Applications Open for 2024 Susa Venture Fellows Cohort
By Courtney Buie Lipkin, Partner at Susa Ventures
Today we’re thrilled to open applications for the 2024 Susa Venture Fellows cohort. Over the years the Venture Fellows Program has become an important pillar of the work Susa does to support founders at the earliest stages of company building.
You might ask, how does a program designed to train aspiring investors help founders as well? Since its inception in 2020, Venture Fellows alums have advised, invested in, founded, or joined scores of early stage companies. The ripple effects of this group of talented technologists is already felt widely throughout the industry and we can’t wait to welcome a new group of Fellows into the family.
This year we are excited to offer much of the Venture Fellows program in person in San Francisco. While we’ve learned how to operate effectively in a remote and hybrid world, Susa believes in the power of in person interactions. We can’t think of a better way to build cohesion and trust than by spending quality time in person working through tough diligence questions, meeting founders, and connecting with leaders in venture. For this reason we expect 2024 Venture Fellows to be based in San Francisco for the duration of the program.
As you consider applying, please keep in mind that the fellows program is best suited for people who are:
- Actively looking to enter venture capital as their next job.
- Available to attend virtual bi-weekly Tuesday evening sessions.
- Able to engage in completing deliverables between sessions. At the end of the Fellowship, each Fellow will have a body of work they can draw from when engaging in VC interviews. Deliverables may include a market map, blog post, and investment memo.
- Excited to work alongside us on such items as sourcing, diligence, and post-investment support within the Susa portfolio.
- Located in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Venture Fellows Program is a rigorous 4-month program and a considerable time commitment. The fellows we’ve seen be most successful are those who are deeply engaged with the work and eager to make a career transition.
While there are many amazing programs for angel investors, this will be the most dedicated and involved program for people who know they want to be a venture capital investor.
FAQ
How long will the program be?
4 months running from September through December.
When is the application deadline?
July 31, 2024 at 11:59pm PT
Where can I find the application?
Apply here!
Who should apply?
Any aspiring venture capital investor, based in or willing to travel attend regular in person events in San Francisco, regardless of educational background, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, upbringing, or professional experience.
How many Venture Fellows will there be?
8–10
What is the time commitment for this program?
While the Venture Fellows Program is part-time, it is also a highly immersive experience. The more Fellows put into it, the more they will get out. Fellows meet as a group once every other week for two hours. Additionally, fellows join diligence meetings with the Susa investors. On average this schedule constitutes 5 hours per week of work. This program will be a mix of in person events at the Susa office in San Francisco’s Mission District as well as many virtual meetings with founders and the Susa team.
Will Venture Fellows be compensated?
Venture Fellows will be offered an opportunity to participate in the economics of deals they bring in. They will also receive a monthly stipend to compensate for hours they may need to take off from work.
