Why Venture Capital is the Missing Piece in Your Investment Portfolio

46VC
May 1, 2025

Venture capital (VC) has traditionally been the domain of large institutions such as pensions, endowments, and foundations. However, as an accredited investor, incorporating VC into your investment strategy can offer unique opportunities for diversification and growth.

  • Access to Innovation
  • Diversification Benefits
  • Potential for Attractive Returns

Access to Innovation

Investing in VC provides exposure to early-stage companies at the forefront of technological advancements and innovative solutions. This access allows investors to participate in the potential growth of industries poised to disrupt traditional markets. According to Cambridge Associates, the VC space offers investors awareness of, and access to, cutting-edge technologies across various stages, from seed capital to late-stage investments.1

Diversification Benefits

VC investments can enhance portfolio diversification by introducing assets that are less correlated with public markets. Russell Investments notes that venture capital contributes to improved portfolio diversification, as the success of high-growth companies is often idiosyncratic and less dependent on macroeconomic factors.2

Potential for Attractive Returns

While VC investments come with higher risks, they also offer the potential for substantial returns. PitchBook’s fund data indicates that top-quartile VC funds have historically outperformed public equity markets, making them an appealing option for investors seeking higher growth potential.3

According to Cambridge Associates, a leading global investment firm, venture capital has consistently outperformed other asset classes over the long term. Their data shows that US venture capital funds have delivered a pooled net internal rate of return (IRR) of 13.3% over the 25 years ending June 30, 2021, compared to 9.3% for the S&P 500 over the same period.4

Accessing Venture Capital with Lower Minimums

Historically, venture capital has been difficult for individual accredited investors to access due to high minimum investment requirements. Dickson & Main seeks to provide accredited investors with opportunities to invest in venture capital with lower minimums, allowing for greater portfolio diversification. However, venture capital investments are inherently high risk, illiquid, and may not be suitable for all investors. Potential investors should carefully consider their financial situation, investment objectives, and risk tolerance before investing. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and all investments carry the risk of loss.

Considerations for Accredited Investors

It’s important to recognize that VC investments are typically illiquid and have longer investment horizons. Therefore, they are most suitable for investors who can commit capital over extended periods and have a higher risk tolerance. Conducting thorough due diligence and selecting experienced fund managers are crucial steps in mitigating risks and achieving desired outcomes.5

Incorporating venture capital into your investment portfolio can serve as a valuable component in achieving diversification and accessing high-growth opportunities. As with any investment, it’s essential to assess your financial goals and risk tolerance to determine the appropriate allocation to VC within your overall strategy.

References

1 Cambridge Associates. Building Winning Portfolios Through Private Investments. 2021.

2 Russell Investments. The Importance of Venture Capital in Portfolios. 2022.

3 PitchBook. Fund Performance Data. 2024.

4 Cambridge Associates. US Venture Capital Index and Selected Benchmark Statistics. 2021.

5 Cambridge Associates. Venture capital. 2024.

This post was drafted with the support of AI tools and reviewed and edited by the Dickson & Main team.
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