FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Short answers for leadership teams of venture-backed companies.
What is VEN?
VEN is an operational support community for leadership teams of venture-backed companies. You learn from peers at your company’s stage and from experienced operators in sessions and 1:1 conversations.
Who is VEN for?
VEN is for leadership teams at companies that have raised at least $1M from venture firms. Angel or accelerator funding alone does not qualify, sessions are scheduled worldwide around your timezone, and each leader applies individually.
How does VEN differ from Vistage?
VEN serves leadership teams of companies that have raised at least $1M from venture firms, with peer sessions arranged around a current decision. Vistage offers Chair-led CEO peer groups that typically meet monthly in a local group, and its U.S. CEO programs use revenue thresholds that include $5M+ and a separate $1M–$4M track. Vistage also offers leadership programs for other executives. A longer comparison is on the Vistage comparison.
How does VEN differ from Hampton?
VEN is an operational support community for leadership teams of venture-backed companies, matched by company stage, with small peer sessions formed around current priorities. Hampton is a curated founder community that includes venture-backed companies and other company types, including large bootstrapped and lifestyle businesses, and pairs an eight-person core group with a wider network that covers the business and personal life. The published comparison is the Hampton comparison.
How does VEN differ from Pavilion?
VEN supports leaders across functions at venture-backed companies, and each member has a VEN Partner who helps arrange peer sessions, 1:1 conversations, or an advisor introduction. Pavilion centers on go-to-market operators and offers a member directory, functional groups, and curated 1:1 connections. A longer comparison is on the Pavilion comparison.
What are VEN’s peer groups?
VEN’s peer groups are small peer sessions, usually 60 minutes, focused on one topic aligned with your level of experience. Peers are matched by company stage, then leadership experience and topic. Most peer sessions are recorded for the members-only library and include no proprietary content. Private 1:1 conversations with a VEN Partner, a peer, or an operational advisor are not recorded.
Who are VEN’s advisors?
VEN advisors are experienced operators and specialists who join peer sessions and 1:1 conversations when their experience fits your topic. They include Court Lorenzini, founding CEO of DocuSign; Jordan Tigani, founder and CEO of MotherDuck; and Shareen Corlett, CPA and Principal at Clark Nuber. The directory is at https://www.venexecs.com/advisors/.
What does a VEN Partner do?
A VEN Partner learns your priorities, company stage, and leadership experience, shares context before an introduction, and follows up as those priorities change. You have a 15-minute monthly check-in on your top challenges, with more support as needed, and you can reschedule or skip.
What are the VEN Playbooks?
VEN Playbooks are operating guides for leading a growing company, drawn from practitioner sessions. They cover raising money, getting customers, equity and legal topics, marketing, and building the company, and each page identifies its source context. Start at https://www.venexecs.com/playbooks.
How do I apply to VEN?
Apply at https://platform.venexecs.com/registration. Each leader applies individually, eligible prospects receive two free sessions, and pricing, which depends on company stage and individual experience, is discussed before you decide. VEN does not ask for equity.
How do members log in?
Members log in at https://platform.venexecs.com/member-login.
Where are VEN sessions listed?
Upcoming sessions are listed at https://www.venexecs.com/sessions/, and each session page explains who can attend and how to register. Past sessions are at https://www.venexecs.com/events/archive/.
Have a question before applying? Tell us what you’re working through. If your company qualifies, we reply personally within 24 hours.