discussions and brainstorming sessions during VC internal meetings. These tools can help team members to visualize complex ideas and to collaborate more effectively.

Data presentation can impact decision-making and meeting outcomes

Regardless of the format a VC team chooses, the effectiveness of presenting and interpreting data can have a significant impact on the thought process, the flow of discussion, and meeting outcomes, and ultimately determine the success or failure of a meeting.

Effective data presentation is about presenting information in a clear, concise, and visually appealing manner. This can be achieved by using charts, graphs, or other visual aids to make complex data easier to understand. 

If data is presented effectively, it can support the points being made and help persuade other team members to a particular investment decision. For example, a well-designed graph or chart can quickly and clearly communicate important financial metrics such as revenue growth or profitability, helping the investment team to evaluate the performance of a portfolio company or potential investment opportunity.

Preparing for every Monday meeting takes at least 3 hours every Friday

Choosing the right method to showcase data and information is just as critical as the process of prepping the internal report or presentation. According to Elena Pikulina, VC Associate at Relay Ventures, preparing for Monday’s report took her at least 3 hours every Friday. Gathering all the necessary information from partners and team members involved in the portfolio companies, then compiling this data into reports for the team meeting on Monday is a time-consuming process.

Tips to Reshape Your VC Monday Meetings

Overall, the method used to present information during internal meetings will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the VC team, as well as the type of information being presented. Still, one or two VC Associates or one VC team member would be responsible for putting together all information before every meeting. And this can be a mood-killer task since it considerably takes time and resources. 

Using a portfolio management and monitoring tool like Rundit can help VC teams prepare internal reports in fewer hours with less effort and make meetings more effective. 

Here are some ways in which Rundit assists the team at Relay Ventures and many other VC teams:

• Centralized data source: Rundit provides a source of truth where team members can store and access data related to all investments and existing portfolio companies. This can help to streamline the process of aggregating data and ensure that all team members have access to the latest data. The investment team from Access Bridge Ventures has benefited from Rundit’s aggregated data source:

• Data visualization: Rundit enables users to create visually appealing charts and graphs at both the company and fund levels, presenting data in an engaging and effective manner. Many VC teams, namely MSM Impact VC and Relay Ventures use Rundit’s dashboards in their internal meetings to view a snapshot of portfolio performance and analyze individual companies in more detail if necessary with just a few clicks.

• Shareable and interactive report: Rundit’s interactive LP report summarizes company and fund performance data. VC users can generate this automated report and send it out to everyone before the meeting starts, eliminating the need for a VC associate to spend three hours every week completing this task.

Conclusion

In conclusion, VC Monday meetings (or VC internal meetings) play a crucial role in the operational process of VC firms. These meetings offer an opportunity for team members to collaborate, assess potential or current investments, and track the performance of existing portfolio companies. The effectiveness of the methods used to present information during these meetings can determine their outcomes and decision-making processes. Opting for a method that wouldn’t waste too much time and effort from your VC team is a must. Talk to our experts and learn how to revamp your VC Monday meeting for increased efficiency.