Fund I fundraising was about conviction.
Your story. Your thesis. Your background. LPs were betting on potential.
Fund II is different. Now they want evidence. And the evidence is your Fund I.
Here’s the problem: Fund I wasn’t built for this level of scrutiny. Most emerging managers launched Fund I as quickly as possible, often with minimal infrastructure, cheap service providers, and a “figure it out later” mentality.
That worked for Fund I. It will kill your Fund II.
The Institutional Scrutiny Gap
When you raised Fund I, your LPs were probably some combination of friends, family, angels, and a few high-net-worth individuals who believed in you personally. Their diligence process was a few conversations and a handshake.
Institutional LPs operate differently.…
Category: VC Lab Programs
It’s Probably Not Your Returns
Most emerging managers think they lose LP meetings because of their track record.
The returns weren’t strong enough. The portfolio is too early. The DPI isn’t there yet.
That’s rarely the real reason.
After working with Fund II and III managers through Emerging Institute, we’ve seen the same pattern over and over: the managers with strong portfolios are getting passed on, and they can’t figure out why.
Here’s what we’ve learned: institutional LPs aren’t just evaluating your returns. They’re evaluating whether they can confidently underwrite your fund. And most emerging managers make that harder than it needs to be.
The Five Reasons LPs Actually Pass
When an LP passes on a fund, they usually give a polite reason.…
LP fundraising is a sales motion. Treat it like one.
Why This Matters (Even Before You Launch a Fund)
Whether you plan to launch a fund or get hired in venture capital, your ability to engage with capital is increasingly valuable. As AI compresses traditional analyst work, humans differentiate through relationship-building, judgment, closing behavior, and credibility in a market.
Understanding how LP fundraising works, even if you’re years away from launching a fund, gives you structural advantages:
You start building your LP pipeline and relationships
You understand what fund managers are optimizing for
You can contribute meaningfully to LP conversations at firms where you work
You develop the pipeline discipline that translates to deal sourcing
This builds directly on the foundational concepts from earlier articles.…
The highest-leverage role you can play, even before you have a fund
Why Connection Is a Venture Skill
In venture capital, relationships are infrastructure. The best investors move information, opportunities, and trust between the right people at the right time. This creates a structural advantage that compounds over the years.
For aspiring VCs, becoming a strong connector is one of the fastest ways to build a network and a credible edge because it creates measurable outcomes:
Founders get introductions that help their startups grow
Investors get deals that fit their thesis
LPs get access to the VC asset class through relevant managers
You become known as a high-signal node in a specific ecosystem
This connects directly to the foundational concepts covered in the earlier articles.…
Demo Day Intro
For up-and-coming VCs, doing real deal scouting is very difficult. Without an established investment track record, their dealflow is considered unqualified and few VCs or Limited Partners (LPs) will pay attention to their dealflow.
Venture Institute offers participants a chance to overcome that barrier through Demo Day.
What is Demo Day
Demo Day is an optional deal scouting exercise where Venture Institute participants present real, founder-consented fundraising deals to a curated group of active VC firms. It is designed to highlight Venture Institute participants’ ability to source strong opportunities and communicate them at a professional standard.
Demo Day is a live session where selected Venture Institute participants briefly present a startup and take Q&A from a panel of investing VCs.…
The preparation trap that keeps funds from launching
Watch the full session: Mastering Your Cohort 20 Application
The 6 Month Myth
“I think I’m 6 months early for this program. I’m still building LP targets, getting soft commits, rounding out the team.”
Mike Suprovici, Head of Acceleration at Decile Group, hears versions of this constantly. And he respectfully disagrees with the logic every time.
“You could be spending 6 to 12 months getting your stuff together and most of that is just a waste of time. Because if you don’t have limited partners that want to invest in your fund, none of this matters.”
Why Preparation Without Feedback Fails
Here’s the trap most aspiring fund managers fall into:
They spend months refining their thesis in isolation.…
A self-assessment framework to identify your starting point, plus a deep dive on the fastest paths to credible edge
Start With an Honest Audit
Before you can build secret sauce, you need to know where you’re starting from. Most aspiring VCs skip this step and jump straight into activity: attending events, taking coffee meetings, reading newsletters. Then they wonder why, two years later, they still can’t articulate a credible edge.
The Secret Sauce Audit forces you to confront reality.
Your Background Inventory
What industries have you worked in? For how long? At what level? What founders, operators, or executives do you already know, and in which sectors? What communities or ecosystems are you already embedded in? Have you made any angel investments, and what were the outcomes?…
In venture capital, the investment thesis is foundational. Whether you intend to raise a fund or build a career in venture, your thesis is a clear and concise statement which defines what you invest in and why you are the best person to do it. It is the basis for how you source opportunities, how you are perceived by founders, other investors and Limited Partners. In other words, your investment thesis will tell you where you should invest your limited time and attention.
What Is an Investment Thesis?
At its core, an investment thesis explains:
What your investment focus is (sector / geography / stage)
Why you are uniquely positioned to invest in that successfully
That positioning might come from expertise, network, experience, or data — but it must be grounded in credibility rather than preference or curiosity.…
The era of doing everything yourself is over.
Launch venture capital funds with an AI cofounder through VC Lab Cohort 20. Our agentic AI capabilities transform Decile Hub from a platform of tools into an intelligent partner that handles the operational burden of launching and running a venture firm.
Cofound your VC with AI
We are excited to announce VC Lab Cohort 20, the first accelerator program designed to help emerging managers launch venture capital firms with artificial intelligence as a true operational cofounder. The shift from AI tools to AI agents represents the most significant transformation in how venture capital firms operate since the asset class was invented.
The traditional path to launching a venture firm required either hiring expensive associates to handle operational tasks or spending countless hours on administrative work yourself.…
Categories
Cohort 19 – Faster than Ever
Launch venture capital funds faster than ever with VC Lab Cohort 19. In an era where AI is accelerating everything, our enhanced AI-powered platform and revolutionary Start Fund enable managers to move from concept to first investment in record time.
Faster Than Ever
We are excited to announce VC Lab Cohort 19, the accelerated program designed to launch venture capital funds faster than ever before in the history of the asset class. We are in an unprecedented period of technological acceleration where AI is fundamentally transforming how companies are built, funded, and scaled.
The second half of 2025 presents the greatest opportunity in venture capital history for emerging managers who can move with speed and precision.
Apply to Cohort 19
VC Lab Cohort 19 is the premier accelerator for launching venture capital funds in the age of AI-accelerated entrepreneurship.…
Humanity will be interplanetary within the next decade, creating enormous investment opportunities.
The decreasing cost of launch, growing dealflow, and increasing relevance of Space Technologies in terrestrial industries make this an opportune moment for venture capitalists to launch funds dedicated to Space Tech.
That’s why VC Lab is adding a track for funds focused on aerospace and related technology.
Now is the best time in history to launch a Space Tech VC fund.
Decline in Launch Costs
Demonstrating technology in orbit is a vital step towards commercialization and profitability for Space Tech companies. Historically, getting technology into space has been expensive, inconvenient, and unreliable.
In recent years, the cost of accessing space has plummeted by over 90 percent, driven largely by advancements in reusable rocket technology pioneered by SpaceX.…
VC Lab is a global accelerator that helps new and emerging venture capitalists launch and grow their firms. As the leading program for new managers, VC Lab has a competitive admissions process and an even higher bar for successful completion, with rigorous requirements that reflect the difficulty of starting a fund.
To help managers take the first steps of launching a fund, VC Lab offers the Pre-Curriculum, a guided Sprint designed to support the early, foundational work needed for a successful fund launch. The Pre-Curriculum also provides managers with access to free specialized tools for building a strong investment thesis, identifying aligned LPs, and securing early commitments.
For those committed to completing the Pre-Curriculum with strong results, it may also serve as a pathway to VC Lab admission, offering a tangible advantage in the competitive selection process.…
Categories
VC Lab Cohort 17
We are excited to launch VC Lab Cohort 17, the most powerful platform to launch a VC fund to date.
APPLY TO COHORT 17
VC Lab Cohort 17 is the leading accelerator to launch top performing venture capital funds. We have a number of enhancements coming across the program, technology, and focus areas.
The end of 2024 is a unique moment in the history of venture capital and an ideal time to start a fund.
First, there are exceptional investment opportunities at reasonable valuations as a result of positive trends, like AI, space exploration, decentralized finance, and longevity, as well as global challenges, such as climate change, immigration, and conflict.
Next, there is a growing class of emerging limited partners that are eager to invest in emerging managers, allocating tens of billions of dollars into the asset class over the next 12 to 18 months, and they are not on the radar of established firms. …
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VC Lab Cohort 16
We are excited to announce the launch of VC Lab Cohort 16, the gold standard, fast, and institutional grade.
Apply to Cohort 16
VC Lab is the gold standard in venture capital acceleration, helping to launch more venture capital firms and close more funds than all other programs combined. Alumni firms are approaching $5 B in AUM, and have seen hundreds of portfolio companies secure significant markups.
Gold Standard – the leading global accelerator program for VC with a curriculum designed for firm success. Our values and solutions set us apart.
Fast – a streamlined process and a proven 14-week curriculum that will help you close in under 6 months.
Institutional Grade – build an enduring firm ready to appeal to the most sophisticated investors in this space.…
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VC Lab Cohort 15
We are excited to announce the launch of VC Lab Cohort 15, the gold standard, fast, and institutional grade.
Apply to Cohort 15
VC Lab is the gold standard in venture capital acceleration, helping to launch more venture capital firms and close more funds than all other programs combined. Alumni firms are approaching $5 B in AUM, and have seen hundreds of portfolio companies secure significant markups.
Gold Standard – the leading global accelerator program for VC with a curriculum designed for firm success. Our values and solutions set us apart.
Fast – a streamlined process and a proven 14-week curriculum that will help you close in under 6 months.
Institutional Grade – build an enduring firm ready to appeal to the most sophisticated investors in this space.…
Admission to VC Lab’s accelerator program is highly competitive, with many aspiring venture capitalists competing for a limited number of spots. Launching a venture capital fund requires more than just a promising idea or a keen investment strategy. It necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the ecosystem, a strategic approach to LP and founder engagement, and a commitment to ethics and continuous improvement. This article distills insights and actionable strategies for individuals looking to secure a position in VC Lab’s accelerator program.
Introduction
Securing a spot in the world’s leading VC accelerator program begins with a comprehensive understanding of the application process. It is important you showcase your unique value proposition and the potential impact of your fund. In addition, embracing the program’s core values and methodologies can significantly increase one’s chances for acceptance.…
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VC Lab Cohort 14
Introducing VC Lab’s Cohort 14, the latest program from the leading venture capital accelerator.
Apply to Cohort 14
We are excited to announce the launch of VC Lab Cohort 14, a big leap in venture capital acceleration. The program has taken the best and made it better by helping managers close on a larger amount of capital faster. From in person LP events worldwide to AI assistance, Cohort 14 helps new and emerging managers to achieve best-in-class results.
Cohort 14 will help managers bring a new fund to market in 6 months or less, oversubscribe the fund target, and expedite discussions with larger LPs. The program provides weekly sessions with experts for Q&A and mentoring, as well as group office hours.…
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VC Lab Cohort 13
Introducing VC Lab’s Cohort 13, an improved fund launch experience from the leading venture capital accelerator.
Key initiatives include a Venture Studio Track, matching managers with talent from the Venture Institute, improvements in our integrated venture community tools, increased social exposure, and other rewards. These innovations are a small part of VC Lab’s dedication to molding a bright future for venture capital.
VC Lab participants and graduates have seen the largest level of commitments from limited partners in history over the summer of 2023. Cohort 13 stands ready to assist managers closing on capital and launching their funds.
With structured activities, ongoing mentorship, top-tier tools, and an active community, the program equips managers to tackle challenges, finalize deals efficiently, and get active during this current investment climate.…
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VC Lab Cohort 12
Introducing VC Lab’s Cohort 12, an improved fund launch experience for the leading venture capital accelerator. Key initiatives include a new Fund of Funds track designed to diversify portfolios and stimulate VC investments, especially targeting emerging managers and family offices. Alongside this, Cohort 12 presents Decile Base, an innovative tool that provides immediate expert answers to all VC-related queries. These pioneering features, among others, underscore VC Lab’s commitment to fostering industry growth and shaping the future of venture capital.
“Venture capital is not just about investments, but making a difference.”Adeo Ressi
Amid 2023’s economic volatility, Cohort 12 is set to help both new and emerging managers successfully raise capital and launch their funds. Offering structured support, valuable mentorship, and expert guidance, the program empowers managers to navigate complexities, close deals effectively, and capitalize on the current prime investment window.…
At Decile Group, we are proud to offer the best venture capital accelerator, VC Lab, and leading back office platform, Decile Hub, for free. We also offer top-rated closing and operations support for a fraction of the cost of other alternatives, boasting a world-class a 94 Net Promoter Score.
Decile Start helps managers secure more commitments from Limited Partners while in the VC Lab program. Decile Launch forms the entities and closes the fund once the manager has the necessary commitments. Decile Partners helps with the day-to-day operations, including accounting, investing, and reporting, as the fund grows. These programs are by application only for the top participants in the VC Lab accelerator.
All of the member funds of Decile Partners are automatically considered for investment by Decile Capital, our fund of funds focused on new managers.…