There’s something that separates founders who close their rounds from those who struggle for months. And it’s the same thing that separates emerging managers who successfully launch their first fund from those who never get off the ground. And it’s even what separates people who land VC jobs from those who get lost in the application black hole.
I call it the Rule of 10.
For founders: The network that gets you warm intros to the right VCs instead of cold emails that go nowhere. If you can get 10 VCs to take meetings with you in a week, you’re in pretty good shape and can be confident that now is the time to push hard on your raise vs. doing the “raising not raising” dance.
For emerging fund managers: The network that helps you raise your first fund and establishes credibility with LPs. If you can get 10 LPs to take calls with you in a week AND consistently get 10 backable founders to meet with you weekly, you’re ready to start seriously building your fund vs. simply testing the waters.
For VC job seekers: The network that gets you in front of firms before they post jobs—keeping you out of that 700+ resume pile. If you can get 10 venture-backed founders or VCs to do calls with you in a week, you’re ready to actively pursue VC roles vs. treating it as a ‘someday’ goal
Don’t hit those numbers yet? That’s completely normal and actually valuable information.
It means you’re better served by the “ask for advice, not money” approach: seeking mentorship, asking for feedback on your strategy, requesting introductions, and focusing on learning rather than pitching.
The Rule of 10 isn’t a pass/fail test. It’s just a really, really, ridiculously good compass.
