Venture Capital Events Offer Educational Opportunities for Undergraduates

While many universities offer business plan competitions and programs in entrepreneurship and commercialization, fewer opportunities are available to learn about the capital side of the equation. Last week, however, two major conferences invited students to learn more about venture capital (VC) investment and emerging trends in the venture industry.

 

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania's student-run Private Equity & Venture Capital Conference hosted a day of discussions about developments in the venture capital field. More than 900 industry leaders, alumni, faculty and students met for the 14th annual conference to discuss changes in legislation and the regulatory environment for venture investors and the expanding global-orientation of investment.

 

Students were able to meet and talk with national and local venture professionals and to learn about how venture firms respond to change. The conference included panels on how federal and state governance can affect the competitiveness of U.S. private capital and on how capital firms can thrive despite downturns in the overall economy.

 

Find out more about the conference, including speakers and descriptions of panels, at: http://www.whartonpeconference.org

 

Simultaneously in Utah, 20 universities participated in the fifth annual University Venture Summit sponsored by the student-run University Venture Fund. The three-day event, which claims to be the largest undergraduate-produced private equity conference, gives students access to experienced investors and entrepreneurs to discuss the ideas and trends that are driving the industry.

 

The fund itself is managed by undergraduate and graduate students who work with experienced mentors to perform due diligence, evaluate technology, review business plans and make informed decisions about investments. Students also have been responsible for the organization's fundraising activities and have generated more than $18 million since its launch. The group has generally targeted student-run businesses for investment.

 

Many universities offer business plan competitions and pre-seed-stage funding for student entrepreneurs that involve students in the selection process to help educate them about the industry. The Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina, for example, recently organized a competition that allows undergraduate students to gain experience both pitching and selecting venture investments. First, teams of students act as venture capitalists, hearing presentations from local entrepreneurs and conducting due diligence on potential deals. Then, the teams advocate for the deals they believe will make for high-quality investments to a panel of experienced venture investors.

 

Students compete for cash prizes, awarded by the VC judges, while learning about the investment process and even drawing up term sheets for their investments. The two-day event also allows students to make connections in the VC community, which could help them find jobs and remain in North Carolina after graduation.

 

Find out more about the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School Undergraduate Venture Capital Investment Competition at: http://www.kenaninstitute.unc.edu