18-20 March 2026 | Online
VC Fund Manager Masterclass
From thesis to DPI
Experience the full 10-15 years fund journey in 3 intensive days
In their own words
What participants say
Fund Manager Academy gave me the exact toolkit I needed to go from "I want to raise a fund" to "I know how to raise a fund." The peer cohort alone is worth the application — I work with these people daily now.
Andrea Waldhart
Cohort Spring '26 · Vienna, Austria
I came in as a solo GP trying to close my first fund. Six months later I had 4 anchor LPs, a co-investment framework, and a network of mentors I can call at any time. This program is the real deal.
Sara Kangaspeska
Cohort Spring '26 · Helsinki, Finland
The LP module alone changed how I approach every investor conversation. But what I'll carry forward most is the cohort — a group of peers who push you, challenge you, and celebrate with you.
Marta Mrozowicz
Cohort Spring '26 · Warsaw, Poland
Key Details
Dates
March 18-20, 2026
Time
14:00-18:00 CET daily
Format
Live Online
Make 600+ real fund decisions under pressure, with counsequences.
Live your fund's entire lifecycle in one immersive competitive simulation.
Proven Methodology • Used at IMD & LBS
The competitive advantage
Learn by doing
Forget passive lectures. You'll work in competing teams, managing your fund through every stage from thesis to distributions. Every decision has trade-offs. Every quarter brings new challenges.
LP-grade fluency
Gain mastery of the metrics that matter to institutional investors: DPI, TVPI, MOIC, and cash-on-cash returns. Learn to communicate performance narratives that LPs actually want to hear.
Full journey compressed
Most emerging managers learn fund management through trial and error over 10+ years. You'll experience the complete lifecycle in 3 days: strategy, fundraising, deployment, follow-ons, exits,
and distributions.
What you'll learn
- Master the full fund lifecycle from thesis design to final distributions
- Build IC-readiness through intensive team-based decision-making under time pressure
- Make 600+ fund decisions in a structured simulation that mirrors real market dynamics
- Develop LP communication skills using core performance metrics (DPI/TVPI/MOIC)
- Expand your network with 14 other high-caliber European fund leaders
- Understand what actually drives fund performance – not theory, but lived experience
Meet the spring attendees '26
16 emerging fund managers from across Europe, selected for their ambition, track record, and commitment to changing the VC landscape.
Agnieszka Grabowska
Alejo Dinis
Allegra Kowalewski Ferreira
Andrea Waldhart
Annalisa Andaloro
Diana Tsinis
Hampus Bjorklin
Iryna Krepchuk
Jodi Bartin
How the simulation works:
Your team. Your fund.
Real consequences.
- Define your investment thesis and portfolio construction approach
- Map and prioritize LPs, design your value proposition, secure commitments
- Build dealflow, evaluate opportunities, negotiate terms, and deploy capital
- Manage reserves and follow-ons as portfolio companies hit milestones or struggle
- Drive value creation, choose liquidity paths, manage exits and write-offs
- Report performance to LPs and deliver distributions – optimizing for net DPI
Team Roles
Each team includes:
Managing Partner
Fundraising Director
Investment Director
Dealflow Analyst
Fund Manager
Smaller teams combine roles
Who should apply
This masterclass is for ambitious, high-performing investment professionals who want to build fundleadership capability through applied, high-pressure decision-making.
You're a Great Fit If You:
- Are moving toward GP/partner-level roles or already raising/managing a fund
- Want LP-grade fluency in fund metrics, reporting, and performance drivers
- Are serious about building institutional-quality fund management skills
- Want to join a peer network of emerging European fund leaders
- Thrive in competitive, intense, team-based environments
This is NOT For:
- Those seeking passive learning or networking-only events
- Anyone unable to commit fully to the 3-day intensive format
- Professionals without genuine interest in fund management careers
- Those looking for general business education rather than fund-specific training
The group experience
15 participants. Curated. Competitive. Collaborative.
You'll build lasting relationships with peers who understand the unique challenges of fund management – connections that extend far beyond the three days into your career as an operator.
Expect intense team-based work, high-stakes decision-making, and genuine competitive dynamics. You'll form deep bonds with your team while competing fiercely against other funds – just like the real VC ecosystem.
Common Questions
What is the VC Fund Manager Masterclass?
A 3-day intensive simulation where you experience a complete 10-15 year venture capital fund lifecycle. Make 600+ real fund management decisions with your team – from thesis development to LP distributions.
Who should attend this VC masterclass?
Investment professionals who are:
- Moving toward GP or partner-level roles
- Raising or managing a venture fund
- Seeking institutional fund management skills
- Building LP-grade performance fluency
- Joining Europe's fund manager network
What's the total time commitment?
- Pre-work: 1-3 hours (videos, readings)
- Live sessions: 12 hours (4 hours × 3 days)
- Total: ~15 hours
How is this different from other VC training programs?
100% simulation-based learning (not lectures). Experience:
- Real-time decisions with consequences
- Competition for dealflow between funds
- LP negotiations and quarterly reporting
- Dynamic market conditions
- Complete fund lifecycle in 3 days
Used at IMD, London Business School, and with 250+ emerging fund managers globally.
What VC metrics will I learn?
Master institutional LP metrics:
- DPI (Distributions to Paid-In Capital)
- TVPI (Total Value to Paid-In Capital)
- MOIC (Multiple on Invested Capital)
- IRR (Internal Rate of Return)
- Cash-on-cash returns
What outcomes can I expect?
By completion, you'll have:
- Experienced 10-15 years of fund management compressed
- Made 600+ fund decisions under pressure
- Built LP-grade performance fluency
- Strengthened IC and fundraising skills
- Expanded your European GP network
- Gained fund leadership confidence
Applications are now open for a curated group of 15 participants.
This is an immersive, simulation-based masterclass that compresses the full fund journey into three intensive days.
Questions? Contact: Alicja@europeanwomenvc.org