Building Wealth Through Venture Capital : A Practical Guide for Investors and the Entrepreneurs They Fund

Cover -- Title Page -- Copyright -- Contents -- Preface -- Introduction -- Innovation: The Path to Wealth Creation and What Venture Capital Is All About -- Part I: Understanding the Major Players -- Chapter 1: The Venture Capitalist: Funder of Dreams -- Chapter 2: The Entrepreneur: His Mind and His "Cultivation" -- DNA of the Entrepreneur -- Driven by Passion -- Motivated by the Opportunity to Make a Positive Difference -- The Need to Recognize Reality: Beware the Seduction of Money and Power -- The Importance of Fortunate Timing -- Experience and Maturity Can Be Important, Too -- Resolute, Energetic Drive Is the Most Common Denominator -- They're Not Just Resolute -- They Are Bold and Daring, Too -- Environments That Cultivate Entrepreneurs -- The Emergence of an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Chicago -- The Age-Old Question: Nature or Nurture? -- Part II: For the Investor: A Guide to Realizing Big Returns -- Chapter 3: Why Should You Invest in Venture Capital? -- It Makes Sense Even for Conservative Investors -- A Hedge Against Inflation and Lengthy Bear Markets -- Hedge Funds and Private Equity Buyout Funds No Longer So Attractive -- Venture Capital's Strong Historical Returns -- Don't Invest More Than You Can Afford to Lose -- Substantial Institutions Love Venture Capital -- Emotional Reasons for Venture Capital Investment -- Chapter 4: How to Find the Right Venture Capital Firm -- Surveying the Landscape of Venture Capital Firms -- Firm Selection by Venture Stage Focus -- Why Should You Care About a Firm's Venture Stage Focus? -- Firm Selection by Industry Focus -- Firm Selection Based on Geographic Focus -- The New Online Equity Crowdfunders -- Other Resources for Selecting a Venture Capital Firm -- Vetting Venture Capital Firm Candidates