S2 EP6: The Mindful VC

05/17/24 • 39 min

To coincide with this year's Mental Health Awareness Week, between 13-19 May 2024, the BVCA has produced a new podcast, The Mindful VC. Hosted by Chris Elphick, Head of Venture Capital at the BVCA, with guests including Daniel Waterhouse, Partner at Balderton, Hayley Hand, Investment Director at Better Society Capital and Henrik Wetter Sanchez, General Partner at Playfair Capital, the podcast explores approaches to mental health for founders and investors.

The guests discuss the practical steps that VCs can take in supporting founders, how LPs consider mental health in the funds they invest in, and the impact of tech on mental health more broadly.

Running order:

00:00 – Intro
02:20 – Balderton’s approach to support mental wellbeing
05:07 - How Playfair supports founders and encourages founders to be open and honest about their mental health
08:03 – The impact of the tougher fundraising environment
11:38 – Coaching founders and optimising performance
15:03 – The role of board governance in supporting founders
18:55 – Better Society Capital’s approach to founder mental health
23:27 – The LP perspective on how VCs can support founders and management teams
28:27 – The main qualities of founders and investors and what they need to succeed
31:55 – Tech’s role in poorer mental health and how it can be part of the solution
36:21 – Wellbeing hacks that can help with mental health

This episode of the BVCA podcast is hosted by Chris Elphick, Head of Venture Capital at the BVCA.

Chris’s guest for episode 6:

Daniel Waterhouse, Partner at Balderton
Hayley Hand, Investment Director at Better Society Capital
Henrik Wetter Sanchez, General Partner at Playfair Capital

The guests discuss the practical steps that VCs can take in supporting founders, how LPs consider mental health in the funds they invest in, and the impact of tech on mental health more broadly.

Running order:

00:00 – Intro
02:20 – Balderton’s approach to support mental wellbeing
05:07 - How Playfair supports founders and encourages founders to be open and honest about their mental health
08:03 – The impact of the tougher fundraising environment
11:38 – Coaching founders and optimising performance
15:03 – The role of board governance in supporting founders
18:55 – Better Society Capital’s approach to founder mental health
23:27 – The LP perspective on how VCs can support founders and management teams
28:27 – The main qualities of founders and investors and what they need to succeed
31:55 – Tech’s role in poorer mental health and how it can be part of the solution
36:21 – Wellbeing hacks that can help with mental health

This episode of the BVCA podcast is hosted by Chris Elphick, Head of Venture Capital at the BVCA.

Chris’s guest for episode 6:

Daniel Waterhouse, Partner at Balderton
Hayley Hand, Investment Director at Better Society Capital
Henrik Wetter Sanchez, General Partner at Playfair Capital

Previous Episode

S2 EP5: The outlook for venture capital & tech in 2024

The BVCA Reflections series marks the 40th anniversary since the BVCA was established as the trade association for the UK private equity and venture capital industry. During this series, we will be talking to industry leaders from today and previous decades as we reflect on how the industry and the BVCA have evolved.

In episode 5 of the BVCA’s 40th anniversary podcast series, the BVCA’s Senior VC Manager, Chris Elphick, talks to Christoph Ruedig, Partner at Albion VC, Kerry Baldwin, Managing Partner at IQ Capital, and Stephen Nundy, Partner & CTO at Lakestar, about the outlook for venture capital and the broader tech ecosystem in 2024.

Covering off the shocks and difficult market conditions seen in 2023, the guests consider how the market will play out going forward, with tips for founders and investors looking to raise in a difficult market, the central importance of board governance, the increasing role of government, and the potential impact of BVCA initiatives such as the Investment Compact.

Running order:

00:00 – Intro
02:01 – Key developments from 2023
09:18 – 2023 was the year of AI, what sectors will take off in 2024?
12:40 – How to support founders going through a down/flat round
18:49 – The outlook for venture – green shoots or more pain?
21:09 – Addressing the scale up gap
23:50 – Where will exits come from?
28:20 – How to exit at speed in a tough market?
33:40 – Will fundraising be easier in 2024?
36:43 – Advice for emerging managers
39:16 – The policy landscape in 2024
43:00 – The impact of the Investment Compact
46:54 – Closing remarks

This episode of the BVCA podcast is hosted by Chris Elphick, Senior VC Manager at the BVCA.

Chris’s guest for episode 5:

Christoph Ruedig, Partner at Albion VC
Kerry Baldwin, Managing Partner at IQ Capital
Stephen Nundy, Partner & CTO at Lakestar

Next Episode

S2 EP7: LGBTQ+ within the private capital industry

To coincide with Pride Month, the BVCA has produced a new podcast, LGBTQ+ Within The Private Capital Industry.

Hosted by Natalie Whiley, Head of Industry Development and Jordan Crossfield, Industry Development Manager at the BVCA, with guests Simon Blakey, Chair of the Investment Committee at Playfair Capital, and Morten Siggaard, Principal at Cinven, the podcast explores how firms can build inclusive cultures and support individuals to be their authentic selves.

The BVCA podcast emphasises the significance of DE&I in the private capital sector, with a spotlight on LGBTQ+ representation. Guests share their perspectives on current efforts, challenges, and effective practices for building inclusive workplaces and the positive effects of supporting diversity within portfolio companies.

Running order:

00:00 – Intro
01:52 – The changing landscape within the private capital industry, the speakers' perspectives
07:33 – Awareness, representation and support from your firm, and top tips for firms to increase this support to staff
10:13 – Senior buy-in within firms – guidance and best practice
13:48 – The importance of networks and senior allies and working with portfolio companies to build inclusive cultures
16:37 – The importance of data and KPI metrics for LGBTQ+ representation across firms and portfolio companies and how this is developing
22:37 – Personal perspectives and the strength found from facing adversity in personal and professional lives
25:29 – Guidance on where to start building an inclusive culture

This episode of the BVCA podcast is hosted by Natalie Whiley, Head of Industry Development and Jordan Crossfield, Industry Development Manager at the BVCA.

Their guests for episode 7 are: