West Coast Village Capital (WCVC) is a pilot program of First Light Ventures that will provide investments 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 and will be hosted at the Hub Bay Area. The program will take place from January 19th through April 14th, 2010, and requires in-person participation in the opening session, a mixer, weekly group meetings, three intergroup meetings, and the closing session.
The application deadline for WCVC is January 7th, 2010. An information session will also be held on January 5th from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at Good Capital, 2601 Mission St, Suite 400, San Francisco 94110. For more information: