VC Bootcamp

In this edition, main topics include:

A deep dive in AI Investments
Unlock Africa’s Innovation Potential
Build Global VC Connections
Access Exclusive Dealflow
Connect with LPs

Main Sponsors & Partners:

✦ 7th Edition

What is VC-BootCamp?

VC-BootCamp (VC-BC) is a well-established symposium held annually in Silicon Valley each March. This innovation-centric event takes place at prestigious venues such as Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB), UC Berkeley, and Skydeck.

The mission of VC-BC is to connect venture capitalists, institutional investors, and entrepreneurs from over 60 countries, fostering collaboration and building bridges across ecosystems. The focus for the 2025 edition will be Africa—aiming to unlock its untapped potential and create cross-border collaboration opportunities.

For the past 7 years, the VC-Bootcamp has welcomed over 1000 participants that have engaged in the following:

30+

keynote speakers

who have addressed the opportunities emerging from building bridges between global innovation ecosystems

RECEPTIONS

where corporate executives, leaders, and investors can exchange on strategy, investments and talent attraction

PITCH Competition

for Start-Ups and Scale-Ups

VISITS

to SKYDECK (Plug & Play Incubator), Stanford University, and UC Berkeley

Build Global VC Connections

Collaborate with top VCs from Silicon Valley, Europe, and Africa. Forge partnerships that unlock cross-border opportunities and de-risk emerging market investments.

Access Exclusive Dealflow

Through partnerships with Stanford LISA and SkyDeck, gain access to curated startups ready to scale globally.

Connect with LPs

Meet institutional investors, family offices, and fund-of-funds exploring innovative theses and new regions.

Africa ✦ 1.2 Billion People

on the cusp of Transformative Growth

✦ VC-Bootcamp 2025

Africa Focus

Connecting North American Innovation Ecosystems with Africa

Be part of the movement driving investment into Africa and beyond.

Main topics include:

Unlock Africa’s Innovation Potential
Build Global VC Connections
Access Exclusive Dealflow
Connect with LPs

The True Size of Africa

Africa is the world leader in Mobile Money.
Manufacturing output will double by 2025.
122 million users of mobile financial services.
Unmet demand creates huge opportunity to innovate and scale.
54 countries expected to create the world’s largest free trade area.
Extraordinary Growth and Profitability, if you have the right strategy.

credit: Kai Krause

Schedule

Monday, March 10, 2025

at Stanford

All Day

ME2WE GENERAL EVENTS

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

at Stanford

9:00 am - 11:00 am

LEAD Incubator and Startup Accelerator (LISA).

LISA is an ecosystem for Innovators and Startup founders of Stanford GSB Alumni communitye

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

LUNCH

Meet 25-30 high-profile VCs

Arbuckle Dining Pavilion

3:00 - 4:00pm

Keynote Presentation

IPO, Aquisitions: M&A in the Age of AI

Sergio Letelier
Vice President, Corporate Securities and M&A

4:00 - 4:30pm

Venture Capital: How to Start a Fund

Gregory LaBlanc, Professor at UC Berkeley

6:00 - 9:00pm

Exclusive dinner with venture capitalists, limited partners, and industry leaders

Macarthur Park
27 University Avenue, Palo Alto

Panel Discussion:
Sharat Raghavan
Director of Data Science & Research at LinkedIn; PhD and lecturer at Berkeley
George Panagiotakopoulos
Head of Europe & Global Expansion at Berkeley SkyDeck, specializing in global innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem development.

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

in Berkeley

9:00am- 11:00am

Bay Area VC Panel Discussion

Hosted by: Gregory LaBlanc, Professor at UC Berkeley

11:00am - 12:00pm

Tour Berkeley SkyDeck Incubator

Guest Speaker: George Panagiotakopoulos Director of Global Innovation & Partnerships at Berkeley SkyDeck

12:00 - 2:00pm

Lunch at UC Berkeley

4:00 - 9:00 pm

Me2We Celebration

Keynote Speakers

Maximizing Your Return on Attendance

Explore Africa’s potential - VC Bootcamp connects you with trusted partners and insights to mitigate risks and unlock opportunities.

De-Risking Emerging Market Investments

Collaborate with Local Experts African agencies and enablers provide critical insights into regulatory landscapes, market dynamics, and scaling strategies. Partner with Seasoned VCs & Executives Work with European and African VCs and development agencies already investing in frontier markets to share knowledge and reduce risks. Learn Proven Strategies Gain actionable insights from case studies and panels on navigating cross-border investments and scaling globally."

Connecting with Institutional LPs

Find the right partners to fund your boldest investment theses. LPs Looking for Innovation Meet fund-of-funds, family offices, and institutional investors interested in Africa-focused or cross-border strategies. Raise Capital for Bold Theses Build relationships with LPs exploring high-growth opportunities in Africa or co-investment in global startups. Expand Your Network Engage with LPs eager to connect with forward-thinking US VCs.

Practical Takeaways

Walk away with actionable insights and connections to drive your success. Access to Curated Dealflow Participate in exclusive pitch competitions and startup showcases from Stanford LISA and SkyDeck pipelines. Personalized Matchmaking Opportunities Introductions to LPs, VCs, and African innovation enablers tailored to your interests.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Main Sponsors & Partners:

20,000

Audience views

5,000

Executives from

countries

Discover how you can get involved by downloading the 2025 VC-Bootcamp Brochure today!

Download

Attending VC-Bootcamp 2025

2025 Travel & Accommodation info

Registration

StanfordLEAD participants

General Registration

$290 USD

Includes event, dinner, pitch competition, meet the LPs, and executives

VC-BootCamp 2025

⁠A.I. Investment: New Paradigm

March 11-12, 2025at Stanford University

Featuring: - A deep dive in AI Investments - Africa Innovation Potential