Venture Scholars
Build your venture capital perspective
What to expect
Venture Scholars gives motivated KU students the opportunity to study venture capital, apply what they learn and build relationships within the entrepreneurial community.
You’ll learn alongside a small cohort of KU students through faculty-led working sessions, mentoring, guest speakers and applied work with The Hill Fund. As you examine real investment opportunities, you’ll strengthen your ability to assess evidence, question assumptions and communicate informed recommendations. The inaugural cohort begins in February 2027. Applications open Oct. 20 and close Nov. 20, 2026.
As a Venture Scholar, you’ll:
- Receive a $1,000 scholarship each semester while meeting the program’s participation and academic-standing requirements.
- Develop entrepreneurial judgment by examining business models, markets, valuation and investment assumptions.
- Work with The Hill Fund to learn about investment due diligence, pipeline development and support for Jayhawk founders.
- Learn in a small cohort of 10-12 KU students.
- Connect with industry professionals through mentoring, guest speakers and curated events.
- Explore internship opportunities related to entrepreneurship and venture investing.
- Build and defend investment recommendations using evidence, analysis and feedback.
Together, these experiences will help you assess opportunities, communicate your reasoning and adapt your conclusions when new evidence emerges.
Explore Venture Scholars
Program experience
Frequently asked questions
The Venture Scholar experience
Learn how venture capital works, examine business models and markets, and assess the assumptions behind an investment decision. As you progress, you will strengthen your ability to explain a recommendation and revise your thinking when new evidence emerges. The program will admit 10–12 students annually.
What you'll study
Your learning will progress across four semesters, moving from venture capital fundamentals to applied venture analysis.
- Venture capital foundations: Understand the venture capital industry, financing stages, valuation and the relationships between founders and investors.
- Venture evaluation: Examine business models, markets and supporting evidence to assess potential investment opportunities.
- Investment judgment: Develop and defend recommendations, including the assumptions behind valuation and proposed investment terms.
- Applied venture analysis: Bring your learning together through substantive analysis and an investment recommendation that explains both an opportunity and its limitations.
Who should apply?
You may be a strong fit for Venture Scholars if you:
- Are a KU undergraduate student pursuing any major
- Demonstrate initiative, tenacity and an interest in entrepreneurship
- Want to learn how ventures and investment opportunities are evaluated
- Can participate through graduation
Recruitment for the inaugural cohort will focus on current sophomores, with flexibility for juniors who can participate through graduation.
Requirements before the program begins
By February 2027, selected scholars must:
- Have completed or be enrolled in ENTR 410
- Have completed or be participating in The Catalyst
- Pursue a business or entrepreneurship minor if major is outside the School of Business
You may apply before completing the ENTR 410 and Catalyst requirements. Your application should explain how you plan to meet them before the program begins.
There is no separate minimum GPA requirement for admission. Scholars must remain in good academic standing throughout their participation.
Commitment and scholarship
The Venture Scholars program is designed to fit alongside your academic schedule.
- Scholarship: $1,000 per semester
- Time commitment: 10 one-hour Friday working sessions each semester, with minimal work beyond scheduled sessions
- Program length: Typically four semesters*
- Internships: Optional opportunities with separate time commitments
- Meeting details: Cohort will meet in Capitol Federal Hall; meeting time and participation expectations will be shared before the program begins.
*Juniors who join the inaugural cohort may participate through graduation and complete fewer semesters.
Frequently asked questions
KU undergraduate students in any major may apply. Recruitment for the first cohort will focus on current sophomores, with flexibility for juniors who can participate through graduation.
No. Students from any major may apply. Students outside the School of Business must pursue a business or entrepreneurship minor by the time the program begins.
You may apply before completing ENTR 410 or The Catalyst, but you must explain how you will meet the requirements before the program begins.
Participants receive a $1,000 scholarship each semester, subject to continued participation, good academic standing and completion of required activities.
Scholars attend 10 one-hour Friday working sessions each semester. Most cohort work takes place during those sessions, although internships have separate time commitments.
The inaugural cohort begins during the second week of February 2027.