Venture Capital Executive Program
Venture Capital Executive Program
Overview
5-day in-person or 2-week online program
Whether you’re an entrepreneur with an innovative business opportunity needing start-up funding, or an experienced VC practitioner looking to tighten your skills, this program builds your craft in venture capital. Open more doors to opportunity by learning how to select and secure VC deals, create a comprehensive investment strategy, and gain a deeper understanding of corporate venture capital to propel your success.
The Venture Capital program is an immersive experience where you will directly interact with venture investors from the global innovation cluster: Silicon Valley. Throughout the program, you’ll fortify a foundation of investing principles to launch your big ideas. Understand what investors are looking for, uncover pathways for angel investing and crowdfunding, and become an expert in VC deal structure.
Led by renowned Berkeley Haas faculty member, former entrepreneur, and venture capitalist Jerry Engel, you will learn from the best and quickly grow your network of like-minded professionals. Faculty Director Jerry Engel will also cover the pandemic’s impact on venture capital financing. From demonstrating VC funding resilience to showing you how to break into venture capital in a post-pandemic world - you will have your finger on the pulse of what venture capital opportunities are hot in the post-pandemic economy.
Join us at the Berkeley Haas campus for our five-day intensive, in-person training, or choose the cutting-edge Exec Ed Forum, a virtual two-week (8-days) learning experience delivering the same, high-caliber instruction - wherever you are.
Features, Dates, & Cost
In-Person
- Five-day in-person venture capital program that provides interactive learning and networking
- Learn from 20+ top Venture Capital investors & UC Berkeley Haas Faculty
- Access to the program alumni community
- Exclusive networking reception with faculty
- Venture Capital Executive Program Certification of Completion
We recommend registering at least one week before the program start date due to heavy pre-work assignments.
Program experience may be affected if you enroll after the recommended date. Please note: seating is limited and capacity may be reached prior to recommended reg date.
Online
- Two-week online venture capital program utilizing a cutting-edge Live classroom platform
- Learn from 20+ top Venture Capital investors & UC Berkeley Haas Faculty
- Overarching case study - teams will work together and present their work to the entire class
- 1:1 office hours with faculty at the end of each day (appointment required)
- Gain access to exclusive networking opportunities
- Access to the program alumni community
- Venture Capital Executive Program Certification of Completion
*These programs are run as live sessions and require active participation in breakouts with peer discussions. Your engagement in these sessions are critical to the program experience for you and your fellow classmates
We are currently in progress of scheduling new program dates. Please join our contact list to be contacted when we schedule new dates.
Sample Pre-Readings
Below is a sample of pre-readings from our upcoming online program.
Please note: this is not the full list of pre-readings. Once you are enrolled, you will be provided with the full list of pre-readings.
- Clusters of Innovation in the Age of Disruption, Chapter 2 Global Cluster of Innovation Theory and Practice in the 21st century: COI Components, JS Engel et al (2021, Edward Elgar – in press)
- “Models of Innovation: Startups and Mature Companies.” (CMR. Fall 2007) John Freeman and Jerome S. Engel
- Insights History of Corporate Venture Capital
- Clusters of Innovation in the Age of Disruption, Chapter 3 Global Cluster of Innovation Theory and Practice in the 21st century: COI Behaviors, JS Engel et al (2021, Edward Elgar – in press)
- “Best Practices: Decision Making Among Venture Capital Firms” [VC&PE Pages 495 - 508]
- “How Venture Capitalists Evaluate Potential Venture Opportunities.” Lauren Barley and Michael J. Roberts
- “Why the Lean Start-up Changes Everything” Steve Blank, December 2012 Harvard Business Review
- Case Study: Deal Selection - will be handed out in class on day 1
- “How Much Money Does Your New Venture Need?” James McNeill Stancill.
- “A Note on Valuation in Private Equity Settings.” [VC & PE. Pages 238 - 251]
- “A Note on Private Equity Securities.” [VC & PE. Pages 206 - 213]
- Case Study: Mekasutra Games A - will be distributed on day 2
- Case Study: John Hirschstick’s New Venture, will be distributed on day 2
- Clusters of Innovation in the Age of Disruption, Chapter 4, JS Engel et al, CAPTURING VALUE FROM DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION: Strategies and tools for major corporations to achieve speed and startups to achieve scale through collaboration across the COI ecosystem (2021, Edward Elgar – in press)
- Case Study: Real World Games - will be distributed at the end of day 3
Who It's For
- Entrepreneurs considering vc funding
- Aspiring venture capital investors
- Executives leading corporate M&A and business development
- Asset managers for public and private institutions, foundations, and corporations
- International economic development officials
- Assets managers investing sovereign wealth
- Angel investors
- Executives and representatives of privately- and family-owned businesses
- Professional service providers such as attorneys, CPAs, and consultants
Want to approach your employer about professional development and request employer support? Read the Employer Payment Assistance Guide.
Faculty
Speakers & Panelists
Venture Capital Executive Program integrates presentations and discussions with a wide range of speakers drawn from Silicon Valley and beyond. These include experienced and emerging venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, venture lawyers, investment bankers, investment officers of pension funds, family offices, and more. Recent program speakers and panelists have included:
- Lan Fong - Consultant, Venture Partner, VC & Angel Investor
- Farouk Ladha - Managing Partner, Four Rivers Group
- Sarah Pinner - Co-Founder and CEO, Beni
- Chris Hale - Founder and CEO, Kountable
- Jules Maltz - General Partner, IVP
- Katie Gray - Partner, In-Q-Tel
- Purvi Gandhi - Managing Partner, Quain Investments
- Yulia Lalutska - Vice President, Adams Street Partners
- Shaan Tehal - Technology Investment Banking, Morgan Stanley
- David Hehman - Co-Founder and Partner, Underdog Labs
- Luigi Bajetti - General Partner, Lombardstreet Ventures
- Angelo Del Priore - Partner, HP Tech Ventures
- Larry Marcus - Co-Founder and Managing Director, Marcy Venture Partners
- Chris Groves - CEO, Centric Software
- Nina Labatt - COO and CFO, Section 32
- Chip Lion - Partner, Morrison & Foerster
- Robert Labatt - Co-founder and Co-CEO, Inland Logistics
- Paul Yett - Director of ESG & Sustainability, Hamilton Lane
- Ira Simkhovitch - Managing Director, Industry Ventures
For a more extensive list of our esteemed past guest speakers and panelists, please click here.
Group Programs
Certificates
Certificate of Completion
Signal your professional achievement to your network and get recognized for your completion! Upon successful completion of the program, UC Berkeley Executive Education grants a verified digital certificate of completion to participants that you are encouraged to add to your profiles.
Note: This program results in a digital certificate of completion and is not eligible for degree credit/CEUs. After successful completion of the program, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you directly. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of UC Berkeley Executive Education.

Participants in the Certificate of Business Excellence (COBE) program will earn a mark of distinction from a world-class university, gain access to a powerful global network, and enjoy the flexibility of completing the program in up to three years. A UC Berkeley Certificate of Business Excellence allows individuals to create a personal learning journey structured by our four academic pillars to gain management essentials in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Strategy, and Finance to drive both personal and organizational development.
Testimonials
"The program exceeded my expectations as, while it was challenging for somebody not from an investment background, it was structured in the way that enabled great learning across many relevant topics. Definitely do it - the course is brilliant and the contacts and networks are even better!"
- Investment Director of North America, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise"The VCEP at Berkeley stands alone in the area of venture capital. This course is based on real life, real companies and real people.... Insights and advice that can be put into practice today"
- PharmD, CLP, Kansas Bioscience Authority"This course has been a fantastic learning experience ... The guest speakers and panelists bring a lot of real world insight from all sides of the VC/PE sector…”
- President, New World Consulting International Ltd."Go for it! I would encourage new VC’s and founders that this will be invaluable to you and your business. I feel ready to take on the world."
- Managing Partner, Silicon Hills Capital"The faculty has an extraordinary approach to all the aspects involved in the VC ecosystem.... It was really worth (it) and helped me be 100% in the VC practice."
- Angel Investor, Amora Participações