Organization · Micro VC
Big Red Ventures
Big Red Ventures (BRV) is an early-stage venture capital fund operated by MBA and graduate students at Cornell University. It invests in high-growth potential startups across various industries in the United States.
Overview
What Big Red Ventures does
What Big Red Ventures is
Big Red Ventures (BRV) is an early-stage venture capital fund operated by MBA and graduate students at Cornell University. It invests in high-growth potential startups across various industries in the United States.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and event host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Micro VC
- Founded
- Founded in 2001
- Approximate age
- About 25 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Event host
- Last reviewed
- May 5, 2026
Official channels
Find Big Red Ventures elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Big Red Ventures as a funder
Investment thesis
Big Red Ventures invests small checks into U.S.-based, high-growth, early-stage companies across industries while connecting founders with Cornell resources.
Focus narrative
BRV invests in early-stage companies across all industries in the United States, focusing on high-growth potential startups. The fund provides access to Cornell's extensive resources, including research capabilities and a network of experts, to help founders succeed.
Value beyond capital
BRV adds value to its portfolio companies by leveraging Cornell University's extensive resources, including research capabilities, expert networks, and mentorship opportunities. The fund also provides financial support through its investments, typically up to $25,000, with the potential for additional funding over the company's lifespan.
Terms and economics
- Typical check
- $25,000–$250,000
- Sweet spot
- $25,000
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Series A
- Sectors
- Biotech & Life SciencesHealthcareSaaS & Cloud SoftwareEducationConsumerReal Estate & Property Tech
- Regions
- United States
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
Portfolio context
Notable portfolio companies include: ZILA BioWorks: A sustainable epoxy and biomaterials company developing vegetable-oil Bio-poxy for industrial applications. SCOUT Space: An in-space observation system designed to safeguard orbital infrastructure. AtDev: An assistive-technology company focused on enhancing accessibility.
Capability profile
Big Red Ventures as an event host
Event focus
Big Red Ventures (BRV) invests in early-stage companies across all industries in the United States. The fund sources deals through personal connections, industry events, and pitch competitions. The investment process includes due diligence conducted by MBA students, with investments typically taking two to three months to close. BRV aims to provide not only financial capital but also access to Cornell's extensive resources, including consulting services and connections to top-tier venture capital partners.
Format narrative
BRV operates as an evergreen fund, recycling all proceeds for reinvestment. It typically invests up to $25,000 in U.S.-based high-growth companies.
Participant value
BRV provides not only financial capital but also access to Cornell's extensive resources, including consulting services and connections to top-tier venture capital partners.
Format and cadence
- Event types
- pitch-night and meetup
- Recurrence
- annual
- Modality
- in-person
- Startups can present
- Yes
Availability
- Registration state
- Accepting
- Next recorded event
- April 10, 2026
- Next event location
- Cornell University
Audience and fit
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Series A
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Regions
- United States
Speakers and past editions
Speakers
Key team members include Fund Managers Jeff Chow, Rick Wang, Adam Naor, Vadim Dumov, Wenni Cai, Sara Yun, Brian Guo, Jim Campbell, Rob Mueller, and Jennifer Chu.
Past editions
In 2022-23, BRV screened over 200 companies, completed diligence on 40, and invested in SCOUT Space and AtDev. SCOUT Space is building an in-space observation system to safeguard orbital infrastructure, while AtDev is an assistive-technology company. In 2026, BRV announced a new investment in ZILA BioWorks, a sustainable epoxy / biomaterials company.
Common questions
What to know about Big Red Ventures
Upseed classifies Big Red Ventures under the Micro VC organization type. Its current public profile includes funder and event host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
May 5, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.