Insights · VC portfolio management series

VC portfolio management series, part 3: active portfolio management, beyond passive investing

In the fast-paced world of venture capital, active portfolio management is a game-changer. It's about rolling up your sleeves and working hand-in-hand with your portfolio companies to accelerate their growth.

Ayman AbouhendChief Investment Officer · 3 June 2024 · 1 min read

In the fast-paced world of venture capital, active portfolio management is a game-changer. It's about rolling up your sleeves and working hand-in-hand with your portfolio companies to accelerate their growth.

What does active portfolio management look like in action?

  • Setting ambitious OKRs: We collaborate with our portfolio companies to define clear objectives and key results (OKRs) that drive meaningful progress. For example, a SaaS startup might aim to increase their monthly recurring revenue (MRR) by 25% in a quarter.
  • Regular performance reviews: We hold regular check-ins with our portfolio companies to track progress, identify challenges, and brainstorm solutions. These conversations foster a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Strategic guidance: Our experienced team provides strategic insights on everything from product development and marketing to fundraising and team building. We're invested in their success.
  • Operational support: We connect our portfolio companies with potential customers, partners, and investors. We also help them recruit top talent to build world-class teams.
  • Board representation: We take an active role on the boards of our portfolio companies, providing valuable input on key strategic decisions.

The results speak for themselves. A study by Cambridge Associates found that actively managed VC funds outperformed passively managed funds by an average of 3.7% per year over a 20-year period.

In our own experience, we've seen firsthand how active portfolio management can drive impressive growth. For example, one of our portfolio companies saw a 25% increase in average MRR within 18 months, thanks to our collaborative approach.

If you're a founder looking for a VC partner who will roll up their sleeves and work alongside you to achieve your goals, active portfolio management is a must-have.

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Ayman Abouhend
Ayman Abouhend

Eighteen years in investment management, M&A and financial technology. A CFA Charterholder, he leads investment analysis, valuation and fund structuring across Significa's advisory and investment practices, and teaches valuation and fund structures in the CVC Builder curriculum. Concurrently Chief M&A and Growth Officer at AlternativeSoft in London; co-founder of MarkeScope, which developed the first stock-screening solution to incorporate risk measures. Treasurer of CFA Society Egypt; BSc Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering, Cairo University.

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