ABOUT US
The Community That Ventures Forward.
Empowering innovation and fueling dreams.
Boston University Venture Capital Group (BUVCG) ignite innovation by cultivating the future leaders of entrepreneurship and investment. We empower members through rigorous training as expert sourcing analysts, equipping them with the skills to thrive in the dynamic landscape of venture capital. From immersive VC case competitions to hands-on experiences, we offer a platform where passion meets proficiency, propelling both our members and the startups we support toward unparalleled success.
Programs →
Mission Statement
At Boston University Venture Capital Group (BUVCG), we are committed to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth within our university community and beyond. Our mission is to identify, support, and invest in promising startups and emerging ventures that demonstrate the potential to make a significant impact in their respective industries.
Driven by a passion for empowering visionary entrepreneurs, our group aims to provide strategic financial support, mentorship, and resources to catalyze the development of groundbreaking ideas. By leveraging the diverse expertise and talent within our network, we seek to create a dynamic ecosystem that nurtures creativity, collaboration, and the pursuit of excellence.
Our core values center around integrity, diligence, and a forward-thinking mindset. We strive to be a catalyst for positive change by connecting innovators with the resources they need to transform their ideas into successful, sustainable businesses. Through responsible and ethical investment practices, we aim to contribute to the economic and social development of our community while fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.
Boston University Venture Capital Group is dedicated to building lasting relationships with entrepreneurs, investors, and stakeholders, creating a thriving ecosystem that propels the next generation of leaders and disruptors. Together, we aspire to shape the future by supporting and nurturing the innovative spirit that defines Boston University and its entrepreneurial community.
Meet The Team
Baiwen Zheng
Founder and President
About
Baiwen Zheng is the driving force behind the Boston University Venture Capital Group (BUVCG) as its Founder and President. With a background in Computer Science and Business Administration, Baiwen’s journey from a classical singer at LaGuardia Performing Arts School to a trailblazing leader reflects her passion for merging creativity with analytical thinking.
As an Innovation Fellow at Innovate@BU, she champions tech-driven solutions while advocating for diversity in STEM fields through her involvement on the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers Executive Board. Baiwen’s multifaceted leadership extends to various campus roles, from Student Government’s Advocacy Committee to leading teams to participate in case competitions, she leverages her expertise to drive impactful outcomes. Whether singing on stage as a soprano for BU Symphonic Chorus or figure skating on the ice at Walter Brown Arena, Baiwen embodies resilience and versatility, poised to make an indelible mark in venture capital and beyond.
Baiwen enjoys meeting like-minded people, if you have any questions or would like to get involved, feel free to reach out at baiwenz@bu.edu.
Kurt Meyer
Vice President
About
As a leader of BUVCG, Kurt Meyer aims to cultivate a professional and welcoming environment built on mutual respect and inclusivity. His plethora of business acumen allows him to pursue a degree in Business Administration and nurture a community, all while building a startup.
As a consultant at BU Consulting Group and a former analyst at BUFIC, Kurt blends analytical expertise with creative problem solving to deliver innovative, high-quality business solutions. In addition, his work and leadership in Student Government’s Academic Affairs department leverage his skill sets to bring positive change to the broader BU community.
Kurt’s passion for venture capital stems from his entrepreneurial spirit and background in finance. With a family history in investment banking and consulting, he seeks to involve and educate more aspiring students who are questioning, interested, or deeply passionate about startup culture and strategy.
When he’s not talking with founders or our VC partners, you’ll find him practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai in Fitrec. Get in touch with him at kurtam@bu.edu.
Dimitri Lykidis
VP of External Affairs
About
Dimitri is a rising sophomore from Los Angeles, California studying Finance and Entrepreneurship at the Questrom School of Business. He is involved in BUFC along with BUVCG. In his free time, Dimitri is an avid sports fan, mainly following Football and Soccer despite his teams being perpetual failures.
His ambitions in venture capital stem from the holistic nature of working in the field, as merely understanding numbers and quantitative is insufficient for sourcing, guiding, and funding successful startups. Additionally, he sought this role to sharpen his networking and communicative skills, previously being a communications major. Venture Capital enables him to test his expertise in every facet of business in ways other fields do not. In his opinion, being able to serve as a launchpad for innovative entrepreneurs striving to enact change in society is unique and fulfilling.
Feel free to contact him with any inquiries regarding BUVCG at dsl@bu.edu.
Ellen Zheng
VP of Sourcing
About
Ellen Zheng is a rising sophomore majoring in computer engineering and minoring in innovation and entrepreneurship. She’s from New York City and spent much of her middle and high school years pursuing diverse interests ranging from music production to basketball. Since her time at BU, she’s found her place within the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Ellen is working on her startup—an AI nutrition platform—as a First-Year Innovation Fellow. She’s also an intern for BU’s Campus Activities Board, Programs Director at BU Entrepreneur’s Club, Director of Technology at Dream Venture Labs, Campus Director for Hult Prize, Product Management Intern for Teamwork, and Software Engineering Intern for Popple. Additionally, she is starting new positions as an undergraduate researcher at Wise Circuits Lab and the Multimedia Communications Lab. Ultimately, Ellen seeks to make an impact on all communities through her work.
Ellen’s interest in VC results from the interconnection between VCs and entrepreneurship. She’s particularly excited to gain a better understanding of startups from an investor’s perspective.
When she’s not working, Ellen is probably researching how to optimize her time just a bit more. If not that, she can be found exploring new coffee shops and neighborhoods, playing drums, reading, or hanging out with friends. You can reach her at ellenz@bu.edu.
Huy (Benjamin) Nguyen
VP of Marketing
About
Benjamin Nguyen is a rising sophomore from Vietnam, currently pursuing a dual degree in Economics Mathematics and Business Administration concentrating in Finance. On campus, he is part of the Boston University Consulting Group and Boston Finance and Investment Club. Furthermore, he’s also working on his own startup, AppGenie. Outside of professional pursuits, Ben is a big fan of K-Drama and K-Pop, especially Blackpink.
As a business entrepreneur, venture capital (VC) is a crucial component of early-stage fundraising, thus he’s interested in learning more about this industry. In a manner that other industries cannot match, venture capital allows him to put his knowledge of every aspect of business to the test. Moreover, Ben is eager to network and meet more VCs and founders, especially through BUVCG.
Feel free to reach out to me for any questions about BUVCG at pororobe@bu.edu.
Seiri Lee
Director of Operations
About
Seiri Lee is an economics student at Boston University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree with minors in applied statistics and data science. She is passionate about applying data science and analytics to solve complex business problems and create value. She currently serve as the Treasurer and Director of Operation at the Boston University Venture Capital Group, where she manage finances and lead fundraising efforts to ensure financial sustainability.
She is from Seoul, South Korea, with a unique background of being half Chinese and half Korean. Seiri is deeply interested in venture capital and entrepreneurship because she enjoys innovation and working with diverse teams. In her free time, she loves going to the gym and playing tennis. She also enjoys watching economics news on YouTube while she eats. She is excited to join a team that values innovation, collaboration, and diversity, and where she can leverages her analytical, creative, and communication skills to support the goals and vision.
You will be able to reach out to her at slee0730@bu.edu.
Amy Zheng
Secretary
About
From Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Amy Zheng is concentrating as a Finance & Marketing student at the Questrom School of Business. Her passion resides in graphic designing, content creation, and social media. In BUVCG, she would like to help promote club branding and activities. As she meets new potential founders, she would like to provide a helping hand in helping design their brands as well.
Amy hopes to pursue a masters degree for Law in the near future. Specifically business and immigration law. She is inspired by her immigrant parents that became entrepreneurs in America. In order to protect new immigrants from starting their own aspiring businesses, Amy hopes to start her own law firm to help those in need.
Through VCG, she is excited to learn more about supporting start-up businesses by nurturing their growth. Aside from her passions with entrepreneurship, she enjoys streaming/ playing video games in her free time.
For any questions/ inquiries, feel free to reach out to amyx@bu.edu.
Mirabel Chin
Director of Marketing
About
Mirabel Chin is a rising sophomore majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Data Science. She is from Darien, Connecticut, but recently moved to Park Ridge, New Jersey.
Mirabel’s interest in VC stems from her love of everything and wanting a career that exposes her to all aspects and skill sets of life. She hopes to pursue a career in either sports marketing or working with brand partnerships and believes that being part of BUVCG will give her the skills necessary to succeed.
During high school, she volunteered by singing at her local church, helped lead her school’s robotics team, performed with the Paul Green Rock Academy, and founded her high school acapella group. She hopes to continue her love for music here at BU. Outside of class, her passions include watching F1, hockey and soccer, taking photographs of the beautiful scenery in Boston and beyond, trying new cafes, and rewatching the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Feel free to contact her at chinm@bu.edu.
Kush Mallick
Director of Sourcing
About
Kush Mallick is a sophomore concentrating in Finance and Accounting. He is from Sharon, MA (not too far from Boston). On campus, he is part of the Entrepreneurship Club and Auto Club. Aside from that, he spends much of his time running his startup, ChitChat, as the CFO.
He is very passionate about problem-solving through technology, entrepreneurship, and cars. Kush is interested in VC because as a startup founder, VC is an important aspect of early-stage funding, and having a stronger understanding of the space will be helpful for me. Also, he wants to pursue a career in VC down the road. Specifically through BUVCG, he is excited to meet more founders and VCs in Boston and make new connections.
He can be reached at kushagra@bu.edu.
Jason Zheng
Director of Sourcing
About
Jason Zheng, a rising junior at BU majoring in Data Science with a minor in Business Administration, was born in Brooklyn, NY, but spent most of his life in Ohio. This summer, he will intern at KPMG as part of the Embark Scholars program in the New York office. On campus, he is involved in various organizations such as Student Government, BizTech Club, BUFC, and BUCG. Outside of his academic and professional pursuits, Jason enjoys watching basketball, with the Miami Heat being his favorite team. Jason also enjoys listening to music, with NewJeans and Travis Scott being his current favorite artists, and exploring new boba shops as well.
Driven by a passion for developing ambitious ideas and thinking outside of the box, Jason aspires to pursue a career in either venture capital or as an entrepreneur. He is drawn to the cultures of both fields, which advocate for people who are able to uncover connections between two seemingly unrelated products or services and create innovative changes that drive change. Through his involvement in BUVCG, Jason hopes to support other like-minded students on similar journeys, driving forward innovative changes that shape the world in meaningful ways.
Feel free to reach out to him at ldzheng@bu.edu for any questions or inquiries on how to get involved with the club at any time.
Yingru Zou
Director of Outreach
About
Yingru Zou is a rising junior majoring in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics. She is proud to be of Manchu and Mongolian descent from Mainland China. Ying enjoys a range of sports like boxing, soccer, snowboarding, tennis, basketball, and fencing! Currently, she serves as the vice president of the career development department at BUCSSA and am involved in research focusing on the intersection of healthcare and machine learning.
The reason why she’s interested in VC: Ying was recently inspired at the Harvard Chinese Forum by successful founders and investors who highlighted the importance of boldness and risk-taking. This has motivated her to delve into venture capital to better understand global economic trends and navigate professional uncertainties more confidently.
Fun facts about her: 1. Her socks always have holes. 2. Fitrec is her second home(Go there almost everyday)! Her email is yinging@bu.edu.
Boston University Venture Capital Group 