FAQs

About venture capital 

What is venture capital? How does venture capital work?

Venture capital is the backing of early stage ventures (startups) often within the technology sector. It’s high risk, high reward.

Venture capitalists (VCs), often known as venture capital investors, usually work for a venture capital firm. The firm sets up a fund, often focused on a specific area such as financial tech or climate tech. To create the fund, the venture capitalists at the firm are backed by limited partners, known as LPs, or family offices. Many LPs are institutional such as pension funds, university endowments and so on. 

Find out more about venture capital and what the ecosystem looks like here. 

How do I break into venture capital?

There’s no one way to enter venture capital. Despite the common misconception that all venture capitalists have financial qualifications and business degrees, they actually come from a range of backgrounds. Our previous cohorts have included analysts, lawyers, entrepreneurs, doctors, software engineers, spoken word artists and more!

Routes into venture capital are limited and Newton is filling a knowledge gap by providing executive education coupled with applied learning experience. 

See our Fundamentals program here.

How do I progress in my venture capital career?

Progressing in your venture capital career has traditionally relied on experience, ad hoc training and perhaps an MBA. This is why Newton’s Fellowship program was created – for those who have experience within the venture capital ecosystem and are looking to take their next step.

We combine the best of executive education and insights from the most experienced practitioners across the global venture landscape alongside applied learning exercises. A huge benefit of learning with Newton Venture Program is the network you become a part of: a richly diverse network with alums working across the venture and entrepreneurial ecosystems.

See more about the Fellowship here.

About Newton Venture Program 

What is Newton Venture Program?

Newton Venture Program is a key executive education venture capital training and development provider with a mission to level the playing field for people from typically overlooked and underestimated backgrounds – ensuring that the next generation of investors represent the world we live in.

Our robust training programs ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to break into venture capital thereby creating a more accessible and diverse ecosystem.

What programs does Newton Venture Program offer?

We currently offer two programs: Fundamentals for aspiring venture capitalists and Fellowship for practising venture capitalists.

Find out which program is right for you with our quiz. 

Who can join the programs?

Fundamentals is ideal for anyone considering venture capital as a career, if you’re early on in your venture capital career or if you’re working within the venture ecosystem and would benefit from having a more sound understanding of venture capital.

Fellowship is for those looking to take the next step in their venture capital career. This may be on to general partner, emerging fund manager or another route. 

Find out which program is right for you with our quiz. 

How are the programs delivered?

Fundamentals is delivered online via weekly interactive sessions with top-decile practitioners and faculty over eight weeks (length subject to change). You will participate in online socials and group applied learning exercises with your community. As part of the program you will get access to case studies, tools and fireside chats.

Fellowship is delivered in-person via three interactive contact days per module (three modules in total) with top-decile practitioners and faculty. You learn and work with a like-minded community of peers who will push and support you. As part of the program, you will get access to case studies, tools and evening dinner events via Newton’s expansive and global network.  

See what our alumni think of the programs here.

How is Newton different from other programs?

Newton’s mission is to level the playing field for people from typically overlooked and underestimated backgrounds – ensuring that the next generation of investors represent the world we live in.

In comparison to other programs, we combine the best of executive education and insights from the most experienced practitioners across the global venture landscape.

This includes integrating an end-to-end venture ecosystem: from tech transfer office to IPO, Newton will serve the innovation economy through bridging network and knowledge gaps between research and investment institutions – amplifying the impact of research and development.

What do I gain from participating in the Newton Venture Program?

Each program provides you with opportunities to network, learn and improve access. 

See our program pages for benefits: Fundamentals and Fellowship.

Who should apply for the Newton Venture Program?

You!

Fundamentals is for anyone looking to break into venture capital or working in a non-venture capitalist role and would benefit from having a greater understanding of the key concepts.

For the Fellowship, you should have experience within the venture capital ecosystem and be looking to take your next step in venture. 

There really is no one way into venture and we particularly want to open that door for those from typically and structurally overlooked and underestimated backgrounds.

Hear from our alumni here. 

Who teaches on the Newton Venture Programs?

Newton is a joint venture between London Business School and LocalGlobe VC. This enables us to bring together the most experienced professors to teach on the programs alongside top-decile practitioners from the best venture capital firms. As the world of venture capital becomes more diverse, we’re proud to also feature experienced practitioners from both newer firms that are diversity-first and less traditional firms.

See our program partners here.

Is Newton Venture Program UK-focused?

No. Although we are based in London, Newton is global!

Our alumni span 28 countries and 48 nationalities. Learner feedback indicates that having access to a global cohort has given our alumni greater insights into the operations of venture capital around the world. This opens up new ways of thinking, operating and opportunities to diversify your deal flow.

Newton Venture Program applications

When do applications open for Newton Venture Program?

Currently, we open applications twice a year for Fundamentals and once a year for Fellowship. Application cycles are approximately five-weeks long but are subject to change.

Sign up to our newsletter and follow our social media – LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter – to be first in the know when applications open.

What is the application process for Newton Venture Program?

We use Applied to run a blind recruitment process. This helps reduce unconscious bias and you are assessed on ability and motivation alongside key values rather than your previous experience and education.

For Fundamentals, the application is a written process and hosted on Applied. Following the closing date, applications are marked and you will be contacted to let you know if you were successful or not.

For the Fellowship, the first stage is a written process hosted on Applied. Following the closing date, applications are marked and you will be contacted to let you know if you are successful for interview. An online interview will then be scheduled and a final decision will be made following all interviews being conducted.

See which program is right for you here. 

How much does Newton Venture Program cost?

The Fundamentals Program is £2,030 + VAT. This is to be paid in advance of the program beginning to secure your place. 

The Fellowship Program is £12,500 +VAT. This is to be paid in advance of the program beginning to secure your place. 

Does Newton Venture Program offer scholarships?

Newton works with funding partners across the venture ecosystem to ensure that being unable to pay is not a barrier to entry. 

For both programs, we offer a limited number of scholarships starting at 25% of the program fee. This is available to candidates where the course cost poses a significant financial burden to them and/or their dependents. 

The scholarship application process is run separately to the program application process but within the same timelines. You can read our Scholarship FAQs here.

Does Newton Venture Program provide visa assistance for the Fellowship program?

No. But we can provide you with a formal acceptance letter confirming your acceptance to the program should you need to apply for entry into the UK to attend each module.

Email us at hello@newtonprogram.vc if you need a letter.

Does Newton Venture Program accept employee sponsorship?

Yes. Previous learners have successfully asked their employers to pay for some or all of their program fees as part of their learning and development budget. 

We can support you by providing you with a letter confirming your acceptance to Newton. You can read more about sponsorship for Fundamentals here and Fellowship here.

Your employer can also email hello@newtonprogram.vc to ask any further questions.

I find applications difficult. Can Newton Venture Program offer support?

We want everyone to have an equitable experience and if you struggle with applications, we don’t want you to miss out. Though we can’t offer support to ensure we remain impartial, we encourage you to start your application straight away so you have time to keep coming back to it. 

The application doesn’t need to be completed in one go and so long as you keep saving your application, you can come back to it as many times as you like within the set deadlines. See if a friend can assist you with your application. Remember, we’re assessing you for your skills, not your grammar!

See this helpful video on applying to Newton Venture Program.

Applications are closed. Can I still apply to Newton Venture Program?

To ensure a fair process for all, we don’t accept applications once the deadline has passed. We encourage you to ensure you have enough time to complete the application before the deadline. 

If you missed the deadline, sign up to our newsletter and and follow our social media – LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter – to be first in the know when applications open again.

Other queries 

Am I able to defer my place with Newton Venture Program?

We appreciate that circumstances change, but unfortunately we can’t offer a deferral of your place and would encourage you to apply for the next cohort.

Sign up to our newsletter and and follow our social media – LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter – to be first in the know when applications open.

I’m not sure I can commit to the duration of the program, should I still apply to Newton Venture Program?
To get the most out of your learning experience – and for that of the rest of your cohort – we only encourage those who can commit to the timeline specified for each program. Missing sessions and not being able to join in on applied learning not only hinders your success, but the success of your peers.

However, we do understand that life can be more challenging for some than others. If you have longer term circumstances that may impact your learning experience, please get in touch to see if we can accommodate your needs.