Venture Capital
for Tech
Step into the complex, fascinating and challenging world of venture capital, where innovation marries investment, and risks are just the beginning of the journey. Venture Capital for Tech-a realm where audacious dreams meet calculated gambles. If you are excited at the prospect of investing in and shaping tomorrow's disruptive enterprises, this course is for you.
Investors, corporate executives, fund managers, analysts, attorneys, family offices, institutional LPs
Insights from Berkeley's Innovation Engine
#1
university with most venture-backed startups
#3
engineering school in the U.S.
#1
public university
1604
startup founders
What We'll Cover
- Entire arc of venture
We traverse the realms of how institutional investors pick venture funds, building an investment thesis, portfolio risk orchestration, and triumphant exits (or epic disasters). - Firsthand stories from industry leaders
We will hear from entrepreneurs who dared, venture capitalists who defied, and failures that forged success-unicorns and decacorns will all converge in this classroom, whether physical or virtual. - Practical applications
We will work on conducting due diligence, portfolio construction, board meetings, and exit negotiations. During the 3-day program, this course will present frameworks combining decades of experience in venture capital.
Who Should Take This Course
- Professionals with aspirations of launching 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
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?
Venture-backed startups represent 75% of the S&P 500's market capitalization. Be part of the next wave of innovation disruption.
Who You'll Learn From
Greg La Blanc, 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 an author of the book "The Business of Venture Capital" (Wiley Finance, 3rd edition), he brings a blend of practical as well as foundational insights.
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
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.
Enroll Now
Seats are first come, first served.
Register now to save your spot.
Contact Us
Kristina Susac
Partner Success Officer
susac@berkeley.edu
