Organization · Venture Capital
Van Wickle Ventures
Van Wickle Ventures is a student-run venture fund based at Brown University that invests in startups affiliated with the university. The fund focuses on providing hands-on venture investing experience while supporting innovative entrepreneurs from Brown and the Rhode Island School of Design.
Overview
What Van Wickle Ventures does
What Van Wickle Ventures is
Van Wickle Ventures is a student-run venture fund based at Brown University that invests in startups affiliated with the university. The fund focuses on providing hands-on venture investing experience while supporting innovative entrepreneurs from Brown and the Rhode Island School of Design.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and publisher 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
- Venture Capital
- Founded
- Founded in 2019
- Approximate age
- About 7 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Publisher
- Last reviewed
- April 22, 2026
Official channels
Find Van Wickle Ventures elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Van Wickle Ventures as a funder
Investment thesis
Van Wickle Ventures supports early-stage companies founded by Brown-affiliated entrepreneurs, emphasizing hands-on experience in venture investing.
Focus narrative
VWV invests in early-stage companies primarily founded by Brown-affiliated entrepreneurs. The fund emphasizes a holistic educational approach, leveraging the unique perspectives of its student members to inform investment decisions. VWV's strategy is guided by the success of notable Brown startups, such as Figma and Warby Parker, and aims to provide meaningful capital to support the growth of these ventures.
Value beyond capital
VWV provides not only capital but also valuable hands-on experience in venture capital for its student members. The fund's structure allows students to engage in sourcing and evaluating investments, while final decisions are made by an investment committee of seasoned alumni VCs, creating a bridge between academic learning and real-world venture investing.
Terms and economics
- Typical check
- $25,000–$50,000
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Sectors
- ConsumerHealthcareFintech
- Regions
- North America
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 13
Portfolio context
Van Wickle Ventures has invested in approximately 13 startups, including notable companies such as Minded, a telehealth platform for psychiatry; Apprenta, a talent training software; Ghia, a non-alcoholic apéritif; and Otis, a telemedicine service for pets. Other portfolio companies include Best Day Brewing, MediCircle, Lexi, LGND, Fishwife, and Oh Norman!, showcasing a strong focus on consumer products and health-adjacent themes.
Capability profile
Van Wickle Ventures as a publisher
Editorial focus
Van Wickle Ventures (VWV) is dedicated to investing in early-stage companies founded by entrepreneurs affiliated with Brown University. The fund emphasizes a holistic educational approach, leveraging the diverse experiences of Brown students to foster innovative thinking. VWV's investment strategy is informed by the success of notable Brown startups, aiming to provide hands-on experience in venture investing for its members.
Audience value
Van Wickle Ventures offers a unique opportunity for Brown and RISD-affiliated entrepreneurs to access capital while providing students with hands-on experience in venture capital, fostering a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem within the university.
Format and cadence
- Content formats
- newsletter
- Primary platform
- Website
Availability
- Guest pitch state
- Not currently accepting
Audience and focus
- Audience
- Founders · Students
- Sectors
- ConsumerHealthcare
- Regions
- North AmericaUnited States
Flagship work and coverage
Flagship properties
VWV operates as a student-run venture fund, providing investments between $25,000 and $50,000 in startups sourced and evaluated by students. The fund is designed to be evergreen, with all returns reinvested to support the university's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Notable coverage
The fund has been covered multiple times by the Brown Daily Herald and Brown University News, highlighting its role in supporting Brown-affiliated startups and its educational mission.
Common questions
What to know about Van Wickle Ventures
Upseed classifies Van Wickle Ventures under the Venture Capital organization type. Its current public profile includes funder and publisher 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
April 22, 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.