Decoding the VC Fund Game: Double-Digit 10-year IRR Essential for Success

Published: 16 Apr 2025
In the high-stakes arena of venture capitalism, one rule reins supreme: to raise a successful fund your 10-year IRR should hit the double digits.

Venture capitalism is a high-stakes game. The landscape is unpredictable, full of thrilling peaks and daunting valleys. Yet, amid the chaos, there exists a guiding principle so paramount that it not only sets the tone but the pace for aspiring venture capitalists: for a venture capital fund to thrive, its 10-year IRR (Internal Rate of Return) should sail into the double digits.

This isn’t just a much-touted mantra. Careful analysis reveals that the financial muscle of VC funds rests heavily on their 10-year IRR figures. This benchmark significantly influences investor willingness to pour in the required moolah. Deviation from this golden rule, more often than not, is directly proportional to the probability of biting the dust in the VC world.

The grandeur fantasy of the tech world may shine a spotlight on unicorn start-ups and blockbuster IPOs. But, the unsung heroes, the patient and persistent venture capitalists, play the long game behind the scenes, keeping their eyes firmly locked on the double-digit 10-year IRR target. This rigorous pursuit serves as both the lifeline and the finish line for a groundbreaking VC fund.