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Leeor Groen is currently a partner at Blockchain Valley Ventures. He draws on a wealth of experience having lived and worked professionally in Zurich, London, Melbourne, Oslo, Brisbane and Singapore.
First and foremost, what is a venture capitalist?
A venture capitalist is an investor who provides funds to a startup business in exchange for a share in the company’s profits.
Are their essential skills necessary to become a venture capitalist?
Leeor finds that individuals must possess a robust skill set; one that consists of the basic principles of finance and the understanding of how to grow and propel companies.
Throughout the interview, commitment was emphasised as an important attribute. Leeor Groen is a determined global entrepreneur who believes that in order to succeed in any field, especially as a venture capitalist, one must be fully committed.
A venture capitalist, according to Leeor, is the “most exciting profession in the twenty-first century.” Regardless of whether or not this statement is true, it demonstrates Leeor’s enthusiasm for his work. He is adamant that you must find your passion in life, and Leeor has. He has now turned his passion into a successful reality as a partner at BVV. When Leeor reflects on his career so far and some of his own entrepreneurial pursuits, he says that in order to become successful, you must be ‘crazy enough to fail’ in the first place. Fearlessness is second to none in this line of work, alongside commitment and a strong skill set.
What has Leeor gained from his international experience that other candidates lack?
A global citizen from London to Zurich to Melbourne to Singapore. Leeor has moved around a lot and yet through all of these experiences, he is now able to reap the many benefits of living internationally. He asserts that by being able to adapt to new environments and to different cultures, you become more resilient. Life is about seeking discomfort and learning to work under different circumstances.
How can we cultivate the rewards and benefits of these experiences?
Try as much as you can and take every opportunity that you may encounter. Internships, according to Leeor, are one of the most valuable assets in today’s world. They enable a myriad of diverse experiences, augment your network and allow you to build relationships with new people.
What is one piece of advice you would give to the youth?
Leeor buys into the notion that winners forget they are in a race, they just love to run. What he means by this is that if you do things just for the sake of doing things, you will not achieve the same results as those who are truly committed to their work.
Discover your true passion. Find something about which you are truly passionate! Only then can you commit to a future that you want to pursue.
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