Follow me @samirkaji for my thoughts on the venture market, with a focus on the continued evolution of the VC landscape.

Today I had the pleasure of speaking with Brian Ascher, a veteran venture capitalist at Venrock, a firm with a storied history dating back to 1969 as part of the Rockefeller family office. Brian, with nearly 30 years in the industry, shared his journey from product management at Intuit to becoming a key player at Venrock. We delved into the firm's evolution, investment strategies, and decision-making processes, highlighting how Venrock maintains its competitive edge in technology and healthcare. Brian's insights into the venture capital landscape were both enlightening and inspiring. You won’t want to miss this one.

About Brian Ascher:

Brian Ascher is a Partner at Venrock where he focuses on early-stage investments in enterprise software, SaaS, and consumer internet companies. With a deep passion for partnering with visionary founders, Brian is known for helping businesses scale through strategic growth, operational insights, and innovation.

Since joining Venrock in 1998, Brian has played a pivotal role in numerous successful investments, including Accolade, Aptana, Retail Solutions, and Inrix. His expertise spans go-to-market strategies, product positioning, and building high-performing teams.

Topics in this conversation include:

* Brian’s Career Journey (1:34)

* The Evolution of Venture Capital (6:25)

* Venrock’s Decision-Making Model (10:09)

* Balancing Investment Decisions and Team Dynamics (14:42)

* Empowered Accountability in Deal Decisions (20:44)

* Cultural Norms in Venture Capital (22:38)

* Investment Strategy and Risk Management (25:12)

* Portfolio Construction and Returns (30:22)

* Opportunity Funds vs. Core Funds (33:01)

* Adapting to AI's Impact on Investment (36:15)

* Advice for Aspiring VCs (41:28)

* Final Thoughts and Takeaways (43:48)

I’d love to know what you took away from this conversation with Brian Ascher.

Follow me @SamirKaji and give me your insights and questions with the hashtag #ventureunlocked. If you’d like to be considered as a guest or have someone you’d like to hear from (GP or LP), drop me a direct message on X.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ventureunlocked.substack.com

The Evolution of Venrock: How a Legacy Firm Adapts to Modern Investment Challenges with Brian Ascher

Venture Unlocked: The playbook for venture capital managers