VC in Residence Program
Fellowship
Discover how to join
VC in Residence Program
including requirements, application process, and compensation and explore other programs to join!
Fellowship
LvlUp Ventures created the VC in Residence (VIR) Program to open its deal‑sourcing engine to a broader set of founders, operators and aspiring investors. The three‑tier structure, Venture Scouts, Venture Fellows and Associate Venture Partners, offers progressive levels of responsibility and rewards.
Participants curate startups from their own networks, feed them into LvlUp’s central pipeline and track progress on a proprietary dashboard.
When a referred company receives investment from LvlUp or any of its 10+ funding partners (including Expert Dojo, Outlander VC and Santa Barbara Venture Partners), the scout earns either a cash finder’s fee or carried‑interest equity in the SPV. Beyond deal flow, VIRs access weekly workshops, founder office‑hours and a Slack‑based peer group spread across six continents.
More than 2 000 scouts are active today, helping LvlUp back 500 startups per year while building their own portfolios and reputations.
Join the Superscout community!
🌍 Meet other scouts globally.
👀 Get first dibs on new scout programs and VC openings.
✨ Get feedback and investor recommendations for your deal memos.
✌️ Learn and grow together as a community!
Evaluators score applicants on sourcing reach, domain insight, willingness to support founders post‑investment and alignment with LvlUp’s diversity‑forward mission.
A documented track record of community building or angel activity is advantageous but not mandatory.
VIRs choose a reward structure on a deal‑by‑deal basis. If LvlUp or a partner fund invests, the scout can take (a) a cash success fee paid out of the SPV admin budget or (b) carried‑interest equity, typically 0.5 %–1.0 % of the GP’s economics.
Scouts who meet activity thresholds (Super Scout status) earn an additional 0.5 % carry bump. Compensation terms are detailed in the public Scout Playbook and reiterated in the referral agreement before each deal closes.
The program charges no membership dues, tuition or software fees. Scouts incur costs only when they opt to invest personal capital alongside a deal; otherwise participation is entirely free, making the pathway accessible to students and operators worldwide.
Mainstream and trade outlets are beginning to spotlight LvlUp’s community‑centric model. Mission Matters profiled Managing Partner Brandon Maier, noting that VIR participants “receive carried‑interest equity on the deals they’ve submitted” and describing the structure as “a new on‑ramp to venture careers.”
Forbes referenced the NextUp accelerator as “a Forbes‑recognized top‑25 global accelerator” when announcing a cohort company. The constant deal pace and inclusive scout path have also been highlighted across LinkedIn’s venture community feeds.
What does a VC in Residence actually do?
Scouts, Fellows and Associate Partners source startups, share diligence and help close deals with LvlUp or its funding partners.
Is the program paid?
There are no fees; scouts only earn when the firms invest, choosing cash or carry on each deal.
How much time should I commit?
Expect 3–5 hours per week to identify leads, attend calls and engage with the community.
Do I need prior venture experience?
No. Training workshops and the playbook cover sourcing, evaluation and referral mechanics.
Can I switch from cash to equity compensation later?
Yes—reward type is selected per deal and can change as your risk tolerance evolves.
What qualifies as a ‘deal referral’?
A warm introduction to a founding team plus a one‑pager or deck that meets LvlUp’s basic diligence checklist.
What happens if none of my referrals get funded?
You retain community access and can keep sourcing; performance reviews occur quarterly.
Is the program global?
Yes—VIRs operate across six continents with regional Slack groups and virtual events.
Are there minimum referral quotas?
Venture Scouts submit one deal per quarter; Super Scouts one per month.
How do I become an Associate Venture Partner?
Maintain high‑quality referral volume and assist with diligence to be invited into the AVP tier.
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