VC 101: How Venture Works & How To Raise It

​Startup University: VC 101: How Venture Works & How To Raise It

​Startup University is a semester-long speaker series connecting college students with founders, operators, and builders shaping the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky startup ecosystem.

​This session offers a practical introduction to venture capital - how it works, when it makes sense, and how founders should think about raising their first round. Christy Johnson (Partner at FireRoad Ventures) and Brad Zapp (Co-Founder at Connetic Ventures) will break down how early-stage investors evaluate companies, what “fundable” really means, and how founders can prepare for productive conversations with investors.

​Hosted at SparkHaus, the series blends honest conversation, actionable insights, and intentional networking to help students build meaningful relationships before they graduate.

​What to Expect

• ​45 minutes of conversation and insights on startups and the ecosystem

• ​45 minutes of Q&A and informal networking with speakers and peers

​Event Details

​📅 Friday, Feb 20
⏰ 9:00 - 10:30 AM
📍 SparkHaus - Lagoon Media Room
👥 Open to college students from all universities and all majors

​Sessions will be recorded and archived, and select sessions will be live-streamed for regional universities unable to attend in person.
Once registered, a virtual attendance link will also be sent via email.

​Whether you’re startup-curious or already building, this series is your on-ramp into the startup ecosystem.