Richard A. Mayo Center for Asset Management

Mayo Center - Events - Venture Capital Conference

Venture Capital Conference

UVAVCC 12_8

2026 University of Virginia Venture Capital Conference

Sands Family Grounds | Arlington, VA
24 April 2026 | 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

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The Richard A. Mayo Center for Asset Management is pleased to host the Third Annual University of Virginia Venture Capital Conference (UVAVCC) on 24 April 2026 at Darden Sands Family Grounds (Rosslyn, Virginia). Designed for VCs, LPs, entrepreneurs, and others interested in early stage investing, this year’s conference will host a keynote VC market and policy presentation from the National Venture Capital Association, industry-focused panels with VCs and founders exploring Security in AI and Biotechnology, a current topics panel with LPs, and workshops on Negotiating Term Sheets and the Do's and Don’ts of Pitch Decks. UVAVCC will conclude with a networking reception open to all conference participants.

Are you a non-UVA affiliated founder/entrepreneur? Reach out to Caitlin Boyer [email protected] to inquire about a discount on general admission.

2026 Sponsorship Opportunities
 

Program Outline

9 a.m. Check-in
9:30 a.m. Opening Session
10:45 a.m. Networking Break
11 a.m. Breakout Panels & Workshop
12:15 p.m. Lunch & Networking
1:30 p.m. Breakout Panels & Workshop
2:45 p.m. Networking Break
3 p.m. Keynote Session
4:15 p.m. Rooftop Networking Reception

2026 Sponsors

2026 Partners

PAST EVENTS

UVAVCC25

The Richard A. Mayo Center for Asset Management was pleased to host the Second Annual University of Virginia Venture Capital Conference (UVAVCC) on 28 March 2025 at Darden Sands Family Grounds (Rosslyn, Virginia). This year’s conference featured market commentary from NVCA about trends in the Venture Capital industry. Panel sessions covered topics such as Investing in AI and Opportunities in FinTech. New this year was workshops on Protecting Innovation & IP as well as an Introduction to Angel Investing. We also held sessions on corporate venture capital and fundraising. UVAVCC concluded with a networking reception open to all conference participants.

2025 VC Conference Photos 

Spotlight on UVA Venture Capital Conference
Experience Darden Podcast, Episode #303

 

Agenda

9 a.m.

Check In & Grab and Go Breakfast

Parking & Wayfinding Instructions
9:30 a.m.

Opening Session
VC Market Outlook and Washington DC Policy Update
11 a.m. 

Breakout Sessions

Assessing the Current VC Fundraising Environment Panel:

Investing in AI Panel:

Introduction to Angel Investing Workshop:
12:15 p.m.

Networking Lunch
1:30 p.m.

Breakout Sessions

Unique Aspects of Investing as a CVC Panel:

Opportunities in FinTech Panel:

Protecting Innovation & IP Workshop:
3:00 p.m.

Keynote Session

  • Nick Superina (Co-founder & General Partner, Harmonic Growth Partners)
  • Mike Ward (Co-Founder & Managing General Partner, Harmonic Growth Partners)
4:00 p.m. Rooftop Networking Reception

 

Thank you to our 2025 UVA Venture Capital Conference Sponsors!

Thank you to our 2025 UVA Venture Capital Conference Partners!

The Richard A. Mayo Center for Asset Management hosted the University of Virginia Venture Capital Conference (UVAVCC) on 12 April 2024 at Darden Sands Family Grounds (Rosslyn, Virginia). This year, UVAVCC explored the current landscape of Venture Capital and how market conditions affected the space from an LP, GP and entrepreneurial perspective. Panel sessions focused on various investing sectors such as cyber security, defense technology, healthcare, and consumer packaged goods. Program speakers detailed approaches and ideas for how LPs invest given current market conditions and how entrepreneurs can successfully pitch to VCs. UVAVCC closed with a networking reception open to all conference participants.

2024 Conference Media


PROGRAM (PDF)

9:00 a.m

Opening Session

Bobby Franklin
VC Market Outlook and Washington DC Policy Update with Bobby Franklin (President & CEO, NVCA)
10:45 a.m. 

Industry Breakout Sessions

Defense Technology Panel:

Healthcare Panel:
12:00 p.m.

Lunch and Keynote Session

Jason Rathje

Fireside Chat with Jason Rathje (Director of the Office of Strategic Capital, U.S. Department of Defense)
1:30 p.m.

Industry Breakout Sessions

Cyber Security Panel:

Consumer Packaged Goods Panel:
3:00 p.m.

LP & VC Breakout Sessions

Hot Topics for Limited Partners Panel:

  • Moderator Scott Headd (Senior Director of Business Development and Client Relations, Sands Capital)
  • Caitlin Mavraganis (Managing Director, Selby Lane Capital)
  • Zach Ruchman (Director of Private Investments, WMS Partners)
  • Ben VanGelder (Director of Private Investments, Georgetown Endowment)
  • Saul Waller (Managing Director, Columbia Partners Private Capital)

How to Successfully Pitch to VCs Panel:
4:15 p.m. Networking Reception

Thank you to our 2024 UVA Venture Capital Conference Sponsors!

Thank you to our 2024 UVA Venture Capital Conference Partners!