Venture Capital for Tech
The Emerging Managers VC Program
Learn the art and science of raising venture funds—for investors, by investors—in just 3 days
UC Berkeley, Silicon Valley, and San Francisco
May 18-20, 9-5 p.m.
$5,700
This program is designed for aspiring venture fund managers seeking a comprehensive, practical education in launching and running a venture fund. Participants will learn from real world investors how to structure their first fund, develop a clear investment thesis, and design a partnership. The program covers the entire arc of the emerging fund managers journey from thesis to portfolio construction, risk management, and diversification, as well as developing LP–GP relationships, pitching, and reaching your first close. Participants will gain skills in negotiating term sheets, adding value post-investment, and planning exits and liquidity events. The program combines theoretical frameworks with real-world case studies and success stories, equipping emerging managers with the knowledge and network to launch and grow their venture careers.
What You Get
Learn how to launch and run your first venture fund. This program guides emerging managers through fund structuring, thesis development, team building, portfolio construction, and LP relations. Gain practical skills in term sheet negotiation, post-investment value creation, and exit strategies — all through real-world case studies and proven success stories. Build the knowledge, network, and confidence to take your first fund from vision to reality.
Gain insights, learn, and be inspired by the best—those who have done it themselves. This program brings together top Silicon Valley VCs, LPs, and practitioners to share their firsthand experiences and strategies for success
Gregory LaBlanc
Faculty Director, UC Berkeley
Gregory La Blanc is a Distinguished Teaching Fellow at Berkeley Haas, Berkeley Law School, and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Berkeley. At Haas, he launched the school's first classes in Data Science and Fintech. The recipient of numerous teaching awards, including the Haas Cheit Award, he teaches classes in finance, law, innovation, strategy, technology, and data. He also hosts a popular podcast called Unsiloed and teaches finance at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford University School of Engineering, and Stanford School of Medicine.
Mahendra Ramsinghani
Faculty Director, Practitioner
Mahendra Ramsinghani is a San Francisco-based venture capitalist, and the founder of Secure Octane, an early stage venture fund with 50+ investments. He brings two decades of investment experience in startups and venture funds. As author of the book "The Business of Venture Capital" (Wiley Finance, 3rd edition) and co-author of "Startup Boards", he brings a blend of practical as well as foundational insights.
Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)
Author: The Secrets of Sandhill Road
New Enterprise Associates (NEA)
M12 - Microsoft's Venture Fund
Arboretum Ventures
Prosperity 7 Ventures
Wing Venture Capital
Titanium Ventures
Top Tier Capital Partners
World Innovation Lab
Industry Ventures
VP - Corporate Development
Zscaler
Mercury Fund
Wipro Ventures
Vertex Ventures
Cortical Ventures
Mayfield
MDSV
Carta
through change?
- Welcome and Introduction:
- Course overview and participant introductions
- Setting expectations and objectives
- Overview: The Business of VC - LPs, GPs, Portfolios and more
- Investment Thesis Development:
- Defining your investment strategy
- Market analysis and sector focus
- Presentation: Case studies
- Portfolio Construction
- Portfolio theory for venture capital
- Reserve management strategies
- Presentation: Case studies of successful early funds
- Fund Formation Fundamentals
- Legal structures and regulatory requirements
- Fund economics and fee structures
- LP Relations and Fundraising
- Building relationships with institutional investors
- Crafting a compelling pitch deck
Professionals seeking to invest via angel networks, SPVs, or their own funds
Corporate Development executives initiating investment activities
Aspiring investors and future fund managers aiming for GP/venture partner roles
Deal attorneys focused on startup and fund transactions
Family offices and institutional LPs exploring venture co-investment
leadership potential
For Individuals
For Groups