USC Marshall Venture Fund

The USC Marshall Venture Fund is a student-run venture capital fund at the University of Southern California, dedicated to investing in early-stage companies founded by USC students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Its mission is to bridge the funding gap for early-stage USC-related companies, train students to evaluate, make, and manage venture investments, and involve and leverage enthusiastic alumni, advisors, and donors to support and accelerate USC ventures. The fund is supported by donations from alumni, patrons, and USC collaborating organizations, ensuring its sustainability and growth. Upon a liquidity event, 100 percent of the realized gain is reinvested into the Fund, maintaining its status as an evergreen fixture of USC Marshall's entrepreneurial ecosystem. The fund's Investment Committee comprises experienced venture capitalists from various firms, including Techstars LA, Index Ventures, Upfront Ventures, and Y Combinator Continuity Fund. These members provide invaluable mentorship and perspectives for student founders through lectures, office hours, and more. The USC Marshall Venture Fund began investing in November 2018 and continues to support the next generation of business leaders by combining student education with real-world venture capital experience.

The fund's primary goals are to educate students on how to evaluate potential investments and advise investment decisions, while engaging alumni, advisors, experts, and other stakeholders to build the entrepreneurial ecosystem at USC and beyond. By combining the Fund, and an active Investment Committee of experienced venture capitalists, with the best USC-related founders, the fund creates a unique educational opportunity for students and supports the next generation of business leaders. The fund's Investment Committee reflects the diversity of experience, viewpoints, and industries in the Los Angeles economy and investing community, providing invaluable perspectives to students as they learn to study and evaluate investment decisions. The USC Marshall Venture Fund is slated to begin investing this month.

The fund is supported by donations from alumni, patrons, and USC collaborating organizations. Upon a liquidity event, 100 percent of the realized gain is reinvested into the Fund, ensuring that it remains an evergreen, ever-growing fixture of USC Marshall's entrepreneurial ecosystem. The fund's Investment Committee comprises experienced venture capitalists from various firms, including Techstars LA, Index Ventures, Upfront Ventures, and Y Combinator Continuity Fund. These members provide invaluable mentorship and perspectives for student founders through lectures, office hours, and more. The USC Marshall Venture Fund began investing in November 2018 and continues to support the next generation of business leaders by combining student education with real-world venture capital experience.