West Coast Village Capital

The West Coast Village Capital (WCVC) is a new model of investing in social enterprises using peer groups of entrepreneurs. The program will give participants the opportunity to: 

• Network with other social entrepreneurs within and beyond their own sectors

• Share challenges and lessons learned with professional peers

• Refine and strengthen their business models and pitches.  

In addition, participants will work together in five groups of six and have the opportunity to serve in the role of investor as they evaluate each other's businesses as potential investments:

• First Light will invest up to a total of $500,000 in the 5 - 10  businesses that rise to the top in the community-driven due diligence process. Participating businesses also may receive funding from First Light independent of the WCVC process.

WCVC is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. It will be hosted at the Hub-Bay Area, which supports WCVC with marketing, meeting space, and access to its vibrant community of entrepreneurs, creative professionals and community leaders.

Requirements

We are looking for businesses designed to have positive social impact, using sustainable business models. They may be at the idea or startup stage.

The program will take place in the Bay Area, run January 19 through April 14, 2010, and requires in-person participation in the opening session, a mixer, weekly group meetings, three intergroup meetings, and the closing session.  Participants will schedule weekly group meetings on their own. Other program dates are listed below. Please do not apply if you cannot commit to the entire program. 

First Light Ventures will make investments - not grants - to selected businesses. To receive funding, a business must be incorporated as a C-corporation or LLC.  Do not apply to WCVC unless you have or will have met this requirement by March 31, 2010.

Please note that only one entrepreneur per enterprise can be accepted into WCVC at a time.

How to Apply

The application process for the winter 2010 cohort has now been closed and the selection complete. If you have any questions about the program, please send us an email.