What is a Scout Program?
VC scout programs pay individuals (often founders, operators, or angels) a percentage of carried interest or a flat fee for sourcing deals that the fund invests in.
Scout programs have exploded in popularity. Top-tier programs from Sequoia, Andreessen Horowitz, and others have produced some of the best venture returns of the past decade.
GitDealFlow is the ideal tool for scouts: weekly trending lists help you surface deals early, and the Scout Score feature predicts which GitHub users will found valuable companies.
Top 5 Scout Programs
1. Sequoia Capital Scout - The most prestigious scout program. Pays carried interest on deals sourced.
2. Andreessen Horowitz Scout - Strong brand and education. Pays carried interest. Focus on crypto, AI, fintech.
3. Lightspeed Venture Partners Scout - Excellent for international scouts. Pays carry and community access.
4. Village Global Scout - Network-driven fund. Strong LP network for portfolio companies.
5. Soma Capital Scout - Largest scout network. $25K per deal bonus plus carry.
How to Succeed as a Scout
Use GitDealFlow to surface deal flow before other scouts see it. The weekly trending list gives you fresh startups every Monday.
Build relationships with 10-20 high-quality founders. Attend Demo Days. Read GitHub READMEs.
Quality beats quantity. 1-2 great deals per year as a scout can earn more than 20 mediocre ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do VC scouts make?
Top scouts earn $50K-$200K+/year in carry and bonuses. GitDealFlow's Scout Score feature helps you discover future founders.
Can I be a scout part-time?
Yes. Most scouts source 2-5 hours per week. GitDealFlow's weekly digest makes efficient sourcing possible.
Do I need a network to be a scout?
It helps, but GitDealFlow can build your deal flow pipeline systematically. Surface startups and research founders.