{"id":99788,"date":"2024-09-21T17:37:38","date_gmt":"2024-09-21T21:37:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/?page_id=99788"},"modified":"2026-07-23T15:12:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T19:12:16","slug":"venture-capital","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/students\/professional-development\/career-exploration-transition\/venture-capital\/","title":{"rendered":"Venture Capital &#038; Investment Banking"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>Introductory Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=a4aUX5u90oA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Key Definitions of Venture Capital<\/a> (2-min video), Forbes.\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bu.vault.com\/professions\/venture-capitalists\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Venture Capitalists<\/a> &#8211; key definitions, skills, general info&#8230;, BU Vault.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bu.vault.com\/professions\/venture-capital-analysts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Venture Capital Analysts<\/a> &#8211; key definitions, skills, general info&#8230;, BU Vault.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bu.vault.com\/professions\/venture-capital-associates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Venture Capital Associates<\/a> &#8211; key definitions, skills, general info&#8230;, BU Vault.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bu.vault.com\/professions\/venture-capital-principals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Venture Capital Principals<\/a> &#8211; key definitions, skills, general info&#8230;, BU Vault.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bu.vault.com\/professions\/venture-capital-risk-managers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Venture Capital Risk Managers<\/a> &#8211; key definitions, skills, general info&#8230;, BU Vault.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nbt1008-1195\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">From a PhD in Biology to Venture Capitalist<\/a>, Nature Biotechnology.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=S5r0A83fsgc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Overview of Gates Foundation Venture Capital<\/a>, Charlotte Hubbert, PhD (YouTube video).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spectup.com\/resource-hub\/venture-capital-vs-investment-banking\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Key differences between Venture Capital and Investment Banking<\/a>, Spectup.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0QF4-ekQtJY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Starting your career in Life Science Consulting and Investment Banking<\/a>, Back Bay Life Science Advisors (YouTube video).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Venturing further in this career area<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.tibtech.2023.06.011\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The winding journey of biotech capital raising: deciphering the jargon<\/a>, N. Frame et al., 2023.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/racap.thinkific.com\/courses\/biotechunveiled\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Biotech Unveiled<\/a>, RA Capital &#8211; a free, online course, that provides an overview of drug development and what goes into VC and other investors deciding to fund drugs and diagnostics.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/willalaynick.substack.com\/p\/venture-capital-for-life-scientists\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Venture Capital for Life Scientists<\/a>, Will Alaynick, PhD (online book about the history and impact of VC on the life science industry).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/racap.docsend.com\/view\/dstsn9qi8df5v28d\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Biotech M&amp;A (Mergers and Acquisition): Inside the Room Where it Happens<\/a>, RA Capital (Jan 2026).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mitcommlab.mit.edu\/be\/2021\/09\/08\/a-guide-to-life-sciences-vc-as-a-bioengineering-student\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A guide to Life Science VC<\/a> (key definitions, PhD vs MBA, typical day&#8230;).\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/corporatefinanceinstitute.com\/resources\/career-map\/sell-side\/capital-markets\/venture-capital-fund\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Venture Capital Fund<\/a> (key definitions, roles), Corporate Finance Institute.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/1998\/11\/how-venture-capital-works\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">How Venture Capital Works<\/a>, Harvard Business review.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mckinsey.com\/industries\/life-sciences\/our-insights\/what-early-stage-investing-reveals-about-biotech-innovation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">VC Funding Trends in Biotechnology<\/a>, McKinsey (2023).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/G9VhFQcVk9Q\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Webinar: Indication Selection Through the Eyes of an Investor<\/a> &#8211; A Conversation with RA Capital.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.halletecco.com\/blog\/vc-math\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Venture Maths: How VCs Value Startups<\/a>, Halle Tecco.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiddenrivergroup.com\/newsletter\/beyond-venture-capital\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Beyond Venture Capital: Exploring the Power of Non-Traditional Partnerships<\/a>, Hidden River Group &#8211; startup funding beyond venture capital funding options.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=3Pk8EmyK7kw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Making of an Investment Banker<\/a>, Jim Donovan (19-min YouTube video).\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0012160619305640\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">From a PhD in Biology to Investment Banking<\/a>, Developmental Biology Article.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.objectiveibv.com\/resources\/life-sciences-tech\/life-sciences-investment-banking-valuations-deals-industry-outlook\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trends in Life Science Investment Banking<\/a>, Objective IBV (2024).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bu.vault.com\/search\/searchResults\/success%20investment%20banking\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Explore investment-banking-focused blog articles, Q&amp;As, and internships<\/a> with BU Vault.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Learning by training and doing job-related tasks<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Job Simulations are job-related tasks that can be completed in a few hours, to help you assess how enjoyable and how much of a good fit a specific job could be for you. To make the most of job simulations, please set up <a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/smart\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SMART Goals<\/a> to perform each simulation in a reasonable timeline. When you have completed the task, fill out the <a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/reflection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Self-Reflection Sheet<\/a>, which will help you reflect on what you enjoyed (or did not enjoy) about the simulation, and how it can help inform your career exploration efforts.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theforage.com\/simulations\/h2-ventures\/venture-capital-comi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">H2 Venture Capital Virtual Job Simulation<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theforage.com\/simulations\/bcg\/x-ventures-lbvf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Venture and Business Builds virtual simulation<\/a> with BCG.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theforage.com\/simulations\/jpmorgan\/investment-banking-hkyd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Investment Banking virtual simulation with JP Morgan<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theforage.com\/simulations\/bank-of-america\/investment-banking-bwp7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Investment Banking virtual simulation with Bank of America<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Preparing your transition into this career area<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/d41586-019-01332-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Focus on your skills<\/a>, Nature article.<\/li>\n<li>Feel free to take or audit online courses on finance or investing or other relevant topics, to learn the language and be at ease with talking with folks from these areas.<\/li>\n<li>Growing your network and <a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/infointerviewguide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">having informational interviews<\/a> with PhDs who have transitioned into careers of interest to you will enable you to learn more about the job&#8217;s daily responsibilities, hiring process, career progression, etc., and the sector as a whole.\n<ul>\n<li>Look for and join relevant thematic groups on LinkedIn, online communities like <a href=\"https:\/\/lu.ma\/calendar\/cal-aidvc2Aj9YBQ3Oc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Life Science Hikers<\/a>, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Look for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/students\/professional-development\/connect-mentors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BU Mentors and Alumni<\/a> who have transitioned into this career area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Some companies started offering fellowships to advanced degree holders &#8211; a couple of examples below (this is by no means an exhaustive list &#8211; keep searching!):\n<ul>\n<li>5AM Fellowship, from <a href=\"https:\/\/5amventures.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">5AM Ventures<\/a>, is for Master&#8217;s, PhD, or MD degree holders interested in transitioning into VC.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Study company websites, follow them on social media and YouTube.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mymedia.bu.edu\/playlist\/dedicated\/207936103\/1_9emp2sqk\/1_2lldbf4b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Analyze job descriptions<\/a> to learn more about what institutions and organizations are currently looking for.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introductory Resources Key Definitions of Venture Capital (2-min video), Forbes. Venture Capitalists &#8211; key definitions, skills, general info&#8230;, BU Vault. Venture Capital Analysts &#8211; key definitions, skills, general info&#8230;, BU Vault. Venture Capital Associates &#8211; key definitions, skills, general info&#8230;, BU Vault. Venture Capital Principals &#8211; key definitions, skills, general info&#8230;, BU Vault. Venture Capital [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20577,"featured_media":0,"parent":99331,"menu_order":22,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99788"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20577"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99788"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99788\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":108712,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99788\/revisions\/108712"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99331"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99788"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}