Network Power Isn’t a Nice-to-Have in Venture. It’s the Advantage.
Leveraging Trusted Networks for Startup Success: The Alumni Ventures Model
In venture capital, strong networks significantly increase the likelihood of success for startups, as demonstrated by a PitchBook study. Alumni Ventures capitalizes on its extensive and trusted network, which includes over 11,000 investors and 850,000 contributors, to identify and secure better opportunities, driving superior outcomes for both investors and startups.
In venture capital, access isn’t just a competitive edge — it’s the game. And increasingly, data is proving what many of us have long believed: strong networks materially improve outcomes for investors and startups alike.
A recent PitchBook study analyzed tens of thousands of startup deals and found that startups backed by highly connected VCs are more likely to succeed — and less likely to fail. Their findings revealed that “well-connected investors significantly increase a startup’s likelihood of success,” with success defined by acquisitions, IPOs, or follow-on funding.
Having a Well-Connected Lead Investor is Crucial for Startup Survival
Source: “Quant Research – Networking” by Dara Barclay via Infogram. This chart visualizes the correlation between investor connectivity and startup outcomes—supporting the idea that networked VCs add measurable value beyond capital.
These networked investors don’t just find better opportunities; they actively shape better outcomes. And that resonates deeply with us at Alumni Ventures.
When we launched in 2014, we asked a simple question: What if we could bring together a trusted alumni community — people with shared experiences and high standards — and channel their collective power to build something better?
That founding idea has since evolved into a professional venture firm backed by more than 11,000 individual investors and a network of over 850,000 subscribers and contributors. But this isn’t just about size. It’s about structure and trust.
We’ve designed our model with concentric circles of connectivity. At the center are our ~40 full-time investors, each aligned with alumni networks and embedded in startup ecosystems across the country. Surrounding them are investment committee members, expert advisors, and operators with deep domain experience. This network is complemented by our our founders, portfolio companies, and thousands of investors — each with their own networks, insights, and influence.
This layered network doesn’t just help us find great deals — it helps us win them. It allows us to move quickly, with conviction, because there’s trust built into every step of the process.
And our process is working. Just in the last year AV has been recognized for its investing excellence:
What the PitchBook and Infogram data make clear is that venture success is less about a lone genius picking winners — and more about a well-structured network collaborating to identify and support them.
That’s the Alumni Ventures model. And it’s not just differentiated — it’s designed for the data-backed reality of what makes venture work.
Curious about getting started in venture?
You don’t need to be a Silicon Valley insider to participate in high-quality startup investing. At Alumni Ventures, we give accredited individuals access to professionally managed venture portfolios — powered by one of the most well-connected networks in the industry.
Whether you’re exploring venture for the first time or looking to learn how it fits into your broader investment strategy, we’re here to help you take the next step.
Want us to assemble a diversified portfolio for you? Take a look at our Fund offerings here.
Want to access our deal flow and diligence and build your own portfolio of single-companies? Join the AV Syndicate here.
This communication is from Alumni Ventures, a for-profit venture capital company that is not affiliated with or endorsed by any school. It is not personalized advice, and AV only provides advice to its client funds. This communication is neither an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any security. Such offers are made only pursuant to the formal offering documents for the fund(s) concerned, and describe significant risks and other material information that should be carefully considered before investing. For additional information, please see here. Example portfolio companies are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of any AV fund or the outcomes experienced by any investor. Example portfolio companies shown are not available to future investors, except potentially in the case of follow-on investments. Venture capital investing involves substantial risk, including risk of loss of all capital invested. This communication includes forward-looking statements, generally consisting of any statement pertaining to any issue other than historical fact, including without limitation predictions, financial projections, the anticipated results of the execution of any plan or strategy, the expectation or belief of the speaker, or other events or circumstances to exist in the future. Forward-looking statements are not representations of actual fact, depend on certain assumptions that may not be realized, and are not guaranteed to occur. Any forward-looking statements included in this communication speak only as of the date of the communication. AV and its affiliates disclaim any obligation to update, amend, or alter such forward-looking statements, whether due to subsequent events, new information, or otherwise.