Reflections on Bessemer Venture's Anti-Portfolio
Introduction
In the high-stakes world of venture capital, hindsight often provides lessons that are as valuable as a successful investment. Imagine having the chance to invest in companies like Airbnb, Apple, or Google—only to pass on the opportunity. Sounds unthinkable today, doesn't it?
Yet, even the best in the business have their list of 'the ones that got away.' For example, Bessemer Venture Partners openly shares this list in their The Anti-Portfolio page.
Curious about what could be learned from these passed-over investments, I took a deep dive into each company listed on that page to look for common threads. I've condensed these findings into 7 lessons that might just be game-changers in how you approach venture investing.
If you're interested in avoiding the same pitfalls and sharpening your investment acumen, keep reading.