Junior Venture Capitalist Program
The mission of Next Generation Investors is to raise awareness, inspire and prepare the next generation of women venture capitalists and investors through education and real-life experiences.
Young women in grades 9-12 are invited to apply to become Junior Venture Capitalists (Jr. VCs). The program is unique and created to teach high school girls about investing in businesses. There are several programs targeted at teaching entrepreneurship, but few that address the issue of financing women-founded businesses.
Once selected into the program, the Jr. VCs are taught how to evaluate a business in the same manner a venture capitalist does to determine their investment worthiness. They learn real-life lessons by having access to the Fast Pitch finalists’ information, guidance on how to select investment-worthy businesses and are provided a $5,000 grant to award one of those businesses.
In summary, over the 4 month program they:
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Learn business fundamentals
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Understand how to allocate capital to early-stage companies
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Begin to build a professional network
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Trained to look for key performance indicators from the Fast Pitch finalists’ presentations
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Interact with successful business owners and CEOs
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Become part of the WFN network
View the application criteria and programs details, below.
Application Criteria
AGE
We welcome any girl who is in 9th grade (currently, as of the 2023-2024 school year) through 12th grade to apply to the program between March 1 and April 30, 2024. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of our programs.
GEOGRAPHY
There will be a combination of online and in-person meetings for small groups, in accordance with current health and safety standards. We accept applications from across the United States, but note that in-person events will take place in the greater Los Angeles, California, region (including the Fast Pitch event in October).
PARTICIPATION FEE
There is a fee to participate if girls are accepted into the program. Our cost for the In-Person Junior Venture Capitalist program is $800 per student. However, we believe in making our program accessible to everyone and ask that you pay what you can, with a minimum of $400. If financial constraints are a concern, reach out to explore available scholarships.
If you are not local to the Los Angeles area, please apply for our Online-Only JVC Program. The Participation Fee for this program is $100.
Sponsor two girls to participate in this program by making a tax deductible contribution >> click here to learn more
If you are local to the Los Angeles area, please apply for our In-Person JVC Program.
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Attend all online Zoom and in-person events
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Attend in-person Pre-Pitch Workshop to deep-dive into the Fast Pitch Finalist companies
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Attend in-person annual Fast Pitch Event at UCLA
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Vote to award one Fast Pitch finalist company the JVC prize of $5,000
If you are not local to the Los Angeles area, please apply for our Online-Only JVC Program.
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Attend all online Zoom events to learn about entrepreneurship and investing
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Access to all on-demand Zoom events
EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS
Participants will need a reliable internet connection and device to participate in the program. We strongly encourage participating in virtual meetings with a web camera so we can create as authentic an experience as possible. If accepted into the program, Junior VCs will be notified and sent a welcome packet via email.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
In addition to participating as a "venture capitalist for a day" at the WFN Fast Pitch event in October, Junior VCs will have the opportunity to meet virtually with women CEOs, entrepreneurs and investors throughout the summer and fall to hear their stories and learn more about starting and running a company, and the fundamentals of investing.