Dream VC Unveils the 2023 Cohort of Launch into VC

The Africa-focused investor accelerator, Dream VC, has unveiled the exceptional fellows for its 2023 cohort of the Launch into Venture Capital (LIVC) program. The announcement comes after Dream VC opened applications in early March this year, receiving a massive 4,000+ applicants.

The Launch into VC program offers a comprehensive crash course for junior working professionals and graduates aspiring to enter the African venture capital arena. 

An impressive 85% of Dream VC’s alumni have successfully pursued careers in tech, startups, and venture capital, with over 40 individuals joining renowned venture capital and private equity firms worldwide.

“I know articles like: Google’s BFFA Acceptances, YC’s African Startup Acceptances, and Techstars’s Acceptances are always popular, as we all like to celebrate the success of African startups in securing Angel/VC funding. 

“But, the emergence of 40+ new budding investors, who will likely go on to fund a lot more than 40 African startups in the future, is just as exciting. I, personally, can’t wait to see what this new class of investors-in-training will go on to achieve across the African investment space,” Mark Kleyner, Co-Founder of Dream VC.

This particular fellowship program is renowned for its competitiveness among Dream VC’s offerings. Once again, the 2023 cohort demonstrated its exclusivity, with an astonishing acceptance rate of just 3% from a rigorous four-stage application process. These fellows represent the finest prospective talent within the African venture ecosystem.

Breaking records, this is the first Dream VC cohort with a higher representation of women, accounting for 54% of the 2023 class. It’s also the largest LIVC cohort to date, comprising 48 fellows from 24 countries around the globe.

Notably, this is the largest diaspora representation among Dream VC cohorts, with numerous fellows identifying as African diaspora based in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Sweden, and more. 

Since launching in 2021, Dream VC has witnessed overwhelming responses and interest from various African ecosystems. Across three cohort cycles, the accelerator has received an astounding 4,000+ applications. This reaffirms its unwavering commitment to fostering African-focused investment talent and highlights the remarkable growth of the venture ecosystem, attracting increasing interest year after year.

You can find the list of the incredible 2023 cohort of LIVC fellows here!