Become a Startup Scout
in
at
Virginia Tech

Join our exciting VC startup scout program and tap into a world of innovation. Benefit from exclusive networking opportunities and gain invaluable exposure to the latest startup trends. Enhance your strategic potential with us.

About

Virginia Tech, a major research-intensive university in the state of Virginia, United States, has a thriving startup and venture capital ecosystem. By fostering an environment of entrepreneurship and innovation, the University has supported various students, faculty, and alumni in their entrepreneurial pursuits.

One of the important initiatives at Virginia Tech is the Apex Systems Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. This program is designed to support Virginia Tech students, faculty, and alumni in their startup and entrepreneurship journeys. It provides resources, programming, mentorship and networking opportunities to help entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses.

Virginia Tech's most successful startups include Ozmo, a tech company founded by alumni of the University. Ozmo specializes in creating software for mobile device support, helping businesses to reduce their support costs. The startup has managed to raise several rounds of funding and serve clients around the world. Another success story is Luna Innovations, a company that specializes in fiber optic sensing, and pharmaceutical nanomedicine. Luna Innovations was co-founded by a Virginia Tech alumnus.

The University also has significant tie-ups with venture capital firms. The VT Investor Network (VTIN) is an angel investor group composed of Virginia Tech alumni, faculty, students, and friends with a shared interest in supporting high-potential startups. The network connects budding entrepreneurs with experienced investors for mentorship and funding opportunities.

Furthermore, the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia, an expansion of Virginia Tech, aims to strengthen the tech talent pipeline and boost the local startup ecosystem. The initiative will bring together hundreds of new graduate students, dozens of new faculty, and numerous partners in a shared pursuit of education and research. In this $1 billion project, graduates will be groomed to create impactful technological advancements.

Virginia Tech is committed to fostering a rich entrepreneurial ecosystem through a blend of education, mentoring, funding, and networking opportunities. This dynamic of the campus has led to the creation of high-tech and high-growth ventures, contributing significantly to the broader startup and venture capital scene.

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?

Are you looking to invest in innovative startups coming out of Virginia Tech? Connect to our dealflow opportunities to get access to the latest ideas and individuals looking for funding.

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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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