Venture University (VU) runs a selective Investor Accelerator that combines an academic curriculum with an investment apprenticeship inside VU Venture Partners’ active deal flow. Each cohort lasts 11 weeks and meets five days per week; participants can enroll for one to four back‑to‑back cohorts, extending the experience from three to twelve months  .  Roughly 20 percent of the time is devoted to classroom modules on sourcing, due diligence, valuation, term‑sheet modeling, and portfolio construction; the remaining 80 percent is spent “learning by doing,” as fellows source opportunities, build memos, and sit on investment committees that decide how to allocate real fund capital  .

VU’s cohorts draw a diverse mix of undergraduates, MBAs, PhDs, founders, and career switchers. Acceptance is highly competitive – the program cites a sub‑2 percent admit rate – and every participant must complete pre‑work on market mapping and startup outreach before day one  .  Live instruction is delivered virtually, which lets the accelerator recruit globally while anchoring two optional in‑person sessions in San Francisco and New York for networking with partners, alumni, and portfolio CEOs  .

A defining feature is the Profit Sharing Agreement: graduates receive a carried‑interest share in the future upside of the investments made during their cohort, typically over a ten‑year horizon  .  This aligns incentives and gives fellows a genuine financial stake without requiring them to be accredited investors  .  To date the Investor Accelerator has sourced 180+ deals and has already seen multiple mark‑ups, providing early carry value for alumni  .

Beyond the core accelerator, fellows gain lifetime access to VU’s resource hub, weekly investor salons, and a private Slack with more than 400 alumni who now work at funds such as a16z, SoftBank, Citi Ventures, and Plug and Play  .  Career support is formalised through VU’s VC/PE recruiting service, which shares open roles and makes warm introductions to hiring partners  .  Half of alumni report landing full‑time investing positions within twelve months of graduation  .

Is the program full‑time?

Yes. Fellows commit Monday through Friday for 11 weeks, though work is remote friendly.

Do I need to be an accredited investor?

No. The carry agreement does not require accreditation.  

What percentage of applicants are accepted?

Less than 2 percent of candidates secure a seat each cohort.  

How is carry distributed?

Carry is pooled across the cohort and paid upon portfolio liquidity events.  

Can I attend more than one cohort?

Yes. Participants may join up to four consecutive cohorts, extending the program to 12 months.  

Are travel costs covered?

VU covers optional summit events, but day‑to‑day participation is virtual.

Does the program guarantee a job?

No guarantee, but 50 percent of alumni land VC roles within a year.  

What sectors does VU invest in?

Broadly across fintech, SaaS, consumer, frontier tech, and real estate.

Are scholarships available?

Yes. Need‑based scholarships reduce tuition and are awarded during admissions.  

How do I apply?

Complete the online form, upload a short video, and schedule interviews via Calendly.  

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