In early 2012, I made the case to Co.Design’s readers that venture capital firms should incorporate a more comprehensive awareness of brand and design into their investment decisions. It seems that my assertion was not so far-flung. In the months since, some of the more forward-thinking firms in the venture-capital world have demonstrated a growing awareness of the impact of design. Google Ventures expanded its internal studio to support design initiatives for its startups. The venture-capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers launched the Design Council and Fellows Program to connect startups with talented students who will in turn be mentored by top design talent. Phin Barnes and the team at First Round Capital & IDEO began hosting "Design + Start-ups," a running series of events where speakers address design philosophy, technique, entrepreneurship, and more.
To read the original article: What Venture Capital Needs Now: Serious Brand Thinking | Co.Design: business + innovation + design
