Leland+ Content Library

VC 101 - How Venture Capital Actually Works

Curious about how venture capital really works? We'll be venture capital for founders who've never raised before - understanding the VC business model, fund economics, decision-making process, and what VCs actually look for in early-stage investments to best understand how to 1) target VCs and 2) obtain term sheets. As a Stanford entrepreneurship instructor and founder of Stanford’s Education Entrepreneurship Hub, I bring a wealth of experience in guiding first-time founders through the complexities of launching and scaling their ventures. With a background in founding a global SaaS product and investing in the future of work, I offer a 360-degree perspective on entrepreneurship. Whether you're looking to refine your pitch or understand the nuances of venture capital, this event is your chance to gain valuable insights. Space is limited, so RSVP now to secure your spot!

Final Push: Perfecting Your Master’s Application Before the Deadline

The deadline is almost here—make sure your Master’s application is truly ready. In this session, expert Leland coaches will walk you through the final checks that matter most, from tightening your narrative to eliminating subtle weaknesses that could cost you an admit. You’ll leave with a clear, prioritized plan to submit a polished, compelling application with confidence.

Making Your Grad School Application Memorable

In a crowded applicant pool, strong credentials are not enough to stand out. In this session, you’ll learn how to craft a compelling, cohesive application that clearly communicates your story, goals, and fit beyond test scores and GPAs. We’ll break down what admissions committees actually remember, how to connect your essays, resume, and recommendations into a unified narrative, and the common mistakes that cause applications to blend in. You’ll leave with practical strategies to make your graduate school application distinctive, authentic, and impactful.

Is a U.S. Degree Still Worth It? Hear from Recent F-1 Grads & BigTech Hiring Managers

​With a turbulent U.S. political climate, difficult economic conditions, and the rise of global multipolarity, many applicants are asking: Is a U.S. degree still worth it? ​Recent U.S. visa policy updates have added new layers of complexity to the decision, leaving international students and early-career professionals weighing the risks and rewards of moving to the US more carefully than ever. ​In this panel moderated by Soundarya (Author of Unshackled, O-1 recipient, Columbia MS'19), you’ll hear from Angela C. (recent O-1 recipient, Stanford MIP '23), David H. (Former Recruiter @ Meta, Intuit & A16Z), and Madhuri M. (recent green card recipient, former Product Hiring Manager @ Adobe) who have hired, coached, and worked with with dozens of international applicants. They’ll share candid perspectives on how U.S. employers view international candidates, what still pays off, what may be shifting, and how to think about long-term career security in light of today’s environment. ​You’ll leave with a grounded understanding of both the opportunities and the risks of studying in order to work in the U.S., so you can make an informed decision about whether pursuing a U.S. degree aligns with your future goals.

The How Might We Framework for Reframing Problems

Learn what makes a great "How Might We" statement (broad enough for creativity, narrow enough to be actionable, outcome-focused), see examples from Notion and Loom showing insight-to-HMW transformation, and get tips for writing HMWs that inspire your team.

Jobs to Be Done Framework Reference Guide with Multi-Industry Examples

Reference guide covering the JTBD formula, real-world examples across B2B and B2C companies (Spotify, Peloton, Slack, HubSpot, Figma, and more), and quick tips for applying JTBD thinking to your startup. Use this to understand the framework deeply and see how different companies address different jobs for different customer segments.

How Might We Framework Summary Guide

Reference covering what HMW is, how to write HMW statements step-by-step, good vs. bad examples with explanations, common mistakes to avoid (prescribing solutions, being too vague, ignoring research), insights for creating your own HMWs, and validation checklist. Use this to turn each key insight into 2-3 different HMW framings and select the most inspiring ones.

How Might We Examples: 12 Companies Across B2B & B2C Industries

Comprehensive examples guide showing Meh → Better → Best HMW progression for 12 real companies across diverse industries: EdTech (Udemy), Personal Finance (Mint), Wellness (Headspace), Food Delivery (DoorDash), Fitness (Peloton), Collaboration (Slack), Sales (HubSpot), Recruiting (Lever), Analytics (Mixpanel), Customer Success (Zendesk), DevOps (GitHub), and Finance (Brex). Each example includes the customer insight, three HMW versions with explanations of why each works or doesn't, and industry-specific patterns.

GSB Admit - What Matters Most Essay Example

What Matters Most Essay Example - exploring family history, career, and future ambitions at GSB

Didn’t Land an MBB Offer? Here’s What to Do Next

Not landing an MBB offer isn’t the end of your consulting journey—it’s the start of your next opportunity. In this workshop, Angela C.—a Stanford instructor, venture coach, and former Deloitte Senior Consultant—will share how to turn a setback into a launchpad for success. ​With experience coaching founders, high-achieving professionals, and aspiring consultants, Angela will walk you through practical next steps to strengthen your profile, explore adjacent roles, and strategically position yourself for future cycles or alternative paths in consulting, startups, or venture capital. You’ll leave with clarity, confidence, and an actionable plan to move forward.

Score Your Shot - M7 MBA Candidate Profile Evaluation

Evaluate your M7 MBA competitiveness with this comprehensive scoring rubric. Discover your true standing across 6 dimensions.

Bootstrapping Versus Fundraising for Startup Founders

One of the biggest decisions every founder faces is how to fund their startup—should you bootstrap or raise capital? In this workshop, Angela C.—a Stanford entrepreneurship instructor and founder of Stanford’s Education Entrepreneurship Hub—will walk you through the pros and cons of each approach and how to determine what’s right for your business. ​Having bootstrapped her own SaaS startup to users in 80+ countries and coached hundreds of first-time founders, Angela will share frameworks for evaluating funding strategies, building sustainable business models, and pitching effectively when you’re ready to raise. Whether you’re launching your first MVP or scaling toward growth, this session will help you make smarter, more strategic funding decisions.

GSB Admit - Why Stanford Essay - Climate VC

Why Stanford essay from finance > climate VC candidate

M7 MBA Resume Differentiators - School by School Guide

A detailed school-by-school guide on refining your resume for competitive M7 MBA programs

GSB Admit - Recommendation Letter Example

Example Direct Manager Recommendation from GSB Admit

GSB & HBS Admit - Resume - Finance / VC - Climate

Resume of American admit to GSB and HBS - GS to VC - Climate Tech

GSB Admit - Resume

Resume for an international student GSB admit - woman working in manufacturing

GSB Admit - Rec Letter - Direct Manager VC

Example Direct Manager Recommendation from GSB Admit

GSB Admit - What Matters Most - Finance VC Climate

What Matters Most Essay Example - climate, career, and future ambitions

Stanford Learning Design & Technology - Rec Prep

Comprehensive recommender prep guide for aspiring candidates of the Stanford MS Learning, Design & Technology, Graduate School of Education