While Finance and Venture Capital are distinctly different careers, they require a similar background with high levels of financial knowledge and general business acumen.
Venture capital is often a second career begun after a successful career in management or finance.
Most venture capitalists do not become such until they have gained the necessary skills and experience in finance. Unlike investment banking, which is a transaction business done for fees, venture is a principal business done primarily for capital appreciation from funds invested. Venture capitalists, when they hire, expect extremely high achievement and potential from their new hires. Candidates are expected to be well versed not only in finance, but also in marketing, manufacturing, corporate strategy, and the latest technology in a multitude of industries. The venture capital associate must be multi-faceted because profitable investments cannot be made without comprehensive assessment of the firms being considered.