Phin Barnes

Phin Barnes is a prominent figure in the venture capital industry and the co-founder of The General Partnership, a venture capital firm. Here are some key details about his background and career:

Professional Experience

Current Role:

• Co-Founder at The General Partnership since August 20212

Previous Positions:

• Partner at First Round Capital (2012-2021)2
• Principal at First Round Capital (2009-2012)2
• Creative Director at AND 1 (1997-2003)2

Education

• MBA from The Wharton School2
• BA from Haverford College (1994-1998)2

Investment Philosophy and Approach

Phin Barnes views investing as a craft composed of two parts: interviewing and coaching. He focuses on maximizing one-on-one time with founders, both before and after investment, to help them move closer to their goals.4

At The General Partnership, Barnes and his team take a unique approach:

• They invest both capital and "sweat equity" into their portfolio companies3
• Their model involves embedding experienced builders into companies for extended periods (typically around nine months)3
• They focus on "formation" (pre-seed and seed stage) and "breakout" companies3

Notable Achievements

During his time at First Round Capital, Barnes was responsible for over 60 investments, including successful companies like Blue Apron, Notion, Clover Health, Gauntlet, and Persona.1

Barnes is known for his perspective on venture capital as a product that founders buy with their equity, an idea he turned into a cultural mandate during his tenure at First Round Capital.4

Recent Developments

As of June 2024, Barnes announced The General Partnership's second fund of $300 million, expressing gratitude to Reid Hoffman for supporting their business.5