TLDR:
- The U of A Venture Capital Society is collaborating with 46VC, a venture capital firm investing in early-stage tech founders affiliated with the university and the wider Arkansas entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- The society will provide practical experiences in due diligence, sourcing, and investor relations, as well as connections between students and industry professionals.
The University of Arkansas is launching a new registered student organization, the U of A Venture Capital Society, this semester. The society, founded by William Tier, aims to foster the entrepreneurial spirit through workshops, networking opportunities, and hands-on projects. Collaborating with venture capital firm 46VC, the society will focus on providing practical experiences in due diligence, sourcing, and investor relations, while also facilitating connections between students and industry professionals.
Tracy Poole, founder and managing partner at 46VC, expressed excitement about the partnership with the society, highlighting the opportunity to create authentic conversations and valuable connections within the community. Tier, a senior finance major, was inspired to create the society after taking a course on valuing new ventures and realizing the lack of a venture capital-focused organization on campus.
The society has planned panel sessions and a fireside chat for the fall semester, addressing topics such as identifying investment theses, deal flow sourcing, due diligence, investment structures, and negotiating terms. Through partnerships with the U of A Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the society aims to provide students with access to industry leaders and local venture funds to help them break into the challenging venture capital industry.
Overall, the launch of the U of A Venture Capital Society represents a significant step towards bridging connections between students and industry professionals in the venture capital space, offering practical experiences and networking opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors.
