IVCC | Venture Capital Academy

All,

IVCC is excited to launch Venture Capital Academy in partnership with RBCx!

VC Academy is a five-session, in-person program taught by John Rikhtegar, designed to mirror a university course covering everything from fundamentals to advanced VC concepts that have practical, real-world applications.

John is an Ivey '18 alum who has 6+ years of experience working in venture capital as both an investor and operator. He currently sits as a Director at RBCx, RBC's venture and tech banking practice, leading their VC fund investment strategy across funds and direct investments. He also produces data-driven thought leadership and market analysis on the Canadian VC ecosystem, translating trends and macro shifts into actionable insights.

The VC Academy blends RBCx-exclusive content with academic theory and real-world applications to give students a well-rounded, in-depth understanding of venture capital. Sessions will run on Friday afternoons on January 23rd, February 6th, February 27th, March 13th, and March 27th.

Sessions will cover the following topics:

1.  The Venture Capital Business Model: An Introduction

2. The Canadian Technology & Venture Ecosystem

3. Evaluating an Early-Stage Fund Investment

4. Evaluating a Growth-Stage Equity Investment

5. Venture Capital Secondaries: Liquidity, Pricing, and Strategy

In addition to lectures from John, he will bring in guest speakers from across the VC landscape to speak on subjects relating to session discussion topics, giving students the opportunity to hear diverse perspectives and ask questions. 

Students who attend will be provided the the opportunity to be considered for Summer 2026 internship positions at RBCx and/or be connected to other firms within the Canadian venture ecosystem. 

Please complete the form here to apply for a spot by January 8th, 2026.

Best,

IVCC Executives