Tulane Students Gain Real-World Venture Capital Experience in New Course
 

 
An exciting new course at Tulane University allows students to operate like a real venture fund, immersing them in the high-stakes world of investment decision-making. Developed by the Tulane Innovation Institute and the A.B. Freeman School of Business, this experiential class bridges academic learning with real-world applications while connecting students to the Tulane Venture Seed Fund, a $10 million initiative supporting Louisiana startups in health and medical, climate and energy, and artificial intelligence and technology sectors. Students gain a unique opportunity to manage investments and collaborate directly with local startups.
 
Titled FINE 4410: Venture Capital and Angel Investing, the class started its inaugural semester with six students in Fall 2024, and enrollment has already tripled for Spring 2025, with twenty additional students on the wait list. It is led by David Thompson, a professor at the Freeman School of Business, alongside industry veterans Jeffrey Silverman of Laconia Capital and Peter Liu of Revelry Venture Partners. Marco Melero, an analyst for Tulane Ventures, serves as the teaching assistant to provide additional support. 

 "Introducing the Venture Capital and Angel Investing course into our curriculum further establishes the Freeman School as a premier institution for experiential learning. This course provides students with practical knowledge and industry skills that bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world practice," said Dean Paulo Goes of the A.B. Freeman School of Business. "By engaging directly with local startup companies, leading venture capitalists, and members of the New Orleans entrepreneurial community, our undergraduate students gain exceptional exposure to the venture capital landscape and valuable connections for their future careers."
 
Students research the practical aspects of venture capital while gaining hands-on experience sourcing and evaluating potential investments, structuring deals, and deploying capital. 
 
“This course represents an important step in preparing our students to understand the complexities of venture capital and entrepreneurial finance while also building interest in our startup community,” said Kimberly Gramm, managing director of Tulane Ventures and the David & Marion Mussafer Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer at the Tulane Innovation Institute. “We’re equipping them with the skills to make informed investment decisions while supporting promising ventures in our state.”
 
The course positions students as investment professionals. By the end of the first semester, they had reviewed applications and pitches, conducted due diligence calls with founders, participated in mentor meetings, and prepared investment memos. The student team efforts resulted in completing due diligence on eight companies, with four pitched to the Tulane Ventures Investment Committee, leading to four investment commitments totaling $750,000.
 
The curriculum provides a comprehensive understanding of venture capital, covering topics such as evaluating opportunities, structuring terms, negotiating deals, and planning follow-on investments and exit strategies. Throughout the first semester, students heard from over fourteen expert guest speakers, including Andrea Turner Moffitt, Sara Thomas Deshpande, Taylor Davidson, David Arcara, Scott Wolfe Jr., Tim Williamson, James Barlia, Martin Roth, Paul Bricault, Bobby Weinberger, Adam Kahn, Zak Schwarzman, Joe McMenemon, and Daniel Meth.
 
Beyond the classroom, students engaged with the entrepreneurial ecosystem, interacting with industry experts and gaining insights into Louisiana’s landscape. These experiences proved invaluable for those aspiring to careers in venture capital, private equity, or entrepreneurial finance.
 
For students, this course is more than just a class; it serves as a gateway to meaningful careers and an opportunity to shape Louisiana's economic future. As Tulane continues to innovate in education, programs like this ensure that students are prepared to take on leadership roles and drive innovation in the years ahead.