UCLA Ventures

Overview

UCLA Ventures is a department under the UCLA Technology Development Group, dedicated to supporting UCLA-affiliated startups, faculty, students, staff, and alumni. Their mission is to aid in the transition from idea to market by providing startup creation, funding, education, and success. Programs include Startup in a Box, Bruin Founders, Pitch Gym, an exclusive Philanthropic Community, and various entrepreneurial ecosystem events. Through these initiatives, UCLA Ventures fosters innovation and entrepreneurship within the UCLA community. Established in the late 1990s by a group of Bruin entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, UCLA Ventures has become a testament to the strength of UCLA's alumni network. It has evolved into a dynamic community of UCLA alumni, faculty, students, and friends who support each other, the university, and its entrepreneurial ecosystem. The organization pioneered the unique 'cashless' pledge for the startup community, wherein members pledge now, even though the shares are not transferred to UCLA Ventures until liquidity occurs. Upon pledging, members join a vibrant community of Bruin entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. When liquidity occurs, the cash or shares are transferred to UCLA Ventures. Through this system, UCLA Ventures has built a vibrant portfolio of venture-backed ownership stakes. With the returns from its pledged portfolio, UCLA Ventures fosters UCLA’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through programming, volunteerism, and financial distributions to key initiatives on campus, such as Startup UCLA. This approach not only supports the growth of startups but also contributes to the broader innovation landscape at UCLA, ensuring that the university remains a hub for entrepreneurial activity and technological advancement.

Investment Focus

• UCLA affiliation (alumni, faculty, staff, or student)
• Innovative and scalable business model
• Strong management team
• Clear path to commercialization
• Alignment with UCLA's mission and values

Portfolio Companies