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Overview

Rough Draft Ventures is a student-run venture capital fund powered by General Catalyst, designed to support ambitious student founders and train the next generation of venture investors. Founded in 2013, the organization has evolved into one of the largest networks of student entrepreneurs and venture investors across North American universities. The program has recently been reimagined as GC Venture Fellows under General Catalyst's broader platform initiatives.

Investment focus

Rough Draft Ventures aims to democratize venture capital by empowering university students to make investment decisions and support early-stage startups. The program focuses on fostering a community of ambitious student founders who are dedicated to creating lasting positive change.

Program details

Designed for Students, Founders, Scouts, Investors. The program is hybrid. Participation is generally part time.

Who it is for

Eligible applicants are full‑time undergraduate, master’s, MBA, or PhD students at North‑American universities who can commit 5–8 hours weekly during the academic year. RDV encourages applications from women, non‑binary, and under‑represented minority students and places extra weight on demonstrated founder access and community leadership.

Check if you are eligible

Check your eligibility for Rough Draft Ventures Student Fund

Admissions and application

Applications open each March. Candidates submit a résumé, a short essay on founder access, and two startup referrals. Short‑listed applicants complete a 20‑minute Zoom interview with current investors and a General Catalyst partner. Final decisions are released by late April so that new investors can onboard before summer.

Benefits

You gain real deal reps, top‑tier mentorship, and a lifelong peer community.- Scouts write USD 25 000 checks with no personal financial risk and co‑author the official investment memo.- Weekly coaching from General Catalyst partners and RDV alumni on market analysis, GTM strategy, and fundraising.- Exclusive founder‑and‑investor Slack with job leads, co‑invest rights, and sector deep dives.- Access to USD 500 000‑plus in aggregated perks—cloud credits, legal office hours, product‑design sprints.

Timeline

- May–August: Asynchronous onboarding & sourcing fundamentals
- Early September: Fall kickoff retreat (Boston)
- Sept–Dec: Weekly deal calls, first investment sprint
- January: Mid‑year regroup; optional West Coast immersion trip
- Jan–April: Second sourcing sprint; portfolio‑support projects
- Late April: Graduation & handoff to next cohort
‍

What came of it

Fellows and founders have achieved significant success, founding startups valued in the hundreds of millions, launching their own venture funds, and securing roles at leading venture capital firms. Notable portfolio exits include Parade, and alumni have raised substantial capital from top-tier VCs.

How to go about it

  1. Read what it asks for

    Who can apply, how people get in and whether it is open right now.

  2. Have something to show

    Programs pick people whose work they can already point to. Put yours where it can be found.

  3. Apply the way the program asks

    The program has not published how to apply. Terms and dates change. Check the official page before you act.

What it pays

The fellowship is unpaid. Student Investors do not contribute capital, pay fees, or receive carry; the primary benefits are education, network access, and résumé‑level deal experience.‍

Questions about this program

What is Rough Draft Ventures?

A student-run pre-seed fund backed by General Catalyst that invests in startups founded by students or recent graduates.

How much time does the program take?

Roughly 5–8 hours per week during the academic year.

Is the program paid?

No; investors volunteer.

Do I need prior VC experience?

No.

Can international students apply?

Yes—any full-time student at a North-American university may apply regardless of citizenship.

About General Catalyst

General Catalyst

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Investing in transformative technology companies.

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