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Dorm Room Fund: Venture capital fund investing in early-stage startups founded by university students nationwide, offering funding, mentorship, and resources.
Dorm Room Fund is a venture capital firm based in New York and Philadelphia that invests exclusively in early-stage technology startups founded by undergraduate, master's, and doctoral university students. The firm provides initial capital ranging from $40,000 to $200,000 to student entrepreneurs, operating as an independent entity after spinning out from First Round Capital in 2021 with a $12.5 million fund. The organization has financed more than 400 students across over 250 startups, while also training an alumni network of 250 student investment partners who have subsequently transitioned to major technology firms. The fund is backed by prominent limited partners including venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Chris Dixon, and its investment portfolio features successful technology companies such as Dandy and Cursor. Dorm Room Fund was originally established as an experimental pilot program in 2012 by Josh Kopelman.
Key people at Dorm Room Fund.
Dorm Room Fund (DRF) is a student-run venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups founded by college students and recent graduates across the United States and Canada. Its mission is to empower student entrepreneurs by providing founder-friendly capital, mentorship, and access to a strong network of investors and operators, helping them navigate the challenges of early-stage fundraising and company building. DRF is thesis-agnostic, investing across diverse sectors from AI to consumer brands, with typical investments ranging from $90,000 to $250,000 via uncapped SAFEs structured to be founder-friendly[1][3][5].
Founded in 2012 as an experiment by First Round Capital, DRF was created to tap into the creativity and innovation emerging from college campuses, inspired by successful entrepreneurs who started companies while still students. The fund is managed by student partners who make investment decisions regionally, fostering a unique peer-driven model. Over time, DRF has evolved into an independent venture fund with a growing network of alumni founders and investors, raising its largest fund to date in 2025 and expanding its reach beyond its original backer[1][2][4].
Dorm Room Fund rides the trend of democratizing venture capital by empowering the next generation of founders and investors directly on college campuses. The timing is critical as more innovation originates from student entrepreneurs who benefit from early access to capital and networks. Market forces such as the rise of remote work, digital-first startups, and increased interest in youth-led innovation favor DRF’s model. By fostering a community of young founders and investors, DRF influences the broader startup ecosystem by accelerating the pipeline of high-potential companies and cultivating future venture capital talent[1][3].
Looking ahead, Dorm Room Fund is poised to deepen its impact by continuing to scale its fund size and geographic reach, potentially expanding beyond the U.S. and Canada. Trends such as AI, Web3, and climate tech may shape its portfolio focus, even within its thesis-agnostic framework. As DRF alumni mature into seasoned founders and investors, the fund’s influence will likely grow, reinforcing its role as a premier launchpad for student entrepreneurs and next-generation venture capitalists. This sustained momentum ties back to DRF’s founding vision of unlocking student creativity and providing a unique, supportive venture platform at the earliest stages of company formation[1][3][4].
Key people at Dorm Room Fund.
