KF accelerates your ambitions.
Kauffman Fellows are leading the future of venture capital. Whether you’re an Emerging Manager or rising within an established VC firm, KF helps you stay curious and connected in an industry undergoing constant change.
If you're looking for real connection, a confidential sounding board, and a front-row seat at the cutting edge of VC, become a Kauffman Fellow.
Application Process
You can access the application through the application portal. It takes about 1 hour to complete, and you can save your progress and return to it later. Applicants who submit by 11:59 p.m. PT on November 16, 2026 can take advantage of the discounted early application fee of $100. After November 16, the application fee is $300 with a submission deadline of 11:59 p.m. PT on January 11, 2027.
Our recruitment process looks at you holistically. Candidates with strong applications will be invited to participate in (2) virtual interviews with Fellows in February.
The Class Design Committee will select the new class of Kauffman Fellows and will communicate admission decisions in March. If selected, you will be informed of next steps to prepare for the Fellowship.
Application Dates:
Applications for KF 32 Open
Early Submission Deadline
Submit applications by 11:59 PM PT ($100 application fee). After this date, the application fee increases to $300.
Final Submission Deadline
Submit applications by 11:59 PM PT ($300 application fee). No applications will be accepted after this date.
Scholarship Applications Due
Interview Process Begins
Candidates Notified of Acceptance Decisions
Enrollment and Onboarding for Module I
Your time is one of the greatest investments you make in getting the most of the Fellowship. During your two years, we expect you will devote ~30-40 days to Kauffman Fellows over:
- 5 in-person 4-day Modules
- 2 Global Treks to explore VC ecosystems
- 1 global Summit (takes place every two years)
- ~24 Forum meetings - most of these are held virtually
Fellows are required to attend all of the events outlined above to graduate, as well as complete a TLP (Thought Leadership Project), and choose and meet with your Mentor.
June 14-17, 2027
New York City, NY
October/November 2027
Bay Area, CA
February 28 - March 2, 2028
San Francisco, CA
April 24 - 27, 2028
Munich, Germany
June 2028
Bay Area, CA
October 2028
TBA
February 2029
San Francisco, CA
April 2029
TBA
June 2029
New York City, NY
In each class, we accept a range of venture capital experience, but to help set expectations for what we’re looking for, below are the details from our most recently seated class:
- $101B in combined AUM
- 750+ venture deals
- 62% are senior decision-makers, and 52% are partner-level and above
- 15% are LPs
- 13 countries across 6 continents
- 80% are direct venture capital investors, with 40% from emerging firms (Funds I-III) and 22% from established firms (Funds IV+)
A Typical Class Composition
Below is our typical class composition by fund type and title band. The numbers show seats selected in each group. We recognize that titles vary across firms, so we encourage candidates to select the title that most closely matches their day-to-day responsibilities.
Tuition
Tuition is $80,000 for the 2-year Fellowship. Tuition covers the cost of the Fellowship, but does not cover flights and lodging for events.
Financing Options
Fellows take many financing routes, often mixing firm support and personal resources.
Firm Support: Common approaches include using existing educational or professional development funding, LP support earmarked for tuition, firm-paid tuition with a salary offset, or repayment over time through a bonus or carried-interest offset.
Other Resources: Some candidates have secured support from organizations or individuals who fund to accelerate careers in venture capital, tech, and entrepreneurship. These are typically pre-established personal relationships.
KF Scholarship
We offer need-based scholarships, but take a holistic view of what “need” means for each candidate. Family circumstances, financial responsibilities, geography, and more all play a role. Note that scholarships cover a portion of tuition, not the full amount.
Applying for a scholarship does not affect your admissions decision; our Scholarship Committee and Class Design Committee meet separately.
As scholarships are not guaranteed, we suggest candidates make arrangements to fully cover tuition and expenses.