Programmes
Four ways to grow.
Every programme is built around doing something, not just hearing about it. No jargon. No prerequisites. No finance bros.
About this programme
Build better startups, with people who know what to ask. Board Hours is Club Finterest's founder and venture-building pillar, creating practical spaces where student founders can pressure-test ideas, sharpen strategy, and get real feedback from VCs, operators, and experienced builders. This isn't about pitching perfectly — it's about learning how to think clearly, build intentionally, and become more investor-ready over time.
Who it's for
For student founders, startup-curious students, and builders who want feedback, structure, and access to the startup ecosystem — pre-seed or early-stage teams, founders preparing for incubators or accelerators, first-time fundraisers, and venture-curious students who want to understand how startups are evaluated.
What happens
Our flagship experience, Startup Simulation, is a 2-day VC-led founder development programme moving through four stages: Idea, Build, Refine, and Pitch. Teams learn how investors think, validate assumptions, sharpen their pitch narrative, and pitch to VCs and operators for candid feedback. Founders with existing products or traction can join Lifecycle Lab, a station-based diagnostic clinic where teams rotate through focused mentoring sessions on scaling, fundraising, and go-to-market execution.
What you leave with
Investor readiness, a sharper startup strategy, pitch confidence, real feedback from people who understand startups and venture-building, and a community of other student founders who are also building and figuring it out.
About this programme
Finance crash courses that don't feel like crash landings. Foundation Sprints are short, beginner-friendly workshops that help students build practical finance skills from zero to one. Each sprint breaks down one topic into simple concepts, live examples, guided exercises, and clear next steps — no jargon overload, no passive lectures, no pretending everyone already knows what EBITDA is.
Who it's for
Students who want structure but not a full-semester lecture — freshmen, non-finance majors, and anyone who keeps hearing terms like the buy-side or sell-side without being fully sure what they mean.
What happens
Our first sprint was a beginner-friendly Venture Capital simulation led by Augie Ilag, Partner and Head of Asia at CMT Digital — around 72 signups and 50–55 attendees worked through a live startup case and made a real invest-or-pass decision. Upcoming sprints include Exploring Finance Pathways, a webinar breaking down capital markets, deals & advisory, banking & risk, and operations & strategy roles, and Financial Literacy & Market Insights, which teaches a simple 3-step framework for turning financial headlines into real understanding.
What you leave with
A take-home resource — a dashboard, checklist, or template — plus a working understanding of the topic and the confidence to keep exploring it, without needing to be an expert first.
About this programme
Finance careers, minus the awkward networking energy. Career Capital Café is a recurring, small-group networking series giving students direct, low-pressure access to professionals across finance roles. Instead of large panels or mass networking, each session focuses on real conversations, honest career stories, and intentional relationship-building. No resume drops, no forced small talk, no pretending you already know your five-year plan.
Who it's for
Students curious about finance roles but unsure which path fits them — Year 1 to Year 4, non-finance majors seeking exposure, students considering career switches, and anyone who prefers smaller, more personal settings to crowded halls.
What happens
Students rotate through small-group conversations at role-specific tables — investment banking, private equity, corporate banking, sales and trading, asset management, or financial services — supported by conversation prompt cards and action plan cards. Our flagship initiative, FIN Summit, brings together around 300 students for career workshops, finance role panels, partner booths, and structured networking.
What you leave with
Real face time with professionals, a clearer sense of which finance paths actually fit you, and a simple recap with key takeaways and next steps after every session.