Top 10 Must-Read Operating Partner Newsletters

Operating partners play a crucial role in private equity and venture capital firms.

They focus on improving the operational performance of portfolio companies by optimizing processes, driving growth, and implementing strategic changes that create value. In our 10+ years of working with private equity and venture capital firms, I’ve seen firsthand how critical these operational improvements are to creating long-term value.

With the fast-paced nature of private equity and venture capital, staying updated on industry trends, best practices, and market shifts is essential. Operating partners need quick access to insights that impact decision-making and help improve portfolio performance.

Subscribing to well-curated newsletters is a time-efficient way to stay informed.

These newsletters deliver valuable content on operational strategies, market trends, and thought leadership — right to your inbox. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the most relevant newsletters for current and aspiring operating partners, helping you excel in your role and make better decisions.

What to Look for in an Operating Partner Newsletter

When choosing newsletters, operating partners should prioritize resources that offer practical, actionable insights to enhance their portfolio companies’ performance. Here are some key features to look for:

• Data-Driven Insights: A good newsletter should provide analysis backed by data. Look for content that includes metrics, case studies, and benchmarks to guide operational decisions.
• Operational Strategies: Newsletters that offer proven strategies on optimizing business processes, leadership, and scaling companies are invaluable for operating partners. This helps you stay on top of best practices and emerging trends that can directly improve portfolio performance.
• Market Trends: Staying ahead of shifts in the market is crucial. Newsletters that cover economic changes, industry dynamics, and sector-specific news ensure you can adjust strategies to keep your portfolio companies competitive.

Best Newsletters for Operating Partners

While these newsletters may not be exclusively tailored to operating partners, they cover essential areas like operational strategies, market trends, and growth tactics that are critical for anyone in this role.

Operating partners must be familiar with industry dynamics, innovation, and financial performance, making these newsletters excellent resources for staying informed and excelling in their responsibilities.

1. Prime Unicorn

Quarterly reports that track high-growth startups and unicorns, offering insights into valuation trends and company performance.

Why you should subscribe: Prime Unicorn’s detailed analysis of unicorn companies helps operating partners understand the growth potential of high-performing companies and make data-driven decisions when scaling their portfolio businesses.

2. Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)

A newsletter from one of the most influential VC firms, covering emerging technology trends, innovation, and scaling strategies.

Why you should subscribe: a16z offers deep insights into disruptive technologies and emerging sectors, helping operating partners identify new opportunities and anticipate challenges that could impact their portfolio companies.

3. The Generalist

In-depth analysis of tech companies, business models, and emerging trends, with a focus on thorough, data-backed reporting.

Why you should subscribe: The Generalist’s detailed breakdown of companies and market dynamics offers operating partners valuable insights into strategic decisions that can enhance the growth trajectory of their portfolio companies.

4. First Round Review

A tactical resource offering practical advice for building and scaling startups, focusing on leadership, product development, and operations.

Why you should subscribe: First Round Review provides actionable insights on optimizing team performance and scaling businesses—skills that are crucial for operating partners tasked with driving operational improvements across their portfolio.

5. Pitchbook Daily

A leading resource for data-driven insights on private equity and venture capital markets, including deal flow and funding trends.

Why you should subscribe: Pitchbook Daily provides operating partners with essential market data, helping them make informed decisions on portfolio management and operational strategy, backed by real-time financial analysis.

6. Private Equity International

A newsletter focused on global private equity news, fund performance, and strategic developments within the industry.

Why you should subscribe: PEI keeps operating partners updated on the latest trends and best practices in private equity, enabling them to stay ahead of shifts in the market and optimize portfolio performance.

7. StrictlyVC

A daily newsletter providing concise updates on venture capital, including funding rounds, startup news, and key market developments.

Why you should subscribe: StrictlyVC delivers timely and relevant updates on the competitive startup landscape. For operating partners, understanding the latest market shifts is critical for helping portfolio companies stay ahead of the competition.

8. Visible Weekly

Curated content designed to help startup founders improve investor relations and manage performance metrics for growth.

Why you should subscribe: Visible Weekly offers operating partners practical tips on aligning company performance with investor expectations, making it easier to manage stakeholder relationships and operational outcomes.

9. Allvue Systems

A newsletter offering insights into private equity technology, portfolio management, and operational best practices.

Why you should subscribe: Inside Private Equity delivers actionable content on improving operational efficiency and leveraging technology, making it an essential resource for operating partners focused on driving process improvements in their portfolio companies.

10. NFX

A newsletter specializing in network effects and platform strategies, covering the dynamics of successful marketplaces.

Why you should subscribe: Operating partners will benefit from NFX Signal’s focus on network effects, which are critical for scaling and enhancing the value of platform-based companies within their portfolios.

How These Newsletters Help You Succeed As An Operating Partner

Subscribing to these newsletters can significantly enhance your effectiveness as an operating partner. Here’s how they can help you in key areas:

Scaling Portfolio Companies

These newsletters provide scalable strategies and real-world insights to help drive growth across your portfolio companies. By applying the latest tactics, you can efficiently expand into new markets and improve operations. 

Check out our article on Private Equity Value Creation to learn more about strategies for scaling companies.

Optimizing Operations

With expert advice on streamlining processes and improving team performance, you’ll gain actionable tips to make your companies run more efficiently, boosting operational effectiveness and overall value.

Keeping Ahead of Industry Trends

Stay informed on market shifts and emerging trends to ensure your portfolio companies remain competitive. These newsletters help you adjust strategies quickly in response to changing conditions.

Building Investor Relationships

Slade Kobran, Chief Outsiders’ Managing Partner, said: “Building trust with the CEO and management team is crucial for an operating partner’s success.”  Staying informed about investment trends and market dynamics helps you better manage investor relationships and meet stakeholder expectations, ensuring alignment with performance goals.

Gaining Insights into Technology

Get insights on the latest technology and innovations that can drive operational improvements and give your companies a competitive edge in the marketplace.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of content do operating partner newsletters typically offer?

Operating partner newsletters often cover operational best practices, market trends, case studies, and strategies for scaling companies. They may also feature thought leadership from industry experts, helping operating partners stay ahead of shifts in the market.

How can newsletters help operating partners improve portfolio performance?

By providing data-driven insights and actionable strategies, newsletters help operating partners make better decisions. They offer valuable content on scaling, optimizing operations, and aligning with market trends, all of which can lead to enhanced portfolio performance.

How many newsletters should I subscribe to?

It’s best to start with a few newsletters that align closely with your specific goals and interests. As you get familiar with the content and find value in certain topics, you can expand your subscriptions. This ensures you stay informed without overwhelming your inbox.

How often should I read these newsletters to stay informed?

Consistency is key. By regularly engaging with newsletters, operating partners can stay updated on new strategies, trends, and insights that help them make informed decisions and drive success in their portfolio companies.

Next Steps

To get the most out of these resources, start by subscribing to a few newsletters that align with your specific goals as an operating partner. Whether you’re focused on scaling portfolio companies, optimizing operations, or staying ahead of market trends, these newsletters offer valuable insights tailored to your needs.

According to Raw Selection, the reliance on operating partners continues to grow, with 479 private equity firms now employing a total of 1,553 operating partners. As competition in the space increases, staying informed and up-to-date has never been more critical. Subscribing to newsletters helps you stay ahead of the curve, equipping you with the tools and knowledge to excel in this competitive landscape.

For a deeper dive into operational responsibilities and strategies, be sure to check out our complete guide on Private Equity Operations.