Venture Lab Speaker Session #8: Michael Kim (Cendana Capital)
What does it take to build a successful venture capital firm? And what do investors look for when deciding which funds and managers have the potential to win?
We are extending a special invite to the tiehub community to join us for a special Venture Lab Speaker Series conversation with Michael Kim, Founder and Managing Partner of Cendana Capital, one of the most influential investors in the seed-stage venture ecosystem.
Since founding Cendana in 2010, Michael has pioneered the institutional fund-of-funds model for seed-stage venture capital. Today, Cendana manages over $2.7 billion in assets and has backed leading venture firms including Forerunner Ventures, Founder Collective, Freestyle Capital, Mucker Capital, and Susa Ventures. Across its underlying fund portfolios, Cendana's investments span more than 6,000 companies and 200 unicorns. Most recently, Cendana ranked #2 globally among VC funds-of-funds for performance in PitchBook's 2026 Global Manager Performance Score rankings.
Why attend?
Get direct access to a leading VC investor. Hear Michael's perspective firsthand and take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions and have a real conversation.
Learn how investors think. Get an inside look at how venture capital works, what makes a fund stand out, and how investors evaluate opportunities.
Build your network. Connect with Michael and fellow USC students interested in startups, venture capital, and entrepreneurship during a networking session after the talk.
Whether you're building a startup, exploring a career in venture capital, or simply curious about how the investment world works, this is a chance to learn from someone who operates at the center of the ecosystem.
Come curious and bring your questions...you don't want to miss this.
Open to the USC community. Register now to save your spot.
Already registered through the USCVC Google Form? Your registration is confirmed, and no additional Luma registration is necessary.