VC University

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VC University

VC University Programs

Venture Forward, NVCA, and Startup@BerkeleyLaw launched VC University in 2019 to democratize access to VC education. Join us for an online course and live programs in emerging venture ecosystems.


Scholarships are available by application for new or aspiring VC investors
from historically underrepresented backgrounds.

The Course
Virtual certificate program

VC University is the definitive online course in venture finance.

Course details
VC University Live
In-person program
VC University LIVE is an opportunity to learn about cutting-edge issues in VC and connect with industry leaders across the country.
VC University LIVE Details

The Course

General Description

VC University is the premier certificate course on the fundamentals of venture capital. It is offered three times a year, with the 2023 cohorts starting in February (Cohort 12), June (Cohort 13), and September (Cohort 14).

The course is ideal for early-career investors, entrepreneurs, attorneys, and people seeking a structured introduction to emerging company finance. Course components include lectures, conversations with leading venture capitalists, interactive activities, and networking.

Highlights include:

  • Self-paced, online course with live virtual office hours and webinars
  • 10-week recommended schedule (access to course platform for five months)
  • Lectures by UC Berkeley faculty, practitioners, and industry experts
  • Access to a strong alumni network
  • Certificate awarded upon completion
  • Full scholarships are available to a select number of qualified applicants
The Course

Ways to Participate
Impact
Course Curriculum
Cost & Scholarships
General Timeline
Upcoming Dates

To learn more, sign up for notifications or register, please visit:

VC University

Ways to Participate

Aspiring VCs
  • Sign up for program notifications
  • Register for an upcoming course
  • Apply for a scholarship
VC University website
Current VCs
Volunteer
  • Serve as a VC mentor (any investing experience level)
  • Host office hours
  • Speak at a Lunch & Learn webinar
Contact us
Current VCs
Financially Support
  • Sponsor the scholarship program
  • Sponsor a community event across the country to network with rising VC talent
Contact us

Impact

12

sold-out
Cohorts

2600+

alumni community

97%

net promoter score

380+

full scholarships
awarded

115+

Life Science Scholarship
track recipients

520+

mentorship matches
facilitated

"VC University gave me the tools to understand venture and startup financing in a relatable way. I had empirical knowledge of the process, but zero academic understanding. The legal, technical, and fund nuance info I needed was covered through the course curriculum plus the invaluable office hours and lunch sessions held by top-notch VC’s. They address my real industry questions I couldn’t find in podcasts or books."
Jolynn Vallejo(Cohort 4)
Jolynn Vallejo
"As someone who broke into venture without prior experience in the space, I truly found so much value in VC University to equip me with the foundations needed to get my foot in the door."
Aya Spencer(Cohort 7)
Aya Spencer
"Venture Forward propelled me from ideation to an actual fund through the VC University Scholarship and Mentorship Programs."
Himalaya Rao(Cohort 5)
Himalaya Rao

Course Curriculum

The VC University course consists of five modules. Each module consists of a mix of lectures, investor perspectives, exercises, and/or assessments:
  • Introduction to Venture Funds — Explores how venture funds are structured and managed
  • Startup Fundamentals — Covers how venture-backed companies are formed, managed, and funded
  • Introduction to Venture Deals — Addresses the terms, processes, and structures that drive venture financings
  • Venture Deal Economics — Utilizes case studies and capitalization table exercises to illustrate the economics of venture finance
  • Advanced Topics in Venture Capital — Examines issues like public policy, corporate venture, investor governance, venture capital careers, valuations, and more

Cost and Scholarships

Tuition for VC University is $1,500. Discounts are available for groups, NVCA members, and UC Berkeley alumni (only one discount may be applied). We also offer a limited number of full and partial scholarships to qualified candidates.

The full scholarship program:

  • Covers the cost of course tuition
  • Provides access to a curated three-month mentorship program
  • Offers supplemental office hours
  • Includes public recognition of the award
  • Offers two tracks: a sector-agnostic track and a life science scholarship (LSS) track

Meet our recent scholarship classes!

Previous
Next

General Timeline

VC University is offered three times a year, starting in February, June, and September:

General Registration

Begins 4-6 weeks before course on a first come, first serve basis

Monthly Lunch & Learn Webinars
Weekly Office Hours
February
March
June
July
September
October
Grace Period to complete course and earn certificate
April
May
June
August
September
October
November
December
January
Course Begins
COURSE DESIGNED TO BE
COMPLETED IN 8 WEEKS
COURSE CLOSES
AFTER 5 MONTHS
(Visit the scholarship page for a timeline of important scholarship program dates.)

Upcoming Dates

Scholarship application opens
Deadline to apply for a scholarship
Scholarship decisions announced
General registration opens
Course begins
Mentorship Program begins for scholarship recipients
Course closes
Cohort 12
February 2023
November 7, 2022
November 18, 2022
December 9, 2022
December 12, 2022
February 1, 2023
April 3, 2023
June 30, 2023
Cohort 13
June 2023
March 13, 2023
March 24, 2023
April 14, 2023
April 17, 2023
June 1, 2023
August 1, 2023
October 31, 2023
Scholarship application opens
Cohort 12
November 7, 2022
Cohort 13
March 13, 2023
Deadline to apply for a scholarship
Cohort 12
November 18, 2022
Cohort 13
March 24, 2023
Scholarship decisions accounted
Cohort 12
December 9, 2022
Cohort 13
April 14, 2023
General registration opens
Cohort 12
December 12, 2022
Cohort 13
April 17, 2023
Course begins
Cohort 12
February 1, 2023
Cohort 13
June 1, 2023
Mentorship Program begins for scholarship recipients
Cohort 12
April 3, 2023
Cohort 13
August 1, 2023
Course closes
Cohort 12
June 30, 2023
Cohort 13
October 31, 2023

Visit the VC University website to learn more, sign up for notifications, apply for a scholarship, or register for the course.

VC University LIVE

General Description

VC University LIVE is a three-day, in-person certificate program
held in partnership with universities in emerging VC ecosystems across the country. At this time, the next VC University LIVE dates have not been announced.

This program is ideal for anyone interested in sharpening their venture finance skills and building their professional network, including investors, entrepreneurs, attorneys, and more. The LIVE program may be particularly relevant to those with a connection to the host region, but it will provide value to anyone interested in VC.

VC University LIVE features:

  • Live lectures and interviews with leading local VCs, university faculty, industry leaders, and experts
  • Interactive activities to support understanding and practice foundational skills
  • Access to networking opportunities, alumni network, and Slack workspace
  • Certificate awarded upon course completion
  • Full scholarships are available to a select number of qualified applicants
Coming Up:
At this time, the next VC University LIVE dates have not been announced.
To learn more, sign up for notifications, or register for a VC University LIVE program, please visit:
VC University LIVE

Ways to Participate

Aspiring VCs
  • Sign up for program notifications
  • Register for an upcoming course
  • Apply for a scholarship
VC University LIVE
Current VCs
Volunteer and Network
  • Speak on a panel
  • Present a case study
  • Network with local and coastal VC leaders
  • Engage with aspiring investors and rising VC talent
Contact us
Current VCs
Financially Support
  • Sponsor the scholarship program
  • Sponsor a lunch, dinner, or reception during the event
Contact us

Impact

4

programs hosted across the country:
University of Michigan, Tulane, SMU, and UNC at Chapel Hill

287
participants served
59
full scholarships awarded
"I earned a scholarship to attend (VC University LIVE), because of the opportunity granted by Venture Forward, and I was able to meet lifelong peers, connect with the speakers, make my voice heard in discussion rooms, and learn from industry leaders."
Allison MurdockID Ventures
Allison Murdock
"VC University LIVE is an excellent foundational introduction to the world of VC. Led by world-class VCs, instructors, and founders, the course strikes the right balance between practical and theoretical to demystify the industry."
Richard DelgadoVanguard Venture Group
Richard Delgado

Visit the VC University LIVE website to learn more, sign up for notifications, apply for a scholarship, or register for the program.

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