
Invest Smarter.
Start Here.
A structured curriculum for individual investors entering the world of venture capital.
- 3 Semesters
3 Semesters
- 18 Lessions
18 Lessions
- Free For Anyone
Free For Anyone

- Lesson 1: How venture capital actually works
- Lesson 2: What you’re actually buying
- Lesson 3: Fee structure and what you’re paying for

- Lesson 1: J-curve and typical performance trajectory
- Lesson 2: Power law and why most companies fail
- Lesson 3: Portfolio construction
- Lesson 4: Valuation methodology
- Lesson 5: MOIC &. TVPI
- Lesson 6: How distributions work and fund fees

- Lesson 1: How AV sources and evaluates deals
- Lesson 2: What makes a good syndication opportunity
- Lesson 3: Vintage year strategy and time diversification
- Lesson 4: Exit timelines and market conditions
- Lesson 5: How to use venture in overall financial planning
- Lesson 6: Masterclass: evaluating deals, reading decks
Faculty
Meet Your Instructors
Curriculum taught by AV’s leadership — practitioners who have deployed capital across thousands of venture investments.
CEO, Alumni Ventures
Mike Collins
Founder and chief executive of Alumni Ventures. Mike built AV into America's most active VC for individual investors, with a focus on democratizing access to institutional-grade venture.
CIO, Alumni Ventures
Mark Edwards
Chief Investment Officer overseeing AV's portfolio construction, deal sourcing, and performance standards across all funds and syndicates.
30+
Alumni Ventures Managing Partners
Each semester draws on the expertise of AV’s nationwide network of Managing Partners — seasoned investors embedded in the top venture ecosystems across the country.
AV Academy · Free for Everyone
Ready to understand venture capital?
Start Semester One free — open to anyone, no finance background needed.
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