Akash Ravani, '25
Economics Major
Venture Virtuoso
Ciocca Center's Venture Virtuoso is an opportunity for sophomores, juniors, and seniors from every major to learn the art and science of effectively assessing start ups. Cohort members will complete MGMT 167, a 5 unit course called Venture Capitalist Essentials. MGMT 167 is an Entrepreneurship minor elective course and a course option in the Design Thinking Pathway.
This course is an immersive introduction to the fundamentals of venture capital, combining instruction with hands-on experience. Students will form and manage their own early-stage venture funds, developing investment theses, sourcing deals, and making simulated investment decisions. Through interactive case studies, real-world deal analysis, and guidance from instructors who are active venture capital investors, students will gain an understanding of how VC’s identify and support high-potential startups. The course emphasizes experiential learning, with guest speakers who are active investors from different venture firms as well as startup founders who are seeking venture funding.
This program is made possible thanks to the generous support of Jim and Susan Cracraft.
Teaching Team
Morgan Slain, Partner, Santa Clara Ventures
Faculty
Prof. Sriram Sundararajan, Founding Partner, Hypergrowth Labs Capital
Faculty
Marcella Sorrentino
Program Director
Apply now for the Spring 2026 cohort!
Application Deadline: January 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
This year’s application uses a one-way video interview platform, allowing you to record your responses at your convenience. You’ll submit both written and video
Spots are limited, so don’t miss your chance to join this dynamic, hands-on program that connects you directly with Silicon Valley’s innovation scene!
If you have any questions, please contact cioccacenter@scu.edu.
For interview accommodations, reach out to rcramer@scu.edu no later than January 9. We’re committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible experience for all applicants."
FAQs
- Who can apply for this program?
SCU students who will be Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors during Fall or Spring are eligible to apply.
- What is the time commitment?
This course is offered in the Fall and Spring quarters. Students commit to the quarter they apply for. We anticipate that students will commit about 2 - 6 hours per week, in addition to class time, on this program. This 5-unit course will take place on Wednesdays from 5:25 - 8:25pm during the Spring 2026 quarter.
- Can students participate in both Venture Virtuoso and SCU Study Abroad?
No, because the program is limited to the Fall and Spring quarters, we cannot permit students to be part of this program and on a study abroad program simultaneously. We are looking for students who will be participating face to face.
- What majors is this quarter long program open to?
This program is open to all majors and will be interdisciplinary.
VCIC 2025
SCU Undergraduate Team
California Regional Competition at USC
What is VCIC?
- VCIC is a competition in which students play the role of investors and real startups pitch to them.
- Students are the investors, not the entrepreneurs. Students do not come with startup ideas. Rather, students play the role of analysts in a VC firm, assessing the startups at VCIC as potential investments.
Real investors are at the event assessing the students’ ability to be the best VCs!
SCU takes 3rd Place!
Team members from left to right: Jackson Dwelle, Lauren Jisser, Rosalie Wessels, Isabella Guerrero, Ryan Pool, Akash Ravani, and Filip Orth (Advisor)
“It was really exciting for me to be fully immersed in another discipline. The competition provided the perfect place for me to learn another way of thinking, connect with our team, and build confidence with my venture capital skill set.”
Jackson Dwelle
BioChem, ‘25
“Participating in VCIC was an invaluable experience that sharpened my analytical skills, strengthened my connections with peers, and gave me confidence in navigating the world of Venture Capital."
Isabella Guerrero
Management & Entrepreneurship, ‘25
“VCIC was an incredible opportunity to step into the shoes of VCs during their most intense moments, crafting numerous term sheets, investment memos, and models in just 36 hours, while conducting due diligence interviews with founders and pitching to a large room of fund partners. The learning experiences and connections throughout the competition—fostered by hands-on practice, advice from many successful VCs, and the network of top VC students from the attending universities—were unmatched compared to any other VC experience I have had.”
Ryan Pool
Commerce, Finance, & Economics ‘27
“I just wanted to say once more, great job everyone! Really proud of you; the progress you have made over the last few weeks is amazing to see. It was a true pleasure to be your advisor.”
Filip Orth (SCU Young Alum, Advisor)
International Business & Entrepreneurship, ‘23
2025-2026 Venture Virtuoso Cohort
Aanchal Saharan, '27
Finance & Economics
Amjad Rehawi, '27
Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
Andrey Marey, '27
Computer Science and Mathematics
Angelo Lopez, '28
Management
Christopher Gray, '28
Business Management
Cole Paris, '26
Computer Science
Colleen Cloonan, '28
Psychology
Cooper McCarthy, '26
Mechanical Engineering
Elaine Zhang, '27
Accounting & Information Systems, Economics
Ephraim Esson, '26
Computer Science and Engineering
Hudson Heimerman, '26
Economics
Hyatt Tullu, '27
Finance
Ivan Jauregui, '28
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Josephine Gotama, '28
Finance
Krish Jajoo, '28
Computer Science and Engineering
Kyan Hsu, '28
Accounting Information Systems
Luke Manion, '26
Business Management
Nahum Fikre, '27
Computer Science
Neil Gawande, '26
Math
Ren Hattori, '28
Management Information Systems
Rishi Rajan, '26
Finance
Ryan McCaulley, '26
General Engineering
Sanjana Badami, '28
Management Information Systems
Tad Mendes, '26
Accounting
Tyler Page, '28
Accounting
William Siegel, '27
Neuroscience and Biochemistry
2024-2025 Venture Virtuoso Cohort
Courtney Byrne, '27
Civil Engineering Major, Construction Management Minor
Civil Engineering Major, Construction Management Minor
Daniel Joseph Kim, '27
Economics, Computer Science
Economics, Computer Science
David Cheon, '26
Economics Major, Minor in Entrepreneurship
Economics Major, Minor in Entrepreneurship
Erik Keifer, '25
General Engineering Major, Economics Minor
General Engineering Major, Economics Minor
Gary Soo, '27
Finance Major, Management Information Systems and Business Analytics Minors
Finance Major, Management Information Systems and Business Analytics Minors
Harrison Lake, '25
Economics Major, International Business Minor
Economics Major, International Business Minor
Hayden Carroll, '26
Biology Major, Healthcare Innovation and Design Minor, Music Minor
Biology Major, Healthcare Innovation and Design Minor, Music Minor
Isabella Guerrero, '25
Business Management Major, Entrepreneurship Minor
Business Management Major, Entrepreneurship Minor
Isha Moorjani, '27
Biology Major, Biotechnology and Spanish Studies Minors
Biology Major, Biotechnology and Spanish Studies Minors
Jackson Dwelle, '25
Biochemistry Major, Entrepreneurship Minor
Biochemistry Major, Entrepreneurship Minor
Jesse Glickstein, '27
Finance Major
Finance Major
Kidus Solomon, '25
Psychology Major and Graphic Design Minor
Psychology Major and Graphic Design Minor
Lizbeth Arreola Aguilar, '27
Political Science and Philosophy
Political Science and Philosophy
Luo Long, '25
Computer Science Major
Computer Science Major
Mariyam Lokhandwala, '26
Neuroscience, Public Health Major, Biology Minor
Neuroscience, Public Health Major, Biology Minor
Mati Teklemariam, '25
Management Information Systems and Computer Science
Management Information Systems and Computer Science
Max Partovi, '27
Business Major
Business Major
Nargiz Kudaibergenova, '25
Management Major, Retail Studies Minor
Management Major, Retail Studies Minor
Nick Le, '26
Accounting Information Systems Major
Accounting Information Systems Major
Rosalie Wessels, '27
Computer Science and Engineering
Computer Science and Engineering
Ryan Pool, '27
Finance Major and Entrepreneurship Minor
Finance Major and Entrepreneurship Minor
Ryan Quinn, '27
Environmental Studies Major
Environmental Studies Major
Ronny LaBrasciano, '27
Business Major
Business Major
Sylvana Domokos, '26
Neuroscience Major
Neuroscience Major
Taylor Carlson, '27
ECEN Major, TIDEM (Entrepreneurship) Minor
ECEN Major, TIDEM (Entrepreneurship) Minor
2023-2024 Venture Virtuoso Cohort
Alexandra Felipe, '25
Finance Major
Finance Major
Ananya Pagadala, '24
Computer Science Major, Spanish, Math Minors
Computer Science Major, Spanish, Math Minors
Brendan Plunkett, '24
Finance Major, MIS Minor
Finance Major, MIS Minor
Caitlyn Barber, '25
Finance Major, French and Business Analytics Minors
Finance Major, French and Business Analytics Minors
Eve Idusuyi, '25
Finance Major, Computer Science Minor
Finance Major, Computer Science Minor
Grace Perryman, '26
Finance Major, Entrepreneurship Minor
Finance Major, Entrepreneurship Minor
Jane Scullion, '25
Finance, Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship
Finance, Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship
Kian Lu, '26
Accounting and Economics Majors, International Business and Entrepreneurship Minors
Accounting and Economics Majors, International Business and Entrepreneurship Minors
Krish Chhablani, '26
Finance Major, MIS Minor
Finance Major, MIS Minor
MacKenzie Fisher, '26
Philosophy & Math Majors, African American Studies Minor
Philosophy & Math Majors, African American Studies Minor
Max Zhang, '23
Finance Major
Finance Major
Puja Shah, '26
Finance Major, MIS Minor
Finance Major, MIS Minor
Samantha Frank, '24
Psychology and Sociology Majors
Psychology and Sociology Majors