Join the Included VC Ascend Fellowship: a global venture capital MBA for extraordinary people looking to build and lead Africa's investment industry. Applications are open and registering takes one minute.
Register your interestSix months. Entirely virtual. No finance background needed.
Included VC Ascend applications are open. It takes only one minute.
Register your interestA global VC MBA for those who will build and lead Africa's investment industry.
Fellows, alumni, applicants and the community around them. Seven years of opening the industry, for free.
The same people the Fellowship has always been for.
The intellectually curious. The ones trying to understand the VC industry, how capital moves and who decides where it goes. You want business insight, you pay attention to startup culture, and you want to know how a company goes from an idea to something worth backing.
You already have it. You have built something, led something, or become genuinely excellent at something, and you keep pushing anyway. You are already collecting the kind of skills that compound.
The people who, a few years from now, will be shaping this industry rather than watching it.
Working knowledge, real relationships and a portfolio that speaks for you.
How capital moves and who gets it. Sourcing, diligence, valuation, term sheets, portfolio construction. Working knowledge, not theory.
Direct access to the investors shaping the industry. Many will be your mentors and instructors. Not a cold email. A relationship.
Real deals, real calls, made and defended in investment committee simulations. You finish with work to show.
Alumni across 40+ countries, over 85% now working in venture. You hear about roles before they're posted.
Masterclasses with investors from some of the best funds globally, plus the foundations of how venture works: sourcing, diligence, valuation, term sheets, portfolio construction.
Investment committee simulations where you make real calls on real deals and defend them. You finish with work you made, not work you watched.
A mentor working in the industry, office hours with practising investors, and career coaching built around landing you a role.
Peer learning across a cohort spanning 40+ countries, and a network that stays with you long after the six months. The part Fellows say mattered most.
A sneak peek
The main things you need to know.
Made possible by our sponsors, who want to change the face of VC. Please note there is an application fee.
You can work and be a Fellow. Expect to invest 15+ hours a week on applications, financial modelling courses, personal branding and more. Masterclasses and workshops usually run one to two evenings a week, 17:00 to 20:00 UK time.
You must be serious about breaking into Venture Capital. We want to hear about your experiences of trying to get in.
Masterclasses, in-depth deep dives, foundational learning, investment committee simulations, mentoring with world-class investors, office hours, peer-to-peer learning, brand building, career coaching, AMAs and more.
Join from anywhere. Some optional in-person Summits along the way.
If any of these apply to you ("I'm a mum", "I'm a student", "I'm not in tech", "I'm not in investment banking"), we encourage you to apply.
Application cycle
Registrations open
Our Instructors are hands on and dedicate heaps of time towards the success of Included VC Fellows.
Join the Included VC Ascend Fellowship: a global venture capital MBA for extraordinary people looking to build and lead Africa's investment industry. Applications are open and registering takes one minute.
Register your interestSix months. Entirely virtual. No finance background needed.
Included VC Ascend applications are open. It takes only one minute.
Register your interestA global VC MBA for those who will build and lead Africa's investment industry.
Twelve modules from your first day to your first role.
How a fund is built, who it answers to and how the money moves.
The numbers behind a deal, built by hand until they make sense.
Where great companies come from and how to find them first.
Term sheets, SHAs and the fine print that decides outcomes.
Ownership, dilution and how a round actually gets done.
Where the industry came from and why it works the way it does.
Does the business make money per customer? Learn to tell fast.
How returns are realised, from IPO to acquisition.
Build a point of view the industry can argue with.
Business models, market shifts and what's next.
How to pressure-test a company before you back it.
Landing the role: applications, interviews, brand and network.
With almost 85% of our alumni building and scaling major global projects, their insights are yours to learn from.
Included VC goes beyond classic diversity initiatives. There's the practical component, but also so much heart and community, which is what's mainly behind its insane success.
I got my first job in VC thanks to Included VC, quite honestly simply because of its brand name. The moment the team heard I'd gotten into Included VC, something shifted. And here I am now 6+ months in a VC role. It's crazy!
At first I did wonder if it was just the brand name, but attending the Fellowship, meeting other Fellows I realise it's because the quality of people involved is unbeaten. Folks are being vetted before they get recruited into VC, which makes so much sense.
It changed my life!
There is a reason why Included VC is one of the most competitive Fellowships out there. There is a reason why alumni can't stop raving about it. There is a reason why so many, despite not being accepted, continue to apply over and over again. There is a reason why once you're "in" you're a part of a community that is so valuable.
Included VC is by far the best thing I've ever been a part of. This Fellowship gave me so much professionally: the hands-on knowledge from Partners all around the world, the network, and the ability to do things I never thought I could do. It also gave me so much personally: a diverse and supportive community, and friendships with people all over the world.
Included VC exceeded my expectations. It challenged me in more ways than I could have imagined. A huge thank you to Niki, the Partners, speakers, and alumni for their dedication, kindness, support, and encouragement.
I'd recommend INVC to any aspiring VC (brace yourself for a controversial opinion) over a masters degree from the fanciest biz school.
You're gaining unparalleled, no frills, insider knowledge and skills straight from the source.
You're gaining mentors that take a passionate and personal interest in your success.
You're gaining a global family who will back you for LIFE.
Included VC was a life-changing experience: although I had some knowledge of the VC industry, the depth and details shared by practitioners from the top-performing VC funds took it to the next level!
Another unique aspect of INVC is the community and sense of belonging. I was challenged, I had to get out of my comfort zone, get disciplined and explore topics unknown to me previously.
Niki has been a great mentor and fostered the INVC community and made the fellows feel welcomed and appreciated. They have created something magical indeed!
Finally, the lifelong friendships I've made are very rare and I know that I have a trusted circle of like-minded friends that are always there to help and support me!
In the beginning, I thought I got into a Fellowship that could teach me more about venture investing. And indeed, I graduated with a wealth of unspoken insights that can be found nowhere outside of this Fellowship.
But more importantly and unexpectedly, Included VC taught me a few life lessons that will undoubtedly positively impact my life, namely, showing genuine gratitude, always being kind, and going above and beyond.
At the same time, the Included VC magic brought together 50+ unbelievably bright, warm, and kind individuals who will continue to bring light and smiles to people around them.
I feel proud to call them my friends. These people, including myself, may not have had the chance to amplify our positive influence, but Included VC gave us the stage in VC and magnified the possibility. And I firmly believe that countless other lives will also indirectly improve because of this.
Can I redo the Fellowship?
That was my first question after the summit ;)
It has been such a positive and extraordinary experience that I would start over again. From law to VC was not easy, but I made it! Included VC gave me the tools to believe I could and will always be grateful.
Included VC is the warp-speed ticket into the world of VC, delivering an unparalleled blend of theory and hands-on experience. The Fellowship's focal point is a rapid acceleration of practical knowledge, featuring masterclasses led by some of the most respected venture capitalists.
Each session is a sheer delight, and the collective enthusiasm within the group adds an extra layer of energy to the learning experience.
It's a transformative journey, akin to a once-in-a-lifetime return to the school benches, propelling growth and insight at an astonishing pace.
The Included VC community is one-of-a-kind, irreplaceable and unique. Where else could you discuss the startup ecosystem in Tanzania, discover novel biotech companies in Italy or read about investable beauty brands, all in one week?
These past 7 months of masterclasses, workshops, many 1-1s, discussions with Partners and simulations of Investment Committees were so precious.
I would like to repeat it all over again.
Included VC gives you tools, knowledge, advice, network and most of all the push and motivation for success. It is a privilege being part of it.
Included VC gave me all the benefits of being a 'nepo baby' without having been born into privilege.
It's so so much more than a network and learning. Anyone can put you in touch with anyone if you try but Included VC gives you a cult of people dedicated to your personal development and professional achievement.
People at every stage of their career, all completely dedicated to the cause. It is the definition of serendipity and the most incredible journey I have ever been on.
As a Nepalese and also a person with only a science background and academic experience, I initially believed breaking into VC was a formidable challenge.
However, my perspective underwent a complete transformation through my involvement in Included VC. More than the knowledge and practical experience I acquired, what truly resonates with me is the newfound confidence and the invaluable, diverse network that has become a lifelong asset.
I take pride in having been a Fellow and having the opportunity to connect with exceptional leaders and mentors such as Nikita and the Venture Partners. This Fellowship has not only broadened my horizons but has also become a source of pride and accomplishment in my professional journey.
When I first joined, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but what I found exceeded my wildest expectations. Included VC has introduced me to a world of incredible VC professionals who have been not only supportive but also instrumental in providing invaluable insights.
What truly sets Included VC apart is the motivation it instills. It's not just about becoming a master in VC. It's about creating a vibrant and inclusive community where our unique backgrounds and cultures are celebrated. It's about becoming adept at navigating a complex industry and feeling proud of our differences.
The educational aspect of the Fellowship is top-notch. The knowledge shared by exceptional individuals has been enlightening, and the network I've cultivated is indispensable in an industry where connections are paramount. The team at Included VC goes above and beyond to ensure our success, not just during the Fellowship but also in our future endeavours.
I am immensely grateful to the incredible team at Included VC, especially Niki and our Partner Funds for making all of this possible. The lasting friendships I've formed with fellow participants will undoubtedly form the core of my VC network for years to come.
It's been a life-changing opportunity to be a part of this dynamic community and for championing the mission to make the venture world more equitable.
Together, let's continue to change the face of VC!
It's with a heart brimming with gratitude and eyes gleaming with memories that I attempt to encapsulate the profound impact Included VC has had on both my professional path and personal growth.
The warmth and sincerity emanating from the Included VC community (Alumni as well as my cohort) created an environment where I felt not just accepted, but truly understood. It's this intangible sense of camaraderie that transformed the fellowship into a sanctuary where dreams were nurtured and vulnerabilities embraced.
It wasn't just about absorbing knowledge; it was about immersing oneself in the ebb and flow of the venture capital world. The real-world ICs pushed me to step beyond the academic world and helped me understand how investment decisions are actually made. Learning from such accomplished investors not only elevated my understanding but also provided a nuanced perspective that textbooks could never capture.
And oh, the network! Included VC didn't just open doors; it unveiled entire galaxies. The connections I forged, be it with industry titans, visionary entrepreneurs, or fellow fellows, were more than mere LinkedIn additions. They were bonds forged in the crucible of shared dreams and aspirations, creating a tapestry of relationships that feels as enduring as it is enriching.
Thank you, Included VC, for not just investing in my professional journey but for touching the very core of my being. It's more than a Fellowship; it's been a symphony of growth, friendship, and self-discovery that will resonate within me for a lifetime.
The organisations our Fellows joined during or straight after Included VC.








































































































Follow in the footsteps of our inspiring Alumni!
We work with revolutionary grassroots communities across the world to build the future of VC together.
Need something cleared up? Here are the questions we get asked most, grouped by topic.
What Included VC is, what it covers and what makes it different.
Think of it as a fast-track MBA for venture capital, built for extraordinary people from overlooked and diverse communities. Included VC is the first global, fully funded Fellowship of its kind, and it exists because the industry should look like the society it invests in.
Our mission is to change the face of VC: dramatically increasing representation and maximising fund success by transforming networks, teams, deal flow and investments, creating multi-generational change.
Over 85% of Fellows who were actively looking for a role have broken into venture, from Asia to Europe to North America.
We inject a bit of magic into everything we do. If you don't believe us, join an Open Access Hour and see for yourself.
Magic aside, Fellows get an unrivalled global network of VCs from 40+ nationalities, and graduates go on to co-invest with their peers once they join funds. Our focus is long term: changing the demographics of investment teams so that capital reaches diverse founders. The core of that is helping you land an investment role.
Fellows come from anywhere: any gender, ethnicity, geography, upbringing, age, neurodiversity, disability or belief system. What they share is a passion for entrepreneurship, technology and creating significant impact through venture investing.
Global. You can apply from anywhere in the world.
If you are based in Africa, we now run a dedicated Included VC Africa Fellowship, tailored to your region, community and ecosystem.
Eligibility, and whether this is the right route for you.
You should apply if you want a career in VC in the near future, have tried to break in and not yet managed it, come from a non-traditional background, and identify with our definition of representation. Having tried matters to us; it shows this is something you want.
Please note you will need to commit 15 to 20 hours a week, including writing long-form Deep Dives.
If you are currently on a fund's investment team, or have held a paid VC role before, the Global Fellowship is not designed for you. It exists for people from diverse and overlooked communities who are still trying to break in.
Partner Funds do get exclusive access to Included VC reading material and events for their teams, so speak to the Partners at your fund about partnering with us. Partnership enquiries: nikita@included.vc.
Our focus is people who want to join a fund at entry level, not at Partner. There are excellent programmes out there for Emerging Managers.
Yes. The Fellowship is part-time. Masterclasses and workshops usually run one to two evenings a week, 17:00 to 20:00 UK time, and you should plan for 15+ hours a week in total.
How the process works, from first form to final conversation.
More detail is shared as you progress.
Yes, a small fee applies when you apply. The Fellowship itself is fully funded. If the fee is a barrier, a waiver is available through a short application.
Unfortunately not. We are not able to let Cohort Members defer.
You start as a Cohort Member. You graduate as an Included VC Fellow once you have met the criteria set out at the beginning of the Fellowship.
Who makes it free, and how to get involved as a fund.
Through the generosity of sponsors who want to change the face of VC: BITKRAFT, Creandum, Daphni, European Investment Fund, HSBC Ventures, HV Capital, Mouro Capital, Mangrove Capital, Notion Capital, Seedcamp and Wilson Sonsini.
Wonderful. Please get in touch with Nikita Thakrar at nikita@included.vc.
What Fellows get, where they go, and what happens after.
The numbers speak for themselves. Of Fellows actively applying to break into VC:
If you are part of the Fellowship you may be invited to Included VC: LIVE, a global gathering of alumni, Fellows and Venture Partners. Please note you cover your own costs for LIVE.
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