Program · Fellowship
Alpaca VC MBA Associate Program
Alpaca VC MBA Associate Program is Alpaca VC's fellowship offering immersive experience in seed-stage venture capital for current MBA students.
- Application state
- Accepting
Overview
What Alpaca VC MBA Associate Program offers
What Alpaca VC MBA Associate Program is
Alpaca VC is a seed-stage venture capital firm based in New York City that invests in the people, products, and processes that power commerce in the physical world. The firm's investment thesis centers on technology-driven transformations in commerce, hardware, robotics, IoT, and physical-world infrastructure. Each summer, Alpaca onboards several MBA Associates to assist with deal flow, due diligence, fundraising, and the firm's flagship Field Studies research program. The Field Study process is a repeatable, thesis-driven approach to investment where the team conducts deep research into specific physical-world sectors, publishes findings, and uses the research to drive investment decisions. MBA Associates are selected from top programs and work closely with general partners and the investment team, contributing significantly to at least one Field Study during their tenure.
Operational profile
Program status and context
Program status describes the program itself. Application availability and deadlines remain separate.
- Operational status
- Active
- Program type
- Fellowship
- Host organization
- Alpaca VC
- Last reviewed
- March 16, 2026
Terms and economics
Published program terms
- Price
- Free
- Compensation
- Stipend
Compensation and economics
Associates receive a stipend, typical for summer associate programs, though specific compensation details are not publicly disclosed.
Focus and fit
Who the program is for
Program thesis
Alpaca VC focuses on technology-driven transformations in commerce, hardware, robotics, IoT, and physical-world infrastructure. The program emphasizes published research as a core component of the investment process, allowing associates to contribute to meaningful insights in these sectors.
Eligibility
Current MBA students from top business schools. Interest in physical-world technology, commerce, hardware, robotics, or IoT. No prior VC experience explicitly required.
Selection approach
Current MBA students from top business schools with an interest in physical-world technology, commerce, hardware, robotics, or IoT are eligible to apply. No prior VC experience is explicitly required.
- Stages
- Seed
- Regions
- United States
Format and cadence
How participation works
- Presence
- In Person
- Main location
- New York City, New York, United States
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Cohorts per year
- 1
- Engagement
- Full Time
Delivery model
The program requires in-person participation in New York City, providing associates with direct access to the firm's operations and the local tech ecosystem.
Participation expectations
The program requires a full-time commitment during the summer, with associates working closely with the investment team.
Availability and engagement
Application timing and route
- Application state
- Accepting
- Admissions
- Open
Published timeline
The program runs during the summer for approximately 10-12 weeks, with cohorts occurring annually.
Application considerations
Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in physical-world technology and be prepared to engage deeply with the investment process. Highlighting relevant experiences and a passion for the sectors of focus will strengthen applications.
Value and support
What participation may provide
Publicly described support is context, not a guarantee of current delivery or future benefit.
What participants may receive
Participants gain summer VC immersion with full team integration, published research through the Field Studies program, deal sourcing and due diligence experience at the seed stage, fundraising exposure, and access to Alpaca's NYC physical-world tech ecosystem.
Outcomes and track record
What the public record shows
Historical activity and reported outcomes provide context, not a guarantee of future results.
Reported outcomes
Alumni include MBA Associates from Wharton and Harvard Business School. Specific post-program outcomes are not publicly disclosed, but the Field Studies publications provide lasting professional visibility.
Common questions
Program details at a glance
Alpaca VC MBA Associate Program is published in Upseed as a fellowship program hosted by Alpaca VC. Upseed treats the Program and its host Organization as separate records so each can have its own status and sources.
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
March 16, 2026
Known limits
Terms, deadlines, and application states can change. Confirm current details at the published destination before acting. Upseed does not yet classify every Program destination as official.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or the official representative of this program or its host.