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    On campus program
    Venture Capital Asset Management

    Navigate the venture capital landscape with confidence

    On campus program

    Venture Capital Asset Management

    Navigate the venture capital landscape with confidence

    Location

    On campus

    Length
    4 days
    Fee
    CHF 7,900
    Next program starts
    08 May 2025
    Gain the confidence to make smart investment decisions in venture capital

    Venture capital is crucial to a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem – but the path to becoming a successful venture capitalist, or VC investor (a limited partner), is often long and uncertain. Traditionally, this path involves a lengthy apprenticeship, potential losses for limited partners, and navigating at least one business cycle.  

    IMD’s Venture Capital Asset Management program is designed to accelerate your journey by providing the practical tools and insights needed to navigate the risks and opportunities of venture capital investing.  

    Through a unique learning journey, blending theory and practical application, you will deepen your understanding of the art of smart investment decisions. The program features two days of research and practitioner-driven learning, followed by a two-day live, competitive simulation that replicates a 10-year fund lifecycle, allowing you to apply your skills in real-world scenarios. Learn from seasoned academics and professionals in the field, partners in the industry and a rich network of peers. 

    Identify investment opportunities

    Learn what it takes to invest in venture assets, how to evaluate risks and identify the right investment opportunities. 

    Manage sustainable portfolios

    Gain the right tools and strategies for launching and managing a dynamic and sustainable portfolio.  

    Develop exit strategies

    Learn how to engineer exits to get the highest return for your fund and your investors. 

    Engage in a hands-on simulation

    Join a competitive, state-of-the-art simulation where you will compete with your peers.  

    Join a growing community

    Become part of a peer network of practitioners and leaders in this space.

    You and your class

    The program is ideal for individuals within the venture capital ecosystem who are looking to gain a deeper understanding of venture investing and venture asset management – including pension funds, bankers, insurers, business lawyers, corporate venture capitalists, family offices, angel investors, asset managers, entrepreneurs and emerging venture capitalists.

    Benefit from a complimentary profile assessment to see if this is the right program for you.

    2024 class profile (average data)

    16

    years of experience

    45

    average age

    12

    Nationalities

    10

    Industries

    Assess your profile
    What our participants say
    Marc Davies, participant, IMD's Venture Asset Management program
    Marc Davies

    CEO and Managing Partner, Key Family Partners SA, Switzerland

    An excellent program that covers a lot. The speakers and practitioners were great. I really enjoyed the experience and the people I met. I’ve already recommended it to a colleague.

    Guillaume Hingel, participant, IMD's Venture Asset Management program
    Guillaume Hingel

    Financial Innovation Lead, World Economic Forum, Switzerland

    A fantastic line-up from start to finish! I very much enjoyed the program and the engaging combination of expert insights, peer exchange, and actionable frameworks.

    Jean Chatelle, participant of IMD's Venture Asset Management program
    Jeanne Chatelle

    Business & Ecosystems Development Manager, Nestlé Purina Petcare, Switzerland

    This program changed my perspective. Understanding the various stakeholders’ objectives and interests is very helpful for interacting with venture capitalists.

    Felix Haas

    Global Strategy Manager, M&A-Lead, iptiQ by Swiss Re, Switzerland

    The program, speakers and participants were all great. I’m glad I was able to be part of it.

    Pierre Morneau

    General Manager, Takeda, Switzerland

    The program was outstanding and the quality of the speakers was very high. I learned a lot and went away with great energy.

    Discover the program
    Venture Asset Management - Jim Pulcrano
    “Winning, making money is a better alternative than just protecting against losses.” Hear from our Program Director, Jim Pulcrano, and past participants about their learning experience.
    Venture Asset Management - Participant
    Kelly Carroll “It provided a very broad spectrum of topics and thought provoking material for me to become a better investor in the future.”
    Venture Asset Management - Participant
    Martin Iffert “It is one of the few outstanding programs in the world.”
    Venture Asset Management - Participant
    Simon Rolland “The Venture Asset Management program at IMD is eye opening.”
    Jim Pulcrano - venture asset management

    Entrepreneurs move society forward.  Without them, it stagnates. We need entrepreneurs to do big, bold things that help solve the world’s problems. And we need the VCs who support them financially. VCs’ access to capital typically comes from people and organizations that don’t understand the world of venturing, or what drives entrepreneurs.  Helping these organizations is the goal of this research project and the programs it spawns.

    Read more

    Jim Pulcrano Program Director
    MichelDemare

    There is enough innovation and creativity in Switzerland and Europe to compete with other countries in terms of quality of start-ups. Where we lag behind is in the area of funding capabilities. European risk capital is scarcer, there is less risk taking, and we hope through this project to promote venture capital as a new asset class in Europe.

    Michel Demaré Chairman of IMD’s Foundation and Supervisory boards and start-up investor
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    Your learning journey
    Day 1: Setting the stage
    • Introduction to venture capital asset management 
    • Why not invest directly in startups?
    • The functioning of a venture capital firm
    • Term sheets and shareholder agreements
    • How do you decide? 5 early-stage case examples
    • The art and science of valuations
    • Making the decision and extracting value
    • Incorporating ESG into your decision
    Day 2: Creating value in venture capital
    • Exit planning and exit dynamics
    • How pension funds see venture capital
    • Valuation skills and investing biases
    • Fireside chat with Speedinvest
    • Timeframes for success
    • Preparing for the simulation challenge
    Day 3: Hands-on simulation, part 1
    • Introduction to portfolio fund management 
    • Navigating the 10-15 year fund lifecycle 
    • Strategies for venture capital funds 
    • Fundraising from limited partners as a professional sales process 
    • Term sheets and deal construction 
    • Constructing your portfolio
    • Engaging effectively with limited partners 
    Day 4: Hands-on simulation, part 2
    • Limited partner reporting 
    • Co-investing and building networks
    • Designing your value creation playbook 
    • Planning your exit strategy 
    • Defining and delivering fund and team performance
    • Closing thoughts 
    Who you’ll be learning from
    Jim Pulcrano

    Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management

    Jim Pulcrano is Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management. He has extensive expertise in entrepreneurship, particularly startup culture, strategy, customer centricity, marketing, and disruption. A former Executive Director at IMD, Pulcrano runs the annual IMD Startup Competition and teaches entrepreneurship courses for Innosuisse, th…

    Read more
    Karl Schmedders

    Professor of Finance

    Karl Schmedders is Professor of Finance. His research and teaching focuses on sustainability and the economics of climate change. He is therefore able to provide key insights on the transition risk arising from the shift to a greener economy and help companies face up to the challenges of potential asset degradation and increasing carbon prices. …

    Read more
    Chris Rangen

    Strategy Advisor

    Chris Rangen is a trusted advisor to venture funds, fund-of-funds, VC ecosystems and governments globally. He has advised 250+ funds and runs multiple global GP Accelerators. He is visiting faculty at 12 business schools teaching VC, entrepreneurship, and strategy. He is also chairman of Link Capital (Norway).

    Read more
    Nicolas von der Schulenberg

    Managing Director, Portfolio Advisors

    Nicolas is Managing Director at Portfolio Advisors. With over two decades of private equity experience, Nicolas brings deep expertise in fund investments, due diligence, and advisory roles across European and U.S. markets.

    Read more
    Arijana Walcott

    Founder & Managing Partner, DART Ventures

    Arijana is the Founder and General Partner at DART Ventures, investing in early-stage Swiss and European startups. Focused on health and climate tech, she leverages global insights to accelerate ventures that create meaningful, sustainable impact.

    Read more
    Karim Maizar

    Partner, Kellerhals Carrard

    Karim is a partner at Kellerhals Carrard, specializing in startup and venture capital law. He advises Swiss tech and life sciences startups from seed to exit, supporting founders, investors, and the innovation ecosystem with legal expertise and mentorship.

    Read more
    Michael Sidler

    Co-Founder and General Partner, Redalpine

    As Founding Partner at Redalpine, Michael leverages his molecular biology Ph.D. and consulting experience to invest in innovative startups. He supports visionary founders driving technological advancements and economic growth.

    Read more
    Olivier Laplace

    Managing Partner – Technology investments, VI Partners

    Olivier is a tech entrepreneur, investor, and former investment banker with 18 years of experience in the field. He has led venture investments, M&A transactions, and founded a mobile tech startup.

    Read more
    Anca Mataoanu

    Pension Fund Management Board Member

    With experience at The World Bank and Wharton, Anca brings over 20 years of leadership across private, multilateral, and public sectors, specializing in finance, sustainability, and policy.

    Read more
    Daniel Keiper-Knorr

    General Partner, Speedinvest

    Daniel is a Founding Partner at Speedinvest, leading limited partner relations and fundraising. Previously a stockbroker and private banker, he co-founded a fintech startup, and brings deep expertise in venture capital and financial strategy.

    Read more
    Yassine Zaied

    Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer, Nexthink

    Yassine is the Chief Strategy Officer at Nexthink, leading strategic partnerships, product innovation, and go-to-market strategies. With a strong background in technology and business development, he has extensive experience driving global growth and innovations.

    Read more
    Jim Pulcrano’s publications
    Article
    The knowledge bank: an essential guide to venture capital

    Explore top books, websites, and podcasts recommended by IMD expert Jim Pulcrano for anyone venturing into or exploring venture capital, from entrepreneurs to investors.

    By Jim Pulcrano
    22 January 2025
    Read more
    Article
    AutismCare: Using technology to fulfill an unmet need

    Klein tells Jim Pulcrano how AI technology can help build scale and precision in an underserved population, how he defines success, and the challenges he faces as he seeks to build this social impact enterprise.

    By Jim Pulcrano
    04 November 2024
    Read more
    Article
    Founderful: ‘Ideas are a commodity. Execution is everything.’

    In episode six of Tech for Good, Edouard Treccani, principal at Founderful, a Swiss pre-seed Venture Capital fund founded in 2019, discusses its mission to invest in emerging startups and support students at Swiss universities build great companie…

    By Jim Pulcrano and Edouard Treccani
    03 October 2024
    Read more
    Article
    Building the Javabot experience: How Roasting Plant found the strategy to match its tech

    IMD’s Jim Pulcrano explains how Roasting Plant found the business model to bring an innovative new technology to market.

    By Jim Pulcrano
    06 May 2024
    Read more
    Next start & fee

    Length: 4 days

    Dates
    8 May – 11 May 2025
    Location
    Lausanne
    Length
    4 days
    Price
    CHF 7,900
    Apply
    Dates
    25 Sep – 28 Sep 2025
    Location
    Lausanne
    Length
    4 days
    Price
    CHF 7,900
    Apply

    Tuition, teaching materials, and lunch are included.
    All fees quoted are exclusive of any value-added or other indirect taxes that may be due in any country.
    IMD reserves the right to modify the program dates, location, and fee at any time.

    One step closer to joining IMD alumni network

    Successful completion of this program takes you one step closer to joining IMD’s powerful alumni network.

    130k+ alumni

    Networking

    250+ events per year

    Communities

    50+ clubs worldwide

    Resources

    Learn more about IMD alumni network