We believe in student founders
We started Rough Draft Ventures because we have faith in student founders. We bet on them early and commit to them long-term. We take pride in helping them iterate on rough drafts to build enduring, impactful companies.
We invest checks through founder-friendly SAFEs via our network of student fellows, supplying the brightest student founders across the US with meaningful resources, access to education, and one of their earliest support systems.

Rough Draft 101
Stage
We focus on Pre-Seed and Seed investments, with checks between $100-$150k. Have an idea? It’s never too early to pitch us!
Industry
We’re industry-agnostic, and we all have different interests and specialties. Don’t hesitate to apply.
Location
For now, we focus on US-based companies (incorporated as a C-Corp in Delaware).
Strategy
We strive to be students’ first checks and are committed to being partners in their entrepreneurial journeys. We back ambitious, bold, curious, and energetic teams with a strong bias to action and ability to follow through.
Inclusion
We are committed to sourcing and working with diverse founders and funders. No matter where you come from, what you study, or how you identify, we want to hear from you. Cold applications are welcome and, in fact, encouraged!
Why Choose RDV
We are committed to sourcing and working with diverse founders and funders. No matter where you come from, what you study, or how you identify.
Learn more
Our Community
The RDV community is comprised of world-class founders, operators, and investors who have all been in your shoes. Our passion is unlocking your entrepreneurial journey, and we’re here to give you everything you need to grow.
This Year’s Fellows

Alex Chin
Head of Community, Harvard University

Alexis Coates
Venture Fellow, Harvard Business School

Daniella Cohen
Managing Partner, Princeton University

Keren Duque
Venture Fellow, UC Berkeley

Maurice Gilbert
Venture Fellow, Florida A&M

James Kaplan
Managing Partner, USC

Jonathan Kogan
Managing Partner, University of Pennsylvania

Rani Kubersky
Venture Fellow, New York University

Priyanka Kumar
Co-Head of Community and Venture Fellow, Harvard University

Russell Ladson
Managing Partner, New York University – Tisch

Quinn Litherland
Managing Partner, Northeastern University

Jack McClelland
Head of Platform, Boston College

Claudia Meng
Venture Fellow, Yale University

Venture Fellow, Mohith Mothukuri
Columbia University

Emily Pate
Venture Fellow, MIT Sloan

Shriyash Upadhyay
Managing Partner, University of Pennsylvania

Jenny Wang
Venture Fellow, MIT Sloan

Tim Wu
Venture Fellow, Stanford University

Venture Fellow, Alan Xie
Harvard Business School

Max Zang
Venture Fellow, Northeastern University

Kasey Zhang
Venture Fellow, Northeastern University
Entrepreneurship, A to Z
We’re committed to providing best-in-class education to student founders and investors everywhere. Check out our blog and newsletter to stay up to date on our latest resources, tools, giveaways, and events!
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