Breaking Into Venture Capital: A Starter Class for Women

Since the 1960s, venture capital (VC) has underpinned novel technologies and new industries, such as computers, the internet and artificial intelligence. Since 1980, 40% of companies that have had an initial public offering on U.S. stock exchanges were backed by VC.

VC is part of the private equity asset class that is high risk-high return. Due to its high risk, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) limits advertising and participation to high net worth individuals, institutions and corporations. This has made VC an exclusive, invitation-only industry that has largely overlooked women and minorities.

Breaking Into Venture Capital covers the fundamentals of venture capital—what it is, why it’s important, how it works, and why people invest. You’ll discover where VCs find startups to invest in, how they generate returns, and practical ways you can break into the industry—as a general partner (VC firm manager), limited partner (investor), founder, fractional talent, or service provider.

The class is taught by Hillary Talbot, Managing Partner at être Venture Capital, and was developed with her partner, Jenny Kuan, PhD, a professor of economics and entrepreneurship at the College of Business at California State University Monterey Bay.

The class is held on the first Wednesday of the month. Each session lasts 1 hour over lunch (12pm – 1pm PST) on Zoom and is free. The intimate class size allows women to meet one another and form a support network. Students may enjoy their lunch during class. Sign up using the form.

Women should take this class if they are:

• Curious about venture capital
• Considering investing as a limited partner in a venture capital fund
• Working in tech, consult, or are exploring a career in finance
• Launching a high-growth business