IVCA Feature: Profiles of the 2025 IVCA Scholar Participants, Part One
July 23, 2025
All through the summer of 2025 the IVCA Scholar Program has been up and running with twenty participants in a diverse and multi-college/university force. The IVCA reached out to the Scholars, to get an idea of their experiences, interactions with firm sponsors and possible future within the Venture Capital/Private Equity industries.
The 2025 IVCA Scholar Program provides undergraduate students, – primarily from underrepresented communities – experience that could lead a possible career in the Venture Capital/Private Equity industries. The 10-week program is a deep dive, and upon completion the students will receive a $10,000 scholarship.
The Investor firms hosting a 2025 Scholar are Avathon Capital, BPOC, Exposition Ventures, Frontenac, Growth Catalyst Partners, HPA, Hyde Park Venture Partners, Linden Capital Partners, OCA Ventures, ParkerGale Capital, Prairie Capital, Pritzker Private Capital, RoundTable Healthcare Partners, Sandbox Industries, Victory Park Capital, Water Street Healthcare Partners and Wind Point Partners.
The following three questions were asked of all the Scholars. Part One will publish today, Part Two will follow in the August 5th IVCA Newsletter.
NIKHIL CHINATIAPATI … School: University of Chicago, Firm: OCA Ventures
IVCA: What was your goal in initially applying to the IVCA Scholars program, and how does it connect to your academic interests?
Chinatlapati: My goal in initially applying to the IVCA Scholars program was to learn more about the world of technology and Venture Capital to determine whether these are areas I am interested in pursuing later on in my career.
IVCA: What have you learned or experienced at your host firm that expanded your understanding of the Private Equity or Venture Capital industry?
Chinatlapati: At OCA, I’ve focused on industry research, and the most valuable lessons I’ve learned have been about how to identify white spaces within emerging areas. I’ve learned that Venture Capital is all about framing your thinking and is just as much about understanding people as it is the businesses themselves.
IVCA: How has this experience shaped your thinking about your future, whether in terms of career goals or what you want to focus on when you are back at school?
Chinatlapati: Next summer, I will be at Evercore’s Chicago office, focusing on industrials M&A. My time at OCA will serve as a benchmark for future experiences, and the team has taught me so much about what it means to be a Venture Capital investor. This summer will be a key piece of the puzzle as I traverse my career in finance. I’ve learned more about what I enjoy professionally and what parts of the world of finance fit me best.
YASMIN DAVIDOV … School: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Firm: Frontenac
IVCA: What was your goal in initially applying to the IVCA Scholars program, and how does it connect to your academic interests?
Davidov: My goal in applying to the IVCA Scholars program was to gain hands-on exposure to the Private Equity and Venture Capital industries and understand how investment decisions are made in real-world settings. Coming from an academic background in accounting and finance, I wanted to complement my classroom learning with practical experience. I was particularly interested in seeing how concepts like valuation and strategic growth are applied by investment professionals and portfolio companies.
IVCA: What have you learned or experienced at your host firm that expanded your understanding of the Private Equity or Venture Capital industry?
Davidov: At Frontenac, I learned how to analyze investments both qualitatively and quantitatively by reviewing Confidential Information Memorandums (CIMs) and Confidential Investment Presentations (CIPs). I gained experience in identifying key business drivers and risks, analyzing financial trends, and evaluating industry dynamics.
Additionally, I strengthened my technical skills by building leveraged buyout (LBO) models to assess potential returns and capital structures. This hands-on experience gave me a clearer understanding of how investment opportunities are evaluated and structured in Private Equity, and it deepened my appreciation for the discipline required to make sound investment decisions.
IVCA: How has this experience shaped your thinking about your future, whether in terms of career goals or what you want to focus on when you are back at school?
Davidov: This experience has solidified my interest in pursuing a career in the investment space, with a particular focus on private markets. It has motivated me to further develop my technical skills in financial modeling and analysis while deepening my understanding of capital structures and risk management.
Next summer, I will be interning in private credit, which I view as a valuable opportunity to broaden my perspective on the investment landscape and build on my exposure to private equity. Back at school, I plan to strengthen my investor mindset and prepare to contribute meaningfully to the finance industry in the future.
BOLA EROGBOGBO … School: Northwestern, Firm: Water Street Healthcare Partners
IVCA: What was your goal in initially applying to the IVCA Scholars program, and how does it connect to your academic interests?
Erogbogbo: My goal while applying to the IVCA Scholar Program was to get exposure to the world of large-scale investing and understand how the Chicago based firms operate with a history of strong returns. I hope to pursue a career in financial services and the opportunities provided by IVCA are giving me plenty of early exposure.
IVCA: What have you learned or experienced at your host firm that expanded your understanding of the Private Equity or Venture Capital industry?
Erogbogbo: I’ve learned a lot about the structuring of buyout transactions and how the strategy of a firm is reflected in how they source their investments. It’s been great hearing about the work Water Street has done across its verticals and learning about how the firm truly strives to create a partnership not just an investment.
IVCA: How has this experience shaped your thinking about your future, whether in terms of career goals or what you want to focus on when you are back at school?
Erogbogbo: This experience has taught me a lot about going after what you’re interested in. Whether in school or in an internship, it’s important to understand what you like and truly see yourself pursuing and then devote yourself towards excelling in that interest. Learning about the different paths members of the firm took to get to where they are … and how much learning and still have left to do … has been nothing but a positive experience.
OLIVIA FILA … School: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Firm: Prairie Capital
IVCA: What was your goal in initially applying to the IVCA Scholars program, and how does it connect to your academic interests?
Fila: When I applied to the IVCA Scholars program, my goal was to gain a deeper understanding of long-term investing in the private markets and to develop a more entrepreneurial mindset to further grow established companies. As a finance and accounting major, I’m drawn to the connection between strategic analysis and value creation, and the IVCA Scholars program offered the perfect opportunity to explore that beyond the classroom.
On campus, I’ve had the opportunity to evaluate small-cap public companies through my involvement in the Illinois Investment Management Academy, which manages a $1.5M student-run equity portfolio. The program has allowed me to enhance my experiences of analyzing market trends from the perspective of a private investor and make more informed portfolio recommendations with a long-term lens.
IVCA: What have you learned or experienced at your host firm that expanded your understanding of the Private Equity or Venture Capital industry?
Fila: My experience at Prairie Capital has highlighted the importance of communication and collaboration. The success of PE and VC investments often depend on strong partnerships, whether with business founders, bankers, or fund investors.
Participating in open discussions about potential investments, industry trends, and firm strategy with the team at Prairie has shown me how essential teamwork is to driving sustainable growth and economic value. Each day at Prairie has offered something different, and I’m grateful for the hands-on exposure I’ve gained across various stages of the deal process.
IVCA: How has this experience shaped your thinking about your future, whether in terms of career goals or what you want to focus on when you are back at school?
Fila: I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities that Prairie and IVCA have provided to explore the private markets early in my professional journey. This internship has meaningfully strengthened both my technical and interpersonal skills. I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned back on campus, both in my coursework and my continued involvement in IMA. Professionally, this experience has solidified my interest in pursuing an analyst role at a boutique investment bank or debt advisory firm in Chicago after graduation with the long-term goal of eventually returning to Private Equity.
SAMUEL MATHEW … School: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Firm: Avathon Capital
IVCA: What was your goal in initially applying to the IVCA Scholars program, and how does it connect to your academic interests?
Mathew: My goal in applying to the IVCA Scholars program was to gain meaningful exposure to the Private Equity industry, particularly within the Chicago ecosystem. I was eager to understand the day-to-day operations of a PE firm and see firsthand how investment decisions are made. This aligned closely with my academic interests as I’ve always been drawn to investing and enjoyed the technical aspects of investment banking, which naturally led me to explore Private Equity more deeply.
IVCA: What have you learned or experienced at your host firm that expanded your understanding of the Private Equity or Venture Capital industry?
Mathew: During my time at Avathon Capital, one of the most eye-opening lessons was the importance of relationships and networking in the Private Equity space. While I understood that connections mattered, I hadn’t realized just how critical they are in generating deal flow and driving strategic opportunities. Watching the managing partners regularly meet with clients, advisors, and industry contacts, often over lunch or coffee, highlighted how much of this industry is built on trust, access, and long-term relationship-building.
IVCA: How has this experience shaped your thinking about your future, whether in terms of career goals or what you want to focus on when you are back at school?
Mathew: This internship has significantly influenced both my career goals and academic focus. I now have a clearer vision of wanting to pursue a career in Private Equity and am more confident that this is a space where I could thrive. As I return to school, I plan to be more intentional in selecting courses that deepen my understanding of finance, investing, and the broader business landscape, laying the groundwork for a future in this field.
ELLA SAPUTRA … School: Yale, Firm: Linden Capital Partners
IVCA: What was your goal in initially applying to the IVCA Scholars program, and how does it connect to your academic interests?
Saputra: My goal in applying to the IVCA Scholars Program was to gain hands-on experience in Venture Capital and Private Equity, fields that align with my interests in economics and business analysis. I’m passionate about understanding how companies grow and create value, whether by supporting early-stage innovation or driving long-term strategic transformation. The program’s combination of real-world firm placement and cross-industry exposure offers the ideal environment to apply my analytical skills and deepen my understanding of the Private Capital ecosystem.
IVCA: What have you learned or experienced at your host firm that expanded your understanding of the Private Equity or Venture Capital industry?
Saputra: Performing analysis on portfolio company data and sitting in on investor committee meetings and diligence calls have given me a firsthand look at how investment professionals evaluate opportunities and make strategic decisions. I’ve gained insight into the level of rigor involved in assessing risk, value creation potential, and alignment with the firm’s investment thesis.
These experiences have also deepened my understanding of how Private Equity fits into the broader financial services ecosystem as a key driver of capital allocation, operational improvement, and economic development.
IVCA: How has this experience shaped your thinking about your future, whether in terms of career goals or what you want to focus on when you are back at school?
Saputra: This experience has deepened my interest in pursuing a career in finance by giving me first hand exposure to the industry. The mentorship and community I’ve gained through the program have been invaluable and will continue to shape my goals and focus as I return to school.
JAVIER SEBASTIAN … School: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Firm: BPOC
IVCA: What was your goal in initially applying to the IVCA Scholars program, and how does it connect to your academic interests?
Sebastian: When I first learned about the IVCA Scholars program and spoke with a few past scholars, I could see how much they benefited from the experience. They came across as sharp, driven, and confident about their career goals, and they only had good things to say about the program.
At that point, I was still exploring finance, but I was already leaning toward investment banking and wanted an opportunity with a steep learning curve where I could make an impact. The IVCA Scholars program felt like the ideal way to get hands-on exposure to Private Equity and see the buy-side of deals up close.
IVCA: What have you learned or experienced at your host firm that expanded your understanding of the Private Equity or Venture Capital industry?
Sebastian: At BPOC, I have gained a much clearer understanding of how deals come together and what it takes to get a transaction across the finish line. Watching the associates work has shown me how much detail and analysis goes into every stage of the process. On top of that, I’m seeing firsthand how Private Equity can make a real and tangible impact in healthcare. While some firms may focus solely on flipping businesses, BPOC’s work showed me how PE can improve organizations that ultimately help people.
I know I’m not on the front lines delivering care, but being part of a team that supports healthcare companies feels meaningful. There’s still a lot for me to learn, but this experience has opened my eyes to the potential of PE to create value beyond financial returns, especially in sectors that truly make a difference in people’s lives.
IVCA: How has this experience shaped your thinking about your future, whether in terms of career goals or what you want to focus on when you are back at school?
Sebastian: This experience has solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in investment banking. Early in college, I considered paths like medicine or law, roles I thought would have an immediate impact. But I’ve come to realize that I can drive broader change through business. In finance, especially within healthcare-focused IB or PE, there’s an opportunity to support organizations that impact countless lives.
Back on campus, I’m considering adding a health administration minor to deepen my understanding of the healthcare sector. I have also seen how policy and regulation play a major role in shaping the industry, which makes exploring those areas equally valuable. Ultimately, this summer has strengthened my focus on developing expertise to make a meaningful impact in my career.
VARUN TALASILA … School: Northwestern, Firm: Hyde Park Angels (HPA)
IVCA: What was your goal in initially applying to the IVCA Scholars program, and how does it connect to your academic interests?
Talasila: My initial goal was to gain exposure to the private equity and venture capital industries, as I am interested in pursuing a career in financial services. At Northwestern, I am majoring in economics and mathematics, both of which are somewhat applicable to my work as an intern at an early-stage investment firm. I saw the IVCA Scholars program as a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between theoretical coursework and real-world investing exposure.
IVCA: What have you learned or experienced at your host firm that expanded your understanding of the Private Equity or Venture Capital industry?
Talasila: My biggest takeaway from the experience thus far has been understanding how to evaluate early-stage companies across sectors, which has been valuable. I’ve also gained insight into how investors think strategically about markets, risk, and scalability.
IVCA: How has this experience shaped your thinking about your future, whether in terms of career goals or what you want to focus on when you are back at school?
Talasila: This experience has helped me understand that I would like to pursue a career as an investor. Back at school, I hope to keep exploring my interests in investing and build upon my current knowledge.
JEFFERSON WU … School: Northwestern, Firm: Hyde Park Venture Partners
IVCA: What was your goal in initially applying to the IVCA Scholars program, and how does it connect to your academic interests?
Wu: I’ve always been interested in startups and technology, so I applied to the IVCA Scholars program hoping to work at a Venture Capital firm. As a computer science major, I tend to approach the startup scene through the lens of a technical founder focused on product, so I thought that getting VC experience would be valuable to get the investor and business point of view.
IVCA: What have you learned or experienced at your host firm that expanded your understanding of the Private Equity or Venture Capital industry?
Wu: One of the most valuable learning experiences has been sitting in on partner and associate calls with startup founders. Listening to pitches and then debriefing with the team afterward helped me understand what differentiates a promising startup from one that’s not quite ready. I’ve learned to think critically about important evaluation factors like go-to-market strategy, market sizing, and founder-market fit.
Another valuable experience was just having the opportunity to meet with so many founders in tech. I’ve learned about a lot of emerging tools and industries like AI agents, automated workflow tools, and healthcare tech just by meeting with so many founders. I think I’m beginning to develop an intuition for where the tech industry is heading and how to judge market opportunities within that sphere. The IVCA training and weekly company visits have also helped me understand how all the different entities … LPs, GPs, Investment Banks, Accounting Firms … interact to make returns. It was interesting to learn how the money flows through the industry.
IVCA: How has this experience shaped your thinking about your future, whether in terms of career goals or what you want to focus on when you are back at school?
Wu: I’ve confirmed that startups are the area that I want to work in. I realize now that I find it interesting from a founder and also investor point of view. Once I start school in the Fall, I want to continue working with startups, possibly joining on as a founding engineer.