# Van Wickle Ventures

Van Wickle Ventures is a Venture Capital based in Providence, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Venture Capital
- **Headquarters:** Providence, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** Providence, RI, United States
- **Founded:** 2019
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** www.vanwickleventures.com
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/van-wickle-ventures

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Van Wickle Ventures is a student-run venture fund investing in Brown and RISD-affiliated companies across all stages. It has made 4 investments, including a Pre-Seed investment in Lexi on February 17, 2026. The fund has 2 portfolio exits, with Minded exiting on November 15, 2023.

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Van Wickle Ventures?

Investment decisions are made by a student-led investment committee drawn from Brown University's undergraduate and graduate student body. The committee operates under the guidance of faculty advisors and external venture mentors who provide oversight and deal-flow support. This structure rotates as students graduate, creating a continually refreshed pipeline of emerging investors.

### What is Van Wickle Ventures' relationship with Brown University?

Van Wickle Ventures is an independent venture fund affiliated with Brown University's entrepreneurial ecosystem. The fund's name references the Van Wickle Gates, a central landmark on Brown's campus. While the fund draws its members from the student body and focuses on Brown-connected startups, it operates as a separate investment entity, not as a direct allocation from the university's endowment.

### What check sizes does Van Wickle Ventures typically write?

Van Wickle Ventures targets pre-seed and seed-stage investments, writing initial checks sized for the earliest institutional rounds. Specific check ranges are not publicly disclosed. The fund's capital is intended to bridge the gap between friends-and-family funding and larger institutional venture rounds, often serving as a first yes for Brown-affiliated founders.

### How does the fund's structure differ from a typical venture capital firm?

Van Wickle Ventures operates with a dual mandate: producing investment returns while training student investors. Investment committees are composed entirely of Brown students who rotate through the fund during their academic tenure, supported by faculty and outside venture advisors. Most traditional venture firms employ career investors with permanent roles, whereas Van Wickle Ventures functions as a teaching fund with regular committee turnover.

## Related profiles

- [Van Wagoner Ventures](https://altss.com/profile/van-wagoner-ventures)
- [Varana Capital](https://altss.com/profile/varana-capital)

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

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