Venture Capital Essentials

Current Training Offerings

• In-person, 2-Day Training

  • Friday, April 10th, 9am-1pm
  • Friday, April 17th, 9am-1pm

Invest in the next big idea

Curious about how venture capital firms identify and invest in the next big idea? In this immersive, two-day training, you’ll step into the shoes of an associate at a venture capital firm and learn what the role is and what it takes to source, evaluate, and invest into high-potential startups.

Through interactive sessions and hands-on exercises, you’ll explore the structure and inner workings of a VC firm, understand how to evaluate companies based on their stage (early stage), and develop a research-backed case for investing in a startup.

What You’ll Learn:

• Build a networking strategy for sourcing deals that aligns with ethical and reputational best practices.
• Assess a startup’s market size, competitors, and growth potential to determine whether it’s a good fit for investment.
• Synthesize research into an investment memo.
• Present and defend an investment case.
• Understand the key terms in an investment term sheet.
• Map out a career roadmap in venture capital with actionable goals for 1, 3, and 5 years.

This training goes beyond theory—you’ll work individually and in teams to tackle real-world scenarios, apply what you learn immediately, and receive feedback from an industry expert. Successful participants will earn a microcredential in Venture Capital Essentials, signaling to employers your ability to contribute meaningfully to investment decisions.

Whether you aspire to join a VC firm or simply understand how investors think, this experience will give you the tools and confidence to navigate the venture capital landscape.

About the Instructor

Nathan Apsel is the COO, CFO, Partner at Maveron. Nathan provides leadership across all areas of finance, operations, and strategic projects. Nathan uses his experience and thought leadership to provide meaningful insights across our community.  Prior to joining Maveron, Nathan was the Chief Financial Officer at Paradigm and 8VC. Previously, Nathan was a Senior Manager at PwC. Nathan received a MAcc and B.S. from the University of Oregon.

Participants who attend both days of this program and fulfill all requirements are eligible to earn a Venture Capitol Essentials microcredential.

This portable, verifiable credential can be shared on platforms like LinkedIn, showcasing your expertise to potential employers and offering tangible proof of in-demand competencies.