500 Ecosystems | VC Unlocked: Silicon Valley Online

VC Unlocked: Silicon Valley Online is the 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

With 2,500+ investments in our portfolio, 500 Startups has seen more deals than just about anyone. Together with the Stanford Center for Professional Development (SCPD), 500 built VC Unlocked: Silicon Valley Online to share that knowledge and give angels and VCs the confidence they need to make better investments.

Learn the playbook

Hone your investment strategy, tools and tactics with hard-won insights from Stanford faculty and 500’s team.

Kickstart deal flow

Virtually meet with startups in 500’s portfolio, hear their presentations, and learn how to kick start great deal flow.

Grow your network

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

Program Alumni

Hear directly from some of our past participants.

Pocket Sun — May 2015

Co-founder & Managing Partner at SoGal Ventures

Read the story

Dia Martin — August 2018

Managing Director on the Social Enterprise Finance team, DFC

Read the story

Marième Diop — 2018

Investment Manager, Orange Digital Ventures

Read the story

Carlos Alberto Ochoa Valencia — 2018

Investment Manager, Bancolombia Ventures

Read the story

Anjani Vedula — 2018

MBA – Berkeley Haas (Formerly at IFC)

Read the story

Sofia Garrido Freyria — February 2016

Senior Associate, General Atlantic

Read the story

VC Unlocked: Silicon Valley Online is proudly conducted in collaboration with the Stanford Center for Professional Development.

Meet the Faculty

This program is led by Stanford University faculty Michael Lepech, Mike Lyons, Pedram Mokrian, and Trevor Loy, and 500 Startups’ CEO & Founding Partner, Christine Tsai, and Managing partner, Bedy Yang. Past and current instructors include:

Christine Tsai

CEO & Founding Partner, 500 Startups

Bedy Yang

Managing Partner, 500 Startups

Amit Bhatti

Principal, 500 Startups

Rob Neivert

Venture Partner

Mike Lyons

Adjunct Professor, Stanford University

Mike Lepech

Associate Professor, Stanford University

Pedram Mokrian

Adjunct Professor, Stanford University

Trevor Loy

Lecturer, Stanford Technology Ventures Program

Jeremy Liew

Managing Director, Lightspeed VP

Scott Kupor

Managing Partner, Andreessen Horowitz

Ann Miura-Ko

Co-founding Partner, Floodgate Ventures

Lynda Kate Smith

Lecturer, Stanford Management Science and Engineering

Our teaching methodology

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

Network with your cohort of global investors and gain deeper perspectives from this community.

Receive personalized feedback from experienced instructors on your final investment thesis presentation.

Implement VC Unlocked frameworks at 500’s invite-only Startup Showcase with hundreds of other angel investors and VCs.

Conduct selection, evaluation and follow-on analysis with 500 Startup portfolio companies currently raising capital.