To All Student Entrepreneurs

We’re a student-run venture fund backed by established VC partners and we want to invest in you! Our investment committee is run by exemplary students that went through rigorous training and demonstrated their excellence.. At Protégé, we offer viable student ventures the network support, access to VCs and investment that they need.

Our VisionWe believe that student ventures have amazing potential.


Our MissionTo find and empower promising student startups, whether they’re the ‘next big thing’ or overlooked by many others.


Our PassionHelping to bring these bold student ventures to their next level is a core focus at Protégé. We love to champion young founders who are willing to take the dive for their great ideas.

Our Investment Process

1. The Initial Ask

Founders and Protégé Student VCs come in contact for the first time, be it at an event or else, we will ask about the startup idea, founders’ backgrounds and ask for the pitch deck.

2. Going “Official“

The Students VCs will socialise promising startups within the Protégé Team. Once gaining enough internal conviction, Student VCs together with the Partners will meet the founders in a more structured setting.

We will fire our questions and discuss with the founders if a Protégé investment in the startup makes sense.

3. Meet the Family

The deal team and a sponsoring partner decide to pursue said startup, prepare the investment memorandum, and invite the founder(s) to pitch the startup to the Investment Committee(IC).

Founders should be prepared to answer a final round of questions by the IC.

After internal discussion, our decision to invest Or not invest will be informed to the founders within 1 day.

4. Sign the Paper

Our investment instrument is a KISS note (Keep-It-Simple- Security) popularised by 500 Startups, with a valuation cap and 20% discount.

Depending on investment dynamics, we are open to other instruments as well (e.g. SAFE).

If agreeable by the founders, we will execute the KISS agreement within 2 weeks.


Investment ThesisWe Invest in Start-ups that...

Founded by exceptional students founders
Revolve around the economic life of youths
Leverage on university research ecosystems and aim to build commercially viable businesses

Think you have what it takes? We do too.We’re designed to help student ventures go from an early stage to pre-seed (and beyond).

For Students, By Students

We are keenly aware of the support that you need as a student entrepreneur. We work together with you on your business ideas and help you refine your pitches.

Exclusive Access

Besides venture funding, you will get excess to our established VC partners and the Kairos Society network.