Venture Capital Initiative - Programs - VC Learning Series

The Venture Capital Learning Series (VC Fridays) features several learning sessions for Darden students that are interested in enhancing their foundational knowledge of the VC industry and serves as a primer to course electives.

Led by Les Alexander, John Glynn Endowed Professor of Practice in Business Administration, and presented by the Richard A. Mayo Center for Asset Management and the Batten Institute, this series includes classroom lectures, featured guest speakers and panel discussions. No prior knowledge or preparation is required.

Who Should Attend: This series is available to all current students at the University of Virginia and is highly recommended for First Year Darden students planning to pursue internship opportunities in venture.

Registration: Current Darden students should visit the internal VC at Darden page for more information and a link to register. Non-Darden students, please email [email protected] to register.

Fall 2025 Dates & Topics

• 5 September | 10 a.m. | Intro to VC Learning Series, Darden Resources, Venture Capital, and the Private Capital Ecosystem (Part I)
• 12 September | 10 a.m. | Pitchbook Training and Overview of the Private Capital Ecosystem (Part II)
• 19 September | 10 a.m. | Introduction to Venture Capital
• 26 September | 10 a.m. | VCIC Presentation, Fundraising and Investment Thesis
• 24 October | 10 a.m. | Valuing Start-Up, Early-Stage, and Late-Stage VC Investments
• 31 October | 10 a.m. | Term Sheets
• 7 November | 10 a.m. | Deal Sourcing, Due Diligence and Investment Memos
• 14 November | 10 a.m. | Investment Securities and Deal Structuring
• 21 November | 10 a.m. | VCIC Reminder, VC Math, Cap Tables, Waterfalls, Exits, and Measuring Value

Please direct questions to [email protected]