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Venture Virtuoso

Ciocca Center's Venture Virtuoso is an opportunity for sophomores, juniors, and seniors from every major to learn the art and science of effectively assess start ups. Cohort members will complete MGMT 167, a 5 unit course called Venture Capitalist Essentials. 
This course is an immersive introduction to the fundamentals of venture capital, combining instruction with hands-on experience. Students will form and manage their own early-stage venture funds, developing investment theses, sourcing deals, and making simulated investment decisions. Through interactive case studies, real-world deal analysis, and guidance from instructors who are active venture capital investors, students will gain an understanding of how VC’s identify and support high-potential startups. The course emphasizes experiential learning, with guest speakers who are active investors from different venture firms as well as startup founders who are seeking venture funding. 
 
This program is made possible thanks to the generous support of Jim and Susan Cracraft.
Teaching Team

Morgan Slain, Partner, Santa Clara Ventures

Faculty

Prof. Sriram Sundararajan, Founding Partner, Hypergrowth Labs Capital

Faculty

Hallie Mullane

Program Director

Apply!
Submit your application by April 3, 2025 at 11:59pm

  • Link to application: https://hire.li/foWCGknoQp38-ohWfTEU2

  • This year we are using a one-way video interview platform. This allows us to get to know you better and gives you the flexibility to record your responses at a time that works best for you. The application consists of written responses as well as video recorded responses. 

  • You can expect to receive an update from the Ciocca Center team by late April regarding your application status and next steps.

Spots are limited, so don’t miss your chance! Apply now and get ready for an unforgettable experience.

If you have any questions, please reach out to cioccacenter@scu.edu. 

If you require accommodations for the interview process, please contact rcramer@scu.edu as soon as possible and no later than April 3. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible experience for all applicants. Let us know how we can support you!

  • Who can apply for this program?

SCU students who will be Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors during Fall are eligible to apply.

  • What is the time commitment?

Students commit to Fall quarter.  We anticipate that students will commit about 2 - 6 hours per week on this program. This 5-unit course will take place on Wednesdays from 5:25 - 8:25pm during the Fall 2025 quarter.

  • Can students participate in both Venture Virtuoso and SCU Study Abroad?

No, because the program is limited to fall quarter, we cannot permit students to be part of this program and on a study abroad program.  We are looking for students who will be participating face to face.

  • What majors is this quarter long program open to?

This program is open to all majors and will be interdisciplinary.

VCIC 2025

SCU Undergraduate Team
California Regional Competition at USC

What is VCIC?

Students, Startups, and VCs equaling VCIC

  • VCIC is a competition in which students play the role of investors and real startups pitch to them.
  • Students are the investors, not the entrepreneurs. Students do not come with startup ideas. Rather, students play the role of analysts in a VC firm, assessing the startups at VCIC as potential investments.
    Real investors are at the event assessing the students’ ability to be the best VCs!
VCIC Winners

SCU takes 3rd Place!

Team members from left to right: Jackson Dwelle, Lauren Jisser, Rosalie Wessels, Isabella Guerrero, Ryan Pool, Akash Ravani, and Filip Orth (Advisor)

Jackson Dwelle holding 3rd place certificate for VCIC Competition

“It was really exciting for me to be fully immersed in another discipline. The competition provided the perfect place for me to learn another way of thinking, connect with our team, and build confidence with my venture  capital skill set.”

Jackson Dwelle 
BioChem, ‘25

Isabella Guerrero holding 3rd place certificate for VCIC Competition

“Participating in VCIC was an invaluable experience that sharpened my analytical skills, strengthened my connections with peers, and gave me confidence in navigating the world of Venture Capital."

Isabella Guerrero
Management & Entrepreneurship, ‘25

Ryan Pool holding 3rd place certificate for VCIC Competition

“VCIC was an incredible opportunity to step into the shoes of VCs during their most intense moments, crafting numerous term sheets, investment memos, and models in just 36 hours, while conducting due diligence interviews with founders and pitching to a large room of fund partners. The learning experiences and connections throughout the competition—fostered by hands-on practice, advice from many successful VCs, and the network of top VC students from the attending universities—were unmatched compared to any other VC experience I have had.”

Ryan Pool
Commerce, Finance, & Economics ‘27

Students at VCIC Competition Holding Up 3rd Place Award

“I just wanted to say once more, great job everyone! Really proud of you; the progress you have made over the last few weeks is amazing to see. It was a true pleasure to be your advisor.”

Filip Orth (SCU Young Alum, Advisor)
International Business & Entrepreneurship, ‘23

2024-2025 Venture Virtuoso Cohort

Akash Ravani, '25

Economics Major

Courtney Byrne, '27

Civil Engineering Major, Construction Management Minor

Daniel Joseph Kim, '27

Economics, Computer Science

David Cheon, '26

Economics Major, Minor in Entrepreneurship

Erik Keifer, '25

General Engineering Major, Economics Minor

Gary Soo, '27

Finance Major, Management Information Systems and Business Analytics Minors

Harrison Lake, '25

Economics Major, International Business Minor

Hayden Carroll, '26

Biology Major, Healthcare Innovation and Design Minor, Music Minor

Isabella Guerrero, '25

Business Management Major, Entrepreneurship Minor

Isha Moorjani, '27

Biology Major, Biotechnology and Spanish Studies Minors

Jackson Dwelle, '25

Biochemistry Major, Entrepreneurship Minor

Jesse Glickstein, '27

Finance Major

Kidus Solomon, '25

Psychology Major and Graphic Design Minor

Lizbeth Arreola Aguilar, '27

Political Science and Philosophy

Luo Long, '25

Computer Science Major

Mariyam Lokhandwala, '26

Neuroscience, Public Health Major, Biology Minor

Mati Teklemariam, '25

Management Information Systems and Computer Science

Max Partovi, '27

Business Major

Nargiz Kudaibergenova, '25

Management Major, Retail Studies Minor 

Nick Le, '26

Accounting Information Systems Major

Rosalie Wessels, '27

Computer Science and Engineering

Ryan Pool, '27

Finance Major and Entrepreneurship Minor

Ryan Quinn, '27

Environmental Studies Major

Ronny LaBrasciano, '27

Business Major

Sylvana Domokos, '26

Neuroscience Major

Taylor Carlson, '27

ECEN Major, TIDEM (Entrepreneurship) Minor

2023-2024 Venture Virtuoso Cohort

Alexandra Felipe, '25

Finance Major

Ananya Pagadala, '24

Computer Science Major 
Spanish, Math Minors

Brendan Plunkett, '24

Finance Major
MIS Minor

Caitlyn Barber, '25

Finance Major 
French and Business Analytics Minors

Eve Idusuyi, '25

Finance Major
Computer Science Minor

Grace Perryman, '26

Finance Major
Entrepreneurship Minor

Jane Scullion, '25

Finance / Business Analytics / Entrepreneurship

Kian Lu, '26

Accounting and Economics Majors 
International Business and Entrepreneurship Minors

Krish Chhablani, '26

Finance Major
MIS Minor

MacKenzie Fisher, '26

Philosophy & Math Majors
African American Studies Minor

Max Zhang, '23

Finance Major

Puja Shah, '26

Finance Major
MIS Minor

Samantha Frank, '24

Psychology and Sociology Majors