Three outcomes.
One program.
Speak the language of venture capital, make smarter NIL decisions, and build a long‑term career foundation in VC, startups, or entrepreneurship.
Program milestones
- 1Months 1 to 3
Complete Cardinal Legacy Valley Ventures Academy Curriculum (receive certification upon graduation).
- 2Months 3 to 12
Serve as a venture scout (deemed a knowledgeable employee at the conclusion of month 12).
- 3Month 12 and beyond
Eligible to invest in Cardinal Legacy Funds, which invest in top venture capital funds.
Turn NIL into
patient capital.
See how your NIL earnings grow over decades when you invest instead of spend — and what you're leaving on the table.
Nil calculator
Compare spending today with investing for the long run.
You've spent years building their brand.
It's time to let your money do the work.
The curriculum
Seven modules.
Built for athletes.
Welcome to VC
How venture capital works, why it matters, and why being an athlete gives you a head start most people in finance will never have.
Like your first day of preseason — orientation before the real work
Finding Deals
Where investment opportunities come from, how scouts find them, and how to evaluate a founding team in the first 30 minutes.
Like your recruiting season — finding talent before anyone else sees it
The Numbers
CAC, LTV, churn, burn rate, runway — the numbers that tell you if a startup is healthy or dying. Business models decoded.
Like your performance analytics — the numbers don't lie
The Money
How valuations get set, what a term sheet says, and the difference between founder‑friendly and investor‑friendly deals — in plain English.
Like your your own contract — now you understand every clause
Your Edge
Wearables, analytics, fan engagement, training tech. The markets where your insider knowledge gives you an edge no analyst will ever have.
Like your locker room intel — worth more than any analyst report
Making the Call
What VCs investigate before writing a check. How to write an investment memo that gets taken seriously. When to say no — and when to back conviction.
Like your film study before a championship — every detail matters
Your Future
VC, angel investing, founder paths, and network strategy. Deploy NIL earnings wisely and build long‑term wealth with patient capital.
Like your life after the game — start building it now
The vibe
Built for athletes.
Backed by real outcomes.
This isn’t “finance content.” It’s a playbook for decision‑making — designed around your world: NIL, recruiting, travel, seasons, and the network you already have.
Get in the room.
Join athletes who are learning how to treat NIL like venture capital, build equity, and make decisions that compound for decades.
Valley Ventures.Academy
A learning platform for athletes who want to understand venture capital, build ownership, and make smarter decisions with NIL.