Venture capitalist

About this occupation

Venture capitalists invest in young or small startup companies by providing private funding. They research potential markets and particular product opportunities to help business owners develop or expand a business. They provide business advice, technical expertise, and network contacts based on their experience and activities. They do not assume executive managerial positions within the company, but have a say in its strategic direction.

• Manage investment funds to maximize return on client investments.
• Select specific investments or investment mixes for purchase by an investment fund.
• Monitor financial or operational performance of individual investments to ensure portfolios meet risk goals.
• Select or direct the execution of trades.
• Develop or implement fund investment policies or strategies.
• Perform or evaluate research, such as detailed company or industry analyses, to inform financial forecasting, decision making, or valuation.

Typical education (US)

Master's Degree

Preparation

Job Zone 5 of 5

Interests

Enterprising, Conventional, Investigative

Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Speaking, Judgment and Decision Making, Active Learning

US median pay: US$166,570 a year (2025), 841,710 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Subjects this work relies on

How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).

• Economics or AccountingO*NET: Economics and AccountingExtremely important (4.7)
• English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.4)
• Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (4.3)
• Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.2)
• Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.1)
• Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.1)

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Preparation needed

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Most common education (US)

Master's Degree

Education

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.