This is RDV University.

Spend your summer learning from venture-backed entrepreneurs, building an MVP, and thinking critically about responsible innovation and the world you want to see. Part-time and in-person. Plus, free swag. Apps due 11:59 PM EST, May 20. Reviewed on a rolling basis. Powered by General Catalyst.

Spend your summer building.

RDV University is a 6-week, part-time incubator for student founders in NYC. Learn about company-building from venture-backed CEOs, hone your ideas through resources and mentorship, and build an MVP!

Accelerate your growth.

You'll spend the summer learning key lessons about company-building, responsible innovation, and entrepreneurship to help you refine and accelerate your idea. Eligible, incorporated companies will receive a $10k investment from RDV.

Being a Student Founder

Learn what it's like to start a unicorn straight from your dorm room. You'll hear from some of RDV's founders and get an inside look into their entrepreneurial journeys.

Building an MVP

Learn how to turn an idea into an MVP — minimum viable product. Hear from founders like Mike Swift (Major League Hacking) to see what it takes to build an MVP.

Marketing and Press

Learn about marketing from all angles. You'll learn about marketing and positioning from founders like David Cancel (Drift), build a tactical strategy, and even meet the press.

And so much more!

Weekly dinners and panels, sponsored networking sessions, free perks and swag, a hackathon for finding technical talent, a summit on August 20-21, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

RDV University is a part-time summer program for first-time student founders based in NYC.

We're excited to read your application! Apply here: https://university.roughdraft.vc/application

The program runs from July 11 - August 19 with a 2-day summit on August 20-21. Program participants are required to attend weekly in-person sessions during this timeline.

Yes! Our program is part-time. However, you are required to attend 1 in-person session every week during the program.

The program is in-person, but will have optional virtual components.

The program requires weekly participation at in-person sessions in NYC. We will be prioritizing applications from those candidates who can participate in-person from July 11-August 21.

RDV will invest $10k via a SAFE (at a $10m cap) in all incorporated, participating companies that meet our eligibility requirements. We are also able to provide support for participating founders looking to incorporate their companies.

The answer: none! We're here to help you even with your roughest draft. We evaluate applications beyond the level of traction a company has reached or achieved. No company is guaranteed acceptance to the program.

This program is for any student, regardless of year, program, or focus of study. Open to undergraduates, graduates, PhDs, and more!

Please send an email to Jeremy at jnavarro@roughdraft.vc!

Rough drafts welcome.

Rough Draft Ventures was founded on the belief that students can build wildly successful companies. They are the real deal. With RDV University, we're excited to empower even more student founders and to accelerate our mission: supporting all students with their roughest drafts.

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