Venture Capital Coaches, Events, and Resources

I’m an active investor at Level Up Ventures, backing pre‑seed and seed founders who’ve historically lacked access to capital. Previously, at Volvo Cars Tech Fund global CVC. I operated across the U.S., Europe, and China, sourcing and diligencing early‑stage deals and working with portfolio teams. I’ve also held roles with Microsoft’s venture fund (M12), F‑Prime Capital, and ByteDance, and I bring an operator’s lens from time at an early‑stage startup. I’ve supported multiple early‑stage investments end‑to‑end from market maps and thesis work to diligence, deal memos, and post‑investment support. I’ve completed two formal VC training fellowships (HBCUvc and the Black Venture Capital Consortium) and now volunteer coach in those communities. Having seen venture from the LP perspective (as a pension fund analyst), corporate VC, independent VC, and the operator seat, I know what hiring teams look for and how candidates can demonstrate investor judgment. I translate that into practical coaching: sharpening your investor narrative, building theses and market maps, preparing take‑home memos, and running partner‑style mock interviews.

With extensive experience at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), one of the most renowned venture capital firms, I bring a unique blend of expertise in recruiting and coaching. During my tenure as a principal recruiter and heading a team for internal recruiting, I honed my ability to identify top-tier talent across diverse industries and roles, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and culture. This hands-on experience has equipped me with deep insights into strategic talent acquisition, workforce planning, and the nuances of building high-performing teams. My background also includes navigating complex hiring landscapes in competitive markets, which has strengthened my ability to coach others on optimizing their recruitment strategies. Beyond my technical recruiting skills, I have actively embraced a coaching mindset to elevate the recruitment process. By leveraging tools like open-ended questions and scaling techniques, I’ve helped candidates uncover their motivations and potential, fostering meaningful connections that go beyond transactional hiring. My approach aligns candidates with organizational values while emphasizing adaptability and long-term growth—a methodology proven to enhance productivity and retention. This combination of strategic expertise and personalized coaching ensures that I can effectively guide clients in achieving their recruitment and career development goals.

I worked in investment banking and growth equity for several years and have coached numerous candidates for jobs in these industries. I was actively involved with my firms' recruiting and hiring decisions and understand the process thoroughly; I was hired by the University of Michigan career center to coach students applying for investment banking jobs and have reviewed hundreds of resumes, cover letters and mock interviews; I have also spent many years working with non-profits such as Synergist to mentor college women interested in business and finance. I take a hands-on approach and strive to help every one of my clients reflect their best true potential.

If you're looking to break into venture capital, I'm here to help and share the lessons from my own entry to the exciting world of VC. Based in Silicon Valley and the vibrant UC Berkeley startup ecosystem, my work at Deep Acre VC has put me in the center of conversations with partners debating real investments, founders defending their pitch, and financial analysis separating the good deals from the bad. Shoot me a message to set up time to chat!

I’m one of the youngest impact investors working in the industry today—and I broke into the industry without an MBA or a finance background. I started my career in government and nonprofits, so I know exactly what it takes to navigate an unconventional path into VC and build credibility from day one. Over the past five years, I’ve: -Been named Twice to ImpactAlpha’s Top 10 Voices in impact investing -Lectured at Harvard, Columbia, and the University of Chicago on sustainable finance -Launched a health-tech startup on stage with Chelsea Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative - Served on a City of Chicago committee convening the region’s LP community, hosting breakfasts with 30+ institutional investors -Built a monthly “AI for VC Ops” working group with more than 200 investor signups -Helped launch the world’s first foundation dedicated to refugee entrepreneurs, serving as a founding investment committee member I coach aspiring impact investors because I’ve lived the nontraditional path myself—and I can help you break in, stand out, and build a mission-driven career, even if you don’t come from a traditional background.

Welcome to my profile! With over two decades of experience in the venture capital and entrepreneurial landscape, I bring a wealth of knowledge to aspiring venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. As a former Partner at Comventures and Associate at USVP, I have a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in the competitive world of venture capital. My journey includes leading companies as CEO, such as Hip Digital Media and Endless, where I honed my skills in scaling businesses and driving innovation. I graduated from Stanford Graduate School of Business as an Arjay Miller Scholar, a testament to my dedication and expertise. Whether you're looking to break into venture capital or grow your startup, I'm here to guide you every step of the way. Let's connect and chart your path to success!

Welcome to my profile! With a robust background in strategy consulting and venture capital, I bring a wealth of experience from top firms like McKinsey, Capital One Ventures, and Cornerstone Research. As an Investor at Capital One Ventures, I am deeply immersed in the VC landscape and leverage my expertise to identify and nurture promising startups. I help aspiring venture capitalists (especially former consultants) understand strategic and financial investing, break into the industry, and achieve their career goals. Let's connect and chart a path to your success!

Welcome to my profile! I'm John, and incoming student at the Stanford GSB and a current investor in a growth stage VC fund. Given the broad focus of my fund, I have a deep understanding of the startup ecosystem and what it takes to succeed in the world of venture capital. I have evaluated hundreds of multi-million dollar investment opportunities, conducted due diligence, prepared investment committee memos, and worked directly with CEOs to improve their businesses. As an Associate at KSV Global, I have honed my skills in financial modeling, deal sourcing, and managing advisors. Prior to that, I worked at Bain & Company, where I gained experience in private equity due diligence and commercial excellence. If you're looking to break into the venture capital industry or need guidance on your startup, I'm here to help. Let's connect and discuss how I can assist you in achieving your goals!

- I leveraged my pre-MBA summer internship at Lightspeed Venture Partners to pivot into VC, with my background as biotech researcher, self-taught coder at a unicorn, and AI founder - During Stanford GSB, I ran and won the bid to become a Co-President of the Stanford Venture Capital Club - During and after Stanford, I worked in venture capital, product management (Amazon AWS), startup advising, speechwriting, MBA admissions, angel investing, and SPV formations. - Co-President of Stanford VC Club, helping classmates pivot into VC through 50+ consulting sessions, mock interviews and resume reviews, candidates were successfully selected into Primary Ventures, CRV, and Norwest

I am qualified to coach due to my extensive experience and background in tracking consumer trends and market dynamics. I have worked for reputable venture capital firms such as XRC Ventures and DGS Consumer Partners, where I specialized in helping them identify and invest in emerging brands within the beauty and personal care space. Through my work with these firms, I have gained deep insights into consumer behavior, market trends, and the factors that drive success in this industry. My analytical skills and hands-on experience in evaluating potential investments have equipped me with a robust understanding of what it takes to succeed in this competitive market. I am passionate about leveraging my expertise to help others navigate the complexities of the beauty and personal care sector, whether they are aspiring entrepreneurs or established brands seeking to enhance their strategies.