A new documentary film has just been released that looks at the original pioneers in venture capital jobs and the contribution they’ve made to our economy.
Titled Something Ventured, the film profiles visionary risk-takers such as Tom Perkins (founder of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers), Bill Draper (founder of Sutter Hill Ventures), Arthur Rock (who funded Fairchild Semiconductor, Intel, Apple and Teledyne) and others, according to a story in Inc online.
The film also includes commentary from Gordon Moore (co-founder of Intel), Robert Campbell (founder of PowerPoint) and Sandy Lerner (co-founder of Cisco).
Venture capital investing was a new and not immediately accepted concept when it was introduced in the early 1960s. Many venture capitalists struggled to convince budding entrepreneurs to work with them and to accept the VC model.
Today, of course, that’s changed. Data from the National Venture Capital Association reveals that venture capital-backed companies now employ more than 12 million people and they generated nearly $3 trillion in revenue in 2008. In fact, venture-backed companies represent the equivalent of 21 percent of U.S. GDP. And today, venture capitalists play a bigger role in helping promising new companies start up than simply writing a check. They lend their business skills, leadership and their network of contacts.
Something Ventured was conceived by Paul Holland, a Silicon Valley venture capitalist, and general partner with Foundation Capital, along with Molly Davis of Rainmaker Communications.
“These pioneers laid the groundwork for our start‐up economy, providing not just capital but guidance to help fledgling companies grow into global powerhouses,” note the filmmakers on their website. “Our lives would be completely different without their contributions, from the PC and the Internet to life‐saving drugs.” Atari creator Nolan Bushnell, who is also interviewed in the film, notes that without venture capital, “the future wouldn’t happen nearly as quickly.”
Something Ventured is scheduled to play at independent film festivals in spring and summer 2011.
Has there been a legendary venture capitalist who inspired you to enter the field? Add your comments below.
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