Yes, this reality TV show about apprentice VCs in Singapore is a real thing

Developing your dealflow. Looking at financial statements. Convincing managing partners that they should back a startup. Not exactly stuff that captures the imagination of the masses, but still interesting enough that there’s going to be a reality show about it.

Developed by venture capital firm Infocomm Investments (IIPL), Tyro.VC is a YouTube program taking place in Singapore that will take ten aspiring venture capitalists through the daily grind of the business. Contestants get training, source for the best deals, and the competition culminates in a demo day where a startup and an apprentice will be declared the winner.

The top apprentice gets a S$5,000 (US$3,900) cash prize and a one-year contract with IIPL. The startup that he or she sources could receive up to S$1 million from the VC firm, which could be topped up by investments from the other participating VCs.

The contestants will receive coaching from at least four investors, including Alex Lin and Pang Heng Soon of IIPL, Jeffrey Paine from Golden Gate Ventures, and Leslie Loh of Red Dot Ventures.

So if you’re keen to get orientated into the VC world (and fulfill your dream of appearing in a reality show), this is your chance. Registration ends November 14. Or if you prefer learning about the industry without the hoopla of having a camera in your face, just wait for the YouTube videos to come online, which should happen two to three weeks after the registration deadline.

As an aside, it’s fascinating that a VC firm is using such tactics to drum up interest about the industry, which is unheard of in this part of the world. A sign that the startup investment scene is heating up, perhaps?