How can universities help address the underrepresentation of women as venture capital decision-makers? Forbes writer Geri Stengel recently penned a column highlighting UNH Paul College’s Mel Rines ’47 Student Angel Investment Fund that is cultivating women leaders in this space.
Since its inception in 2015, the Rines Angel Fund has seen an increasing number of women apply to the program and this year 53% of associates and 50% of the executive committee are women. Student members of the fund have benefitted from a 100% placement rate.
Jeffrey Sohl, director of Paul College’s Center for Venture Research and professor of entrepreneurship and decision sciences, conceptualized the student-run $425,000+ angel investment fund and directs the experience-based program. It is cross-disciplinary and allows students to learn angel and venture capital investment strategies through first-hand experience of investing in startups.
