Venture For Indiaventureforindia.org

Why People Become Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneur Characteristics

Very difficult to take a risk• Compared to banks, consulting, big

companies, etc

Skeptical About Entrepreneurship?

No community / peer group

Unclear prospects for training, advancement or success

No network / idea / money / tech proficiency

Hard to find suitable venture / no structured path • Compared to law/business schools,

structured graduate programs

The “Gap” Entrepreneurship is not a professional

aspiration in India

Most students get recruited by financial services / consulting / marketing firms

High gestation period for a start ups

No immediate reward for all the risk taken

Lack of infrastructure

Lack of funding

VFI - Bridging The GapWHO WE ARE: Venture For India is an entrepreneurial development program

In collaboration with Columbia Business School

WHAT WE DO: Train graduates to become action oriented, enterprising and innovative

Provide structure and a network for future entrepreneurs

Inculcate a passion for Entrepreneurship amongst the youth

VFI Fellowship ProgramProgram Goals

Provide each Venture Fellow job-related skills to enable them to be productive at early - mid stage companies

Train each Venture Fellow in the ethos of entrepreneurship and job creation

Engender relationships and collective identity among the Venture Fellows

VFI will recruit college grads till March 2013

3 week program held at CBS in May 2013 

Placement at companies for 2 years

Fellows’ starting salary at Rs 60k/month

Periodic workshops during the 2 years for venture fellows from VFI

Year

1

2

3

4

5

…

Apply to FellowshipVenture for India

Training course at Columbia

Business School2yr program at

astart-up as a

FellowCapstone

Business Competition

Continue full-time at start-up

Start-up Pro!

VFI Fellowship ProgramOverview

VFI Fellowship Program3 week program at Columbia Business School

Financial Analysis & Modeling Project Management Sales Industrial visits Social Media Management (e.g. Facebook,

Blogs, etc.) Search Engine Optimization/Marketing Meeting American Entrepreneurs & VC’s

VFI Fellowship ProgramCompany placements

Guaranteed 2 year placement

Mentorship under top management

Workshops with business leaders, industry experts and veterans

VFI Fellowship ProgramCompany profiles

High potential companies in high growth industries

Early-mid stage companies with >25 employees and is operationally profitable for the past 3 years

Companies having a presence in India

Company management will have strong track record and demonstrated leadership with the motivation to create opportunities for others

VFI Fellowship ProgramCapstone Program and Seed Capital

VFI fellows will attend a capstone program

All the students will be assessed on various criteria by a panel of judges

Meet your peers and reflect on the experience

VFI Fellowship ProgramStudent Prerequisites

Bachelors Degree

Distinction (75% Or Above) or an equivalent grade

Transcripts

2 Recommendation letters (Teacher, Supervisor during internship/job)

VFI Fellowship ProgramSelection Process

Fellows are selected through an application process that includes submission of transcripts, peer and faculty recommendations, essays and a specialized diagnostic test

Outstanding candidates undergo several rounds of interviews, culminating in an in-person Selection Day held in Mumbai and attended by VFI Board members

VFI will recruit the best and brightest graduates from diverse fields to attend the program at Columbia University

Recruiting, Interviewing, Onboarding of 15 Fellows for 2013Confirm Partner Companies and Placements for 2013

Nov-12Dec-12Jan-13Feb-13Mar-13Apr-13May-13Jun-13Jul-13Aug-13Sep-13Oct-13Nov-13Dec-13Jan-14Feb-14

1st Class of Fellows arrives at Columbia University

1st Class of Fellows begin placements in various companies based in India

Recruiting, Interviewing, Onboarding of 20 Fellows for 2014Confirm Partner Companies and Placements for 2014

VFI Fellowship ProgramTimeline

Why Choose VFI? Prestige. Looks good on your profile. Marks you as Smart.

Clearly Marked Path. Easy to Find or Apply To.

Progress. Seeking ‘the next level.’ Gain stature.

Opens Doors. Keeps options open. Sky’s the limit.

Gain Skills. Training for the next thing.

Community. Make sure you don’t ‘fall behind’ peers. Work with other smart people.