All Questions

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...

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 emerging managers to reach a first closing. 

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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 ...

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 create a lot of tension because the enrolled partner has to explain and defend a variety of decisions that were learned during the accelerator.

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.

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.

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...

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 fund is typically a good practice as long as it doesn't have a major impact on the strategy.  

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...

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 evidence that funds have been earmarked for investment by a limited partner.

The absolute minimum of a 1st closing needs to be $1m+ or 10% of the fund, whichever is larger. We strongly advise against closing on less then $1m because it will be very difficult to get the fund operational upon the first capital call...

The absolute minimum of a 1st closing needs to be $1m+ or 10% of the fund, whichever is larger. We strongly advise against closing on less then $1m because it will be very difficult to get the fund operational upon the first capital call which should be 25% or less.  If the manager were to do 25% capital call on $500k, this does not give the manager enough money to invest in enough companies, draw down management fees and pay organizational expenses.

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...

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 accomodate this request as long as it's within the first 4 weeks. The partner will need to fill in an application and share the Mensarius Oath publicly of ethical investing as well on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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...

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 Lab’s highly selective admissions process screens for entrepreneurs with a differentiated vision for a market, exceptional professional network, or a history of industry leadership. During the program, we hep managers navigate various common challenges experienced by angel investors launching firms such as managing conflicts of interest, developing a professional thesis based strategy and targeting the correct LP archetypes. 

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

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

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.

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.

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...

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 modeling, accounting, treasury and legal.

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...

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 only premium programs exclusively for top VC Lab participants: Decile Partners - Application-only program with a 94 NPS provides all of the business, legal, back office and deal review support to launch and scale an enduring VC firm without runaway costs and vendor headaches. Decile Capital - A family of funds to back new managers worldwide. Decile Capital Premier I, the flagship fund of funds dedicated to backing the top 5% of managers emerging from the VC Lab accelerator.

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. 

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. 

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...

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 not work together. All prospective partners in a new firm are encouraged to apply and enroll. All partners are asked to make one application video together, using a platform like Zoom to record the multiple parties. 

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...

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 video with a professional background is a critical component of the application, since most general partners will be pitching over video for the foreseeable future. A large network of startup founders, a background in venture capital or experience angel investing are also helpful. 

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...

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 venture capital fund, and this normally requires at least 25 hours per week worth of work. The VC Lab program is not educational, and the work is entirely dedicated to this goal. 

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...

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 months or less by following a proven methodology and avoiding common and costly mistakes. You can learn more about additional benefits here: https://govclab.com/benefits-of-vc-lab/

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...

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 innovative companies that tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time. This impact isn’t just about financial returns; it’s about generating positive societal change, shaping the future, and improving lives. You can learn more here: https://govclab.com/2023/07/14/the-vc-lab-way/