Kauffman Fellows

Profile

Kauffman Fellows is a global venture capital community centered in Palo Alto, California. It was founded to advance the venture capital profession through a unique fellowship program. The organization selects a diverse group of up-and-coming venture capital professionals from around the world, providing them with a two-year immersive educational experience to accelerate their success in the field. The Kauffman Fellows' community is known for its strong commitment to fostering network connections and promoting diverse perspectives within the venture capital ecosystem.

Kauffman Fellows invests heavily in talent development rather than direct financial investments. The program emphasizes leadership cultivation, peer learning, and relationship building across geographies and industries. The fellows work across a range of sectors, including Fintech, HealthTech, AI, and Consumer Products, fostering innovation and entrepreneurial success worldwide.

While Kauffman Fellows itself does not focus on making direct investments, its members have significantly impacted the venture capital landscape. Notable alumni include Helen Wong of ACV Capital, Mamoon Hamid of Kleiner Perkins, Miriam Rivera of Ulu Ventures, and Marlon Nichols of MaC Venture Capital. Collectively, Fellows have raised billions in capital, supported thousands of entrepreneurs, and backed a significant number of unicorn companies.