500 Ecosystems | VC Unlocked: Silicon Valley

VC Unlocked: Silicon Valley is an invite-only program for emerging leaders who want to shape the future of the venture capital industry.

What past participants have said

Arlan Hamilton
Founding Partner, Backstage Capital

“VC Unlocked delivers a powerful mix of world-class academics (Stanford) and insightful, actionable advice (500 Startups and many notable guest speakers) – in a candid, off-the-record environment... I highly recommend VC Unlocked if you are serious about VC.”

Juan Pablo Duque
Founding Partner, Cantera Capital, Mexico

“In 10 days, I gained more Silicon Valley insider connections than I would have in 6 months or more on my own. 500 Startups has truly found a way to “accelerate” the work of emerging fund managers much like they’ve done for hundreds of startups.”

Elizabeth Galbut
Founding Partner, SoGal Ventures

“This program brought clarity to how I can most effectively run a Venture Capital firm, more so than any blog, book, mentor, or past experience ever could.”

What to expect

As one of the most active seed-stage VCs, we’ve seen more deals than just about anyone. Our goal is to share that knowledge, empowering the next generation of VCs with the confidence they need to make better investments.

Learn the playbook

Hone your investment strategy, tools and tactics with hard-won insights from the 500 team.

Get better deals

Meet with dozens of startups in 500’s portfolio, hear their pitches, and kick start your deal flow.

Grow your network

Tap into a world-class network of fellow VCs & angel investors with our global community of alumni.

Alumni Spotlight

Hear directly from some of our past participants.

Pocket Sun — May 2019

Co-founder & Managing Partner at SoGal Ventures

Read the story

Dia Martin — August 2018

Managing Director on the Social Enterprise Finance team, OPIC

Read the story

Marième Diop — 2018

Investment Manager, Orange Digital Ventures

Read the story

Carlos Alberto Ochoa Valencia — 2018

Investment Manager, Bancolombia Ventures

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Anjani Vedula — 2018

MBA – Berkeley Haas (Formerly at IFC)

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Sofia Garrido Freyria — February 2016

Senior Associate, General Atlantic

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“The Stanford Center for Professional Development makes it possible for today’s best and brightest professionals to enroll in Stanford University courses and programs while pursuing their careers.”

Meet the Faculty

This program is led by Stanford University faculty Michael Lepech, Mike Lyons, and Pedram Mokriam and 500 Startups’ Managing Partners Christine Tsai and Bedy Yang.

Christine Tsai

CEO & Founding Partner, 500 Startups

Mike Lyons

Consulting Associate Professor, Stanford University

Mike Lepech

Associate Professor, Stanford University

Pedram Mokrian

Lecturer, Stanford University

Amit Bhatti

Principal, 500 Startups

Trevor Loy

Lecturer and Adjunct Faculty, Stanford Technology Ventures Program

Our teaching methodology

The VC Unlocked program uses a project-based learning approach in which participants continually refine their investment theses with the help of 500 partners and Stanford University faculty.

Learn directly from startup founders on what they look for in the fundraising process.

Receive feedback from experienced investors on your startup investment areas and interests.

Screen pitches at our invite-only Demo Day with hundreds of other angel investors and VCs.

Conduct selection, evaluation and follow-on analysis with 40+ real companies currently raising capital.