Monarcha
YC S25Summer 2025 accelerator alumni.
Part of the ecosystem that inspired Venture Catalyst.
NETWORK EXAMPLE
THE NEXT GENERATION STARTS HERE
Venture Catalyst.
First capital.
Lasting impact.
Extraordinary companies start with a little belief.
We connect ambitious student founders with the angels, capital, and connections to take their first leap.
$1K–$50KFirst-check investment range
1 : 1Angel-to-founder connection
Pre-seedBefore the traditional round
Student ambition. Angel conviction. A stronger start.The bridge to what’s next
THE STARTUP SHOWCASE
Small beginnings. Big possibilities.
A glimpse of the talent in the Cornell startup ecosystem.
These accelerator alumni represent the potential that inspires our mission.
GradeWiz
YC W25Winter 2025 accelerator alumni.
Part of the ecosystem that inspired Venture Catalyst.
NETWORK EXAMPLE
EffiGov
YC S25Summer 2025 accelerator alumni.
Part of the ecosystem that inspired Venture Catalyst.
NETWORK EXAMPLE
Spotlight Realty
YC S25Summer 2025 accelerator alumni.
Part of the ecosystem that inspired Venture Catalyst.
NETWORK EXAMPLE
Pares
YC S25Summer 2025 accelerator alumni.
Part of the ecosystem that inspired Venture Catalyst.
NETWORK EXAMPLE
Candytrail
YC S25Summer 2025 accelerator alumni.
Part of the ecosystem that inspired Venture Catalyst.
NETWORK EXAMPLE
Illustrative network examples from our founding deck. These are not Venture Catalyst portfolio companies or currently available investment opportunities.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF FIRST CHECK
More than capital.
A catalyst for what comes next.
Too early for pre-seed shouldn’t mean too early for possibility. We bridge the gap with the right investor, at the right moment.
01 /
Discover the potential
Meet undergraduate founders building at the earliest stages — before the metrics, before the accelerators, before the traditional round.
02 /
Make the right connection
One dedicated angel, matched to one startup. Shared conviction, meaningful mentorship, and warm introductions that open doors.
03 /
Help the first leap happen
A $1,000–$50,000 first check can help build an MVP, reach the first customer, or create a path to pre-seed and an accelerator.
BUILT FROM THE INSIDE
Rooted in Cornell.
Looking beyond it.
Venture Catalyst grew out of a simple observation: talented student founders have the ambition to build, but not always the capital or connections to get started.
From Startup Hours to the Cornell Entrepreneurship Club, our mission is grounded in firsthand experience with early-stage founders. We’re bringing that community closer to angels who can make a difference.
Read our founding deck
THE FOUNDING CIRCLE
Be someone’s first believer.
Angels. Founders. Mentors. Connectors.
Help us build the network that gives the next generation its start.