Post by RootedIn VC Fellowship

The fellowship is designed to create real pathways into real world impact, and Gabriel's story is a perfect example of that. Meet Gabriel Nagel, who followed the fellowship with roles at the The World Bank Bank and J.P. Morgan. Here's his take on the experience: Q: How did the RootedIn VC Fellowship prepare you for or influence your decision to pursue this path? A: "I had a wonderful experience through the RootedIn VC Fellowship, gaining the foundations in venture and learning what makes certain startups succeed. It affirmed to me that I want to pursue a high-impact path like venture in my future. Whether that is my first step after college or not is uncertain, but it did certainly empower me to explore more of the startup ecosystem, including running for President of Stanford ASES (the largest entrepreneurship club on campus) and immersing myself in startup advising at J.P. Morgan this past summer." Q: In one or two sentences, how would you describe the RootedIn VC Fellowship to a fellow Stanford student considering applying? A: "The RootedIn VC fellowship offers a deep-dive into venture and startups, offering both exposure to those without prior experience and effective frameworks for those who are more familiar. With small group mentor-pairings, structured weekly lessons, and the full experience of deal sourcing, you’re able to learn so much, so fast!" Q: Could you share a specific story or key takeaway from the fellowship that has stuck with you? A: "Playing laser-tag was of course one of the most memorable moments! :) Beyond that, I really enjoyed spending time with our VC mentor, Arek, when we visited SE Ventures. We had a very deep conversation about how to explore and enter venture, as well as hearing some of the more difficult aspects of the career." Q: What was the single most valuable aspect of the fellowship for you? A: "The community — through both our VC mentor and my team, I was able to find a trusted sounding board for my ideas and also develop friendships across campus (such as the GSB)." A huge thank you to Gabriel for sharing his story! Applications for the RootedIn VC Fellowship 2026 cohort are now OPEN. ➡️ Apply Here & Find More Information: werootedin.org Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Don't wait! #RootedInVC #VentureCapital #Fellowship #StanfordGSB #Stanford  #Mentorship