A Generation of Leaders in Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital
Founded in 1994, the Kauffman Fellows Program identifies, develops, and networks the next generation of global leaders in the venture capital industry. While working full time at a venture capital firm, a Kauffman Fellow experiences a two-year apprenticeship program that features a case-based, structured educational curriculum with an individual development plan, executive coaching, mentoring by a senior partner, and peer learning and networking – all with a focus on giving back and one’s responsibility as a leader in venture capital.
Created by the Kauffman Foundation in partnership with leaders in the venture capital industry, the Fellows program was a bold experiment designed to educate and train future venture capitalists and future leaders of high-growth companies. Ultimately, the Fellowship aimed to increase wealth and job creation in the United States by supporting the development of high-potential start-up and early-stage companies.
In 2003, the program was spun out from the Kauffman Foundation and placed under the aegis of the newly created Center for Venture Education. The Center, a non-profit, post-graduate educational institute, has expanded the program nationally and internationally. There are 163 Kauffman Fellows working in the U.S. and across 5 continents – Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America.
The Kauffman Fellows Program provides experience in the venture capital process for exceptional men and women.
- Industry retention of Kauffman Fellows is high. In contrast to industry averages, where about half of those who join VC firms stay in the industry, almost 80% of all fellows have remained in venture capital.
- For all fellows who have remained in the venture capital industry for at least a year since graduating from the program, success rates are also high. Close to 70% are general partners in their firms.
- Over a dozen Kauffman Fellows have founded their own firms and closed their first funds.
- During the first ten years of the program alone, Kauffman Fellows led investments of more than $3.6 billion in 417 companies, sparking $10.8 billion in annual revenues and the creation of 42,000 jobs. Since then, those numbers have continued to grow.
For more about the Kauffman Fellows Program and the online application, go to www.kauffmanfellows.org.
