“Don’t tell me 90% of the industry does it this way. I want to know what the 5% are doing—and why.”
Those were the words of my good friend—and one of my very first compatriots in venture—Virginie Raphael, founder of FullCircle. In this episode of Alone Together, we explore her bold, refreshing take on raising a permanent (evergreen) fund, how her upbringing in France shaped her perspective on work, and why living life as a “whole” person (kids, family, and all) makes her a sharper investor.
Virginie candidly shares her journey—from watching her parents struggle to build a horticulture business in rural France, to stumbling into venture at Tusk, to going all in on a radically different solo GP structure. If you’ve ever questioned whether traditional VC fund structures are truly designed for today’s founders (or for your own lifestyle), this conversation is for you.
Join us as we cover:
- A New Model for Venture
Why Virginie chose a permanent fund over the traditional 10-year model—and what that really means for LPs and founders.
- Embracing ‘Nonlinear’ Work
The core thesis behind FullCircle: empowering people to enter and exit work on their own terms, much like her own unorthodox path.
- No Plan B (and No Partner)
The psychological and practical realities of going solo, and how “partnership risk” can be just as big a worry for LPs as the fabled “hit-by-a-bus” scenario.- Life & Business, IntegratedHow Virginie involves her children in the ups and downs of fund life—plus the “ruthlessly honest” conversations she has with founders as a result.
- Why Feedback Matters
The cultural differences that inform Virginie’s direct, no-BS approach with founders, and how it creates deeper trust and better decision-making.
No vague startup clichés—just a real, unfiltered look at building a life and venture model on your own terms.
Subscribe for more candid conversations with the industry insiders who are quietly reshaping venture capital and leveling the playing field—one solo GP at a time.