Dream VC, a major provider of venture capital education in Africa, has started accepting applications for its 2024 intake. Now in its third year, the company has trained over 170 African and Africa-oriented investment professionals so far. The courses on offer provide a customized syllabus, practical instruction, and investor networking opportunities.
Established in 2021 by Mark Kleyner and Cindy Ai, who both spent years working in start-ups and venture capital firms across Europe, North America, and Africa, Dream VC has quickly become a prominent player in its field.
Cindy Ai revealed in an interview with Techpoint Africa a few months following their launch that one of her key reasons for starting Dream VC was her own struggle to break into the venture capital industry. According to her, a fellowship programme or approach that expanded access to venture capital opportunities, much like the one her company now offers, was instrumental in her professional development.
Dayo Koleowo, a General Partner at Microtraction and a former speaker at Dream VC’s venture capital programmes, expressed his support of the programme. Highlighting the difficulties of breaking into the steadily developing African venture capital sector, he praises the way Dream VC prepares candidates with the critical skills required for entry-level roles within the industry. With the rapid proliferation of African funds, he believes that great potential lies in filling those positions with top-tier talent.
For this year, Dream VC is organising two initiatives: the Launch Into Venture Capital (LIVC) and the Investor Accelerator Program (IA).
LIVC is a programme that runs for four months and is designed to open up paths to entry-level roles in venture capital. The Investor Accelerator Program, on the other hand, is oriented towards midcareer to advanced-stage professionals who have both the financial resources and the experience to kick-start their investment activities once they complete the program.
Despite their different target audience and objectives, both programs include a cost. The LIVC is priced at $1,500, while the IA program is more expensive at $5,000. Nevertheless, Dream VC also offers scholarships via the Dream VC Access Foundation.
Mark Kleyner, co-founder of Dream VC, emphasized the company’s mission extends beyond merely producing a specific number of investors within a given period. He stated that the company’s programs are geared towards nurturing future leaders ready to assume various roles within the venture capital sector. This could range from joining venture capital firms, starting their own funds, to becoming venture builders, angel investors, and ecosystem enablers at ESOs.
Those interested are strongly urged to submit their applications before the closing date of Sunday, April 14, 2024.
