The SVB Trek brings together university advisors, technology industry leaders and student innovators for an immersive Silicon Valley experience that culminates during a four-day event.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – November 18, 2015 – Silicon Valley Bank, the bank of the world's most innovative companies and their investors, today announced the second year of the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) Trek. To champion the next generation of innovators, Silicon Valley Bank partnered with university advisors and tech industry leaders to create a unique opportunity for student innovators.  During a four-day event on January 4-7, 2016 in Silicon Valley and San Francisco, selected students from 12 universities will build a network of peers and advisors and gain insights and advice to propel them to the next stage of their career development.

"We are pleased to welcome the next group of young entrepreneurs to the SVB Trek," said Jim Marshall, managing director of Silicon Valley Bank. "Our objective is to open our vast network of industry leaders to these brilliant students. Just as relationships are core to our success, focused attention on connecting students to a network of well-regarded industry leaders and advisors will be invaluable to their experience as well as their future success."

University advisors from the participating institutions will select undergraduate and graduate students who best represent the spirit of the innovation sector from their diverse student body. The participating universities include:

  • Brown University
  • Cornell University
  • Harvard University
  • Ohio State University
  • Texas A&M
  • The Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • University of California, Berkeley
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Notre Dame
  • Reykjavik University
  • Stanford University
  • Wharton Entrepreneurship
 During the four-day Trek, students will attend salon-style discussions, workshops and one-on-one meetings with their Trek guides. The Trek guides include prominent industry leaders, entrepreneurs, founders, venture capitalists, educators, and advisors who are shaping the innovation economy. These guides will offer advice, insight and connections to the students throughout the event. Some guest speakers include Tom Conrad, Pandora; Aileen Lee, Cowboy Ventures; Jeff Seibert, Twitter; Tina Sharkey, Sherpa Foundry.

 

About Silicon Valley Bank
For more than 30 years, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) has helped innovative companies and their investors move bold ideas forward, fast. SVB provides targeted financial services and expertise through its offices in innovation centers around the world. With commercial, international and private banking services, SVB helps address the unique needs of innovators. Forbes named SVB one of America's best banks (2015) and one of America's best-managed companies (2014). Learn more at svb.com.

Silicon Valley Bank is the California bank subsidiary and commercial banking operation of SVB Financial Group (Nasdaq: SIVB), and a member of the FDIC. Silicon Valley Bank and SVB Financial Group are members of the Federal Reserve System. 


Media Contact

Julia Thompson    

Silicon Valley Bank

415.764.4707

Jthompson3@svb.com