Venture studio vs VC: why cofounding beats check-writing, and what I'd show an LP

V. Rao — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 17:29:07 GMT

A venture studio cofounds companies with expert operators inside from the first week, rather than funding companies that already exist. The liquidity complaint LPs have with traditional VC is real, and the problem underneath it is that a check buys information after the decisions are made.

The Series A Bar Is Now $5M–$10M ARR. What Investors at VC Pitch Conf 2026 Said Founders Should Do About It.

V. Rao — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 17:12:32 GMT

I went through the notes from VC Pitch Conf this week, the virtual conference that ran on September 17. Five panels, two keynotes, a full day of investors from firms like B Capital, Plug and Play, Entrepreneurs First, 500 Global and Alumni Ventures telling founders what it takes to get funded in 2026.

Mindshare: Forward Capital

Venture studio vs VC: why cofounding beats check-writing, and what I'd show an LP

The Series A Bar Is Now $5M–$10M ARR. What Investors at VC Pitch Conf 2026 Said Founders Should Do About It.