Silicon Valley Venture Capital
Course Snapshot
3-day venture capital course taking place on the UC Berkeley campus Oct 30 - Nov 1, 2024
- Learn from Berkeley faculty and 15+ industry guest speakers from leading Silicon Valley firms.
- The course will provide a thorough understanding of the entire venture capital cycle —from selecting funds and building investment strategies to orchestrating exits and managing portfolio risks.
- Learn insider strategies and approaches for your firm. Whether you're looking to start your own fund or simply want to understand the leading approaches with venture investing, this course will equip you with the knowledge and insights needed to navigate the competitive landscape of venture capital.
- Who should attend: Professionals wanting to learn to invest, corporate executives initiating corporate venture capital initiatives, investors exploring partner positions, deal attorneys, and family offices considering investment opportunities.
“Entrepreneurs and VCs are not on opposing sides... Rather, we are partners, and once we agree to work together (and even if we don’t), we are on the same side. What we share is a desire to create benign businesses, see them have an impact on and improve the world, and together realize some financial benefit along the way.
We need you. We need your ideas and your guts. We need your companies and your commitment to growth. I hope to shine a light on how VC works and why, in order to create more and better company-building opportunities.”
– Scott Kupor, Managing Director, a16z
Download our Brochure
Launch or advance your career in investing by learning investment strategies from leading Silicon Valley venture capitalists. Join us at Berkeley to master the art of funding and scaling groundbreaking tech innovations.
Key Takeaways
Understand VC Fundamentals
This course demystifies the world of venture investing in early-stage technology startups. Participants will learn fundamental investment skills and be exposed to the entire arc of venture, including fund strategy and building your investment thesis.
Launch Your VC Fund
How do you start a fund? What are the typical fund sizes and structures? What legal concerns should you have? Learn to think like an experienced VC to launch your fund.
Proven Teaching Method & Silicon Valley Ecosystem
Utilizing the award-winning Berkeley Method, the program includes best practices on leadership, mindset, and networking in one of the most robust entrepreneurial ecosystems. Build your network and learn from academic industr y icons.
Curriculum Schedule
Fund Strategy
How do you start a fund? What are the typical fund sizes and structures? What legal concerns should you have? How do you develop an investment thesis?
Investment Team
What kind of partnership structure should you pick? How do decisions get made? How does compensation work? What do the partners do? What do they outsource? How do you recruit talent and assign roles?
Portfolio Construction
How do you decide fund size? How do you decide check size? How do you manage risk?
Understanding Fund /LP-GP Terms
How do you decide fund size? How do you decide check size？ How do you manage risk?
Fundraising- LP Pitch Sessions
What do LPs want? How do they construct portfolios? How do they find you? How do you pitch to them? What makes for a good LP?
Program Faculty
Gregory LaBlanc
Faculty Director, UC Berkeley
Gregory La Blanc is a Distinguished Teaching Fellow at Berkeley Haas, Berkeley Law School, and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Berkeley. At Haas, he launched the school's first classes in Data Science and Fintech. The recipient of numerous teaching awards, including the Haas Cheit Award, he teaches classes in finance, law, innovation, strategy, technology, and data. He also hosts a popular podcast called Unsiloed and teaches finance at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford University School of Engineering, and Stanford School of Medicine.
Mahendra Ramsinghani
Faculty Director, Practitioner
Mahendra Ramsinghani is a San Francisco-based venture capitalist, and the founder of Secure Octane, an early stage venture fund with 50+ investments. He brings two decades of investment experience in startups andventure funds. As author of the book "The Business of Venture Capital" (Wiley Finance, 3rd edition) and co-author of "Startup Boards", he brings a blend of practical as well as foundational insights.
In-Depth Insights: The Art and Science of Venture Capital
Join VC for Tech faculty directors Greg LaBlanc and Mahendra Ramsinghani in a deep dive into the venture capital world. In this exclusive episode of the Unsiloed podcast, they discuss the key attributes of successful VCs, the challenges of predicting market trends, and the crucial metrics that define fund performance. Whether you're new to the field or a seasoned professional, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on what it takes to thrive in venture capital.
Jan Garfinkle
Founder and Managing Partner, Former Chair - National VC Association
Arboretum Ventures
Guest Lecturers from Top Companies
The program will combine lectures, panels, and interactive sessions. In addition to the Faculty Directors and other academic speakers, other presenters include practitioners such as: VCs and entrepreneurs, Deal Attorneys, Investment Bankers, and LPs - Institutional Investors
Your Gateway to Elite Venture Capital Opportunities
Silicon Valley Immersion
Engage directly with the pulse of innovation in Silicon Valley and learn how to invest where startups thrive.
Connect with Top VCs
Build relationships with leading VCs like a16z and M12 Ventures to sharpen your investment approach.
Tailored VC Pathways
Explore your path in VC, whether in angel investing, SPVs, or launching a tech fund.
Who Should Take This Course
- Professionals wanting to learn to invest as an angel, in SPVs, or with aspirations to launch tech-focused venture funds
- Corporate executives initiating corporate venture capital initiatives or eyeing a transition into full-time VC roles
- Investors exploring venture partner or board partner positions
- Attorneys, particularly deal attorneys, looking to deepen their understanding of VC transactions
- Family offices and institutional LPs considering co-investment opportunities in venture capital
Skills you'll gain
Investment Strategy Development
Leadership and Network
Ecosystem Navigation
Where You'll Learn
Nestled within UC Berkeley's College of Engineering, the Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (SCET) embodies the university's spirit of innovation and forward-thinking. As a globally recognized hub for entrepreneurship education and technology innovation, UC Berkeley offers an unparalleled environment for our program on the Business of Venture Capital. Surrounded by the vibrant ecosystem of Silicon Valley, participants will engage with top-tier faculty, industry leaders, and cutting-edge research, gaining invaluable insights into the world of venture capital. Join us at UC Berkeley's Sutardja Center to embark on an enriching journey into the dynamic and ever-evolving realm of venture capital.
How You'll Learn
Utilizing the Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship, the curriculum provides best practices along with an emphasis on leadership, mindset, and networking in one of the most robust entrepreneurial ecosystems in the world.
Hands-on Practice
Engage in interactive case studies, simulations, and live projects to apply venture capital concepts in real-world scenarios. Develop investment strategies, conduct due diligence, and make investment decisions, gaining practical skills crucial for success in the field.
Enhance Leadership
Boost your leadership skills through the Berkeley Method, focusing on experiential learning, self-reflection, and feedback. Learn to make strategic decisions, inspire innovation, and lead with confidence in the venture capital industry.
Networking
Immerse yourself in Silicon Valley's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Connect with UC Berkeley faculty, industry experts, and successful VCs through exclusive events and social gatherings, building a powerful professional network essential for your career in venture capital.
Insights from Berkeley's Innovation Engine
Talk to Our Advisor
- For Individuals: Explore how our our VC for Tech course can accelerate your leadership journey. Schedule a 1:1 consultation with Kristina to discuss your goals and how this program can help you achieve them.
- For Groups: Interested in bringing your team or department? Kristina can help tailor the course experience to meet your company’s specific needs. Book a group session to discuss customized solutions.
Kristina Susac
Executive Advisor
susac@berkeley.edu
