How to Learn Venture Capital
A structured path through Venture Capital — from first principles to confident mastery. Check off each milestone as you go.
Venture Capital Learning Roadmap
Click on a step to track your progress. Progress saved locally on this device.
Foundations of Finance and Startups
1-2 weeksLearn core finance concepts (time value of money, risk and return, equity vs. debt) and understand the startup ecosystem, business models, and why startups seek venture funding.
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VC Fund Structure and Economics
1-2 weeksStudy how VC funds are structured: limited vs. general partners, fund lifecycle, management fees, carried interest, the J-curve, and how returns are distributed.
Fundraising Stages and Instruments
2-3 weeksUnderstand the stages of startup funding (pre-seed through growth), along with financing instruments like SAFEs, convertible notes, and priced equity rounds.
Term Sheets and Deal Structuring
2-3 weeksMaster term sheet components: valuation, liquidation preferences, anti-dilution provisions, pro rata rights, board composition, and protective covenants.
Due Diligence and Company Evaluation
2-3 weeksLearn how VCs evaluate startups: assessing founding teams, total addressable market (TAM), product-market fit, unit economics, competitive moats, and technology risk.
Portfolio Management and Value Creation
1-2 weeksExplore how VCs support portfolio companies post-investment through board governance, strategic introductions, follow-on funding decisions, and operational guidance.
Exits, Returns, and Performance Metrics
2-3 weeksStudy exit strategies (IPOs, M&A, secondaries), return metrics (IRR, TVPI, DPI, MOIC), benchmarking fund performance, and the power law distribution of returns.
Advanced Topics and the Evolving VC Landscape
2-4 weeksExplore emerging trends: corporate venture capital, rolling funds, equity crowdfunding, global VC ecosystems, ESG investing, AI-driven deal sourcing, and the impact of rising interest rates on venture valuations.
Explore your way
Choose a different way to engage with this topic — no grading, just richer thinking.
Explore your way — choose one: