Having graduated from the Included VC Fellowship after months of hard work feels like a huge honor. That’s why I am on a mission to spread the word about something I deeply believe in and am truly grateful for. As Maya Angelou said: “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
I hope you can relate to at least two of these — especially liking yourself and how you do things. After all, while what you do might change, how you do it is what makes your journey special.
By the end of this article, you’ll
Let’s start to spread the magic!
Reflecting on my time with Included VC, I’m reminded of how every single day matters.
It’s like asking an astronaut to describe the feeling of seeing Earth from space. You have to get on that rocket and break free from Earth’s atmosphere. Once you’re back, you’ll want to go again. Unlike space travel, though, this experience is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. One ride, one shot at soaking in all that Included VC has to offer!
Cherish it, make it count.
It is a new kind of world out there, and we feel it every day.
What we once imagined in sci-fi, self-driving cars, flying cars, nearing immortality, robots, cheaper and faster drug designs, and drone deliveries are now realities, shaped by our tech ecosystems.
Elon Musk said those words reflecting on his love for Harry Potter. Here we are in 2024, technology continues to shape and excite our lives. Included VC leads this charge, advocating for diversity and representation in every decision, step by step, fund by fund.
Venture capital is a game of outliers, often favoring certain backgrounds. However, outliers come in surprising packages. Yet, it matters where you were born and who surrounded you. If you haven’t been dealt a fair hand but have a burning desire to shape the future you envision, how and where would you maximize your chances?
I can hear you saying ‘Silicon Valley’? No surprise there! It remains a singular beacon. But envision a future with countless such hubs, thriving on diverse and inclusive foundations. In these hubs, your background won’t hold you back — what matters is what you can bring to the table today. Over the past five years, a global hub has been emerging: Included VC.
Despite data showing diverse teams consistently outperform, opportunities to prove these metrics remain elusive. The reality is stark: neither talent nor opportunities are evenly distributed.
If you think otherwise, it’s likely because you live in a socio-economic and cultural environment that helps you grow your talents and seize opportunities.
You’re living in a bubble while most of the world is far, far away from it.
Studies portray that becoming a venture capitalist or an inventor is often associated with being male, white, and having affluent networks. Here’s where Included VC steps up. This disparity underlines the critical mission of Included VC — reshaping venture capital to reflect a global mindset and empower underrepresented communities worldwide.
It is a challenging and long-term game, one that must be tackled intentionally and systematically.
Today, only 8% of VC investors are women, and less than 1% are black.
This needs to change.
Urgently.
Think of it like a “unique fast-track MBA for venture capital” for extraordinary leaders. Included VC is the first of its kind global fully funded Fellowship for individuals from overlooked and diverse communities aiming to reshape VC representation in society globally.
Certainly, starting with a diverse foundation is simpler than diversifying a large, complex, homogeneous system. Yet, both small and intentional changes can create ripple effects.
Included VC’s mission is straightforward: redefine venture capital by boosting representation in networks, staff, deal flows, and investments.
This initiative not only accelerates individual success but also drives systemic change across generations.
Included VC thrives thanks to our international consortium of venture capital partners and sponsors. A big shout-out to the following funds and their key figures who have been invaluable supporters on this journey.
In addition to our official supporters, we’ve had the privilege to learn from various angel investors, founders, operators, and venture capitalists, from firms like Launch Africa, Ulu Ventures, and Alma Angels.
It takes a village to raise a new generation of venture capitalists, and I am deeply grateful to our partners and their key figures:
Included VC has been featured by the likes of Forbes, Sky News, CNBC & Business Insider.
Included VC is neither a cult nor a secret society — just in case you were wondering if we have secret handshakes or cult robes! Though Nikita Thakrar, the visionary behind this movement, jokingly compares it to a modern-day mafia, similar to the PayPal Mafia.
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Watch out for these faces from the Class of 2023; they’re poised to make a big impact, creating a more inclusive and tech-optimistic world!
These days, we’re witnessing some of the most exciting times in human history, marked by incredible breakthroughs.
In the midst of these advancements, someone, somewhere is making decisions that impact all of us, often without our direct involvement.
This is where representation matters most. And yes, you guessed right. Venture capital, often criticized for its monolithic software-like structure, lacks the diversity needed to fully leverage innovation and serve all communities equitably.
Included VC is shaking things up.
They’re leveling the playing field, so everyone gets a fair shot at success, no matter their background. But be careful, I don’t mean equal outcomes — I mean equal opportunities.
Kindness, gratitude and paying it forward are foundational pillars at Included VC. There is a meticulous selection for true grit, high ethics, and exceptional standards — qualities that are rare. They value individuals who pay it forward. It sounds almost utopian in today’s world, doesn’t it?
Over 80% of those fellows that were actively looking for a role have broken into the venture capital ecosystem globally — from Asia to Europe to Africa to The Americas.
At the heart of Included VC lies a commitment to long-term goals that align with personal missions.
While mastering venture capital, we’ve also prioritized aligning our lives with our true purposes. This Fellowship attracts a diverse cohort — from diverse industries, including medical professionals transitioning into venture capital. This diversity may initially seem surprising. For instance, as a medical doctor, shifting to venture capital might seem daunting. You’ve put in considerable effort and could excel in it, but if it’s not your future path, it’s time to pivot towards your true calling. And that’s strongly encouraged!
David Fogel served as a role model and pivotal figure who helped us refine our narratives and redirect our paths toward what we uniquely achieve. It was one of the many masterclasses that will stay with us forever.
Did you know that Brian Chesky, Co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, shared how his co-founders trusted him to lead from day one? For a long time, he wondered why they chose him as CEO, as it wasn’t part of his original plan.
Included VC Team has a knack for reading people and understanding their potential. They are diligently seeking exceptional individuals with talent, ambition, and potential. This ability is evident in their selection of stellar candidates from over 4000 initial applications. Care to calculate the acceptance rate?
At Included VC, being a good citizen is paramount. You might excel in your field, but if our values don’t align, you’ll find out quickly.
In other words, integrity comes first — because without it, our foundation would crumble under the weight of conflicting priorities and values.
Ultimately, our commitment to integrity ensures that every decision reflects our core beliefs and principles.
Included VC sparks transformation, challenging you in ways you may never have imagined. It’s intensive. It is demanding. It’s a journey of personal and professional growth unfolding simultaneously. While it equips you to excel as investors, the true highlight is the people — those with whom you form deep, meaningful relationships.
We had accumulated about a month’s worth of experience in each fund we engaged with during the Fellowship. Consider that for a moment.
People, people, people.
The individuals I met during the Fellowship all share a remarkable trait: they approach life differently and are deeply committed to giving back. This trait was evident among everyone, from the fellows to the investors. These individuals become not just acquaintances, but your close circle of friends, even extended family.
Throughout the Fellowship, we often likened business to dating — because, in many ways, they’re quite similar. We’ve shared moments of tears, laughter that brought us to tears, and tears that turned into laughter.
We even welcomed a new baby into the Included VC family, and the same amazing woman went on to start her own fund after giving birth! Everything about that was so humble, so genuine, and absolutely unpretentious.
Days into the Fellowship, the whole group rallied to organize a surprise initiative for a great cause that stretched across continents. Even though we were still getting to know each other and hadn’t quite learned everyone’s last names yet, we already felt a strong bond, embracing the spirit of “paying it forward.”
Imagine me constantly on the move, yet meticulously scheduling my calendar around office hours. I didn’t want to miss a moment! These sessions weren’t just for learning; they were about building connections, sharing highs and lows, and having candid conversations. How often do you find yourself on Zoom calls where you can vent, celebrate, and tackle critical topics all at once? It’s like seeing the silver lining in every cloud. We could always find joy together.
Imagine this: 150 mentoring sessions, 121 hours of workshops, and 50 inspiring speakers. Successful investors, operators, and founders generously shared their hard-earned lessons and growth stories, helping us become more systematic in decision-making. But the true magic lies in the countless memories, bonds, and lifelong friendships we’ve formed along the way.
I am deeply grateful to every individual who contributed to this extraordinary journey — whether investors, founders, the Class of 2023, alumni, or especially Chris Tottman, Stephen Millard, Nikita Thakrar, and Anu Panesar. Your selfless dedication to turning dreams into reality keeps lighting our way forward.
To the Class of 2023, it has been an absolute honor.
Thank you.
Spread the sparkle — who else needs to see this?
Meet Nihal:
Hey. I’m Nihal, an engineer turned product strategist with a strong background in B2B and a proud Included VC Fellow. With entrepreneurial roots and work experience across 14 countries, I help founders build products and teams that matter. Curious about the mind behind the keyboard? Let’s connect!
Fun fact: I started my first business at 12 years old.
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