HBCUvc VC Boot Camp Recap
Only one percent of venture capitalists are Latinx and three percent are Black.
With these concerning statistics as a back thought, the HBCUvc team produced their recent summer Venture Capital Boot Camps. The half-day, invitation-only events brought together an impressive, diverse group of undergrad and graduate students in New York and Oakland. Students attending the boot camps received onsite mentorship, and an opportunity to expand both their venture capital knowledge and network. “This is a great initiative, something that can be taken globally,” said one student. We love to hear our guests dream big for us!
Our New York event, hosted by Two Sigma Ventures, included sessions on career pathways to venture capital, building effective relationships, and the future of AI. Featured speakers and guest mentors included Chris Fralic (First Round Capital), Estella Hernandez (Arrowhead Innovation Fund), Adaora Udoji (NYU), Alessandro Piol (AlphaPrime), Lindsay Avagliano (Prolog Ventures), and Chris Wallace (Greycroft).
Our Oakland Venture Capital Boot Camp, hosted by Kapor Capital, also featured inspiring talks and activities, including an interactive investment analysis where students discussed the pros and cons of investing in a selected company. The event finished off with a conversation between investors and their portfolio founders who discussed their investment journey and due diligence process from both perspectives. Oakland guest speakers and mentors included Austin Clements (TenOneTen), Sky Kelley (Avisare), Marlon Nichols (Cross Culture Ventures), Chris Bennett (Wonderschool), Megan Holston-Alexander (Unusual Ventures), and Lo Toney (Plexo Capital). And while our students always come first, VCs who were seeking to connect with future peers were at the right event.
View Photos From the Boot Camps:
Thank you to our sponsors, hosts, speakers, and mentors.
Sponsors & Partners
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Surdna Foundation
Two Sigma Ventures
Kapor Capital
Carter Family Charitable Fund
Speakers
Carolina Huaranca
Austin Clements
Sky Kelley
Megan Holston-Alexander
Marlon Nichols
Chris Bennett
Alejandro Alba
Ramphis Castro
Thomas Darden
Chris Fralic
Estela Hernandez
Fadzi Makanda
Alessandro Piol
Adaora Udoji
Guest Mentors
Kora-Lynah Abelard
Lo Toney
Suzy Ryoo
Monique Woodard
Charles Hudson
Ulili Onovakpuri
Kirby Harris
Ivan Alo
Lindsay Avagliano
Kiel Berry
Patrice Gamble
Jonathan Jackson
Mark Lee
LaDante McMillon
Lisa Morales-Hellebo
Glenford Patterson
Jason Torres
Maria Vazquez
Devin Voorsanger
Chris Wallace
Ying Zhou
