Leland+ Content Library

What VCs Want: Thesis, Diligence, and Deal Flow Explained

Understanding how venture capitalists evaluate startups is essential for anyone looking to break into VC or strengthen their investing skill set. In this workshop, Kenny J.—an operator and investor with experience at Google Ventures, CapitalG, Honeywell M&A, JPMorgan, and Goldman Sachs—will break down how VCs develop investment theses, source and evaluate deals, and run diligence with rigor. Drawing on his background evaluating 25+ early-stage opportunities, supporting $400M in transactions, and helping an autonomous trucking startup raise capital and build financial discipline, Kenny will offer a structured, no-nonsense look at the frameworks, modeling expectations, and sourcing strategies that matter most in venture.

Venture Capital 101: Players, Funds, and the Deal Process

Venture capital can feel opaque without a clear map of how firms operate and how deals actually get done. This session breaks down the VC ecosystem, who the key players are, how funds are structured, and what the end-to-end deal process looks like, from sourcing and diligence to investment decisions and portfolio support. You’ll leave with a practical understanding of how venture capital works and how to navigate conversations, recruiting, or founder interactions with greater confidence.