Why We Believe in the Next Generation of College Founders
By Alex Chen — General Partner
When we started 18VC, we had one core belief: the best founders are hiding in plain sight at universities, and they deserve backers who truly understand the student founder journey.
College campuses sit at a unique intersection of entrepreneurship, technology, and creativity. From engineering labs to studios and creative spaces, students are uniquely positioned to build companies that blend technical depth with cultural insight.
Our thesis is simple: back student founders early, with conviction, and with the kind of operational support that only fellow students can provide. We've watched our portfolio companies go from dorm-room ideas to Series A in under 18 months, and we're just getting started.
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