Contrary’s Venture Partner Program is the firm’s flagship campus‑scout initiative, created in 2016 to place a small, hand‑picked group of student operators at the centre of its deal‑sourcing engine. Each academic year, Contrary selects roughly 70 Venture Partners (VPs) from more than 2 000 applicants across 40+ North‑American universities. VPs act as the firm’s “eyes and ears” on campus: they meet founders early, host tech events, share diligence notes and sit in on partner calls that shape investment decisions in cheques of up to $5 million.

The experience is deliberately immersive rather than classroom‑based. VPs shadow the full investment lifecycle—from initial coffee chat to term‑sheet negotiation—and are invited to weekly virtual briefings with Contrary’s partners, fireside chats with portfolio CEOs and an annual in‑person summit in San Francisco. The role lasts until graduation, but alumni keep lifetime access to Contrary’s talent network, job board and founder community. Most go on to launch venture‑backed startups (Zepto, Ramp, Hallow) or join tier‑one funds armed with practical experience that outstrips typical analyst tracks.

Contrary positions the program as a two‑way talent pipeline: VPs unlock unparalleled exposure to venture, and the firm gains proprietary, on‑the‑ground insight into the next generation of entrepreneurs. With eight cohorts completed, the model has surfaced hundreds of deals and sits at the heart of Contrary’s reputation as a “talent‑first” investor.

A venture fund backed by the founders of Tesla, Reddit, and other iconic companies that identifies and invests in top early-career talent.

What does a Venture Partner do?

Identify promising founders on campus, support them, and funnel top opportunities to Contrary’s investment team.

How time‑intensive is the role?

Expect 5–10 hours per week during the semester for sourcing, events and calls.

Is the program paid?

No. The upside is experiential—network, mentorship and a fast track to future funding.

Do VPs get carry?

Contrary does not grant carry, but alumni who found companies often secure capital from the fund on preferential terms.

Can international students apply?

Yes, provided they are enrolled at a U.S. or Canadian university.

What majors succeed in the program?

Past VPs span CS, business, design, biology and more; the common trait is builder mindset.

How competitive is admission?

Roughly 3 percent of applicants earn an offer each year.

What happens after graduation?

Graduates join the lifelong Contrary community and can stay involved as alumni mentors or future founders.

Does Contrary cover event costs?

Yes—VPs receive discretionary budgets for meet‑ups, demo days and hackathons.

Can first‑year students apply?

Yes, but the team prefers candidates with at least one full academic year remaining.