VC University

What is VC University?

VC University is the definitive online course in venture finance. Participants will learn the nuts and bolts of venture and earn a certificate of completion. Course components include lectures, conversations with leading venture capitalists, interactive activities, and networking.

• Self-paced, online course with live virtual office hours, webinars, and alumni network
• 10-week recommended schedule (access to course platform for 5 months)
• Perfect for professionals new to venture capital and practitioners who want to reinforce their understanding of venture fundamentals!

What to Expect

Features

• Course Platform — Leverages UC Berkeley’s online course platform to provide a self-paced learning experience.
• Lunch & Learn Webinars — Monthly live webinars with venture capital thought-leaders.
• Office Hours & Special Live Sessions — Weekly live virtual office hours with instructors, hosted during the first 8-10 weeks of the course, in addition to special sessions hosted by Aumni, PitchBook, Tome, and WilmerHale.
• Complimentary PitchBook access for 3 months.
• Participant and Alumni Network — Gain access to our VC University Slack workspace (for current and past cohorts)

Course Curriculum

The VC University certificate course features 5 modules. Each module consists of a mix of lectures, investor perspectives, exercises, and/or assessments:

• Venture Fund Fundamentals — Explores how venture funds are structured and managed.
• Startup Fundamentals — Covers how venture-backed companies are formed, managed, and funded.
• Venture Deal Fundamentals — Addresses the terms, processes, and structures that drive venture financings.
• Modeling Venture Deals — 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.

Program Dates

Cohort 15 (Feb. 2024)

• Nov. 6: Scholarship application opens
• Nov. 17: Deadline to apply for a scholarship
• Dec. 15: Scholarship recipients notified and response requested
• Dec. 18: General registration opens
• Feb. 5, 2024: Cohort 15 of VC University begins
• Feb. 5 – 9: Sign-up window for the mentorship program
• March 1: Mentorship Eligibility Checkpoint
• March. 22: Course progress check #2 (for mentorship program participants)
• March. 27: Mentee Orientation
• April 1: Mentorship program launches
• April: Month 1 of the mentorship program
• Late April: Scholarship Office Hours begin
• May 1: Course progress check #3 (for mentorship program participants)
• May: Month 2 of the mentorship program
• June: Month 3 of the mentorship program
• July 8, 2024: Cohort 15 concludes

Cohort 16 (June 2024)

• March 11: Scholarship application opens
• March 22: Deadline to apply for a scholarship
• April 12: Scholarship recipients notified and response requested
• April 15: General registration opens
• June 3, 2024: Cohort 16 of VC University begins
• June 28: Cohort 16 mentorship program eligibility checkpoint
• August: Cohort 16 mentorship program begins
• August: Scholarship Office Hours begin
• November 4: Cohort 16 concludes

Scholarship

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

The scholarship application for Cohort 16 (June 2024) is now closed.

Tuition & Discounts

General tuition is $1,850 per participant. General registration for Cohort 16 (June 2024) will open on April 15, 2024. An early bird rate of $1,500 will be available from April 15 through May 17, 2024. 

UC Berkeley alums and NVCA members receive a 20% discount*. Group rates are available. Only one discount may be applied, and codes cannot be retroactively applied. Contact [email protected] for discount codes before registering.

*Discount also applies to the early bird rate.