Laura Thompson

Partner @SapphirePrtnrs - the LP arm of @SapphireVC. Sharing the LP perspective via @Open_LP. Free time: hiking, cooking & watching 49ers/Giants/Warriors!

[Laura Thompson @LauraLPThompson]

Big congrats again to @seedtosunflower!

[Sapphire Partners @SapphirePrtnrs]

Congrats to Liu Jiang + team at @seedtosunflower on the close of Fund II!

In a tough market for 1st time managers, Liu built something exceptional & we’re proud to be among Sunflower’s early LPs.

We’re excited to support Sunflower’s mission to back technical founders from day zero—with discipline, clarity, & conviction. Onwards & upwards 🌻

📖 Read more: https://t.co/dI8HtgCwUq

[Laura Thompson @LauraLPThompson]

🎙️🆕Grateful to join @alexabinns & @EarnestSweat on @AllocatorsPod!

We covered everything from evaluating emerging mngrs, navigating reserves, how @SapphirePrtnrs is supporting GPs through a complex market environment & the mission behind @Open_LP.

Thanks for having me on! 🙏

[OpenLP @Open_LP]

Is now the right time to start a venture fund? @LauraLPThompson says yes—if you lead with focus, data, & conviction.

🆕🎧 Laura joined @AllocatorsPod to share how @SapphirePrtnrs is approaching emerging managers, fund construction & reserve strategy in today’s market including:
📌 The realities of underwriting in today’s venture environment
📌 How Sapphire Partners balances emerging and established managers
📌 Characteristics of successful Fund I–III GPs

🎧 Listen to the episode: https://t.co/pUDHvEPLx1

#LPInsights #EmergingManagers #OpenLP #FundStrategy

[Laura Thompson @LauraLPThompson]

What separates a great VC from a true franchise fund? I joined my colleague @Beezer232 to unpack this Q + her convo with Stephen Bluestein from Adams Street Partners on Origins.
🎧 Listen/subscribe wherever you get your podcasts below.

#VC #Origins #OpenLP

[OpenLP @Open_LP]

🆕🎙️ What makes a franchise fund in venture capital? It’s not just about a 5x or 10x “lights-out” fund. In today's Origins minisode, @Beezer232 & @lauralpthompson break down how the best firms earn (& keep) the right to win w the best founders. Here's what they uncovered:🧵

[Laura Thompson @LauraLPThompson]

QSBS is a game-changer for LPs, GPs & founders. In my latest blog, I explain how it can save millions in taxes for emerging managers, leading to significant savings. 💡

#VC #QSBS

[OpenLP @Open_LP]

🧵💰Want in on the unspoken secret of making more money for GPs, LPs, and founders...

In a brand new blog, @LauraLPThompson, Partner at @SapphirePrtnrs, breaks down QSBS: a powerful, often overlooked tax incentive that can significantly boost after-tax returns👇

[Laura Thompson @LauraLPThompson]

@SapphirePrtnrs @Beezer232 @Forbes So proud to be your partner 🎉

[Laura Thompson @LauraLPThompson]

If you are a VC EM near Menlo next Thursday, come join :)

[OpenLP @Open_LP]

📣Emerging VC Managers: If you're in Bay Area - you don't want to miss this IRL early-stage #VC networking event next Thurs, 6/27 w @SapphirePrtnrs, @EquiamVC, @EYnews & @CalSTRS, hosted by NASP NorCal & @CitizensBank.

💫Space is limited - reserve your spot today!
https://t.co/0c7Mmk74Q3

[Laura Thompson @LauraLPThompson]

Thank you, @jamescthorne, for including my perspective on the current fundraising environment and advantages of betting on emerging managers. 💪

Read more in @PitchBook below.

[OpenLP @Open_LP]

“Where can you get really good returns? It’s the smaller fund sizes and emerging managers.”

— @SapphirePrtnrs' @LauraLPThompson on whether LPs are missing out on potential upside by consistently choosing established fund managers over emerging ones in @PitchBook 👇

https://t.co/M4xkxR1i5x

#VC #Fundraising

[Laura Thompson @LauraLPThompson]

@MTemkin @TechCrunch Hi @MTemkin - huge huge congratulations :)

[Sapphire Partners @SapphirePrtnrs]

We’re hiring an Associate to join our team of LPs at @SapphirePrtnrs in SF! 💫

Know someone fantastic w/ 1-3 yrs of relevant experience (LP backgrounds prioritized) in a financial analysis position at a fund investment firm, financial/VC firm, or a technology-focused corporate role? Encourage them to apply 👇

https://t.co/0eV3rLaEF5

#fundinvesting

[Laura Thompson @LauraLPThompson]

We are hiring a VP and an associate! Please forward if you know anyone who might be a great fit for LP investing at @SapphirePrtnrs!

[Sapphire Partners @SapphirePrtnrs]

We’re hiring an Associate & VP to join the @SapphirePrtnrs team in SF! 💫 Know of any aspiring LPs or one looking to make their next move?

🔗Please share and encourage them to apply here: https://t.co/3gW3LkJFU9

#VC #Hiring

[Laura Thompson @LauraLPThompson]

Looking forward to joining this powerhouse group of women on stage at the Women's VC Summit next year! If you're interested in learning about LPs - what they like & don't - join us in Half Moon Bay on 2/8. Details 👇

[Sapphire Partners @SapphirePrtnrs]

Heading to Half Moon Bay in Feb for the Women’s VC Summit?

Hear from @LauraLPThompson, Partner at @SapphirePrtnrs, discussing LP relationship building & mgmt!

🗓 Thurs, Feb 8 | 12:25 PM - 1:00 PM PST
📋 Agenda: https://t.co/7xnLxmPGMO
🔗 Register: https://t.co/edY1vPDbwM

[Laura Thompson @LauraLPThompson]

Emerging managers curious about how to stand out to LPs - next week I'll share the early signs of a successful fund manager that we look for at @SapphirePrtnrs + what we like to see in a pitch deck w/ @500GlobalVC's @bedy in the first LP Webinar Series hosted by @vcunlocked!

[OpenLP @Open_LP]

Don't miss the first LP Webinar Series hosted by @vcunlocked next week! Join @SapphirePrtnrs' @LauraLPThompson & @500GlobalVC's @bedy as they discuss how to stand out in the current climate & build relationships with #LPs.

🗓 Tuesday, December 12
🕘 11am -12pm PST
🔗https://t.co/4bernGPMx9

[Laura Thompson @LauraLPThompson]

Woot woot! Today, we announced that @SapphirePrtnrs is launching a new program to invest in emerging venture managers with a sole LP, @CalSTRS, the world's largest educator-only pension fund! 💥 Read more👇

[Sapphire Partners @SapphirePrtnrs]

[1/6] Today, we announced Sapphire Partners is launching a new emerging venture managers investment program with a sole LP, @CalSTRS, the world's largest educator-only pension fund! 👏🧵

More about our perspective & what this means for emerging managers: https://t.co/nkrslb8xr7

[Laura Thompson @LauraLPThompson]

Big congrats to Greg Parker and really excited for Nucleus! Woot woot! https://t.co/4ppiKmKva5

[Laura Thompson @LauraLPThompson]

We keep hearing about the #VC pacing slow down, but have seen less data on capital calls & any correlation. My colleague @EvanTarzian and I were curious, so we dug into our own emerging manager data.

Our findings below! 👇

[OpenLP @Open_LP]

New data on Capital Calls! ☎️

Everyone's talking about #VC pacing slow down, but we've seen less data around capital calls & how the past several quarters compare to ’20-‘21.

🧵@EvanTarzian & @LauraLPThompson dug into @SapphirePrtnrs’ early-stage mngr data & the findings are 🤯

[Laura Thompson @LauraLPThompson]

When the market shifts like this, getting "back to the basics" means different things to different managers - but opportunity funds don't always fall in this category. Thanks for including me in your piece, Marina Temkin, CFA! Alwa…https://t.co/0CfNCAYx7k https://t.co/Qc4pu8oMmO

[Laura Thompson @LauraLPThompson]

@abrams @LevanonAdi Good points @abrams and @rrhoover . We usually find it the most compelling when managers raise based on bottom-up fund construction, not how much they can raise. And yes, all about having good companies, identifying them & getting enough dollars into those to drive the fund size.

[Laura Thompson @LauraLPThompson]

@donutsdidthis @annimaniac @rrhoover @LevanonAdi Love this approach. I think the key is the re-underwriting you do💪.

[Laura Thompson @LauraLPThompson]

@Beezer232 @nvca @SapphireVC Love this picture!!!

[Laura Thompson @LauraLPThompson]

@shomikghosh21 We can chat and you are welcome to test it out next time you are in SF. I am replaying Mario and my husband is enjoying Mega Man at the moment.