VC Fundamentals – Testing
VC Fundamentals
A fast-paced online course designed to demystify early-stage venture capital and build confidence in startup investing.
Program overview
VC Fundamentals is an introductory, self-paced program designed to give you a clear, practical understanding of how venture capital works – and whether early-stage investing is the right fit for you.
Perfect for those new to the space, you’ll explore what VC really is (and what it isn’t), how investors assess early-stage startups, and why having an investment thesis matters.
Adapted from Wade Institute’s flagship VC Catalyst program, VC Fundamentals offers a high-impact starting point for curious investors, founders, and professionals looking to build their confidence and skills in venture.
Your learning journey is guided by a range of experienced practitioners and facilitators from the VC Catalyst community – sharing real-world insights, personal stories, and practical tools to help you learn by doing.
Delivered in short, engaging modules, the program is designed for busy people. You’ll walk away with greater clarity, insight, and confidence to start making smarter decisions around venture investing – or to take the next step in your investor journey.
VC Fundamentals is open to all, but best suited to:
- Aspiring or first-time investors looking to understand the venture space
- Corporate professionals exploring innovation or startup investment
- Family office managers and team members looking to diversify or align with impact goals
- Founders who want to better understand how investors think
- Early-career analysts and future fund managers building foundational VC knowledge
Whether you’re curious about venture capital, switching careers, or strengthening your understanding of startup investing, this program is a powerful next step.
Program details
Self-paced online program (videos + interactive quizzes)
Registrations open August 2025
Developed by Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship
$749 + GST per person
Questions?
Chat to Midsy
Andrew ‘Midsy’ Middleton
Program Director
What you’ll learn
1.
Understand what venture capital really is and what it isn’t
2.
Learn how investors assess startups, founders, and risk
3.
Discover what makes a good investment thesis (and how to create one)
4.
Unpack how VCs think about return, failure, and portfolio strategy
Meet the facilitators
Lauren Capelin
Business Development Manager, AWS Startups
Lauren is a community strategist and disruptive innovation expert, specialising in generative AI, web3, fintech, the sharing economy, and early-stage investing. As VC Business Development Manager for ANZ at AWS Startups, she focuses on fostering connections with emerging founders and supporting startups to scale globally. Previously, Lauren was Principal at Startmate, where she led founder scouting, investment programs, and media, and as Partner of Platform at Reinventure Fund, she shaped Australia’s fintech ecosystem.rnrnLauren is a lead facilitator of VC Catalyst.
Dan Madhavan
Partner, Ecotone Partners
Dan is a passionate advocate for using business and finance to create a sustainable and equitable future. As a founding partner at Ecotone Partners, he brings extensive experience in impact investing, having previously served as CEO of Impact Investment Group (IIG), one of Australia’s largest impact fund managers. Prior to this, Dan was the inaugural CEO of Impact Investing Australia, where he helped shape Australia’s contribution to the Global Steering Group on Impact Investing. With a 13-year career at JBWere and Goldman Sachs JBWere in various senior roles, including COO and Acting CEO, Dan combines financial expertise with a commitment to positive social and environmental impact.rnrnLauren is a lead facilitator of VC Catalyst.
Which program is right for me?
VC Catalyst is an advanced program for active or aspiring investors ready to deepen their skills. Delivered through immersive workshops and case studies, it equips you to build and manage a diversified VC portfolio across sectors.
Program FAQs
What is VC Fundamentals?
VC Fundamentals is an introductory program designed to help aspiring venture capital investors understand how early-stage investing works. It’s also suited to current investors wanting to refresh the basics.
You’ll learn how to evaluate startups, understand venture deal structures, and the importance of developing an investment thesis.
VC Fundamentals is designed as an entry to VC Catalyst.
Who is this program for?
This program is ideal for:
- Individuals curious about startup investing
- Professionals exploring a transition into VC
- Founders or operators wanting to understand the investor mindset
- Philanthropic funders or family offices interested in venture
- Investors seeking to diversify beyond traditional asset classes
What is the format of the program and how much does it cost?
VC Fundamentals is a flexible, online learning experience that includes:
- Video lessons from expert investors
- A startup investing glossary
- Quizzes and reflection tools
- Monthly Q&A sessions
- Invitations to Wade community investor and networking events
Program fee: $749 for a 6-month access period.
What will I actually learn?
You’ll gain foundational skills to:
- Assess startups and their markets
- Understand funding stages and investor roles
- Learn from current investors to begin forming your own thesis
- Evaluate founders, products, and traction
- Think critically about risk, reward, and portfolio strategy
- Understand pitch decks and get an intro to the legal side of startup investing
- Leverage your personal network for investing
Do I need to have a finance or legal background to join?
Not at all. While we do cover key financial and legal concepts, many successful venture investors come from non-financial backgrounds. The program blends qualitative and quantitative insights and is accessible for learners from all sectors.
How much time should I set aside to complete the program?
We recommend setting aside around 3-6 hours per module. The program includes 5 core modules and is designed to be completed over 4-6 weeks, but you’re welcome to work through it at your own pace.
Will I be ready to make investments after this program?
You might not feel ready to write your first cheque straight away, but you’ll definitely have the tools, language, and confidence to take the next step.
By the end of the program, you’ll be better equipped to:
• Join a syndicate
• Evaluate early-stage deals
• Understand how VC works and where you fit in
It’s all about helping you feel informed, empowered, and connected as you start (or continue) your investing journey.
What’s the difference between VC Fundamentals and VC Catalyst?
VC Fundamentals is a flexible, online program designed to help you build a strong foundation in venture capital – it’s the perfect place to start if you’re new to the space or looking to sharpen your early-stage investing knowledge.
VC Catalyst, on the other hand, is Wade Institute’s advanced, hybrid program for committed investors who are ready to actively invest and build a long-term VC portfolio.
Many participants start with VC Fundamentals as a stepping stone into VC Catalyst, and if you go on to join VC Catalyst, the cost of VC Fundamentals is fully redeemable against your tuition.
Is there support available during the program?
Yes. You’ll have access to Wade program staff and facilitators who can help with clarification and guidance. You’re also invited to join:
- Monthly Q&A sessions
- Wade community investor and networking events
What happens after I finish the program?
After completion, you’ll be invited to:
- Wade community investor and networking events
- Wade community founder showcases
- Stay connected through curated newsletters and resources
- Explore next steps such as VC Catalyst or syndicate investing
How long do I have access to the program?
You’ll have 6 months to access all VC Fundamentals content from your enrolment date. This includes all video lessons, tools, and reflection prompts.
Can I get a certificate?
Yes. Participants who complete all modules and the final quiz will receive a VC Fundamentals Certificate of Completion, which can be added to your CV or LinkedIn profile.
Can I start VC Fundamentals anytime?
Yes! VC Fundamentals is fully self-paced. You can begin as soon as you enrol – no need to wait for a scheduled intake.
What are the technical requirements?
To access the program, you’ll need:
- A reliable internet connection
- A desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone
- An up-to-date web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge recommended)
All program materials are available online via our learning platform. No software downloads required.
Will I get access to real startup deals?
While VC Fundamentals is educational (and not an investing platform), you’ll explore real-world examples and may be invited to attend community investor networking events and founder showcases hosted by Wade Institute.
Can I share my login or program materials with others?
We hope you’ll find the program valuable – but your enrolment will be for individual use only. To maintain the integrity of the course and our learning community, we ask that you don’t share your login details or program materials with others. Doing so will breach our Terms and Conditions and may result in your access being revoked. Thanks for your understanding.