Richard A. Mayo Center for Asset Management

Mayo Center - Events - Venture Capital Conference

Venture Capital Conference

UVAVCC25

The Richard A. Mayo Center for Asset Management was pleased to host the Second Annual University of Virginia Venture Capital Conference (UVAVCC) on 28 March 2025 at Darden Sands Family Grounds (Rosslyn, Virginia). This year’s conference featured market commentary from NVCA about trends in the Venture Capital industry. Panel sessions covered topics such as Investing in AI and Opportunities in FinTech. New this year was workshops on Protecting Innovation & IP as well as an Introduction to Angel Investing. We also held sessions on corporate venture capital and fundraising. UVAVCC concluded with a networking reception open to all conference participants. 

Agenda

9 a.m.

Check In & Grab and Go Breakfast

Parking & Wayfinding Instructions
9:30 a.m.

Opening Session
VC Market Outlook and Washington DC Policy Update
11 a.m. 

Breakout Sessions

Assessing the Current VC Fundraising Environment Panel:

Investing in AI Panel:

Introduction to Angel Investing Workshop:
12:15 p.m.

Networking Lunch
1:30 p.m.

Breakout Sessions

Unique Aspects of Investing as a CVC Panel:

Opportunities in FinTech Panel:

Protecting Innovation & IP Workshop:
3:00 p.m.

Keynote Session

  • Nick Superina (Co-founder & General Partner, Harmonic Growth Partners)
  • Mike Ward (Co-Founder & Managing General Partner, Harmonic Growth Partners)
4:00 p.m. Rooftop Networking Reception

2025 Sponsors

 

2025 Partners

 

Venture Capital Conference in the News

podcast

Spotlight on UVA Venture Capital Conference
Experience Darden Podcast, Episode #255

PAST EVENTS

  • 2024

    The Richard A. Mayo Center for Asset Management hosted the University of Virginia Venture Capital Conference (UVAVCC) on 12 April 2024 at Darden Sands Family Grounds (Rosslyn, Virginia). This year, UVAVCC explored the current landscape of Venture Capital and how market conditions affected the space from an LP, GP and entrepreneurial perspective. Panel sessions focused on various investing sectors such as cyber security, defense technology, healthcare, and consumer packaged goods. Program speakers detailed approaches and ideas for how LPs invest given current market conditions and how entrepreneurs can successfully pitch to VCs. UVAVCC closed with a networking reception open to all conference participants.

    PROGRAM (PDF)

    9:00 a.m

    Opening Session

    Bobby Franklin
    VC Market Outlook and Washington DC Policy Update with Bobby Franklin (President & CEO, NVCA)
    10:45 a.m. 

    Industry Breakout Sessions

    Defense Technology Panel:

    Healthcare Panel:
    12:00 p.m.

    Lunch and Keynote Session

    Jason Rathje

    Fireside Chat with Jason Rathje (Director of the Office of Strategic Capital, U.S. Department of Defense)
    1:30 p.m.

    Industry Breakout Sessions

    Cyber Security Panel:

    Consumer Packaged Goods Panel:
    3:00 p.m.

    LP & VC Breakout Sessions

    Hot Topics for Limited Partners Panel:

    • Moderator Scott Headd (Senior Director of Business Development and Client Relations, Sands Capital)
    • Caitlin Mavraganis (Managing Director, Selby Lane Capital)
    • Zach Ruchman (Director of Private Investments, WMS Partners)
    • Ben VanGelder (Director of Private Investments, Georgetown Endowment)
    • Saul Waller (Managing Director, Columbia Partners Private Capital)

    How to Successfully Pitch to VCs Panel:
    4:15 p.m. Networking Reception

    Thank you to our 2024 UVA Venture Capital Conference Sponsors!

    Thank you to our 2024 UVA Venture Capital Conference Partners!