Students investing in students

We understand how hard it is to build a company as a full-time student. That’s why we’ve partnered with leading venture capital firm, General Catalyst to empower students everywhere to build bold, generational companies.

Through our network of student investors who receive hands-on training and mentorship from GC, we partner with the brightest student founders across the US. When you join RDV, you join a community of student founders, investors, and leaders as committed to your success as you are. We mentor, support, and believe in you from the very beginning.

Who we are

Students are the real deal

We back the boldest, most promising student founders that are changing the world and give them the resources they need to thrive.

With mentors from companies like Drift, Figma, Warby Parker, Spotify, and Hubspot, we help students become better operators and leaders. We are building the largest network of the best student founders, and they have the track record to prove it.

Who we fund

220+

Student-run startups backed

$600M+

In Follow-on capital raised

550+

Jobs created

40+

Student partners and alumni

Our companies are backed by

Powered by General Catalyst.

General Catalyst (GC) is a venture capital firm that invests in powerful, positive change that endures. GC’s longstanding support of RDV underscores its commitment to find and back founders from all walks of life — to help build the next generation of market-leading and life-enhancing companies.

About General Catalyst

The latest, greatest news in student tech

Stay in touch with RDV and get early access to awesome, exclusive content. Written and published by Rough Draft Ventures.

RDV Basecamp
RDV Fellowship Applications are Open!

Rough Draft Ventures is a student-run venture firm, powered and backed by General Catalyst. We get behind student entrepreneurs and support them as they learn, grow, and build enduring companies. Apps are open now at bit.ly/rdvfellowapp. Read on to learn more!

Sep 1, 2022

RDV Basecamp
New Fellows, New RDV!

Hundreds of applications later, we finally have our newest cohort of venture fellows. Meet the new team!

Nov 19, 2021

RDV Basecamp
On RDV’s Investment in Intus Care

By: Caitlin Pintavorn

Oct 29, 2021