Questions
Frequently asked.
The program
How long is it?
Eight weeks. The full program opens May 1, 2026.
How much time per week?
10 to 15 hours. That includes thesis work, deal sourcing, founder calls, memo writing, and reading.
Is it remote?
Fully remote. There are no in-person requirements.
Is there a cost?
No. Zero fees. You don't pay anything.
Who's it for?
Students, gap-year folks, and recent graduates who are serious about training for a career in venture capital, private equity, or emerging fund management.
What can I do before May 1?
Sign up, pick your sector, and get a head start on your Phase 1 thesis tasks. You can also form or join a squad of up to 3 friends so you start the program together.
Signup & access
How does sign-up work?
Enter your email and pick a password. We send a 6-digit code to verify your email. Enter the code and you're in.
What if I forget my password?
Use the Forgot password link on the sign-in page. We email you a 6-digit reset code. Enter it with a new password and you're back.
Can I use a personal email?
Yes. Any working email works.
Is my data safe?
We only collect what we need (name, email, college, major, LinkedIn). See our privacy policy for the full list.
The tasks
What happens before May 1?
Phase 1 (your thesis work) is live from signup. Write the one-liner, name the tailwinds and risks, build a market map, identify whitespace. Each task earns XP. Phase 2, 3, and 4 open May 1.
What happens after May 1?
Phase 2 (sourcing) unlocks, then Phase 3 (founder calls), then Phase 4 (memo and panel defense). The full arc runs for 8 weeks.
What's the five-founder-calls rule?
Once the program opens on May 1, you log your founder conversations in the call log on the dashboard. You can't submit your investment memo until you've logged five real calls. It's a hard gate.
How do I find founders to call?
Once the program opens, the playbook has cold-outreach templates, a call structure, and rules for qualifying founders. Most analysts send 20 or so outreaches to book 5 calls.
Can I do more than 5 founder calls?
Encouraged. Log as many as you want. Extra calls signal commitment to the top-3 panel.
Do you verify the founder calls are real?
We don't ask for recordings, but we reserve the right to spot-check by contacting founders you list. Fake calls mean disqualification.
Memos & the panel
Do memos actually go to real GPs?
Yes. The strongest memos selected at Week 8 go to Vault Catalyst's partner network of 100+ emerging VC and PE managers. Weaker memos stay in your file.
Who's on the advisor panel?
GPs and fund operators we partner with. Names rotate by cohort; we keep specifics quiet to protect reviewers from inbound.
What if my memo isn't picked?
It stays in your file with Vault Catalyst. No memo is ever used against you. Many 'not picked' memos have led to interviews later.
Prizes & outcomes
What do the top 3 get?
A guaranteed internship with Vault Catalyst, a personal recommendation letter from the founder, and warm introductions into funds in our network hiring their first analysts.
What do regular graduates get?
Vault Catalyst Fellow designation on your profile plus entry into the alumni network.
Is there a job guarantee?
No. The top 3 get a guaranteed internship. Everyone else earns their outcomes by the quality of their memos and network activity.
Squads
What's a squad?
Up to 3 people who team up and start the program together. Good for college friend groups.
How do I invite friends?
Create a squad on your dashboard. You'll get a 6-character invite code. Share it with friends. They enter it at signup to join your squad.
Do squads share XP?
Every time a new member joins, each existing squad member gets a bonus 100 XP. Real work is still per-analyst, but squads make sure nobody falls behind alone.
What if my squad is full?
Squads cap at 3. Once it's full, no more joins.