Become a Startup Scout
in
at
University of Pennsylvania

Join University of Pennsylvania's VC Startup Scouts and help identify the next great innovation. Connect with the local tech ecosystem, network with fellow startup enthusiasts, and make a difference in the startup world.

About

The University of Pennsylvania has a thriving startup and venture capital ecosystem. The university’s Wharton School boasts some of the top minds in business and finance, and the academic environment of the school provides students with the necessary skills and resources to pursue their own entrepreneurial endeavors. One example of an entrepreneurial success story from the University of Pennsylvania is Eric Lefkofsky, who founded Groupon after graduating from the Wharton School in 1999. In addition, the school's business incubator, the Pennovation Center, is a hub of activity for student-led startups and provides resources and mentorship to budding entrepreneurs.

The university is also home to several acclaimed student-run venture capital funds, such as the Wharton Venture Initiative and the Penn Venture Capital Club. These funds provide students with hands-on experience in the venture capital process and allow them to invest in promising startup companies. Furthermore, the university has a dedicated Center for Technology Transfer, which helps student and faculty entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of commercializing their inventions. Through the center, the University of Pennsylvania also helps entrepreneurs to connect with potential investors and mentors.

The University of Pennsylvania also offers a range of entrepreneurship courses and programs, such as the Wharton Entrepreneurship Program and the Wharton Undergraduate Entrepreneurial Program. These programs provide students with the necessary knowledge and experience to launch their own businesses. In addition, the school's Pennovation Works program provides resources, connections, and mentorship to students and faculty members interested in launching new ventures.

The University of Pennsylvania's thriving startup and venture capital ecosystem has produced a number of successful startups, such as Warby Parker, Etsy, and TaskRabbit. These startups have gone on to become billion-dollar companies, and their successes serve as an inspiration to the university's current and future entrepreneurs. The university's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and providing resources for student and faculty entrepreneurs has made it a leading institution for innovation and venture capital.

As a Scout, You Can...

Kickstart Your Venture Capital Career

Showing your skills in picking successful startups and advising founders is the surest way to build your reputation and secure a venture capital role.

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Help Your Ecosystem Thrive

Your community, region, or group thrives when its founders are given the chance to succeed before going back and reinvesting in their comunities.

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Earn a Share in Startups Without Investing in Them

Earn a share in startups you scout without the funds to invest directly just like a VC partner.

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Monetise Your Content & Community

As a podcaster, community manager, or event organiser you have a front-row seat to interesting startups which you can monetise by helping them fundraise.

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Create a Fairer Society

By identifying under-represented founders you're level the playing field for anyone to success based on merit independent from their social or ethnic background.

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Help Friends Get Funded

Help your friends who are neck-deep in their startups get the funding they need to succeed.

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Grow Your Personal Brand

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Join as a Scout at Your University

Available Programs

Startup Investor?

Connect with University of Pennsylvania (University) to explore dealflow opportunities from startups, individuals, and innovations. Enjoy direct access to the latest ideas and business opportunities.

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Scout Programs in Other Global Startup Hubs

Podcaster

Do you interview founders & startups? Take your conversation insights to the next level by scouting your favourite podcast guests.

Scout founders you interview →

Co-Working Space Organiser

Do you help run a co-working space as an organiser or a greeter? Do you come across interesting entrepreneurs and startups?

Scout startups you sit next to→

Event Organiser

Do you organise an event, conference, or trade show? Help your founder attendees get discovered.

Scout startups at your event →

Student

Are you active in the entrepreneurship club at your college? Doing an MBA? Or are you a PHD student at a technical university? Help your fellow students get funded.

Scout startups at your university →

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