Allison Baum Gates: The Disruptor's Journey: From Trading Floor to VC
I’m thrilled to welcome Allison Baum Gates to episode 470 of #thePOZcast! She is ann early‑stage technology investor, accomplished author, and future‑of‑work expert who’s on a mission to reshape how we think about career, capital, and innovation. As a General Partner at SemperVirens, she’s raised hundreds of millions of dollars and backed over 70 companies—including nine unicorns, 24 successful exits, and serves on ten boards. Along the way, she’s built her reputation as not just an investor, but a trusted voice in VC—featured in Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and TechCrunch—and as an educator at Columbia Business School and UC Berkeley‑Haas, empowering future leaders to break into venture. Allison’s journey spans high‑pressure trading floors at Goldman Sachs, early roles at Maveron and General Assembly. In 2023, she distilled her experience into Breaking into Venture, a field‑guide‑style book that demystifies the venture capital world and has sold tens of thousands of copies. Fluent (ish) in three languages and having lived across five global cities—from New York and San Francisco to Hong Kong, Paris, and Tokyo—Allison brings a refreshingly global and human perspective to the complex interplay of finance, technology, and the future of work. Let’s get into it. Check out her book: Breaking Into Venture https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Into-Venture-Capitalist-Life-Changing/dp/1264698941/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2GROZTJYEQF5N&keywords=breaking+into+venture+by+allison+baum+gates&qid=1681763930&sprefix=breaking+into+venture+by+allison+baum+gates%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-1 Connect w/ her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonbaumgates/
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Summary
In this episode of the #thePOZcast, Adam Posner interviews Alison Baum Gates, an early-stage tech investor and author of 'Breaking Into Venture.' They discuss Alison's journey from the trading floor to venture capital, the importance of a global perspective, and the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship and employee well-being. Alison shares insights on the VC mindset, the challenges of writing a book, and the impact of AI on business and the writing process. The conversation culminates in a discussion about defining success and the importance of creating opportunities for others.
Takeaways
- Alison's parents' careers were disrupted by technology, influencing her career choices.
- She transitioned from finance to venture capital to be on the disrupting side.
- The trading floor experience taught her about opportunity spotting and creativity in finance.
- Living globally has given her a competitive advantage in evaluating investments.
- A VC mindset is essential for navigating today's abundant career opportunities.
- Writing her book was a way to save time and share knowledge about venture capital.
- Venture capital is not just glamorous; it requires hard work and patience.
- Measuring progress in venture capital is crucial to avoid FOMO.
- Success is defined by the number of successful people one creates.
- AI is changing the landscape of entry-level jobs, making it essential for new graduates to adapt.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Alison Baum Gates and Her Journey
01:17 The Impact of Technology on Career Paths
02:43 Lessons from the Trading Floor
06:34 Global Perspective and Competitive Advantage
10:59 The VC Mindset: Thinking for Abundance
13:21 Writing 'Breaking Into Venture' and Its Purpose
15:14 The Reality of Venture Capital
16:50 Self-Discovery Through Writing
19:44 AI's Role in Writing and Business
21:02 The Dual Nature of Entrepreneurship Today
21:53 Navigating the Entrepreneurial Landscape
25:08 The Role of Semper Virens
29:52 The Impact of AI on Entry-Level Jobs
32:34 Evaluating Founders and Building Relationships
35:00 FOMO in Venture Capital
36:51 Defining Success in Career and Life
