>> Negligence doesn't make sense because it was the VCs own money
Almost definitionally, VCs are investing someone else's money (the people providing the capital are called the "limited partners" (LPs); the VCs who raise and invest the money are "general partners" (GPs).) The LPs are often pension funds, university endowments, and charitable organizations.
Yes, GPs do typically have a capital contribution requirement, but it's generally in the area of 1% of the fund, so the vast majority of what VCs are investing is other people's money, for which they definitely have fiduciary responsibility.
Almost definitionally, VCs are investing someone else's money (the people providing the capital are called the "limited partners" (LPs); the VCs who raise and invest the money are "general partners" (GPs).) The LPs are often pension funds, university endowments, and charitable organizations.
Yes, GPs do typically have a capital contribution requirement, but it's generally in the area of 1% of the fund, so the vast majority of what VCs are investing is other people's money, for which they definitely have fiduciary responsibility.