
Richard Thornton
Why are you in venture capital?
Having been on the other side of venture capital as an operator in technology and software businesses, I was always intrigued by how VCs operated and specifically the skill they need in having an eye for an opportunity and an appetite for risk.
What do you do at J12?
I’m an Operating Partner specialising in commercial excellence, so my role is to work across our portfolio companies helping Founders and leadership teams Optimize their sales and customer-facing functions.
A piece of advice – how do you make your pitch stand out?
Don’t try and reinvent the wheel. There are plenty of amazingly helpful resources out there to guide anyone looking to put together a pitch deck. Follow a well-trodden path in terms of laying out your story. Then focus on simplifying your narrative and be disciplined in ensuring clarity of your proposition and why it’s highly investible.