Invite-Only Membership • Limited Capacity
Columbia Venture Club
The Columbia Venture Club is founded and curated by Michael Beer — Columbia Business School alumnus, Principal at Alumni Ventures, and member of the 116 Street Ventures investment team.
Built for Columbia University alumni and select friends of the community — across Columbia College, Business School, Law School, SIPA, Mailman, Engineering, and beyond — the Club is organized around three pillars: Community, Academy, and Investing. Members see and discuss compelling private company deals alongside Michael and their peers, build real investment judgment through direct access to deal sponsors, and deepen relationships with fellow Lions who take capital seriously.
Three Pillars
Community. Academy. Investing.
Deal Focus
We source from the entire AV deal engine:
- HomeTop 20 U.S. VC Firm (TIME '25), and the only one dedicated to individual investors
- HomeTop 3 Most Active U.S. VC Firm (PitchBook '18–'25)
- HomeCo-invest alongside leading VCs like a16z, Sequoia, Accel, and more
- Home40+ full-time AV venture investing professionals
- HomeSector-agnostic — high-quality opportunities across stages and industries
Who It’s For
- HomeColumbia University alumni — across all schools: Columbia College, Business School, Law School, SIPA, Mailman, Engineering and Graduate programs
- HomeEstablished professionals: executives, physicians, attorneys, consultants, finance leaders
- HomeQualified investors with the liquidity and conviction to deploy meaningfully into venture
- HomeThose who want diversified voices in the room — and want to be one
AV PORTFOLIO EXAMPLES
Investing in companies like these
Illustrative portfolio examples across the AV deal engine.
Portfolio companies shown for illustrative purposes only; not necessarily indicative of any AV fund or investor. Investments shown are not available to future investors, except potentially in the case of follow-on investments.
Access Curated Deals Led by Top VC Firms
These firms have co-invested in many deals with Alumni Ventures
These leading venture firms have backed some of the most successful companies in the world.
Co-investors are shown for illustrative purposes only, do not represent all co-investors with which Alumni Ventures has invested, and are not necessarily indicative of future co-investors. The identity of a co-investor does not guarantee investment quality or performance.
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Top 20 U.S. VC Firm (TIME '25)
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Top 3 Most Active U.S. VC Firm (PitchBook '18–'25)
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Top 20 VC Firm, North America (CB Insights '24)
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40+ Full-time AV venture investing professionals
Powered by Alumni Ventures
Alumni Ventures is one of the world’s most active venture firms, providing professionally managed, diversified access to early-stage innovation and curated opportunities traditionally difficult to reach. We partner with family offices and individual investors worldwide to build venture portfolios powered by disciplined processes, deep networks, and transparent engagement. AV has received several awards from national outlets and organizations, recognizing our distinct model and the quality and breadth of our investment activity. See Alumni Ventures Awards & Ranking.
Cadence & Format
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One 60-minute Zoom meeting per month
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One primary deal per session — real memos, real discussion
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Guest speakers and deal sponsors join directly for Q&A
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Organic peer conversation led by Michael Beer — not a lecture
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Annual in-person gathering at AV’s New York offices
Member Expectations
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Review materials in advance
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Participate actively and consistently
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Maintain strict confidentiality
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Be direct, constructive, and respectful
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Repeated non-attendance or disengagement will result in the seat being recycled
The Standard
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$100K+ per year
Members are expected to invest across deals surfaced through the Club - Home
Individual investments
Made individually, not through pooled vehicles - Home
Allocations not guaranteed
Allocations may be limited - Home
Passing is acceptable
Thoughtful engagement is expected
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Columbia University alumni across all schools — Columbia College, Business School, Law School, SIPA, Mailman, Engineering, and Graduate programs — plus select friends of the community. Members are established professionals and qualified investors with the liquidity and conviction to deploy meaningfully into venture.
Community (an annual in-person gathering and a community that compounds), Academy (learn by doing through peer discussion with deal sponsors in the room), and Investing (real AV deals, $100K+ annual deployment, individual decisions).
One 60-minute Zoom meeting per month, plus time to review materials in advance, and an annual in-person gathering at AV’s New York offices.
Members are expected to invest $100K+ per year across deals surfaced through the Club. Investments are made individually, not through pooled vehicles. Allocations may be limited and are not guaranteed.
Michael Beer, Principal at Alumni Ventures and a member of the 116 Street Ventures investment team. Sessions feature organic peer conversation led by Michael — not a lecture — with guest speakers and deal sponsors joining directly for Q&A.
No. The Columbia Venture Club is not affiliated with or endorsed by Columbia University. All discussions are for informational purposes only.
Membership is by invitation only. We are selecting for conviction, curiosity, and constructive engagement — not just capital. Share your interest with Michael Beer at [email protected].
Membership is by invitation only.
We are selecting for conviction, curiosity, and constructive engagement — not just capital.
Applicants to the Columbia Venture Club must demonstrate accredited investor status before seeing live investment opportunities.
