Webinar
VC Unicorn Hunting: What VCs Look For
Ever wondered how venture capitalists spot the next big thing? Join us for VC Unicorn Hunting: What VCs Look For, an exclusive AV Masterclass that delves into the minds of top VCs as they hunt for the next Apple, Facebook, or Airbnb.
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Post Webinar Summary
Mike Collins, Founder and CEO of Alumni Ventures, presented a masterclass titled “Unicorn Hunting,” focusing on evaluating pre-seed and seed-stage investments to identify high-potential companies. Collins discussed the challenges and strategies for assessing early-stage ventures, emphasizing the importance of strong founders with vision, tackling hard problems, innovative business models, and founder-market fit. He shared insights into the significance of timing, pricing, and long-term commitment in venture investing, along with lessons from his extensive experience in the field. Highlighting Alumni Ventures’ diversified portfolio of 1,400 companies and its expertise as one of the most active venture firms in the U.S., Collins underscored the firm’s focus on co-investing with top-tier investors and supporting early-stage innovators. He concluded with practical advice for investors and entrepreneurs while addressing questions on the IPO market, retirement investments, and the evolving venture capital landscape.
Imagine being in that Los Altos garage where Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak built the first Apple computer.
Or witnessing Mark Zuckerberg code Facebook from his Harvard dorm room.
Or seeing the potential in the early days of PayPal.
These stories of humble beginnings turning into billion-dollar giants are not just tales—they’re blueprints. Hosted by Mike Collins, CEO of Alumni Ventures with decades of experience in venture investing, this webinar will unpack the secrets of identifying startups with unicorn potential. Mike will guide you through the key traits, from visionary founders to scalable tech, that can turn a garage project into a global phenomenon.
Learn how VCs assess market readiness, manage risks, and leverage their networks to find high-growth opportunities. This is your chance to gain firsthand insights into the rigorous process VCs use to separate the winners from the rest. Don’t miss the live Q&A where you can ask Mike your most pressing questions and start your own journey into venture capital.
Why You Should Attend:
- HomeDiscover the key patterns VCs look for that could make a startup the next Uber or Airbnb.
- HomeLearn from Mike Collins, an industry veteran, about the art and science behind venture capital investing.
- HomeUnderstand how to evaluate market dynamics, team strength, and timing to maximize investment returns.
Alumni Ventures is America’s largest venture capital firm for individual investors.
About your presenter
Mike has been involved in almost every facet of venturing, from angel investing to venture capital, new business and product launches, and innovation consulting. He is currently CEO of Alumni Ventures Group, the managing company for our fund, and launched AV’s first alumni fund, Green D Ventures, where he oversaw the portfolio as Managing Partner and is now Managing Partner Emeritus. Mike is a serial entrepreneur who has started multiple companies, including Kid Galaxy, Big Idea Group (partially owned by WPP), and RDM. He began his career at VC firm TA Associates. He holds an undergraduate degree in Engineering Science from Dartmouth and an MBA from Harvard Business School.