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VC Lab Accelerator

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Ask about the VC Lab accelerator, including program requirements, success rates, drop out rates, and program strategy. The training data includes program materials, questions from the community, and participant responses.

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LP prospects missing

I added 5 new LP prospects but they do not appear on my LP page.

Top answer:

Sometimes you need to refresh the page or change the search criteria to see the recently added prospects. 

 -  Adeo Ressi
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Week 4 is asking to share a deal memo. The companies I am looking at right now, I have an agreement with the group for confidentiality and I can't share the memo because of it. But it is required for week4

Top answer:

You should not sign confidentiality agreements with startups. Ask Base: why VCs can not sign NDAs?  With regards to the Week 4 assignment, upload a memo for a startup that you don't have a confidentially agreement. If you don't have tha...

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What is LP Institute?

Top answer:

The LP Institute is an 8 week online program built to teach Limited Partners (LPs) the process of investing in top venture capital managers. The program focuses on sourcing, conducting due diligence, and successfully closing on at least ...

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How do I submit my VC Lab program assignments on fi.co?

Top answer:

1. Login to fi.co 2. Select the session # from the Program Sessions timeline 3. Write an answer in the text box of a deliverable 4. Select 'Save Your Work' After you have saved your work in each text box, the sprint will be completed an...

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How are cash equivalents calculated?

The amount of Cash and Cash Equivalents is listed in the assets section of the annual report. 

Top answer:

Cash and cash equivalents refers to the line item on the balance sheet that reports the value of a company's assets that are cash or can be converted into cash immediately.

 -  Rob Del Prete 0
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I started negotiations with Swiss-Asia in Singapore to set up a VCC structure there, with Swiss-Asia serving as the licensed fund manager -VCFM (a Singaporean law requirement). However, no cooperation has been agreed upon yet, and no documents have been signed. Is pausing those conversations for the program duration recommended, or do you see no interference?

Top answer:

Yes - you should pause conversations until your figure out where you will domicile together with LPs. Please note that the Singaporean domicile and licensing process can take 1 year or more. Unless you are based in Singapore, we recommen...

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Getting Started: Lawyer onboarding

My life-long pal is a successful lawyer with a few PE firms on his docket. Since I already have this connection, would it be wise to put down a retainer with his firm for purposes of fund formation et al. before the first day of accelerator?

Top answer:

Avoid this approach. DO NOT WORK with lawyers that don't specialize with VC fund formation. If the lawyer practices fund formation in other areas besides VC, they are not going to be a good partner. Also, do not spend any time speaking w...

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what if the partners are geographically diverse?

A former colleague and I are looking to get into the accelerator. however, I am in Scotland and she is in Cairo. Is our geographic separation prohibitive to our success in the program? Or heck, looking beyond the program is it prohibitive to our success as VCs?

Top answer:

It's not prohibited for the partners to be in a different geography. However, in order to build an enduring VC firm, there must be a major tangible value-add provided by the different locations. 

 -  Mike Suprovici
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What is the ideal partner mix to bring into VC Lab?

I have 20 years experience in biotech at Genentech, this is where I met my candidate partner. Are we over-indexed in biotech? should we scout in network for someone with experience in a separate industry?

Top answer:

It is critical that founding partners have a long history of working together prior to starting a VC Firm. A VC Firm is a 15+ year endeavor and it's imperative that the founders have tested their relationship prior to this massive challe...

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Is venture institute a pre-requisite to VC Lab?

I'm seeing the two programs Venture Institute and VC Lab Accelerator. I do not have venture capital experience but feel I am a good candidate for the VC Lab program. Is Venture Institute a prereq to success in the primary accelerator?

Top answer:

Venture Institute is not a prerequisite for VC Lab. The Venture Institute program is a program that's designed to help people break into the venture capital industry. VC Lab is a rigorous closing program that's optimized for new and emer...

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Am I too old for VC Lab?

My primary career came to a close as CEO of a public biotech organization. I'm now doing some light angel investing and sit on a few boards, however, the passion isn't there. My wife suggested I look into starting a venture, but I am concerned that - at 57 - I am too old for the program

Top answer:

You're not too old for the program. However, VC Firms are 15-20 year commitments and it's important for you to be realistic with the time comittment required in the coming years.

 -  Mike Suprovici
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i've never worked in venture, would VC lab be right for me

I recently had an exit and am looking for my next raison d'etre. Having taken two startups to acquisition, i'm currently excited about venture capital, but have no experience from the deal side of the table. Would this be a blocker to me joining the VC Lab accelerator?

Top answer:

Most people launching new firms have never worked in venture before, so you're in good company. A number of succesful Alumni had limited experience and succeed regardless. 

 -  Mike Suprovici
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What if my co-GP can't participate in VC Lab?

My co-GP doesn't have the bandwidth to participate in VC Lab, but I would like to get things rolling. They are in agreement with this. Is it an issue if he can't participate in the program? should he apply anyway?

Top answer:

The program has supported many individuals with a partner that has not participated in the program. However, be aware that the progress a partner makes in the program is much faster than partners not in the program. This predicament can ...

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How final does the team need to be to join the cohort? My current partner likely would not leave his full time role

Top answer:

The team does not need to be finalized to join a VC Lab cohort. The program covers best practices on team building and roles as part of the curriculum.

 -  Mike Suprovici
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Are there any caps on your end on how much we can raise?

In other words would your connections only be interested in a $10M size range fund and not interested in a larger fund if we were able to raise more money from our personal networks?

Top answer:

The Limited Partner Agreement (LPA) governs if you can over-subscribe your fund target. Depending on the LPA, managers may need to consult with the Limited Partner Advisory Committee (LPAC) before taking this action. Over-subscribing a f...

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Application Question: We are transitioning next year to an LP GP model through a for-profit subsidiary...

Would it be appropriate for the PACT section for me to list the current earmarked funding/donations that we have managed to get traction on in this period?

Top answer:

PACTs are designed to help managers secure hard circled commitments from Limited Partners. Donations can't be accepted into a VC fund and do not count as LP commitments. However, you can use the PACT upload feature in Hub to attach evide...

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Can I add a partner to my firm after the VC Lab start date?

I just submitted my application on my behalf. I'd like to have a managing partner come on soon, i just haven't finalized those details. Can they come in after the start date?

Top answer:

Yes, they can join as long as it's within the 1st 2 weeks of the accelerator program. If they join after, it will be impossible for them to catch up. To enroll your partner, please email notice@decilegroup.com and the team will work to a...

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I am an angel investor looking to shift to Venture, am I a good fit for VC Lab

I have been providing angel investments to pre-seed startups for the last few years. I only have made 10 investments, and think that what VC Lab offers would help me expand my impact while guiding me in the transition from angel to VC. Would I be accepted into the program? Will the accelerator partners advise me on bifurcating my current investments from my potential VC investments? Is there anyone else in the program who has managed this transition well?

Top answer:

There are a number of succesful Alumni who successfully leveraged the accelerator to transition from angel investing to launching an enduring VC Firm. In fact, succesful angel investors are one of the most common Alumni archetypes. VC La...

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Do we have any obligations to the Founder Institute as alumni of VC Lab?

I saw a close connection between VC Lab and the Founder Institute. Does that mean we are beholden to Founder Institute upon graduation from the program?

Top answer:

No. There is no obligation to the Founder Institute upon graduation from the VC Lab program. 

 -  Mike Suprovici
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Is firm formation part of the VC Lab accelerator?

Does VC Lab provide support and guidance on the legal structuring of our candidate firms? When in the process does this take place?

Top answer:

Yes. VC Lab offers Decile Launch, an application only premium formation program with a 94 nps. We open admissions for Decile Launch to VC Lab participants at various points in the program.

 -  Mike Suprovici
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Who are the experts in VC Lab that we are learning from?

I've seen in a few locations that VC Lab education is given by leading experts in the Venture industry. Who are these experts that we will be learning from? I've signed up for "expert" webinars before and it turned out to be smoke and mirrors. 

Top answer:

During the VC Lab cohort we host a weekly mentoring session with active limited partners, succesful VC Lab alumni, managing partners of enduring VC firms. We also host fund operational experts that specialize in areas such as fund modeli...

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How does VC Lab make money?

I saw on govclab.com that the VC Lab accelerator is free? Is that true? How do they make money to support the program?

Top answer:

VC Lab is free.  We believe that it's necessary for the program to be free so that we can lower the barriers of entry to the asset class. The VC Lab accelerator is a product by Decile Group. Decile group also offers several application o...

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I'm based out of India, when are the VC Lab working sessions?

I'm really interested in the VC Lab accelerator, but I'm in southern India. Will my time zone be prohibitive to my success in the program?

Top answer:

We typically host the sessions twice a week at 9am PDT. We record every session. We have had a number of Alumni in your time zone succeed and it's not a major impediment if you can't attend the sessions live. 

 -  Mike Suprovici
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I have 3 partners I am founding my fund with. Should all of us apply to the VC Lab accelerator?

Top answer:

Yes, all 3 managing partners that are founders of the VC firm should apply. The stress and pressure of the VC Lab program has successfully helped teams solidify their relationship and also helped to determine that some partners should no...

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What are the requirements to be accepted into VC Lab?

Is there any specifics such as experience at another fund or within private investing? Is there anything else I need to do in order to be accepted?

Top answer:

All accepted participants must publicly share on LinkedIn and Twitter their support for the Mensarius Oath of ethical investing. VC Lab is open to anyone and everyone that is passionate about starting a venture capital firm. A strong vid...

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How long is the VC Lab Accelerator? And how much time is required?

I'm thinking of applying to the next cohort, but am curious on how long the accelerator program is and how much of a time commitment it will be on a weekly basis

Top answer:

The VC Lab program takes 14 weeks on average. However, we may extend the program if a cohort is operating during a holiday season. The program assists general partners in securing capital commitments to complete a first close on a new ve...

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What is VC lab?

If I already have a fund starting to get off the ground; albeit with low traction. Will the accelerator be helpful in my fundraising goals?

Top answer:

The VC Lab accelerator specializes in helping new and emerging managers reach a closing fast. Outside of the VC Lab accelerator, it takes new managers and 18-24 months to achieve a first close. VC Lab alumni complete your closing 6 month...

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How much does the VC Lab cost?

Is there a fee to join the accelerator?

Top answer:

There is no cost to the 16 week VC Lab accelerator. The program is free. Our missions is to lower the barriers of entry into the asset class. Venture capital holds the potential to be a potent catalyst for good in the world, funding in...