View upcoming events here!
Check out what we have planned next:
Investment Memo Workshop
Investment memos are a key tool that venture capital firms use to evaluate startups and communicate investment decisions.
In this workshop, BadgerVC will guide you through the structure of a strong memo and show you how to write effective one-pagers.
Whether you’re preparing for interviews or case competitions, this session will help you build a structured approach to analyzing startups and communicating persuasive recommendations.
This is a valuable skill for developing your perspective on different industries and emerging startups!
End of Sem Social!
Mark your calendar for BadgerVC’s end of sem social!!
More details to come!
BadgerVC Career Trek!
BadgerVC members will head to Chicago to explore careers in venture capital, visiting 3–4 firms across the city!
Members will
hear directly from investors and operators about their career paths
build connections,
and get a behind-the-scenes look at how early-stage companies are evaluated and supported
This is a great opportunity to better understand the VC ecosystem, ask questions in a small-group setting, and gain insight into full-time career paths in startups and investing!
Startup Signals: What 2025 Taught Us & What's Next
2025 reshaped how founders build and how investors deploy, and the lessons are still unfolding.
BadgerVC and Badger Future Founders (BFF) are teaming up to bring you two people with front-row seats:
Grant Watkins — from Gener8tor, working directly with early-stage founders navigating launches, traction, and the real grind of building
Mason Cook — founder of Mastercraft Ventures, who completed fundraising in early 2025 and is actively shaping what smart early-stage investing looks like right now
During the event, we’ll discuss:
• What separated startups that gained traction from those that stalled.
• What investors are looking for at pre-seed and seed today.
• How AI is changing the cost and speed of building.
• What the fundraising environment looks like as we enter 2026.
RSVP here! https://lnkd.in/ggXruqMW
BadgerVC x Career Engagement Studio
Join BadgerVC for a hands-on session with a representative from the Wisconsin School of Business Career Engagement Studio!
Learn how to craft a standout resume, refine your cover letter, and strengthen your communication skills to stand out in competitive recruiting processes. Bring a physical or digital copy of your resume for live reviews!
See you there!
VC Networking Event (StratoVC)
🚀 Join Strato VC’s first-ever venture capital networking event! We’re partnering with some of Madison’s leading VC & entrepreneurship student organizations, including BadgerVC, UW Tech Exploration Lab, Transcend UW, and Women in Entrepreneurship - UW, to bring valuable connections to innovation-minded students.
🔗 RSVP now: https://luma.com/fxixeluz
🤝 Student attendees will have the opportunity to connect with leading professionals in Wisconsin, with backgrounds in venture capital, VC law, entrepreneurship, and more!
Students in VC Panel
Join us for our Students in VC Panel, where UW students with venture capital internship experience share their firsthand insights.
Panelists will discuss:
How they landed their VC internships
What the recruiting & interviewing process looked like
What their day-to-day work involved
And what skills mattered most!
Member Kickoff 🎉
All accepted members, join us for our first official meeting!
Get to know your fellow members and dive into what’s coming this semester.
Application Acceptances Released
On the evening of Monday, February 16th, BadgerVC Application results will be emailed out to members.
Applications Close
Applications for Spring Membership close on Wednesday, February 11th at 11:59PM.
Applications must be submitted on time to be considered.
Spring Organization Fair
Swing by the BadgerVC table at the Spring Org Fair! Meet our team, hear what we’re working on this semester, and learn how you can get involved.
We’re excited to meet you!
Info Meeting
Learn what BadgerVC is all about! We’ll share our mission, how to get involved, and the events we are planning for the semester.
Come chat, ask questions, and connect with fellow students!
Applications are Open
Applications for BadgerVC Spring Membership will open on the evening of Thursday, January 29th.
Applications will close on February 11th.
Please reach out to badgervc@gmail.com with any questions regarding applications!
BBA Organization Fair
Join us at the BBA Org Fair on Thursday, January 29th to learn more about WSB student orgs!
Qdoba Fundraiser
Grab a bite to eat & support BadgerVC! Swing by the State street Qdoba between 4-8PM on Monday, January 26th.
You can order online and enter the digital coupon code QDOBAGIVES or show the BadgerVC Qdoba Flyer in store. BadgerVC will receive 25% of sales - we appreciate your support!
You can also find this flyer on our Instagram page @badgervc_ for your convenience.
Inside a Venture-Backed Startup: A Recruiting & Networking Event with Traba
This Friday, October 24th at 5:00 PM, BadgerVC and Transcend UW will be hosting an exclusive session at 1403 University Avenue. All majors (and interested UW students are welcome!)
Traba is a fast-growing startup backed by over $45M in funding from leading investors including Khosla Ventures, Founders Fund, and General Catalyst. Traba is a workforce management platform that connects businesses with vetted hourly workers, helping companies fill shifts efficiently.
We’ll hear directly from Noah Thurer (Growth Operations @ Traba) about what it’s like to work at a high-growth startup, navigate rapid expansion, and build a career in a fast-paced, venture-backed environment.
Fall Social!
Take a break and join BadgerVC for our Fall Social - come enjoy some cookies and chat with other BadgerVC members + exec members!
Casual & and open to all BadgerVC members!
Location is in Flare!
VC 101 Lecture 3: Term Sheets & Fund Mechanics
Join us for an in-depth session with Richelle Martin as we break down the key mechanics behind venture capital deals and fund operations.
We'll explore term sheet basics (the key elements of an investment agreement), portfolio strategy, the roles of different investors when structuring deals, and fund governance.
This is a great session to learn about the building blocks of a venture capital deal, and grow your understanding of VC fund operations. See you there!
Team Leads Due Diligence Workshop
Session 1: 10/21
Session 2: 10/28
During this session, you'll be introduced to a real startup and guided through the process of conducting due diligence.
Our team leads will first walk members through a Due Diligence presentation, and then members will be paired up and assigned a specific area of the company to analyze, with plenty of support from our team leads if needed.
This is a low-pressure, learning focused environment! Team leads will be available throughout to provide guidance and answer questions.
You’ll also have time to complete your due diligence section asynchronously, before meeting again the following Tuesday.
Questions? Shoot us a message in Flare!
How to Think Like an Investor
How to Think Like an Investor
Featuring: Angel Padulo, Founder, Angel Investor, and Chief Operating Officer at Treasure Coast Ventures
Discover what truly resonates with investors in Angel Padulo’s session on thinking like an investor - especially when presenting to VCs. Understanding what matters most to investors is essential for any founder looking to secure funding.
Walk away knowing what to look for as a future investor!
VC 101 Lecture 2: Deal Flow & Diligence
Join us for an engaging session with Christian Kaczmarczyk, Principal at Third Prime, as he shares how VCs discover and assess promising startups.
Deal Sourcing: How investors identify opportunities through networks, accelerators, and outreach.
Due Diligence: The process of digging deeper into a startup’s market, financials, team, and product to decide if it’s worth investing in.
This session offers a practical inside look at the VC decision process, and a first hand look at Third Prime's process. See you there!
VC Q&A w/ Liam Krut, Investment Partner at Reinforced Ventures
Curious about what it’s really like to work in VC? Join us for an open virtual Q&A with Liam Krut, Investment Partner at Reinforced Ventures, a firm investing at the frontier of robotics, biotech, and engineering.
This is a great opportunity to hear first-hand insights and words of advice, and ask any burning questions!
We’re excited to see you there! Note that Liam is joining us virtually, but we are still meeting in person for this event.
VC 101 Lecture 1: VC Basics & Recruiting w/ Idea Fund of La Crosse
Join us for VC 101: Intro to VC Basics + Recruiting with Idea Fund of La Crosse
Thursday, Sept 25 | 6:30 - 7:30 PM at Grainger Hall Room 1175
Hear from Jonathon Horne, Managing Director of Idea Fund, and Sri Manikandan, UW student and current Idea Fund intern.
Learn the basics of venture capital
What investors look for
What founders should know about raising funding
And VC myths!
Plus, get an inside look at Idea Fund, network with fellow students, and explore opportunities to work with startups and VCs! This session is open to ALL students - no experience required. RSVP here (resume upload is optional).
**Future events will be for BadgerVC Members only
BadgerVC Info Meeting
Learn what BadgerVC is all about! We’ll share our mission, how to get involved, and upcoming events. Great for anyone curious about venture capital, startups, or joining the club. Come chat & connect!
Entrepreneurship Org Fair
What to Expect:
🚀 Network with founders, investors, and builders
🤝 Connect with student orgs, accelerators, and VC groups
🌍 Explore social impact & innovation initiatives
📚 Discover campus and community entrepreneurial resources
Wisconsin School of Business Org Fair
Come meet us at our booth in the Wisconsin School of Business Org Fair! Members of BadgerVC will be present to answer any important questions you might have.
