The Mergers Podcast

Breaking into Venture Capital [Member Guest - Karan Chouhan]

The Mergers

In Episode 15 of The Mergers Podcast, Rory and Ken sit down with Karan Chouhan, Series B and C investor at Valiance, to explore the dynamics of venture capital, career transitions, and finding the right team to make big ideas work.

From his early days in finance at Barclays and KPMG to transitioning into venture capital through Mountside Ventures, Karan shares an inspiring journey filled with bold moves and lessons learned. Discover how he leverages operational and financial expertise to navigate VC’s challenges, build conviction, and identify startups poised for success.

Key highlights include:

  • The art of balancing "vibes-based investing" with financial rigor.
  • Why a great team can make even bad ideas work (and vice versa).
  • How to transition into VC and move up the value chain.
  • Why "blind faith" in founders isn't so blind after all.
  • The allure of Dragon’s Den and how it inspired Karan's path.

Plus, some candid banter about Wall Street Oasis ("Twitter for bankers"), investing myths, and the joys of failing upwards. Whether you're an aspiring VC or curious about the inner workings of venture, this episode is packed with insights and laughs.

🔗 Listen now and subscribe to The Mergers Podcast!