Dream VC Announces Applications for its 2023 Venture Capital Fellowship Programs
Dream VC, an investor accelerator dedicated to training the next generation of African-focused investors globally, is pleased to announce that applications for its 2023 Venture Capital Fellowship Programs are now open. The programs offer an extensive curriculum, practical training, and direct exposure to world-class investors, providing the ideal launchpad for aspiring and current investors to break into the African venture space.
Dream VC programs have a strong reputation in Africa, with over 50 Venture Capital Funds supporting the curriculum. To-date, has successfully trained over 80 fellows through its flagship Investor Accelerator and Launch into Venture Capital Programs, and these fellows now span everywhere from North America to South Asia, though a majority are based in Africa.
Past fellows have gone on to launch investment funds, set up accelerators and startup hubs, and join new and established investments funds across Africa and beyond. Today, Dream VC fellows work with over 35+ VC and PE funds, including the likes of Ajim Capital, Capria Ventures, Future Africa, Lateral Frontiers, Oui Capital, Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures and more, and are investing in hundreds of startups.
This year, Dream VC will run two programs:
- The 3-month-long Launch into Venture Capital Program
- The 5-month-long Investor Accelerator Program
The Launch into Venture Capital Program is ideal for junior professionals and graduates who wish to build an unparalleled skillset and break into entry-level roles (interns, analysts, associates) in African-focused VC and investment firms.
The curriculum for the Launch into Venture Capital Program is very intensive and is structured like a bootcamp, with predominantly skills-based training throughout the program. Fellows on this program would get a crash course into VC and would learn fundamental venture capital skills like due screening, analysis, due diligence and more, and would be trained on post-investment value add and startup support. The program also includes extensive career-building, mentorship and network development.
The Investor Accelerator Program is geared towards mid to advanced-stage career professionals who have the capital and experience to begin investment activities upon program completion.
The Investor Accelerator Program is an immersive experience that covers over 800 hours of on-demand content and multiple weekly lessons across skill-building, theory, fundamentals, venture capital, and angel investing, covering many topics, from VC 101 to Fund Launch and VC Career Development. Fellows in this program would be immersed in the 0-100 of Dream VC’s extensive curriculum and will be ready to begin investment activities or to launch an initiative of their own, upon program completion.
Dream VC’s application process is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of less than 10% based on past data and interviews with the founders. Applicants go through a four-stage application process involving motivational questions, research assignments, interviews with past fellows, and Dream VC staff.
Applications for both programs are now open and will close on April 16th. The programs will run in Summer and Autumn, with the Launch into VC program running from June to late August and the Investor Accelerator program running from June to late October.
Dream VC Co-Founder Mark Kleyner expressed excitement about the opening of applications, saying:
“Dream VC is excited to open up applications for our Venture Capital Fellowship programs for 2023. We have had an amazing reaction from the startup and venture world in the past, and are excited to welcome new applicants from across Africa and beyond to our growing fellow community. Good luck to all the applicants”.
Dream VC, founded in 2021 by a team of Investors, Ecosystem Builders and Tech Founders alike, Dream VC has grown into a thriving community of 80+ alumni fellows, spread across 30+ countries, and growing with each cohort, striving to democratize access and understanding of the Venture Capital Space for professionals on the continent and among the diaspora. The institute is entirely remote and celebrates its return for 2023 by announcing 2x new programs, aiming to train a further 60+ Future Investors for the African continent.