In late January, a team of six undergraduate students from a diverse mix of academic programs represented Washington University and the Skandalaris Center at the New England Regional Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC). Hosted by the BU Questrom School of Business in Boston and organized by UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, the competition offers an intense two-day experience simulating the function of an early-stage venture capital firm and provides students with valuable real-world venture capital experience.
Mac Barnes (EN/FA ’26), Rohan Daggubati (Beyond Boundaries ’27), Grant Schwartz (LA ’26), Alex Sidorsky (FA ’25), Ethan Sosland (LA ’27), and Lauren Wagner (BU ’24) detail their experience at the annual investment competition below.
Our team, “Dogwood VC”, recently put our investment skills to the test at the world’s largest competition of its kind: Venture Capital Investment (VCIC) in Boston. The competition began with preliminary briefings on three diverse but very real startups: Mallard Bay, Auto Doc, and Solon Labs. With pitch decks in hand, we embarked on a thorough due diligence process. Our discussions were fueled by late-night snacks and energy drinks as we analyzed financials, market data, and competitive landscapes. This initial work set the stage for our informed decision-making throughout the competition.
The following day, we transformed into a full-fledged VC firm, meticulously re-dissecting pitch decks, crafting financial projections, and structuring potential investment deals. Each member of the team brought unique expertise to the table, including financial modeling, market research, and outreach to competitors. Collaboration and communication were key as we debated the merits of each startup, ultimately choosing the one that most aligned with our strategic vision.
Meeting the founders face-to-face added a crucial dimension to our already complex analysis. Each founder’s passion, vision, and responses to our questions (both prepared and spontaneous) provided valuable insights beyond the sterile data we had been analyzing. The human element and our team’s variety of perspectives again helped solidify the team’s investment thesis and refine our pitch for the judges.
The culmination of our efforts came in the form of a comprehensive written deliverable – an executive summary, term sheet, and supporting appendices. This document encapsulated our research, investment rationale, and professionalism, reflecting the collective brainpower and diverse skillset of the team.
Presenting our case to a panel of 11 seasoned venture capitalists and industry professionals was our final test. The judges peppered us with questions, pushing the team to defend our investment decisions and demonstrate our understanding of the venture capital landscape. It was a pressure-cooker environment, but we navigated it with confidence, humor, and poise – showcasing our analytical capabilities, people skills, and presentation prowess.
While we narrowly missed the top spot, securing second place amidst fierce competition from across the country served as a testament to our hard work and strategic thinking. The judges commended our teamwork, investment logic, and presentation skills, leaving us with valuable feedback and a sense of accomplishment.
VCIC wasn’t just about competition though, it also provided invaluable learning opportunities within the largely gatekept field of venture capital. Our WashU team gained unique insights into the VC world and due diligence processes, honed our analytical and decision-making abilities, and built connections with fellow aspiring investors and industry veterans.
Rounding out the experience was the chance to explore Boston, fostering team spirit and creating lasting memories. These shared academic, personal, and cultural experiences solidified our team bond, making us more than just a competition team, but a team of friends and future leaders in the WashU entrepreneurial ecosystem. We returned from VCIC with not just a second-place trophy, but also a wealth of knowledge, sharpened skills, and a strengthened team spirit.
Congratulations to both our undergraduate and graduate VCIC teams, who each brought home second place in their respective competitions!