Rebel Venture Fund

The Rebel Venture Fund (RVF) is UNLV’s very own student-led venture capital group which invests capital in startups and early-stage high-growth companies. The Rebel Venture Fund seeks to:

1. Educate members and provide hands-on experience
2. Invest in startups relevant to Las Vegas and the broader Southwest, contributing to economic development and job creation

Students gain valuable experiential learning opportunities through participation in real-world venture capital funding. Students also enjoy incredible networking and mentorship opportunities by working closely with entrepreneurs and business leaders in the community, including local venture capitalists, angel investors, attorneys, entrepreneurs, techies, and business executives. The fund is also actively involved in the community and provides knowledge to and supports the growing tech and small business communities here in Las Vegas and Southern Nevada.

The Rebel Venture Fund Member Experience

• Real-life venture capital experience (pitch review, due diligence, valuation, negotiation, deal closing)
• Learn what it takes to start a successful business and what investors look for
• Create investment recommendations
• Network and work closely with experienced angels, investors, and entrepreneurs
• Strengthen analytical and interpersonal skills
• Gain exposure to multiple industries and specialized fields
• Earn class or independent study credits
• Build lifelong friendships and business relationships

Student-Run

RVF is UNLV’s venture capital (VC) fund that makes equity investments in private high-growth companies throughout Las Vegas and Southern Nevada. The fund invests in startups at every stage and provides knowledge, resources, and support to the growing tech and small business community here in Nevada. Unlike other university VC funds, the RVF is entirely student-led and run. Students work closely with entrepreneurs, ecosystem participants, and leaders in the business community to conduct screenings, due diligence, investments, negotiations, and close deals.

Real World Experience

Founded in 2013, utilizing a founding gift from Jeff Moskow of $500,000, the Rebel Venture Fund (RVF) provides experiential learning opportunities for UNLV students through participation in real-world venture capital funding.

Students get first-hand experience working with seasoned VCs, entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals in the business and tech community.

Community

Las Vegas has undergone lots of change in recent years, especially in the entrepreneurship, technology, and small business communities. RVF’s goal is to support this growing community, help better connect the many resources in Nevada, and help it flourish and become a tech and entrepreneurship hub.

RVF is committed to helping develop the community around us and making UNLV the center of this development.

Relationships

RVF draws its membership from graduate and undergraduate students who work closely with the RVF management board, which consists of local venture capitalists, angel investors, attorneys, entrepreneurs, and business executives, who help to oversee the investment process. In addition to having strong ties and relationships with business leaders, investors, and professionals in the community, RVF is supported by the UNLV Center for Entrepreneurship.