BC grad students prepare for VCIC
Many thanks to Radio Entrepreneurs for inviting me back on their show to everyone on the students’ preparation for the Venture Capital Investment Competition.
The 14-minute audio link is below (and a video snippet above). Good background on the course and why this year’s grad students are working so hard in preparing for the February Regional Competition. We truly wish them the best of luck.
From left to right, Parul Sharma (full time MBA), Christine Grascia (evening MBA / MSF), Daniel Lavoie (full time MBA) [alternate], Brian Spurr (evening MBA), Emmett Shipman (full time MBA), and Shalabh Gupta (MSF)
The Venture Capital Investment Competition® began in the middle of the technology bubble in 1998 as an educational event for MBAs to learn about venture funding. Now in its 18th year, through good times and bad in the venture industry, VCIC® has evolved into a marketplace for entrepreneurs seeking investors and a training ground for future venture capitalists. In 2010, VCIC included 50 events in four continents, and served 1,000 students, 150 venture capitalists and 100 entrepreneurs. The program is akin to a network of mini-venture fairs, wherein about a quarter of the entrepreneurs who present go on to raise venture funding.
At the core of the event is a creative turn of the tables. Unlike business plan competitions in which students pitch their own ideas to investors, at VCIC the students are the investors, and real entrepreneurs pitch to them. It is a very powerful learning experience for both parties. Add to the mix a dozen VC judges, and you have what the VCIC website describes as a “win-win-win.” Students learn (and win cash), entrepreneurs connect with investors and VCs get an early peek at some viable deals.
