Behind the Scenes of Venture Capital with Sophia Zhao

​Sophia Zhao is a Partner at Alumni Ventures, named one of Time’s Top Venture Capital Firms of 2025. She focuses on identifying and supporting innovative startups across a range of sectors, working closely with both early-stage founders and fellow investors.

​In this session, Sophia will offer insights into the realities of working in venture capital, the core criteria investors use to evaluate startups, and strategies founders can use to navigate today’s funding landscape.

​Whether you’re exploring a career in venture capital or seeking guidance on raising capital for your startup, this conversation will provide practical takeaways and candid, experience-driven advice.