The Student Hub provides the tools and methodology for students and academic researchers to investigate their institution’s investments in venture capital and private equity. Using Ethics VC’s research framework, you can identify venture-capital exposure, document findings against ethical criteria, and contribute to a growing network of institutional accountability research.
Before You Begin
If you're new to venture-capital research or investment terminology, review these quick resources before starting your project:
Understanding Venture Capital and Institutional Power
A concise overview of how venture capital operates and its ethical risks.
Research Methodology
Our research framework outlines a clear, step-by-step process for assessing institutional investments in venture capital. It can be adapted for university courses, student research teams, or community-led projects.
Note: Our database, grading system, and data intake form are under development. Researchers can still collect data using the forms and templates provided below — reach out via Contact Us to share findings until submissions open.
1
Establish Demands
Craft precise, principled accountability demands grounded in Ethics VC criteria. Even without full access to endowment or venture capital data, students can articulate expectations for transparency, ethical screening, and conflict-of-interest review.
2
Identify Investments
Gather information from public financial disclosures—such as Form 990s, Schedule R, annual reports, and investment policy statements. Use databases like PitchBook, Preqin, and Crunchbase to map VC and private equity exposure.
3
Assess Each VC Firm
Apply the ‘Principles and Criteria for Ethical Venture Capital Investment’ to evaluate each VC firm’s exposure to human-rights risks, conflict-linked activities, or complicity concerns.
4
Recommend Action
Summarize your findings in a clear, structured format for faculty, student groups, or trustees. Present the evidence, reference the relevant criteria, and outline potential next steps.
5
Submit Findings
Share your documented research with Ethics VC to help expand our collective database of venture capital exposure and ethical risk profiles. Your findings will support the development of our grading framework.
Research Materials & Templates
An introduction to how university endowments work, and the research methodology used to investigate their venture capital exposure.
Endowment Finance 101 Video - Coming Soon
Recording of Teach-in covering Endowments and Research Introduction
Common terms in venture capital and institutional investment
Current version of the Ethics VC framework
Data Intake Form - Coming Soon
For submitting research findings securely. Not accepting submissions yet — please reach out via Contact Us in the meantime.
Standardized Excel file for documenting findings
Collaboration & Research Network
Ethics VC supports a growing network of student and academic teams researching institutional venture-capital exposure and ethical investment practices. Students and researchers can join or form campus teams, collaborate with peer initiatives, or participate in future multi-campus projects.
Join a Research Team
Submit your details to be considered for ongoing or upcoming Ethics VC research projects.
Future Collaborations
As the network expands, Ethics VC will connect campus groups and community partners to share findings.
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Need a refresher on how venture capital or endowments work?
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