Jan 4, 2022
DEI series (Part 3-ii of 4)- Resources for BIPOC/Veteran/Disabled/Immigrant/Returning Citizen: Aspiring VCs
Intro to the series:
The purpose of this series is to highlight programs/investors to improve diversity within the PE/VC space at all stages of a VC’s career ranging from support when starting their own fund to support at the start of their careers. This part is focused on resources for females. Part 1 was focused on resources for emerging managers, Part 2 was focused on females. I am having to cut Part 3 into three sections, so Managers, and Aspiring VCs will have their own section. Part 4 (this is also going to be cut into pieces) will be my commentary and observations on the state of diversity in the VC/PE space and where the community as a whole can improve.
Background:
Goal of this article is to highlight numerous resources for Black/Latinx/Indigenous/Veteran/Disabled/Immigrant/Age-specific aspiring VCs. The intention of this post is to highlight specific PAID VC/PE internship/fellowship programs geared towards creating a pipeline of diverse talent.
Please click on the name of the resource to see the page related to their VC program/criteria, let me know if any information is inaccurate or outdated.
Strategies for Underrepresented aspiring VCs in general:
See existing material from David Teten here: https://teten.com/onboarding-new-private-equity-venture-capital-analysts-and-associates/
- Learn as much as you can about VC. As a start, you can take the venture deals course as minimum (they normally offer a spring and fall session).
- Find VC who shares the same diverse background as yourself.
- Reach out to them and ask if you can intern. Students are generally the ones getting the most attention for taking this approach, but I have seen seasoned LPs do this with their portfolio funds as well.
- When crafting your message it should be something like the following:
Love note: you tell them why they are the best VC in the world and perfect for you.
Value add: you talk about where you can add value in terms of any of: sourcing, due diligence, portfolio support, or research for investment theses. - You followup in a week (show them that your approach is real).
Resources for Underrepresented aspiring VCs:
These fellowships/internships should be paid. If they are not, let me know they will be promptly removed.
Impact Capital Mosaic Fellowship: targets students, last year 19 fellows were placed in 17 funds.
Raven Capital Partners (Canada): will sometimes hold a fellowship
Resources for Black aspiring VCs:
These fellowships/internships should be paid. If they are not, let me know they will be promptly removed.
Black Venture Capital Consortium: offers internships that should pay up to $14K for interns and up to $70K for fellows.
BLCK VC’s NYC Path Program: Not sure if paid or not.
HBCUVC Fellowship: connecting students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities to VC opportunities (examples include Intel Capital).
Resources for Indigenous aspiring VCs:
These fellowships/internships should be paid. If they are not, let me know they will be promptly removed.
Go knock on the doors of: Relevance Ventures, Native American Venture Fund, Raven Capital Partners and ask them if you can intern. These firms advertise that they invest in the Indigenous community. I am certain they will be willing to invest in you (as the future of your community).
Resources for LatinX aspiring VCs:
These fellowships/internships should be paid. If they are not, let me know they will be promptly removed.
LatinX VC Fellowship: Have between 2–7 years of full-time experience and are interested in VC.
Mendoza Ventures MBA Fellowship: internship geared towards underrepresented groups in the US.
Resources for AAPI aspiring VCs:
These fellowships/internships should be paid. If they are not, let me know they will be promptly removed.
~~~~~ Nothing at this time :( . Happy to be proven wrong.
Resources for Veteran aspiring VCs:
These fellowships/internships should be paid. If they are not, let me know they will be promptly removed.
Defense Ventures Fellowship: 8 week fellowship designed to help former/current military immerse themselves into VC/tech.
Trusted Capital Innovation Tours: collaboration between VC/PE firms and the DoD’s Trusted Capital program.
Resources for Disabled aspiring VCs:
These fellowships/internships should be paid. If they are not, let me know they will be promptly removed.
~~~~~ Nothing at this time :( . Happy to be proven wrong.
Resources for Immigrant aspiring VCs:
These fellowships/internships should be paid. If they are not, let me know they will be promptly removed.
Unshackled Ventures offers a fellowship.
Resources for Older aspiring VCs:
These fellowships/internships should be paid. If they are not, let me know they will be promptly removed.
~~~~~ Nothing at this time :( . Happy to be proven wrong.
Resources for Returning Citizen aspiring VCs:
These fellowships/internships should be paid. If they are not, let me know they will be promptly removed.
~~~~~ Nothing at this time :( . Happy to be proven wrong.
