About Us
A troupe of bards — documenting and supporting campus founders before their first institutional check.
Our Story
18VC began with a simple observation: the most ambitious student founders are building in plain sight, long before any institutional investor notices. The earliest chapters of their stories go undocumented — and unsupported. We set out to change that.
We're a troupe of students — operators, engineers, designers, and storytellers — who scout promising founders across campuses, document their journeys through our podcast, and support them with capital, mentorship, and network before their first institutional check.
Our mission is to be the first to find the next generation of great college founders, to tell their stories as they build, and to back them before anyone else does. We move fast, stay founder-friendly, and bring more than capital — we bring a community and a stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about 18VC.
What is 18VC?
18VC is a student-run troupe — part podcast, part early-stage backer. We scout promising student founders across the country, document their journeys through our podcast, and support them with capital and mentorship before their first institutional check.
Do founders need to be current college students?
We focus on founders with a strong connection to campus life — current students, recent graduates, dropouts, and teams building out of a university. You don't need to be at any particular school for us to pay attention.
What's the check size?
At our current stage, we typically provide grants of up to $1,000 to support early-stage student founders. We're planning to raise a larger fund from LPs in the future to write bigger checks.
What support do you provide beyond capital?
Beyond funding, we offer mentorship, introductions to our network of investors and industry leaders, help with recruiting, and amplification through our podcast. Our team is embedded in the student startup ecosystem and can connect you with the right people at the right time.
How can I be a guest on the podcast?
We are always looking for inspiring founders and investors to feature on the show. If you have a compelling story to share, reach out through our apply page or contact us on social media. We cover topics ranging from fundraising and product development to personal founder journeys.
Ready to get involved?
Whether you're a founder seeking funding or want to partner with us, we'd love to hear from you.