On investor education

A list of formal programs that train angel investors and aspiring VCs

By popular demand, here is a list of programs that train aspiring technology investors, ranging from readily accessible, remote-friendly options to more intense, higher commitment, in-person offerings.

Angel investing programs

• YC’s Startup Investor School: recordings of the live MOOC that YC ran in 2018 to educate angel investors. Instructors include Sam Altman, Ron Conway, and Jeff Clavier. An in-depth and approachable starting point.

• Angel Squad by Hustle Fund: learn from Elizabeth Yin and Eric Bahn at Hustle Fund and invest as little as $1k alongside the fund in their top performing startups. All walks of life are welcome: doctors, lawyers, restaurant owners, football players, tech employees and founders, and more. One to two hours a week, with a blend off in-person and online, and a quarterly membership model. One of the largest communities in this list: 1,100+ people from 20+ countries.

• Angel Track by First Round: a course and community for high potential angels taught by First Round's Partners. Programming is a mix of virtual and in-person sessions spanning 3 months. Typical applicants have made 5-15 investments before joining. The alumni body now numbers 120 and includes Esther Crawford, Lenny Rachitsky, Li Jin, and Meka Asonye.

• On Deck Angels: a global community, including emerging operator angels, professionalizing angels, syndicate leads, and emerging managers. The program is structured as a lifetime membership and with monthly content. While the vast majority of content (workshops, events, socials) are virtual, there are a number of in person events for investors as well.

• Coolwater Explore: a formal 6-month program for angels to build out an early-stage track record. Apply here. 

Fund launch / VC professional training programs

• GPx by Plexo Capital: an engaging training program within an incredible community of peers. Learn from Lo Toney and special guests like Beezer Clarkson in a blend of online content and in-person networking opportunities. The structured portion of the content is open sourced and can be accessed post filling in the form here. Alumni include yours truly, Brandon Brooks of Overlooked Ventures, and Rachel ten Brink of Red Bike Capital.

• Fund Accelerator by Sutton Capital: A private online multi-week cohort program where fund managers on Fund I - Fund V get matched for mentorship sessions with vetted LPs. Select graduates get access to Sutton Capital’s Annual Allocator Summit, along with various other private curated events with LPs.

• VC Lab by FI Institute: a free virtual program to help new managers launch accelerators and early stage venture capital firms across the world. The goal is to help fund managers complete their first close in under one year by providing a supportive community, tactical advice and resources. Requires approximately 25 hours per week of structured work. More operationally focused that the majority of this list.

• Coolwater Build: a 2-month intensive training program to enable institutional investment firms. Highly regarded program launched by a professional LP; 130 fund manager alums. Apply here. 

• Kauffman Fellowship: a formal, 2 year program to up level venture capital investors - either those at existing venture capital funds or those launching their own firms. Mix of predominantly in person events (including extensive travel) and some remote opportunities. Graduates are included in the Kauffman Fellows list and lifetime community, with ongoing invitations to events. The alumni includes 765 individuals in 57+ countries representing over 670+ venture firms and organizations. Equipped to support a wide range of investors, from those at existing funds - like Mary D'Onofrio at Bessemer Venture Partners, to non-US-based funds - like Jan Habermann at Credo Ventures, and emerging firms - like Mac Conwell at Rare Breed Ventures. Focuses more on personal growth that the rest of the list.

Many thanks to Kate Talbot from Plexo Capital, YC, Winter Mead from Coolwater Capital, David Zhou from On Deck, Joel Palathinkal from Sutton Capital, Mark Munro from First Round, and Brian Nichols from Hustle Fund for helping with early drafts of this list.