VC Lab (Founder Institute)
Accelerator
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VC Lab (Founder Institute)
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Accelerator
VC Lab is a cohort‑based accelerator that equips new and emerging managers with the knowledge, structure and network needed to form and close institutional‑quality venture‑capital funds. Created in 2020 by the founder of the Founder Institute, it has supported more than 350 funds on six continents, collectively targeting over $10 billion in assets under management.
Each cohort lasts roughly 14 weeks and progresses through eight modules that mirror the fund‑formation journey: defining an investment thesis, building an LP funnel, drafting core legal documents, fundraising best practices, portfolio construction, ESG and impact integration, back‑office operations and closing the first capital call. Sessions feature weekly live workshops, small‑group “tribe” meetings, office hours with practising GPs and a library of templates covering LP decks, data rooms and term sheets.
The programme is entirely remote and structured for working professionals. Participants commit about 15–20 hours per week to live sessions, peer reviews and milestone deliverables. The accelerator is fee‑free; instead, graduates sign a Pay‑It‑Forward pledge to contribute 1 percent of their future General‑Partner carry to support the next generation of fund managers.
VC Lab maintains an active alumni community with regional chapters, quarterly LP mixers and a private Slack that shares deal flow, LP introductions and operational playbooks. Top‑performing graduates have gone on to raise funds such as First Cheque Fund I (London), Equator VC Fund I (Nairobi) and Alcove Capital Fund I (São Paulo), each surpassing $20 million in committed capital within 12 months of completing the programme.
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VC Lab’s mission is to professionalise and diversify venture capital by helping thousands of principled, impact‑focused managers launch and close funds that back innovative founders worldwide.
Applications open three to four months before each cohort and remain live for six weeks. Prospective managers complete an online form outlining fund thesis, target size and team, then a brief video interview. Acceptance rates average 5–7 percent, and cohorts are capped at ~250 participants to preserve small‑group interaction.
VC Lab does not pay stipends or salaries. The programme is tuition‑free; the only financial commitment is the Pay‑It‑Forward pledge of 1 percent GP carry, due only after a participant’s fund returns capital.
There are no enrolment fees, software charges or hidden costs. Participants cover their own optional legal expenses if they elect outside counsel; otherwise, all templates and resources are included.
A typical cohort follows this cadence:
Fellows should expect to devote 15–20 hours per week across live workshops (two per week), tribe meetings, milestone assignments and 1‑on‑1 office hours. Workloads peak around major deliverables such as LP deck submission and legal‑document drafting.
All curriculum, workshops and community events are delivered via Zoom, Slack and an online learning portal, allowing fellows to participate from any time zone.
What does the programme cost?
VC Lab is completely free; graduates pledge 1 percent of GP carry to support future cohorts.
How competitive is admission?
Acceptance averages 5–7 percent, with priority for clearly differentiated theses and diverse teams.
Do I need a formed legal entity to apply?
No. Many fellows incorporate their management company during the programme.
Can two partners from the same fund apply?
Yes, but each must submit an individual application and video.
What fund sizes are supported?
Typical target sizes range from $5 million to $100 million.
Does VC Lab invest LP capital?
The accelerator itself does not write LP cheques but facilitates introductions to family offices and institutional LPs.
How much time must I commit?
Plan for 15–20 hours weekly for workshops, tribe meetings and deliverables.
Is the curriculum relevant outside the US?
Yes—content and legal templates cover multiple jurisdictions, and cohorts include managers from 60+ countries.
What happens after graduation?
Alumni keep lifetime access to resources, Slack channels and quarterly LP mixers.
How do I apply?
Complete the online form at vclab.com during an open application window; shortlisted candidates interview via Zoom.
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