Applications Open For 2022 Dream VC Fellowship Programs
After a highly successful inaugural cohort in 2021, we’re back with TWO programs this year centered around investment across the African continent.
Dream VC is an investor accelerator and community-driven educational platform providing rigorous remote programs centered specifically around venture capital across Africa’s startup ecosystems.
Today we are excited to announce the opening of applications for our 2022 Dream VC Fellowship programs: Launch into VC and Investor Accelerator. Last year, we kickstarted the investing careers of 30 Fellows out of 1000+ applicants, with 97% achieving their goals by program end, and multiple graduates joining firms like LoftyInc Wennovate, Oui Capital, Ajim Capital, Lateral Capital, Akribos Capital, Counder, and more. Others started new Angel Networks and made their first investments in countries like Nigeria, Mozambique, Côte d’Ivoire, and Rwanda. Our fellows hailed from locations all over the globe with more than 12 African countries represented and 60% of our graduating cohort being women.
This year, our programs have returned with more scale, depth, and ambition than ever. Our first program — Launch into VC, is a Fundamentals Crash Course to breaking into venture capital for young working professionals; and the second, Investor Accelerator, is an intense fellowship for seasoned working professionals looking to pivot into an investing career.
Launch into VC Program (LIVC)
Launch into VC will kick off on June 13th and run for 14 weeks until September 2022, during which fellows will learn critical VC skills such as sourcing, diligence, and portfolio support. LIVC Fellows will get access to live and recorded weekly training sessions and project assignments emulating real work done by VC analysts and associates.
Fellows will also partake in engaging workshops, interact with actual African-focused VC analysts and associates in relaxed networking mixers, and benefit from comprehensive career development modules specifically on how to break into the VC industry. Finally, Launch into VC fellows will get access to a dedicated mentorship network through a matching system that pairs inbound LIVC fellows with former Dream VC Graduates, allowing the new cohorts to foster ties, build connections and overcome existing challenges in the space.
Investor Accelerator
Investor Accelerator will run alongside Launch into VC and also kick off on June 13th, but runs for 20 weeks until late October 2022. This program aims to help accelerate the seasoned careers of experienced operators, founders, working professionals, and African enthusiasts interested in catapulting into the Venture Capital Investment World as investors, startup advisors, or ecosystem builders.
Fellows who participate in the Investor Accelerator will be taught actively, with multiple live sessions every week, occurring on evenings and weekends to engage the fellows. As a much more extensive and intensive program - this one promises over 800h of content, spread across strategic block-based learning and complemented by a range of panels with top industry leaders like GPs and Executives in many VC firms actively investing in or based out of African markets.
Investor Accelerator Fellows will also get to hone their investing chops by reviewing active deals, drafting investment memos, and presenting them monthly at a mock Investment Committee meeting.
Dream VC’s goal is to build the go-to launchpad and accessible pathway for aspiring African investors to pipeline into the venture industry as intentional check-writers. We are creating a growing and thriving community of ecosystem-builders who will make definitive waves to drive innovation across the continent.
This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to welcome the next cohort of fellows to our close-knit Dream VC family. Apply for Launch into VC and Investor Accelerator now!
While there are many amazing VC fellowship programs globally, this will be the most dedicated and comprehensive program for individuals who specifically want to understand and contribute to the African investment space.
FAQ
When will the programs take place?
Launch into VC: June — September 2022 for 14 weeks
Investor Accelerator: June — October 2022 for 20 weeks
When is the application deadline?
Launch into VC: April 1st (Early Bird Deadline) & May 1st at 23:59pm GMT
Investor Accelerator: May 1st at 23:59pm GMT
What is the time commitment of both programs?
Approximately 8–10 hours a week, with upwards of 15 hours for heavier weeks. The entirety of both programs will be fully remote. This is a part-time, but very rigorous, program. The more that Fellows put into it, the more they will get out of it — so we strongly recommend that prospective fellows ensure that they can fully commit to the intensity & dedication required for this program.
Who should apply to the programs?
Aspiring investors who wish to meaningfully contribute and build the African ecosystems long-term in various capacities. Although we do have a preference for homegrown Africans and those in the diaspora, we do also consider candidates from all backgrounds who can demonstrate a strong passion as to why they want to get involved on the African continent.
How many fellows do you plan to accept for both programs?
~30 Fellows for Launch into VC, and ~50 for Investor Accelerator. We are happy to expand extra seats if we have a particularly strong candidate pool, although please note that both programs will be extremely competitive so we highly encourage interested individuals to apply early.
Is there a program fee?
The program fee for the Launch into VC program is $1000 USD, and the Investor Accelerator program is $5000 USD. We have a number of scholarships and bursaries available that can cover up to half or even the full cost of the program for those who demonstrate exceptional interest and need.
Access is a huge priority to us and a core part of our ethos — so please don’t let the program fee discourage you from applying. We endeavor to work closely with every single fellow to ensure that the program is available to you, whether it’s in the form of financial support or the possibility of making payments in tranches. Our Venture Dreamers Scholarship can be found here.
Prospective fellows who have employers that wish to sponsor their program fees can also reach out directly to team@dream-vc.com to arrange details.
How can I learn more about the program — whether it’s hearing from past fellows or getting to know the team behind Dream VC better?
We have a number of General AMA Info Sessions coming along with Dedicated Access Hours on each specific program. Stay tuned on our social media channels to get the first updates on when those will be happening!
