
Kauffman Fellows Program
From idea to IPO, principal to partner, LP to GP and beyond — the Kauffman Fellows Program helps decision makers become better investors and navigate uncharted territory.
We're anchored by a two-year program designed to radically accelerate innovator success through self-reflection, peer learning, and a structured curriculum.
Learn from the world’s top 1% investors, educators, and innovation leaders
We drive the conversation on industry trends and guide Fellows to lead the way for a greater VC industry.
The Kauffman Fellows Program challenges investors to grow their understanding of the greater venture capital ecosystem and the most meaningful impact they can make with their array of talents.

Learning Design
Program Details
What it entails
We cover the knowledge, skills, practices, and behaviors needed to become an exceptional investor. From fundraising tools and techniques to portfolio construction and leadership skills, we bring the world's experts straight to you.
Four days consisting of peer-to-peer sessions, speaker-led sessions, and structured and unstructured time for building deep and authentic relationships.
60-90 minute sessions (depending on the topic) held between each module to deep-dive on a subject from the previous module.
A reunion of the entire Kauffman Fellows Network, held in compelling innovation ecosystems, to introduce different cultures and different approaches to venture investing.
Forums are small groups of 5-7 Fellows who connect on a monthly basis, in a confidential and trusted environment, to facilitate self-directed and supportive learning, idea exchange, and self-exploration.
A road map of goals (i.e. improving board participation, deepening networks with limited partners) and actionable items. This provides a basis for creating a personal brand, defining and measuring progress, and balancing life and career.
Leadership-centric modules focus on building essential skills
Throughout our time together, you will develop real connections with classmates and speakers which will broaden and deepen your network.
Structured Modules
Foundation Leadership Essentials
Increase one’s self-knowledge and level of self-awareness, personality assessments, and vulnerable conversations. Identify one’s strengths (Zone of Genius) and growth areas (blind spots).
Investment Thesis & Deal Flow
Define and refine a compelling, data-driven narrative that maps self-discovery to a personal investment thesis. Articulate methods of firm decision making based on perspectives, patterns, and best practices.
Supporting Portfolio Companies
Identify various methods of coaching founders and your firm's own unique style and capabilities.
Running the Firm as a Business
Plan to build and maintain an intentional firm culture as the firm grows. Synthesize practices of successful firm operations and operational leadership.
Firm to Franchise
Plan and strategize around exiting portfolio companies, returning the fund to LPs, and scaling the firm’s brand globally.
Class Design
Each class is composed of senior leaders in the capital formation ecosystem from varying areas of expertise. Venture capital investors form the bulk of the class, but we purposefully design a class with investors in a variety of fields such as private equity, family offices, accelerator funds, sovereign wealth funds, corporate venture, and angel networks.