Black Venture Institute

Black Venture Institute (BVI), co-developed by Berkeley Haas School of Business and BLCK VC in partnership with Operator Collective and Salesforce Ventures, is a curriculum-based program designed to democratize venture capital knowledge and networks for Black operators and executives. The program teaches foundational venture capital principles with the goal of creating more inclusive venture investing and providing pathways for Black founders to build wealth.

The 10-day program meets for four hours daily (2:00 PM to 5:00 PM PST / 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST), with pre-readings assigned for each day. The curriculum covers financing mechanics, sourcing strategies, diligence methodologies, and corporate governance principles. Participants learn from top industry minds, business leaders, and UC Berkeley professors who bring real-world venture capital expertise to the classroom.

The program's mission explicitly focuses on providing Black operators, executives, and founders with the tools needed to become angel investors, scout investors, and venture capitalists themselves, thereby accelerating innovation and opportunity in underrepresented communities.