Your Window Into the Innovation Economy

Blogs, Webinars and Podcasts covering technology, start-ups, and venture investing

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May 9, 2025
VC in 33: How Does AV Use Its Network to Support Portfolio Companies?
At Alumni Ventures, our network is our strength. In this video, we share how we leverage our incredible community of investors to support the growth of our portfolio companies. From strategic introductions to sharing industry expertise, our network helps founders thrive. Hear why being part of the Alumni Ventures community means more than just capital — it’s about connections, ideas, and real support.
by Alumni Ventures
May 9, 2025
How Long Does it Take to Make Money in VC?
In venture capital, patience is key. In this video, we break down how long it typically takes to see returns from venture investments. From early down rounds to big exits that can take years, we share insights on why this is a long-term asset class and what to expect when investing in a VC fund. Join us as we explore the journey from investment to potential payoff and why successful exits often come later in the process.
by Alumni Ventures
May 9, 2025
How Are VC Funds Structured?
Ever wonder how a venture capital fund is structured? In this quick explainer, we walk you through the simple yet powerful structure behind VC funds — how money is pooled, invested, and returned. Learn what it means to write one check in and receive multiple checks out, and why most returns are classified as capital gains, not income.
by Alumni Ventures
May 8, 2025
From IPO to Stealth: Investing in AI’s Next Great Family Trees
The venture world has long recognized the outsized influence of alumni networks from breakout companies — none more famous than the PayPal Mafia. But today, we’re seeing the rise of a new and potentially more transformative force: the AI Mafia. At Alumni Ventures, we believe the dense networks forming within companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and others represent one of the most compelling engines of innovation and venture opportunity in a generation. In this piece, we unpack how these “mafias” are forming, why they have structural advantages unlike any previous tech wave, and what this means for the future of startup creation, enterprise adoption, and investment strategy.
by Meera Oak
May 7, 20258 min read
Recapping AV's Bytes and Brews Event
In this video, Michael Collins of Alumni Ventures talks with Bozhena Kulchyckyj about key insights from their Bytes and Brews event held alongside RSA Conference 2024. They discuss the growing role of AI in cybersecurity, both for attackers and defenders, and the emerging need to manage identity for non-human actors like bots and agents. Bozhena highlights companies such as Octo and Promptfoo that are working on API security and prompt evaluation. The conversation offers a grounded look at current trends, startup activity, and practical considerations for those working in or investing in cybersecurity.
by Alumni Ventures
May 6, 202512 min read
Nine Bold Visions for Healthcare: How AI Could Transform Healthcare by 2035
Below, we explore nine areas where artificial intelligence will accelerate progress and reshape healthcare by 2035. Along the way, we highlight several Alumni Ventures portfolio companies helping advance these changes. Some ideas may sound like science fiction, but they build on real-world efforts underway across research labs, startups, and industry.
by Brook Stroud
May 6, 2025
What is Venture Capital?
What exactly is venture capital—and why does it matter? In this quick video, we explain the vital role VC plays in fueling innovation. Venture capital provides early-stage funding to bold, high-ambition startups that aim to change the world. Learn how this unique part of the economy helps visionary entrepreneurs turn big ideas into reality.
by Alumni Ventures
May 6, 2025
What are K1s?
Are you an investor in venture capital and wondering what tax documents to expect? In this quick video, we break down what a Schedule K-1 is, how it’s different from W-2s or 1099s, and what it means for your annual tax filing. Learn why K-1s are the standard for reporting your share of taxable activity in a venture fund—and how Alumni Ventures ensures timely delivery of thousands of K-1s each year so you can meet IRS deadlines.
by Alumni Ventures
May 5, 2025
2020 TAF in Focus: A Look at Fund Progress and Portfolio Companies
Join Alumni Ventures’ Greg Baker for an in-depth update on the 2020 Total Access Fund (TAF), highlighting key milestones, portfolio progress, and what lies ahead.
by Alumni Ventures
May 5, 2025
I've Invested, Now What?
Join Alumni Ventures’ Wesley Yiu, Hilary Ncala, and Brian Keil for a practical and informative session designed for investors in Triphammer Ventures who want to better understand what happens after committing capital.
by Alumni Ventures
Watch
 Webinar - May 20th 2025
Sports Fund Final Call
Join Alumni Ventures’ Keaton Nankivil for a final opportunity to explore and invest in the AV Sports Fund before it closes.
by Alumni Ventures
Watch
 Webinar - June 24th 2025
How To Invest in Ring Ventures
Join Alumni Ventures’ Rob Adams for an informative session on how to invest in Ring Ventures, a venture fund built for the Texas A&M alumni community and friends.
by Alumni Ventures

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