VC Perspective: What Students Need to Know About Startup Careers

Join us for an engaging workshop as we dive into the key aspects of working in a startup with Eric Chen, Founder and Stanford Startup Garage Instructor at Ovo Fund, and Khalil Fuller, Social Entrepreneur at Pear VC. Enjoy light snacks and stick around for a networking session after the event. 

1. What It’s Really Like to Work at a Startup
   Hear from startup industry veterans about the challenges and rewards of working in early-stage companies. Learn what to expect in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and how to navigate uncertainty while gaining hands-on experience.
    
2. How to Build Your Career in Startups
   From negotiating compensation and equity to understanding company culture and making an impact, our panelists will share practical tips on how to thrive in a startup environment—whether you’re interning or starting your own company.

This event will be moderated by Kari Hanson, Entrepreneur Coach and Stanford Lecturer including overseeing the ICME Xplore Course.

Please note that this workshop is only for graduate students of Stanford ICME, Dept. of Statistics and affiliated faculty. If you have any questions, please get in touch with ICME Career Services: Tanya Schornack.

About the Panelists:

Eric Chen – Ovo Fund, Startup Garage
Eric Chen is a seasoned investment professional with extensive experience in the venture capital and real estate sectors. Currently serving as a Partner at OVO Fund and a Special Limited Partner at Equilibrium Real Estate Investment, Eric has also held positions as a Venture Partner and Partner at WI Harper. Eric is the Founder of Uj Ventures and was a Co-Founder and Head Cheerleader at Tiny Prints. Academic credentials include an MBA in Business Administration from Stanford University Graduate School of Business (1998 - 2000) and a BS in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University (1991 - 1995).

Khalil Fuller – Pear VC, Social Entrepreneur
Khalil is a Partner at Pear and the Head of Dorm. He supports student entrepreneurs, from first years to PhD candidates, in refining their ideas and taking bold action to pursue startup success. Khalil is a multi-time founder. The companies he has started have cumulatively reached over $100M in revenue and 5M+ users. He was the Co-founder & CEO of Learn Fresh, a K-12 edtech company that makes math fun using the statistics and celebrity of professional sports, the Co-Founder & President of Boundless, a venture studio that builds and backs vertical SaaS companies in overlooked markets, the Founder of Trak Changes, a productivity software tool for the construction industry, and the Founder & CEO of Gift Card Bank, a nonprofit that distributes gift cards to low-income families in need. He graduated from Brown University and earned his MBA & MA Ed from Stanford as a Knight-Hennessy Scholar. Khalil lives in Berkeley with his wife Hadley and their Australian Shepherd named Thisbe.