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
2023 Junior Venture Capitalist Program
2023 applications are now closed. To be notified when 2024 applications open, please click the button below to join our mailing list.
Application Criteria
AGE
We welcome any girl who is in 9th grade (currently, as of the 2022-2023 school year) through 12th grade to apply to the program between March 1 and April 30, 2023. 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 if we have the opportunity to hold in-person events they will take place in the greater Los Angeles, California, region (including the Fast Pitch event in October - virtual and in-person options).
PARTICIPATION FEE
There is a $100 fee to participate if girls are accepted into the program, which covers all expenses including one ticket to the Fast Pitch event in October. If the cost is a barrier to participation, we can offer fee waivers on a case-by-case basis.
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” women CEOs, entrepreneurs and investors throughout the summer and fall to learn about their experiences starting companies across a range of fields.