500 Startups and Stanford team up to teach startup investment

Navigating the startup seas as a new investor or entrepreneur can be tricky business; it’s all about how you approach unruly waves and, depending on your skills and expertise, it can be smooth sailing or a really bumpy ride.

That’s why Silicon Valley venture capital seed fund and startup accelerator 500 Startups is working with the Stanford Center for Professional Development on a two-week course on early-stage tech investing. Aimed at investors present and future looking to dip their toe into startup investments and to get a better idea of how to raise money in optimal ways, the course will take place at Stanford campus and 500 Startups offices in California from May 4 to 15.

The program, called “The Insider’s Guide to Silicon Valley Investing”, will be taught both by Stanford faculty members and experienced investors and entrepreneurs, including Mike Lyons, Michael Lepech, and Pedram Mokrian, as well as by 500 Startups managing partners Dave McClure and Bedy Yang.

Some of the insights the program organizers hope to impart on attendees include looking into Silicon Valley stakeholders and how financing in tech investing works, opportunity assessment, and how to build the necessary portfolio and conduct due diligence while preparing an investment pitch. Also on the menu will be case study reviews from entrepreneurs raising capital, as well as networking opportunities with startups. In addition, attendees will have the chance to meet and interact with Silicon Valley power players such as founders and angels as well as advisors, lawyers, etc. Between networking, visiting key Silicon Valley locations, and attending courses, the program promises to be a full-time affair for everyone involved.

While prospective attendees away from California and closer to Asia might find the trip daunting (not to mention the price tag), 500 Startups remains hopeful that many attendants will, in fact, be from this side of the Pacific ocean, and come from an entrepreneur’s background.

“The [program’s] target audience is investors and investors-to-be,” 500 Startups managing partner Bedy Yang told Tech in Asia. “In the Bay Area, it is quite common to have founders who exit to become active angels and mentors, so we’d like to see that [happen] in other markets too.”

Those interested in applying for the course can find out more at 500 Startups’ website. Application deadline is April 10. Tuition fees are US$18,000, which covers the entire two-week program, but not travel and accommodation.