Roles & People
Operator
An experienced executive or founder who has run operations inside a company — often contrasted with pure investors, and increasingly sought after as VC partners.
In VC contexts, 'operator' refers to someone with hands-on experience running a function or company — VP of Engineering, COO, or founder — as distinct from someone who has only been an investor. Many VCs now identify as 'operator-investors' to signal their practical experience.
The operator-to-VC career path has become one of the most common in the industry. Founders who've exited often join or start VC funds, bringing deal credibility and founder empathy that career VCs may lack.
In Practice
Keith Rabois (Square, PayPal, LinkedIn operator) joined Founders Fund and later Khosla Ventures as an investor, explicitly leveraging his operator background to attract founders who wanted practical advice, not just capital.
Why It Matters
Founders increasingly prefer backing from operators who've 'been in the seat' over pure-play investors. When evaluating VC offers, understanding whether a partner is an operator-investor or a career VC matters for the quality of support you'll receive.